What to Do When the Power Fails

As I sit here on the eve of the hurricane, which is almost a week before this post even goes up because I plan in advance but let’s just pretend, I have to worry. Not about all the dangerous winds, flooding, and possible death but about a far worse fate: what to do should the power go out. During last year’s big hurricane I spent a solid minute trying to turn on the television before I believed the power was really out. Then there was a lot of sobbing. And I mean a lot because it didn’t come back for almost four days and by the end I was ready to start murdering people.

So here’s a list of things to keep you from going all Jack Torrance should you lose your internet connection.

1. Read.

            Obviously. In the time the power was out, I read four books and ten comic book volumes. The thing is, with the lights gone you have to rely on flashlights, so be careful of eye strain. Keep some aspirin and a shot of rum on the end table in case of a headache. What? How do you swallow pills?

2. Watch movies/shows on a laptop.

            To aid with your media withdrawal, set up the laptop and have a movie night. You have to be careful not to run out of juice, though. If you have a charger that can be plugged into a car, then you don’t have much to worry about.

3. Go for a walk.

            I know. Exercise. But desperate times call for desperate measures. After the last hurricane, when I went out to survey the damage I saw a lot of people out on constitutionals. Just watch out for fallen wires. As a bonus, bring along a phone and take pictures of yourself next to fallen trees and telephone poles and act like you knocked them down with your bare hands.

4. At night, find a traffic light.

            You want to stay far back enough so you won’t get hurt, but near enough to have a good view. I live near a somewhat busy stoplight and the last time the power went out, there was more than a little SCREEEEECH-BANG! Especially on a street where everyone thinks the speed limit is a rather low suggestion.

5. Play video games.

            Alas, the consoles and computer games will not work (or won’t once the charge runs out), but there’s always games to play on phones and portable devices. Just keep a car charger or a lot of batteries handy.

And that’s all. It might be too late for this storm, but there’s always another one on the way. Maybe next year! Keep this bookmarked ; ).