Still no electricity

Wednesday September 17, 2008- Day five and counting. Last night, for the first time we ventured out after dark and upon our return home I realized how dark our neighborhood really is. We obviously still have no electricity. I have stopped thinking that its return is imminent. I am reclined to the fact that it is off and for some reason we will be the people who go 2-3 weeks without it. I nor anyone I have spoken to or heard on the radio has any idea as to where it will come on or what kind of plan the electric company is working on. I am constantly reminded of a saying our principle quotes often, “In the absence of information people assume the worst.” If we knew a timetable I believe people would have an easier time dealing with the loss of power.
Dealing with a 14 year old son with no electric is not easy. The boredom that sets in is driving him crazy. His generation more than older generations or mine is one of constant stimulation. Television, cell phones, computers and constant access to technology is what they have been raised on. An immediate and total elimination of power and thus technology drives them crazy. He is not good at occupying time with books and reading. This storm is becoming costly due to entertaining him with something to do.
The cell phone companies, and in particular Verizon Wireless have been the most reliable entity through this storm. The service I receive has not once been interrupted. In the middle of the storm I called my mother at 5:30am to check on the status of the storm and the call went through with no difficulty. It is odd that they are so far ahead of every other infrastructure industry. Perhaps the energy companies need to look to them for some sort of guidance. It seems that in 2008 in the age of high tech materials and wireless communication and incredible technological advances that our electricity is still carried by thick above ground wires, which are held aloft by wooden poles.
We got news yesterday that school will be out until at least Monday September 23. This is wise decision. It would be very difficult to conduct business while a number of students are still without power. How these days will be made up is a question. It will be difficult to cram everything we need to teach into one less week.
Lets hope today is the lucky day that we hit the electricity lottery. I have hope. I am running out of clean clothes and am dying to watch just one meaningless sitcom.