Thanks! You know, I did feel a tad smug, watching my neighbors milling about outside, confused and with nothing to do. One of them, an older lady had told me as she laughed 'What am I going to do now!? There are shows I want to watch!'
I had even photographed the typecast, but by the time I was finished photographing the Erika, the power was back on, so I could just scan it for easier reading. I found I made less errors without power; maybe I should rent a shack for a month during NaNo?
It was certainly unexpected, but fun, in its own weird way. I've lived without utilities before (even lived in a tent for the better part of a year, back in my hippie days) so doing without doesn't really phase me.
The gas was a bit troublesome, however, just for the sheer stupidity of it all. I ended up calling them and uttering that magic phrase 'I would like to speak to a supervisor', and lo and behold, fifteen seconds later my appointment has been magically moved to tomorrow. Gee, I wonder why?
I had a similar smug experience a couple years back which led to a blood and profanity soaked rant written on a new typewriter while everyone else on the block twiddled their thumbs.
Haha, you were in rare form indeed! I was cracking up reading that post, though it must have been irksome at best. The power out AND a busted typer? That's a nightmare. Looks as though you took it out on the two you used as well, as there was lots of double-strike action.
An exciting day. Don't you just hate when all of that happens and all at one time?
I did when I lived in town (city water & gas & electric) and I do now, living in a city. I had a similar situation with a local gas company; resolved and reconnected within an hour after calling the PUC (mine was illegally turned off by the gas co).
I'd rather live in the country where I had been 99% self-sufficient.
As long as I have a bicycle I can get around locally.
Oh I definitely miss living far from civilization. I grew up in the country and we were quite independent out there. Seems like the farther you venture into the urban jungle the more dependent you become.
Are you serious? Good thing they resolved that with haste! I bet that is an interesting story!
One of these days, I'm going to have a penny farthing. And ride it. I have a 50cc scooter right now, but my leg isn't working well enough for me to even ride that right now.
The 21st century is a weird mixture of sophisticated technology, the utilities it depends upon to function, and the breakdown of said utilities.
For example, cell phones are not quite-ready-for-prime-time, in my opinion; it's amazing how often there is poor or NO reception. And let's not even TALK about computers!
I am shocked -- yet NOT -- that it's going to take nearly a week for your gas to be turned back on. That's amazing! But fortunately you have a good attitude about it. Already you have made lemonade out of lemons in this post.
Yes, the fuel prices in our Great State of California have risen sharply this week. OUCH! But whenever I'm tempted to complain, I remind myself that it's been very much higher in Europe for years.
Oh this is certainly true, the point you make about cell phones. I had almost forgotten about the 'beta testing' commercials of late last year. It is estimated that society would take a mere three days to break down into chaos without utilities and access to food, and in an urban setting that is a disturbing thought. I envy you your woods!
I called the gas company for a third time and said the magic phrase 'I would like to speak to a supervisor'. Within thirty seconds they had bumped my appointment up to today, which is acceptable. I've gone without a lot in my life; it doesn't bother me, but the thought of cold water against my metal-bearing leg wasn't exactly making me do the happy dance, either, haha! Thank you for the compliment! I'd like to think I'm able to make the best of a bad situation!
I had forgotten about the gas prices in Europe! As a teenager, I had a pen-pal in Scotland (in the late 90's) and even then, gas was over $4 a gallon. I suppose we're just beginning to catch up. It really makes me appreciate my scooter...and the fact I really don't have any place to be right now.
That Erika looks nicer and nicer each time I see it. I love that it is sitting on a higher table than the Oliver, but is STILL shorter!
That whole business with the gas company is typical. They put you off and ignore you until you demand their higher-up. Disgusting. Our power was out for 3 days after a hurricane and flooding last year. After a while, I called the provider to find out when it would turn back on. I verified my address and phone number through the digital recording system they had set up, and it told me an estimated 3 days or something. 10 minutes later...power returned! I have wondered about that...
Good luck with everything, and keep on typing! Perhaps the people that hear or see you will not turn their noses up at the next typewriter they come across.
