Don't know what you've got till it's gone..?

Garp · 28-12-2008, 18:19

So.. Friday night turned out to be interesting. Kari and I popped down to the mall so she could use some money she got for Christmas to buy some nice perl earrings she'd seen; and use a gift card for Ruby Tuesdays that we'd received, where we had a wonderful meal before ambling back home. Whilst walking back we kept seeing flashes of lightening but not hearing any thunder which implied it was north of the island, certainly north of the mountain anyway which puts it on Honolulu's side. The lights went out along the strip of road we were on but as the rest of the area was okay we thought nothing of it.
Got back to the apartment block and decided we'd quickly check the mail before heading up. The lifts are right by the mail boxes so instead of walking up the stairs like we usually do we took the lift.

The power cut completely. We were still in the lift, with no light source, just a red LED by the emergency call button which I promptly used. The lady on the other end of the line was with a bunch of rather busy workers as it turns out power to the entire island failed. One power plant was hit and taken out of service, and the resulting overload on the rest brought the whole system down (or so they're saying so far).
In an amazing bit of precognition one of my gifts this year was a small pocket penknife/screwdriver set.. complete with integrated LED torch, and I'd got it in my pocket. Eventually I was able to pry the doors of the lift open to reveal we were just inches away from having arrived at our floor anyway!
Then in another bit of precognition another relative had bought us a "Camping light" which came complete with batteries, which gave us a source of light for the night.

Power was still off when we woke up yesterday morning, though it was restored to Kailua where Kari's parents are at around 6am, probably more because Obama is staying in Kailua than any other reason. The Windward side is usually one of the last areas to get power restored normally.

So yeah, kinda interesting night/morning. We didn't dare open the fridge or freezer as we didn't want to spoil any food in them. Our stove is electric not gas so I couldn't even make a cup of tea *sob*

We did laugh a bit that the news channels were all mentioning how the "Obama houshold suffered a power cut" but completely failed to mention the reality that the entire island of Oahu was without power. Kari's folks were listening to the radio instead on Friday night and they had a call in show. One caller said "I feel it's so embarrassing for the people of Oahu that the Obama's are suffering a power cut." DJ's response was superb "You think it's embarrassing that we suffered a huge, natural electrical storm? *CLICK* "

edit: Something that made me a little nervy last night: We went to a reunion with some of Kari's old school friends. The party was up in a penthouse suite on the 35th floor. Riding that elevator after getting stuck on Friday? *gulp* I know it's highly illogical and perfectly safe and whatnot, but still...

Justsomebloke · 28-12-2008, 21:40

I sort of know how you feel mate as my house is Entirely electric, Last cut I had was for 4 hours during a winter, Like you say You don't know what you got till it's gone.

Mark · 28-12-2008, 21:43

Sounds like "fun". A situation with the lift that I've always wondered how I'd cope with but thankfully (touch wood) not had to endure.

Garp · 28-12-2008, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Sounds like "fun". A situation with the lift that I've always wondered how I'd cope with but thankfully (touch wood) not had to endure.

This would be the second time I've been stuck in a lift. First time was one of the goods elevators at Telehouse, thankfully that one was brief. I was surprisingly calm about it all. Kari wasn't so much, but it was her first time getting stuck in one. Kari's sister is the one we're all blaming. Last time there was a major power outage she'd commented only 30 minutes before about "what would happen if there was a power outage" when at a football stadium. Friday evening she commented to her boss "What if there is a power outage?" barely 30 minutes before the power cut...

Piggymon · 28-12-2008, 22:06

I think I would actually implode if I got stuck in a lift - it's my worst nightmare ! *cries*

Glad you're both ok and got your Leccy back !

Dr. Z · 28-12-2008, 22:59

I've been stuck in lifts a few times. Great fun

Always have fun chatting with / keeping calm whoever I have been stuck in a lift with.

Tak · 28-12-2008, 23:58

I got freaked out just reading that :/ I think my ny resolution might have to be something like "get claustrophobia to at least a manageable state" but I don't think it'll happen :/

About 11:30 in the evening on my birthday, Mic and I were watching NCIS, we were about to start another episode and everything went off - checked streets and sure enough everything was dead. Managed to find candles and what-not, settled down to read by candle light and everything came back on again

mejinks · 29-12-2008, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitten

I'm going to roll out the old 'I got stuck in a lift with Eddie Izzard' tale (any opportunity).

Sadly, it was only for a few minutes and perhaps because I accidentally leaned on the 'emergency stop' button

Thats all you need for inappropriate touching

Tell us more. I don't think I've heard that story.

NokkonWud · 29-12-2008, 04:06

All our power cuts in this house have been during the day thankfully. I hate night ones as you can't even do something simple like read a book

.

