Posted in A Moment in My Life

“Am I Spoiled? Yeah, Spoiled Rotten!”

A Moment in My Life – Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Jeannie Yee Davis

Being located down the street from a firehouse means it’s rare that a power outage impacts my street. Surprisingly, it happens, not often, but it does. Considering the rarity, I’m not used to a power outage when it happens, which it did this morning. At 5:33, as I began getting ready for my day, the bathroom light went off. I glanced at my nightstand, and the clock display was also blackened. I peered out the front window to my neighbor’s porch light. Their porch light is on nightly. Seeing it off, when they typically have it lit when I wake up, I knew that the power outage was not isolated to my house only. Meaning, there is nothing I need to do but to wait it out. 

Today told me that I need to work on my emergency plan a bit more. For starters, the most important thing of all—how to get that morning cup of joe. It’s hilarious, but you can get spoiled by the littlest things. I remember the morning after returning from my first cruise, I stood in front of my coffeemaker and exclaimed, “You mean I have to make my own coffee?” That was an eye-opening experience when reality kicked in. Today, what I would have given to be able to make my cup of joe. 

I wished I had leftover coffee to heat up in the microwave. Oh, right, the microwave uses power—scratch that. If only I had a cup of coffee sitting in the fridge, then I could have ice coffee, which would be better than nothing, but no ready-made coffee waiting anywhere in the house. Then, I got an epiphany—instant coffee. Right. Scratch that, no hot water without power. By this time, coffee was a forbidden item. Conceivably, I could venture out to buy a cup of coffee, but that would mean having to open the garage door, which would work manually. However, how would I reopen the garage door if the power were still out upon my return? Too much work to consider. Instead, I poured myself a nice cool glass of room temperature Zero water. Mm, delicious—just not a cup of joe that I wanted.

In times like these, I envy the people who let their hair dry naturally. It was a rude awakening to see the hairdryer on the counter, but I can’t use it. Luckily, this was simply nice to have. 

I’ve gotten into the habit of turning on my Amazon music as soon as I get up and enjoy listening to music while I get ready. Yet, today, I relented not knowing the duration of this outage when I noticed my cell phone had 60% battery power. Thank God for the personal hotspot feature I used in place of internet access on my MacBook. By the time the power came back on at 7:18, my cell battery had diminished to 30%. I made it a habit to charge all my devices to 100% before bedtime for the sole purpose of an overnight power outage. I’m fallible, and this is what happens if you skip an evening. Today was a good reminder that this is one area that I cannot drop my guard. It’s imperative to ensure we fully charge all of our devices.

Since the previous blackouts, I started leaving flashlights in every room. Today, I discovered that a flashlight is of little use when you’re in the dark closet trying to hold a flashlight in one hand while getting your clothes together. I got an epiphany, though, to affix a couple of those portable battery stick-on lights on my closet wall, and that should resolve this problem.

The timing of today’s power outage was right over the period I used to get ready for my commute into the city. Many people still have that same commute, which means the outage would’ve made many people late for work. Luckily, I use my Fitbit alarm, which has no bearing on the power. Otherwise, I’d be planning a backup alarm in preparation for the next power outage. 

It was no fun spending a couple of hours powerless, but it could’ve been worse if the power stayed out longer. I might be having a gigantic BBQ just about now. As it was, the power was out just long enough to allow me to reassess what works and what needs improving in my household in preparation for the next power outage since I’ve become so spoiled. Well, am I spoiled? Yeah, spoiled rotten!  

4 thoughts on ““Am I Spoiled? Yeah, Spoiled Rotten!”

  1. Hi Jeannie. I enjoyed your power outage story. It sure does interfere with your routine.
    Val.

  2. Hi Jeannie, I also enjoyed your power outage story. Did you get your coffee after all when power came back on? Think you get up before the birds.

    1. Hee hee, yes, Nancy! The very first thing I did was turn on my coffeemaker. It was satisfying enjoying that fresh cup of joe today. Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this column, too.

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