The Erika is the second smallest typer I own. The only one smaller is the Standard Folding! So it's pretty tiny, and the Oliver 9's are incredibly imposing machines, even when compared to other, earlier Olivers. My theory is that they stopped production of this type of Oliver at 21 (I believe) because any larger and they would have to have buildings built around them. They are some of the largest machines in my collection, and I have 3 9's. Yes, there is a reason for that and all shall be revealed soon. Their names are Dane, Dragon and Spock, as the most recent arrived during a Star Trek marathon!
I was not going to accept the whole 'wait-a-week' thing as an answer. They may be a monopoly but that doesn't make that behavior any more acceptable. It makes me want to go completely off the grid just that much more. Talk about irksome! Good that your power was restored in ten minutes rather than three days. I remember that storm; weren't there people in your [general] neck of the woods who didn't have utilities for weeks?
Thank you for the encouragement! I really need to do some typing outside. We have a lovely grassy area and a pool and I don't take advantage of either nearly enough. Perhaps tomorrow if I'm feeling up to it. Any convert to typewriter worship is fantastic, and I'm sure there are a few around here who could be swayed!
I felt pretty prepared. I had food not requiring a stove or anything to be edible, clean drinking water, candles, flashlights and my typewriters.
There was a refinery fire in San Fran and a Power outage at the one close to LA, which made the prices skyrocket practically overnight. It's expected to even out late next week, but it's going to even out on a rather high note. I would be looking for a horse and buggy if I lived in the country! I don't really have anywhere to be right now however, and my husband works close enough that we won't feel the pinch too much. I feel awful for the commuters, however. That's really got to sting.
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A fine use you made of the mini apocalypse!
ReplyDeleteI always feel smug in situations like that.
Thanks! You know, I did feel a tad smug, watching my neighbors milling about outside, confused and with nothing to do. One of them, an older lady had told me as she laughed 'What am I going to do now!? There are shows I want to watch!'
DeleteI had even photographed the typecast, but by the time I was finished photographing the Erika, the power was back on, so I could just scan it for easier reading. I found I made less errors without power; maybe I should rent a shack for a month during NaNo?
Interesting "digital Sabbath" you had there. I'd be pretty upset about the gas though.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly unexpected, but fun, in its own weird way. I've lived without utilities before (even lived in a tent for the better part of a year, back in my hippie days) so doing without doesn't really phase me.
DeleteThe gas was a bit troublesome, however, just for the sheer stupidity of it all. I ended up calling them and uttering that magic phrase 'I would like to speak to a supervisor', and lo and behold, fifteen seconds later my appointment has been magically moved to tomorrow. Gee, I wonder why?
I had a similar smug experience a couple years back which led to a blood and profanity soaked rant written on a new typewriter while everyone else on the block twiddled their thumbs.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you were in rare form indeed! I was cracking up reading that post, though it must have been irksome at best. The power out AND a busted typer? That's a nightmare. Looks as though you took it out on the two you used as well, as there was lots of double-strike action.
DeleteDon't the sheeple just drive ya nuts?
Munk: you had me at "feckless bonobos."
DeleteHA! I chortled myself at that one.
DeleteAn exciting day. Don't you just hate when all of that happens and all at one time?
ReplyDeleteI did when I lived in town (city water & gas & electric) and I do now, living in a city. I had a similar situation with a local gas company; resolved and reconnected within an hour after calling the PUC (mine was illegally turned off by the gas co).
I'd rather live in the country where I had been 99% self-sufficient.
As long as I have a bicycle I can get around locally.
Great typewriter photos.
Oh I definitely miss living far from civilization. I grew up in the country and we were quite independent out there. Seems like the farther you venture into the urban jungle the more dependent you become.
DeleteAre you serious? Good thing they resolved that with haste! I bet that is an interesting story!
One of these days, I'm going to have a penny farthing. And ride it. I have a 50cc scooter right now, but my leg isn't working well enough for me to even ride that right now.
Thank you for the compliment!
