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Power got knocked out for about 90% of the area where I live. Finally got power here. Half of the trees by me are down.

Tonight I am testing to see if my meat in the freezer is still good. Wish me luck!

*Hands over a gas mask and elbow-length rubber gloves*

From the retro video games come to life department: crossing the street in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. My neighborhood has power, but still no working traffic lights. Since there aren't enough traffic cops for every intersection, crossing the street is like a game of Frogger.

I remember that one. my mom loved it. Although now a bit harsh. Stay safe!

Fun week for Mikey. Last Sunday, while wifey was on her way home from presenting research and defending her abstract at UPenn, something happened: I had a hypoglycemic episode followed either by unconsciousness and a fall, or a fall leading to unconsciousness. Either way, I opened up my head against the kitchen floor and traded a fair bit of cerebral blood for a nasty concussion and a couple of loose teeth. My 8-year-old daughter called 9-1-1 (emergency service hotline in the States) and not only very bravely got help, but clearly and accurately described my diabetes and hypertension. She even checked the responding officer's badge before opening the door.

I woke up in a hospital Sunday evening with a screaming headache, a pair of staples holding the back of my head together, and a complete inability to recall the facts of a conversation held 5 minutes prior. Of course, the following day of my hospital stay was also the day that Hurricane Sandy, the so-called "Frankenstorm," and the attendant falling willow trees in my backyard robbed my home of a working furnace as well as of cable, phone, and internet service.

Well, I came home from the hospital on Friday, accompanied by a sore wound site and occasional paralyzing headaches... and, unfortunately, a tendency toward distraction and becoming tired very easily. Unfortunate, because that was precisely when wifey I had to start going about the business of insurance claims, repair orders, money-shuffling, and physical clean-up. But, I got me some internet/TV/phone back this evening, got some help from good neighbors and good family, and got the balls rolling.

Glad to hear that things are moving ahead, Mikey.

Tsukiyumi wrote:Glad to hear that things are moving ahead, Mikey.

Yep, although I'm trying to avoid moving a head too much...

Anyway, it's certainly not like me to be idealistic, maudlin, or even anything less than cynical most of the time. However, I must say that the conduct I've witnessed since my accident and the storm from my neighbors and family has truly braced me (in a good way) and given me a modicum of hope for some percentage of our species.

I've been hosting people from Brooklyn this last week and most of this week while the area gets its power and transit working again. I've had power and water the whole time so I have 4-6 people sleep on my couches and floor so they can have showers and actually get to work/

Teaos wrote:I've been hosting people from Brooklyn this last week and most of this week while the area gets its power and transit working again. I've had power and water the whole time so I have 4-6 people sleep on my couches and floor so they can have showers and actually get to work/

That's quite nice of you. A lot of people would be afraid of being robbed if they let people stay over!

All people I know, or at least good friends of people I know, also I haven't lived here long enough to own nice stuff. Apart from my laptop and electronic goods the most expensive thing I own is furniture, which I would be impressed if they managed to steal it.

Teaos wrote:which I would be impressed if they managed to steal it.

Obviously, you haven't yet met anyone from Red Hook.

Teaos wrote:I've been hosting people from Brooklyn this last week and most of this week while the area gets its power and transit working again. I've had power and water the whole time so I have 4-6 people sleep on my couches and floor so they can have showers and actually get to work/

That's right nice of you, Teaos.

6 people in 20 square meters.... Just like life at sea.

Teaos wrote:Apart from my laptop and electronic goods the most expensive thing I own is furniture, which I would be impressed if they managed to steal it.

It's not that hard actually all you have to do is ..... never mind.

I voted. And that's all I'll say on it.