Wake up, indeed, to high winds, and, for a moment, think that the cord / computer interface is no more (neither cords work), but then realize power is out in the house entirely.
Checking out back for damage (since we have not been slated for an official outage), notice a distinct spark down the greenspace.
Dutifully call it in, and the emergency folks tell me that it is known and help is on the way -- but where? A fire truck zips down the street and is no more. Concerned neighbors are gathering,
eventually drive around the block,
and
there is an observer, who acknowledges that since this is an electrical potential conflagration, there's nothing the fire department can do but observe until Pacific Gas and Electric arrives. Oh really?!
Back to the scene of the smoke,
only to be admonished by both a neighbor and an official that an electrical current could be transferred through the recentl-watered grass (which is evidently the only thing preventing this wire-breakage from becoming an inferno).
So,
join the
observers at the end of the block,
where at last the PGE truck arrives,
and
other
authorities.
Evidently power is shut off at the source,
so apparently safe
to go out on
including
fuel
and
finances
(just in case local dispensaries lose juice)...
Return for
further surveillance,
including the scene of the crime:
a reverse "S"
burned into the grass.
With little activity to restore power in sight
(and none more likely soon, given all of the other PGE activities at the moment),
head to the library
(where a booksale is in progress! -- pick up volumes on Germany / Turkey / U.S.) and
local Starbucks,
for electrical sustenance.
Back homeward again for an update,
and --
miraculously --
PGE is out in full force
(despite resources understandably stretched a bit thin during his time):
we are assured the lights will be back on as soon as possible,
either tonight or tomorrow.
But,
since not right now,
head across town to
Megan's for an
evening of light and cheer, returning late to a dark, chilly overnight, hoping for resolution soon... on the this the 205th day of summer, high way down 16 to 70 (lowest high since May 26's 64... exactly 70 also on January 27, March 15, and May 20), composing page 6 re
No Exit, Op. 330 (after Jean-Paul Sartre's 1944 play)
II. Something in the Way You Stare at Me
