For those of you living in the dark (couldn’t resist), Northern California has been facing an epic week of unprecedented power shutoffs to ‘prevent’ wildfires in this dry, windy, heat. The irony is of course in the few places that PG&E didn’t manage to shut off, several fires started, adding to the collective apocalyptic disaster that is California right now. As of writing this post, over 150,000 people in Northern California have been evacuated due to the Kincade fire burning over 75,000 acres of land. My heart goes out to all the people displaced who are wondering whether their home is still standing. The past 5 days without power have taught me about priorities and luxuries, but I realize I am understanding only a minuscule amount compared to the people who are displaced. Still, it is important to reflect on these disasters to understand yourself and be more prepared for the next one… as sadly, this will be the norm for Californians in the future.

Seriously, humor aside, I had grown accustomed to several cups of caffeinated beverages every morning, whether tea or coffee. Our house is heated completely electrically, meaning no hot water and no ability to use the stove, so even pour over or french press were out of the question. There was no way I could wait in over-an-hour long lines at the few places that had coffee with a 19-month old on my shoulder, so hot beverages were out of the question! While I eagerly await a hot coffee when the power comes back on, I certainly won’t be feening for it like I was on day 1!

{A rare chance to hang in the front seat with mom for breakfast while I charge my phone in my car}

But then again, isn’t that what all hobbies are? Whether you play guitar, knit, garden or collect stamps, most hobbies can be done without electricity. Although yes, I technically need a sewing machine to actually sew something, most designers will tell you the work is in the pattern making and cutting out all your pieces before sewing (the sewing is the easy part!). And before that is brainstorming and coming up with ideas. In some ways it was nice not having the internet for a few days to cloud my judgement, but still allow me time to focus on my hobby! I recommend everyone take up a new hobby so you have something to keep your mind and hands busy during next year’s Public Safety Power Outage.

It’s no secret that being forced to go ‘without’ a lot of things refocuses your priorities. But somehow going without power also made me go without a lot of personal hygiene habits, forget about my closet of clothing, and gave me a LOT of time back. For instance, I had no hot water which meant no shower, so a quick wash of my face and a swab of deodorant was good enough. I would wear my sweatsuits out all day, as if having no power meant having no goal in life. I drove into the city to get a *luxurious* hot shower one day, and didn’t bother blow drying my hair or putting on any makeup, and basically put the same sweatsuit back on. Yes, the sweatsuit might have been a bit worse for wear 3 days in, but the point is that it really didn’t matter; I was clean and clothed and fed, and the rest is just details.

I used to be in awe of small European towns where every morning a jug of fresh milk is delivered, and you head out for a warm baguette and jam. However, this was my life for the past 5 days. My daughter needed milk every day and it wouldn’t keep overnight, so off it was to the (trés provincial) Whole Foods that had a generator to buy a small carton of milk and a fresh muffin. The first day it was such a drag stuffing her in the car seat at 7am listening to her wail, but as the days went on, it became kind of fun! Whole Foods was like our neighborhood town square, where locals gathered for fresh coffee and shared information about power shutoffs and the fires, and everyone was forced to talk to each other instead of their phones.

It’s not just the phones and the computers that don’t work in a public safety power outage, it’s all the silly electronic bits and bobs that we have accumulated as a culture over the years. We get super excited about an APPLE WATCH thinking wow! This thing functions like an EKG and tracks my steps! But in a power outage? That thing is dead before the day is done and now you’re without a timepiece. What about the RADIO? How many of you have battery operated radios lying around, where you can be in your house and actually still hear the news? Very few of us. Thank goodness my dad brought me one halfway through the outage so I could hear what was going on in the outside world, as the alternative was sitting in my car (draining gas) or struggling to get cell service on my phone (which was a complete waste of time since the cell towers were down). I found myself reminiscing over having a walkman so I could go on a music-filled run without fearing the demise of my cell phone, and wishing I had some sort of solar powered water kettle to make tea. Basically, thinking backwards and forwards, just not in the current ‘plug it in’ cycle we’re currently in!

Overall there were a lot of learnings this week, but frankly, no clear answers as to how to move forward for next year. I will probably try to churn through what is in my fridge and freezer more often so there is less waste, invest in more solar powered technology, and/or maybe plan a trip this time next year. I understand not everyone has that luxury, so the more we can educate people on preparation for next time, the better!