What do you do when the electicity goes out?
By CharRay7
@CharRay7 (1549)
United States
July 15, 2008 5:52am CST
I just hate it when the electricity goes of because of storm, etc. 
I find that there is nothing to do. Maybe I am so wrapped up in technology that I've forgotten what it is like without the TV, internet, lights, air conditioning, etc. Our power went out about a week ago and it was only for about an hour but I was going stir crazy.
I lit a candle and just kind of looked around, found a big flashlight and then sat back down like a dummy. I talked to my dogs and petted them and they were loving that! lol I tried to figure out something to do in the dark, but there wasn't much to do at all.. and besides it was getting stuffy in the house without A/C and the fans circulating the air. I was so glad when the power came back on and I could get on with my day!
So what do you do?
Char
I find that there is nothing to do. Maybe I am so wrapped up in technology that I've forgotten what it is like without the TV, internet, lights, air conditioning, etc. Our power went out about a week ago and it was only for about an hour but I was going stir crazy. I lit a candle and just kind of looked around, found a big flashlight and then sat back down like a dummy. I talked to my dogs and petted them and they were loving that! lol I tried to figure out something to do in the dark, but there wasn't much to do at all.. and besides it was getting stuffy in the house without A/C and the fans circulating the air. I was so glad when the power came back on and I could get on with my day!
So what do you do?
Char
10 people like this
52 responses
@lazeebee (5461)
• Malaysia
16 Jul 08
It's terrible when the electricity goes out, especially if the outage would last more than 2 hours or so.
We had a notice from the power supply company that they would shut off the electricity for about 8 - 10 hours for major maintenance (whatever that means???). We were all prepared for the day; and what happened, was that the power supply went off one day earlier. We called up to complain; there were a lot of passing-the-buck and finger-pointing from them. Whatever, the power is off, and that's it.
We couldn't stay at home - it was hot and humid. So we went out to the hypermarkets & shopping centers; shop, had our meals. We came back 5 hours later (we were tired); and fortunately the power was restored.
3 people like this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I"ve had some black outs when my kids were smaller. We'd light candles nad sit together and I'd tell them stories from my childhood. They loved to hear my stories of "back in those days" and we also make up things about places we'd want to go or things to do. Amazing how much we take advantage of our luxuries!
3 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I usually either light up candles or use those stick up bulbs on the wall that only require batteries for lighting so that I can read or do other things. Sometimes I will just go to sleep when there is power outgage. Me and my neighbors will go outside and start talking to each other til the power comes back on. I find those stick up bulbs to be very handy and useful during power outages. It will get pretty darn hot in the home with the electricity out so many times me and the neighbors hang out outside.
2 people like this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
16 Jul 08
Thanks for your response 
That's a great idea to go outside when there is a power outage. I don't think I'd got out if it was dark though.
It does become terribly hot in the house in the summer time when the power goes out. It's unbearable at times.
Have a great day,
Char
That's a great idea to go outside when there is a power outage. I don't think I'd got out if it was dark though. It does become terribly hot in the house in the summer time when the power goes out. It's unbearable at times.
Have a great day,
Char
@amrishkj (297)
• India
16 Jul 08
Oh We get power cuts on a daily basis for half an hour in the evening. Usually after 6.00Pm in the evening there is a powercut everyday. And what I do is that I sit with my family and we talk of various thing that have to be completed the next day, what all things have to be cooked for the next day and then our child is asked on what all did he do at the school that day. We also call up my brother who is doing his Post Graduation in another city and catch up on what he did during the day and if he was doing ok and about his health. 
2 people like this
@coolmailraj (2460)
• India
31 Jul 08
Hi.
I too hate when there is a powerecut. But because of the shortage of power in our area we are quite habitual of it. I love using my electronic devices at all times but do know how to live without them when there is a power cut. I like talking to others around during power failures.
@vaishalik (237)
• India
16 Jul 08
It is some boring when electricity goes. But I try to use my time for reading in candlelight or chatting & telling jokes with family members. Really it is wonderful time. This things we rarely do when TV & Internet is on.
2 people like this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
16 Jul 08
Thank you for your response and Welcome to MyLot!
I've tried to read by candlelight but, for me, it's really hard to see and gives me a headache. It's nice that you spend time with your family during this time.
Have a nice night and I hope you like MyLot as much as I do,
Char
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
17 Jul 08
Hi Char.
When Typhoon Frank hit our country, we had no electricity from 5am to 7pm on a Sunday. My husband was almost bored to tears and was completely frustrated. It was his off from work and he was so looking forward to surfing the Net the whole day!
As for me, I still had chores to do. I took out our small rechargable lamp and went on to my tasks. My husband and our son spent the whole afternoon, walking around the house, lying on the bed, looking out the window.
They couldn't get out because the wind was howling outside and it was still raining very hard.
When Typhoon Frank hit our country, we had no electricity from 5am to 7pm on a Sunday. My husband was almost bored to tears and was completely frustrated. It was his off from work and he was so looking forward to surfing the Net the whole day!
As for me, I still had chores to do. I took out our small rechargable lamp and went on to my tasks. My husband and our son spent the whole afternoon, walking around the house, lying on the bed, looking out the window. They couldn't get out because the wind was howling outside and it was still raining very hard.
