[SOC] Fw: [Qcwa] Lessons from Isabelle

[Bob N0UF]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "W1EOF" <w1eof@hamnutz.com>
To: <qcwa@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 5:43 PM
Subject: [Qcwa] Lessons from Isabelle


> ---------------------------------------------------------
> 
>    Things I learned since Hurricane Isabelle
>      (Article in a North Carolina paper.)
> 
> * Coffee and de-frozen pizzas can both be made on a BBQ grill.
> 
> * No matter how many times you thoughtlessly flick the switch, 
>   the lights don't work without electricity.
> 
> * My car gets 23.21675 miles per gallon, EXACTLY. (You can ask 
>   the people in line who helped me push it.)
> 
> * Kids can survive 4 days or longer without a video game 
>   controller in their hand, amazing to say. 
> 
> * Cats are even more irritating without power.
> 
> * He who has the biggest generator, wins.
> 
> * A new method of non-lethal torture--showers without hot water.
> 
> * There are a lot more stars in the sky than most people thought.
> 
> * TV is an addiction; and the withdrawal symptoms are painful.
>   One day at a time, brother!
> 
> * It sure is QUIET around here at night! (Except for the generators;
>   and they all go off around midnight.  And except for whatever it
>   is that walks around in my attic very late at night.)
> 
> * A 7 lb bag of ice will chill 6, 12 oz Budweiser's to a drinkable 
>   temperature in 11 minutes, and still keep a 14 lb. turkey frozen
>   for 8 more hours.
> 
> * There are a lot of dang trees around here!  (A bit fewer 
>   than before, but still plenty available for next time!)
> 
> * Flood plane drawings on some mortgage documents were 
>   seriously wrong.
> 
> * Contrary to most Hampton Roads natives' beliefs, the speed limit 
>   on roads without traffic lights does NOT increase.
> 
> * Just because you're 45 doesn't mean you can stay out as late as 
>   you want. At least that's what the nice Hampton cop told me
>   during my curfew violation stop.
> 
> * Crickets can increase their volume to overcome the sound 
>   of 14 generators.
> 
> * People will get into a line that has already formed without 
>   having any idea what the line is for.
> 
> * Police and firefighters become irritable after 15 straight
>   18 hour days on duty.  Be extra cooperative with them.
> 
> * When required, a Lincoln Continental will float: it doesn't 
>   steer well, but floats just the same.  For a little while.
> 
> * Tele-marketers function no matter what the weather is doing.
> 
> * Cell phones work erratically when land lines are down, but 
>   only as long as the battery remains charged.  Fancy phones 
>   that need wall-warts to work---  ---don't.
> 
> * 27 of your neighbors are fed from a different transformer 
>   than you, and they are quick to point that out!
> 
> * If my store sold only ice, chainsaws, gas and generators... 
>   ...I'd be rich
> 
> * The price of a can of soup rises 500% right after a big storm.
> 
> * The ATM is down.  I have $14.  My wife has $3.  The kids have 
>   zero.  That little glass jar with loose change is empty.
> 
> * Your waterfront property can quickly become someone else's 
>   fishing hole.
> 
> * Tree service companies are under appreciated. These are fine,
>   hardworking people.
> 
> * I learned what happens when you make fun of another states' 
>   blackout.
> 
> * Drywall is a compound word, take away the 'dry" part and its 
>   pretty much worthless.
> 
> * The supermarket can't swipe my MasterCard.
> 
> * I can walk a lot farther than I thought.
> 
> * Bicycles can carry cargo.
> 
> * Sitting around the fire, just talking with my family, and
>   working together to get through all this is sort of enjoyable,
>   actually.  Maybe the power will never come back.
> 
>   We can hope.
> 
> end
> 
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