Nutcase · 29-12-2008, 13:32

When the local substation exploded (and sadly killed a worker), we were without power for quite a while. All electric here too. Fortunately it was summer and so no heating needed. I have an enourmous stock of tealights though for light and heat

Not sure how I'd react if I got stuck in a lift. Probably do as Mr Garp did and find a way out!

28-12-2008, 18:19	#1
Garp Preparing more tumbleweed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 6,038	Don't know what you've got till it's gone..? So.. Friday night turned out to be interesting. Kari and I popped down to the mall so she could use some money she got for Christmas to buy some nice perl earrings she'd seen; and use a gift card for Ruby Tuesdays that we'd received, where we had a wonderful meal before ambling back home. Whilst walking back we kept seeing flashes of lightening but not hearing any thunder which implied it was north of the island, certainly north of the mountain anyway which puts it on Honolulu's side. The lights went out along the strip of road we were on but as the rest of the area was okay we thought nothing of it. Got back to the apartment block and decided we'd quickly check the mail before heading up. The lifts are right by the mail boxes so instead of walking up the stairs like we usually do we took the lift. The power cut completely. We were still in the lift, with no light source, just a red LED by the emergency call button which I promptly used. The lady on the other end of the line was with a bunch of rather busy workers as it turns out power to the entire island failed. One power plant was hit and taken out of service, and the resulting overload on the rest brought the whole system down (or so they're saying so far). In an amazing bit of precognition one of my gifts this year was a small pocket penknife/screwdriver set.. complete with integrated LED torch, and I'd got it in my pocket. Eventually I was able to pry the doors of the lift open to reveal we were just inches away from having arrived at our floor anyway! Then in another bit of precognition another relative had bought us a "Camping light" which came complete with batteries, which gave us a source of light for the night. Power was still off when we woke up yesterday morning, though it was restored to Kailua where Kari's parents are at around 6am, probably more because Obama is staying in Kailua than any other reason. The Windward side is usually one of the last areas to get power restored normally. So yeah, kinda interesting night/morning. We didn't dare open the fridge or freezer as we didn't want to spoil any food in them. Our stove is electric not gas so I couldn't even make a cup of tea sob We did laugh a bit that the news channels were all mentioning how the "Obama houshold suffered a power cut" but completely failed to mention the reality that the entire island of Oahu was without power. Kari's folks were listening to the radio instead on Friday night and they had a call in show. One caller said "I feel it's so embarrassing for the people of Oahu that the Obama's are suffering a power cut." DJ's response was superb "You think it's embarrassing that we suffered a huge, natural electrical storm? CLICK " edit: Something that made me a little nervy last night: We went to a reunion with some of Kari's old school friends. The party was up in a penthouse suite on the 35th floor. Riding that elevator after getting stuck on Friday? gulp I know it's highly illogical and perfectly safe and whatnot, but still... __________________ Mal: Define "interesting"? Wash: "Oh, God, oh, God, we're all gonna die"? Last edited by Garp; 28-12-2008 at 18:21.

28-12-2008, 21:40	#2
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	I sort of know how you feel mate as my house is Entirely electric, Last cut I had was for 4 hours during a winter, Like you say You don't know what you got till it's gone. __________________

28-12-2008, 22:06	#5
Piggymon Lara Croft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: PigmoPad - Braintree Essex Posts: 8,604	I think I would actually implode if I got stuck in a lift - it's my worst nightmare ! cries Glad you're both ok and got your Leccy back ! __________________ BF% 28/08/08 - 21%

28-12-2008, 22:59	#6
Dr. Z I'm going for a scuttle... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,021	I've been stuck in lifts a few times. Great fun Always have fun chatting with / keeping calm whoever I have been stuck in a lift with. __________________

28-12-2008, 23:58	#7
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	I got freaked out just reading that :/ I think my ny resolution might have to be something like "get claustrophobia to at least a manageable state" but I don't think it'll happen :/ About 11:30 in the evening on my birthday, Mic and I were watching NCIS, we were about to start another episode and everything went off - checked streets and sure enough everything was dead. Managed to find candles and what-not, settled down to read by candle light and everything came back on again __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

28-12-2008, 21:43	#3
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Sounds like "fun". A situation with the lift that I've always wondered how I'd cope with but thankfully (touch wood) not had to endure.

29-12-2008, 04:06	#9
NokkonWud BD Recruitment Officer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Smogville Posts: 3,880	All our power cuts in this house have been during the day thankfully. I hate night ones as you can't even do something simple like read a book . __________________

29-12-2008, 13:32	#10
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	When the local substation exploded (and sadly killed a worker), we were without power for quite a while. All electric here too. Fortunately it was summer and so no heating needed. I have an enourmous stock of tealights though for light and heat Not sure how I'd react if I got stuck in a lift. Probably do as Mr Garp did and find a way out!