The Great San DIego Blackout of 2011 (and of course some Friday Blanks!)

So, this was a strange night.  1.4 million San Diego Gas & Electric customers lost power yesterday (Thursday), around 3:45pm.  Complete shut down.  Everyone.  From parts of Arizona to northern Mexico (Tijuana and Rosarito) to every nook and cranny of San Diego, to even San Juan Clemente and San Onofre - south Orange County.  It was anticipated to last until Friday afternoon, though apparently mine came back around 2am (according to the math I did based on a blinking alarm clock...since it's based on my math, don't take it too seriously).

It was strange.  No traffic lights, no computers, mostly no internet since everyone's wireless depends on electricity.  All our stores and restaurants and businesses shut down because no one could do anything once it became dark; or because all refrigeration and check out machines were down.  We had to make do with the cash we had because no ATMs work (and who carries cash these days?!) and make sure we had candles and flashlights.

It was kind of hilarious, because everyone was...outside.  People were walking everywhere (seriously, having streetlights be completely out is terrifying), kids were playing outside, most people were grilling on bbqs since appliances didn't work and food would spoil...we kept joking that it was a block party.  And none of us have ever really met our neighbours, but the entire neighbourhood was out and about.  Then it got dark, candles turned on, you sit and joke with your family because there is no TV, no stereo, no laptops, people couldn't charge iPads.

It came up on more than one occasion that it was like a Zombieland.  I mean, no sound at all, you're just listening to the breathing of those around you.  Grocery stores are closed, dark, completely silenced.  Signs are up about closures.  If ever a time for a zombie-pocolype, that was it.

Only two seriously un-funny things about The Great San Diego Blackout 2011.  1) No A/C on a 100+ degree day.  And 2) I FUCKING MISSED OPENING FOOTBALL DAY!

Anyway.  Filling in the Blanks!  Link up here!

1.   Somewhere someone is  sleeping blissfully, as I should be doing since it's 5:43am currently.

2.    Authors      is/are my muse.

3.  It would suck if    cookies    was/ no more because    there would be no happiness.  I mean, what's more smile-inducing than a warm-from-the-oven cookie?

4.    Funny stories and weird happenings   is/are my favorite thing about today.

5.  Life is kind of like     a really, really good joke.  There's build-up and background and the anticipation of more and even a few moments of that 'can't-stand-it' feeling of wanting it to be over...but in the end, it's funny and satisfying and everything falls into place .

6.  If I could have anything I wanted I would want   the ability to travel with all those I love, in good health and great fun   .

7.  A funny thing happened the other day...    all of San Diego county lost their power and we were all forced to spend the evenings with our families/houses by candlelight.  Life can't get funnier than that   .