Unintended Back-to-basics

[tamaranth]

What's that quotation about how quickly civilisation would decay without electricity? (Have been googling for some time: suspect it's phrased differently.)

I got home yesterday to find that nearly all my electricity had been cut off. The lights still work, but that's it: plug sockets, oven, boiler, all non-functional.

My fusebox is in the hall of the upstairs flat, to which I do not have a key. The builders do, though. And the lack of electricity is almost certainly due to something they've done, whether switching off the wrong switch or blowing something Important.

Rang the letting agency's emergency line: no, they couldn't do anything as they didn't have keys to upstairs either.

Walked off my bad temper (this took some time), came home, compiled a mental list of things I'd have done if I had power (eaten a hot meal, had a cup of tea, done the washing up, put on a load of laundry, had a bath, checked email, ranted on LJ, uploaded Lille photos, ripped new CD, listened to new CD [ok, could have done this in the car], watched DVD, charged mobile, drunk cold wine), went to bed with candles, a book and tepid pink drink.

Luckily the swimming pool opens early, so I had a swim and shower pre-werk.

The letting agency, to whom I have spoken three times so far today, are very apologetic and will compensate me for food in fridge/freezer; will provide a key so I can access the magic box; are sending someone round to sort it out; will do their best to ensure it doesn't happen again.

One day I would like to wake up (to Radio 3, rather than the shrill twittering of my PDA alarm) and have nothing to sort out.

Comments

[camies.livejournal.com]

Bummer. Yes, rented flats where you can't access the relevant switches - been there. But no electricity? I once lived on the ground floor of an old Turkish house in Salonika that had no electricity and the only plumbing was a coldwater tap. Lit myself by oil lamp. There was even a basement which must have been more horrible indeed than my rooms. The flat, with its resident centipedes, and echoing single room that was also a booze store for the Anglican Chaplain to the Port of Salonika, was bad enough. One morning I was woken by the whole house shaking - a small earthquake, which set the nameless creatures in the basement scurrying around. It has now been demolished although the wall around the tiny courtyard, and the iron gate and the stairs I had to go down to get home, are still there; and the woman, a friend of the Chaplain's, who found me my little house has long since died (but I didn't learn that till this summer.) Not even the oldest house I've ever lived in (that'd be my present abode), I think it might have been improved by the advent of electricity.
As may yours.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

Haven't had an earthquake yet ...! Your Salonika misfortunes are so much more picturesque than the Redhill variety.

[ladymoonray.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad they're going to give you a key to upstairs; obviously ignore the bit in my email about it.

One day I would like to wake up and have nothing to sort out.

I don't think that's happened to me since I was about 14. It doesn't mean I sort something out every day, just that there's always something waiting. I did abdicate all that responsibility for about two years when I was really ill, but I don't recommend it - I got into all kinds of trouble, which I'm still paying for.

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

ah, but there's a big difference between 'something waiting' (like flat-sale, Perfect Day complaint, etc) and 'something urgent' (like no electricity, appointment, removing cat vomit).

[zoo-music-girl.livejournal.com]

One day I would like to wake up (to Radio 3, rather than the shrill twittering of my PDA alarm) and have nothing to sort out.

You and me both, but I think Kate is right. Still, that's what holidays are for, y viva Barcelona!

Really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. I have pink drink and frozen blackberries to use as ice cubes...

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

see comment to K re 'something waiting' versus 'something urgent' ...!

It'll be great to see you, it's been ages. Yay blackberries as icecubes!