1 person likes this
@alpha7 (1910)
• France
17 Jul 08
Electricity failure might be a terrible thing, especially if you live in a Country that do not experience this often. There was an incident of power failure in a Hospital some days ago and all the patients in the Hosipital had to be transfered to another Hospital because they were not used to the problem and there was no Generator since its an uncommon experience. One of the patient gave up in the process anyway. Many People will soon turn to solar energy to genrate electricity.
1 person likes this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
16 Jul 08
I have an iPod Touch. Which is always charged to full because in India, you can never expect to have electricity for 24 hrs. If there is a power cut, I usually feel a bit relaxed because it gives me an unwanted break from studies, or anything that I'm doing at the present moment. I always sit around in front of the computer trying to do things which sometimes are not necessary. So if there is a power cut, I just take my iPod, go up to the roof (only if its in the night) and listen to music while thinking over the day's activities. Sometimes, I just go and ride my bike around the city. relieves pressure and gives me happiness.
bourne
1 person likes this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
16 Jul 08
Well, all I can say is, keep it charged and let it run music to you when you do not have power the next time.
bourne
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
When there's really no electricity, we just use an emergency light as well as flash lights to provide some decent light. Since it also tends to be hot in my country, we just make do with fanning ourselves manually. A lot of people also like to light candles, but not in our household. Though candles are less costly than rechargeable lamps and flash lights, my mom is always scared that the house might catch fire. If the electricity is gone for too long, we also head over to a hotel or fast food chain such as McDonald's where there's bound to be electricity.
2 people like this
@alkurishy (2068)
• Iraq
16 Jul 08
I have been in this situation in my country (Iraq) for 4 years of low electricity and some days we dont have it at all, we getting used to it and we try to use some alternatives like generators and lamps and candles, but you know something living in the dark is so bad and I dont remember those days while I am here in Cairo in Egypt some times here too the AC gone for a 5 or 15 minutes and I remember those bad days without it it is really you can't live without it.
1 person likes this
@eastwoodw2 (4)
• China
16 Jul 08
hello I'm from china.it's my first time log in. Can you tell me how to start my own discussion column?
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
When electricity goes out I just take my deck of cards and play solitaire or better I practice my magic tricks on candle light It really helps me concentrate more on the trick because I am far from all the distractions like tv, internet etc. Also I get to practice some little flame magic thanks to the candle we use.
It really helps me concentrate more on the trick because I am far from all the distractions like tv, internet etc. Also I get to practice some little flame magic thanks to the candle we use. 
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
16 Jul 08
While you are correct about it being absolutely irritating and unbearable without electricity, I sometimes enjoy it too. We usually light 3 to 4 candles around the house during power-cuts (which is quite frequent here in Calcutta) and enjoy the darkness for a change. We take out chairs on the balcony and sit back and chat and enjoy the night. If I am alone, I just like back and contemplate life...I may watch the stars and the moon too (which are otherwise almost invisible in the bright street lights). Sometimes my son and we make up spooky ghost stories, sometimes I fantasize about old days when candles and lamps and chandeliers were all that people had. Oh I do enjoy those spells, but if my son has some serious studies for the next day, then its a big worry for me.
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
16 Jul 08
Thank you for your response
I always enjoy hearing responses from other countries telling what they do in certain situations. Thank you for your information. It sound like you really enjoy when the power goes out. That's great! I agree when you have a report due that you have to do on the computer, that poses a big problem.
Have a great day,
Char
I always enjoy hearing responses from other countries telling what they do in certain situations. Thank you for your information. It sound like you really enjoy when the power goes out. That's great! I agree when you have a report due that you have to do on the computer, that poses a big problem.
Have a great day,
Char
@MsCYPRAH (394)
•
16 Jul 08
I tend to have candles in a handy place so I would light them immediately, if it were night. Obviously, everything is tied to electricity so it is difficult to do anything when that happens. If it is during the day, I would go for a walk or do some window shopping, if I had no money, visit a friend, read, do stuff round my flat or catch up on all the little jobs I didn't do which could be done without electricity. If it were night, I would mainly read or ring friends and family and chat on the phone.
However, whether night or day, if I was with a boyfriend, we would be making passionate love all the time until the lights come back on!!! Can't think of a better way to spend the time! :o)
Great question, thanks.
@maniolas06 (193)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
well actually 3weeks ago id experienced without electricity due to the storm which striked here in again. all i did was to sleep. thats the best time and thing to do perhaps besides work was cutted off. and when light came i hurried back to my pc
1 person likes this
@zhaosonghan (1039)
• China
16 Jul 08
When the electricity went out i usually listen the music by phone,now lots of cell photo have music player,while electricity goes out,the funtion was showed.We are conditioned to do with electricity,suddenly one day it's out,we don't know what we can do.I really appreciate the people who invented the battery,and i can listen the music,he is very smart.
1 person likes this
@sweethopia (65)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
There was a black out earlier today where i live and I took a nap for an hour and then went out to do some errands. I also decided to eat at this fast food joint that has a generator so at least I got to spend some time in a place with the A/C
