will the tears ever end

on day 15 at 8:15pm we came home to every light in the house on...ON!!!!! After pluging in every electricity consuming product the crying and hot baths commenced!

thanks to the left - day 13

Two blocks from my house there is a pole that snapped in half, the upper portion lay on the sidewalk, the transformer is busted into a dozen pieces, some in the street some not, and blocks of power line are sprawled around the ground. Across the street from me is a long row of houses with their porch lights on - the street is still dimly lit as most of the street lights did not survive ike - to the left of me, on my side of the street is another row of porch lights, on my porch there is me, with a flashlight perched between my neck and cheek trying to get some schoolwork done, inside my wife is writting a paper by lantern light. It just so happens that the snapped pole two blocks from my house is the supplier of my electricity, it also just so happens that my house is the cutoff point. We, and about 4 other houses are the only ones ok the block without power, our estimated day is Sunday , but word is it could be longer. Things have improved, even though there is not an active power line connected to our house, there are 2 long extension cords coming from the left. We are now the proud owners of a powered fridge and 2 much needed fans. From time to time you might also spot a charging iPod or MacBook pro. There is still no cable or Internet on my block, but there is the occassional hot shower thanks to the left. Unfortunately shower time has moved to 6pm. Since there is no Internet Amy and I have begun alternating days spent at the public library studying - which is no place for our beloved monster child - so our time together is fewer and our hot shower chances are more seldom, but the kids are clean, so..whatever. I have been imagining our entire family cramped around our 5" black and white battery operated tv all week watching the presidential debate Friday, that has been the light at the end of my tunnel, I don't have much faith we will have power by then and so badly need something to look forward to, with that possibly being cancelled I mayl owe everyone a blanket apology for my bitterness from now until two blocks down there is an errect pole with a transformer in one piece and lines tightly buckled down to it...

day 11

We are on day 11 without power. According to the energy company we should of had power no later than this coming Thursday , I thought that was unreasonable until today when it was moved to this coming Sunday . We could get power before then, but with no trucks in sight it looks doubtful. I know there are worse things, really,I do... But that is little consolation... I want a hot shower, I want to cook a meal inside the house, I want to get dressed for work without a flashlight... I want CNN!!! My mood is poor. I fear my children are melting as they sleep. I am a little bitter that my wife is not as bitter as I am, she is better in these situations- she is better in almost all situations than I am. I am resisting the urge to cry as I try to build up the strength to take another ice cold shower in the dark and study by flashlight. Bleh!

10 days of us

Tuesday...
Pi: I dont feel well

Me: That sucks

Wednesday...
Pi: I still dont feel well

Amy: Lets go to the Doctor

Doctor: Its just allergies, your fine

Me: Cool

Thursday:
News: Theres a hurricane coming, run, hide, panic

Me: that sucks, I think my allergies are acting up

Friday...
Me: I dont feel well

Amy: Sorry

News: Hurricane is going to Corpus, dont panic

Saturday...
Me: I really dont feel well

Amy: damn, the baby has 102 fever

Me: but I really really dont feel well

Amy: Damn, Damn

News: Hurricane is going to Mexico

Sunday:
Me: I cant lift my head, I dont feel well

Amy: The baby is sick

Me: Lets go buy our new Mac Book Pro

Amy: You are sick, the baby is sick, I dont feel well

Me: If we leave now, we can be back in time for the football games

Amy: damn

News: Hurricane is going to Corpus

Monday:
Me: My new Mac Book Pro rocks, I think I have Bronchitus or Pnuemonia

Amy: I made you a Doctor appointment

Doctor: You have bronchitus on the verge of pnuemonia - take these meds

Me: that sucks

Pi: I feel great

Baby: I feel better

Amy: I dont feel so great

News: Hurricane is coming somewhere to the Gulf Coast

Tuesday:
Me: cant work, cant clean, cant cook, cant take care of re-sick baby or sick wife, must rest

Amy: damn, that sucks

News: Large hurricane is going to Matagorda Bay

Mom: I am under evacuation

Me: whatever, I'm sick, come to my house

Wednesday:
Me: I cant work another minute, too sick, coming home, not going to help with anything

Amy: You suck, I dont feel well

News: Hurricane may go to houston

Mom: I am still under evacuation

Me: Come to my house, Its been here 100 years, fyi I cant breath

Amy: I dont have time for a hurricane, damn

Thursday:
Me: I feel a little better

Amy: I am taking the baby to her 1 year checkup

Doctor: She has allergies, she is not sick...oh, and she is tall

Boss: Hurricane is coming, big, leave now and dont come back until monday

Me: score

Amy: score, you can run pre-hurricane errands with me

Mom: I am here, the hurricanes coming

Kids: We dont have school tomorrow!!!

Me: Grocery store sucks

Amy: gas station sucks

Me: Pet store sucks

Amy: Emergency preparedness sucks

Me: Coffee shop not so sucky

Me: More emergency preparedness is sucky sucky

Amy: worst case scenario planning sucks

Me: Must wake up early, much to do

Amy: Must stay up late, test due

News: Hurricane may go over your house, but may not be as bad as previously stated, but panic anyway

Baby: sleeping

Pi: sleeping

BT: sleeping

Mom: sleeping

Moms dogs: sleeping

Our dog: sleeping

Me: this sucks

Amy: damn damn damn

melancholy

Tonight is one of my designated study nights. Quiet room, soft lighting, no cleaning, no cooking, no distractions, no responsibilities. I need this night...I am already behind, so so behind. But I am also a woman obsessed. I have a deep obsession with current events. I read the paper (more accurately several papers)several times a day. If more than a few hours goes by without being able to peak at a headline I suffer deep withdraws, very very deep.

My obsession with politics runs even deeper. Election day is one of my favorite holidays. Good political banter can make me giddy with joy, I am not a giddy person.

Tonight I watched the RNC. The most intellectual recap I can offer...sad, so very very.