Power to the people
24.01.08
I was reminded of that old
saying ‘power to the people,’ when a power cut robbed me
of the use of any of the many electrical items I use so
often.
Of course I realise that the people who use the saying
‘power to the people,’ really want the power handed over
to the people who say ‘power to the people,’ if you
catch my drift.
And hey, that would have suited me fine. I get on well
with my neighbours and all that, but if the ESB had been
able to find some way to magically zap some electricity
into my house alone, I wouldn’t have been complaining.
But that wasn’t to be, leaving me no option but to start
right away into operation survivor.
Frantically, I began searching for the candles. I knew
I’d seen them just the other day as well, all sitting
together in a wee box for that just in case time.
Now was their time to shine, but search as I did I
couldn’t find the candles. It was just as |
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well it was 9am in the
morning and fully bright outside.
Still, while I’ve kinda come to accept that having no
electricity means I can’t boil the kettle, I have always
been shocked at how much it affects people's memories.
Well, okay so it might just be my memory, but I’m pretty
certain that it isn’t and I’ll explain.
How many of you have been in that situation where the
power has been cut off, yet when you walk into a room
you will automatically flick the light switch before
realising?
Yep, I’ve done it hundreds of times and perhaps ten
minutes later have done it again which all in a
roundabout kinda way suggests that power cuts affect
your memory.
Hey, but at least it restores the art of conversation
I’ve heard said many times by people. They point to the
fact that people have to talk because there is no TV or
radio or stuff like that to distract them.
I’m sure that it is a good thing in some cases, but what
happens if like me, you are on your own in the house at
the time and you still find yourself having a
conversation? “I’m sure the candles were in that press
there.”
“Right, well let’s see Liam, where else could they be?
Think now.”
I’m certain there have been people taken away by men in
white coats for less over the years.
It also goes to disprove the old saying about people
going mad when they get a wee bit of power, I reckon
it’s the exact opposite.
In fact once the electricity goes I’m pretty sure there
are people like me who all of a sudden find themselves
at a loose end.
I don’t normally watch television during the day but I
found myself wondering what was on as I stared at the
lifeless screen. Then I decided that I would try to find
out what exactly was wrong by tuning into the radio
news…umm well you know what happened.
Exactly…just another flick of the switch and a half
conversation that went something like “*!#* can’t even
get the radio.”
It was then I knew that in true tradition of all the old
survivor stories I had ever heard I had finally lost my |
senses because I decided
there was nothing else for it but to get on with
something else like… the ironing!
Thankfully I realised that this was a chore that could
not be completed either and it got me thinking there was
some of the benefits of these power cuts after all.
I mean, for a start with no power for a computer, I had
a great excuse for not having to write this column. Ten
minutes later the power came on and I forgot what the
excuse was…maybe this memory thing has nothing to do
with power cuts after all. |
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A DROP OF
PORTER is
the weekly
column of
Inishowen
Independent
editor,
Liam Porter. |
|