The 21st century is a weird mixture of sophisticated technology, the utilities it depends upon to function, and the breakdown of said utilities.
ReplyDeleteFor example, cell phones are not quite-ready-for-prime-time, in my opinion; it's amazing how often there is poor or NO reception. And let's not even TALK about computers!
I am shocked -- yet NOT -- that it's going to take nearly a week for your gas to be turned back on. That's amazing! But fortunately you have a good attitude about it. Already you have made lemonade out of lemons in this post.
Yes, the fuel prices in our Great State of California have risen sharply this week. OUCH! But whenever I'm tempted to complain, I remind myself that it's been very much higher in Europe for years.
Oh this is certainly true, the point you make about cell phones. I had almost forgotten about the 'beta testing' commercials of late last year. It is estimated that society would take a mere three days to break down into chaos without utilities and access to food, and in an urban setting that is a disturbing thought. I envy you your woods!
DeleteI called the gas company for a third time and said the magic phrase 'I would like to speak to a supervisor'. Within thirty seconds they had bumped my appointment up to today, which is acceptable. I've gone without a lot in my life; it doesn't bother me, but the thought of cold water against my metal-bearing leg wasn't exactly making me do the happy dance, either, haha! Thank you for the compliment! I'd like to think I'm able to make the best of a bad situation!
I had forgotten about the gas prices in Europe! As a teenager, I had a pen-pal in Scotland (in the late 90's) and even then, gas was over $4 a gallon. I suppose we're just beginning to catch up. It really makes me appreciate my scooter...and the fact I really don't have any place to be right now.
That Erika looks nicer and nicer each time I see it. I love that it is sitting on a higher table than the Oliver, but is STILL shorter!
ReplyDeleteThat whole business with the gas company is typical. They put you off and ignore you until you demand their higher-up. Disgusting. Our power was out for 3 days after a hurricane and flooding last year. After a while, I called the provider to find out when it would turn back on. I verified my address and phone number through the digital recording system they had set up, and it told me an estimated 3 days or something.
10 minutes later...power returned! I have wondered about that...
Good luck with everything, and keep on typing! Perhaps the people that hear or see you will not turn their noses up at the next typewriter they come across.
The Erika is the second smallest typer I own. The only one smaller is the Standard Folding! So it's pretty tiny, and the Oliver 9's are incredibly imposing machines, even when compared to other, earlier Olivers. My theory is that they stopped production of this type of Oliver at 21 (I believe) because any larger and they would have to have buildings built around them. They are some of the largest machines in my collection, and I have 3 9's. Yes, there is a reason for that and all shall be revealed soon. Their names are Dane, Dragon and Spock, as the most recent arrived during a Star Trek marathon!
DeleteI was not going to accept the whole 'wait-a-week' thing as an answer. They may be a monopoly but that doesn't make that behavior any more acceptable. It makes me want to go completely off the grid just that much more. Talk about irksome! Good that your power was restored in ten minutes rather than three days. I remember that storm; weren't there people in your [general] neck of the woods who didn't have utilities for weeks?
Thank you for the encouragement! I really need to do some typing outside. We have a lovely grassy area and a pool and I don't take advantage of either nearly enough. Perhaps tomorrow if I'm feeling up to it. Any convert to typewriter worship is fantastic, and I'm sure there are a few around here who could be swayed!
I should say No. 21. Of course, the 11's were the last produced state-side.
DeleteRetrotechnical flashes of the future, to show us if we are ready...
ReplyDelete$6/gal for gas? Sheesh. The typewriters are nice but I think I might need a horse to carry my ass to work.
I felt pretty prepared. I had food not requiring a stove or anything to be edible, clean drinking water, candles, flashlights and my typewriters.
DeleteThere was a refinery fire in San Fran and a Power outage at the one close to LA, which made the prices skyrocket practically overnight. It's expected to even out late next week, but it's going to even out on a rather high note. I would be looking for a horse and buggy if I lived in the country! I don't really have anywhere to be right now however, and my husband works close enough that we won't feel the pinch too much. I feel awful for the commuters, however. That's really got to sting.