What A Week It Has Been

20 replies
This has been a really bad week for me to even try to get any work done. It all started with my host going down for about 6 hours on saturday. Now that would not have bothered me too much but it effected several sites of mine.

Then as many have been experiencing here in illinois. I nice big snow and ice storm came in. Which at my current location we have been experiencing major power outages for the past couple of days.

The first outage lasted about 4 hours on monday night through early morning. The second one we had to sit through lasted from early this morning to about noon.

Now if it was summer these types of power outages really would not bother me too much. However it is rather diffuclt to do anything at all when your hands are freezing cold because the heat hasn't been running for several hours. So it make you not want to do anything at all.

I am a little more fortunate than others when this outage came. For it simply gave me a chance to write several articles both on paper and on my laptop before the battery went completely dead on me. However with no power there is always that problem of trying to get the modem up and running.

Now that the wind has finally died down a little bit. Hopefully there will be no more down lines on the entire grid. Another family member of mine has actually had it a little bit rougher then me. For their power has been out for over 12 hours now. There for I sent my generator over to them so that they can atleast run something to keep their 2 kids warm.

I will be so glad when winter is over.

How many of you feel the same way?
#power outage #week
  • Profile picture of the author johninmn
    Pete;

    I am an outside sales rep in Minneapolis, MN. This has been either the snowiest or 2nd snowiest winter on record. Yeah, driving all day in the white stuff is fun, and then going home to shovel is just wonderful. With city and state budgets being cut, there are less plows out on the roads and highways so travel time is longer. I usually don't mind it, but this year has been a particularly large pain in the a**.
    Signature

    mobile mobile mobile mobile etc....

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295442].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      On the down side, the week is only half over.
      Signature

      Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

      Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295444].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author petevamp
      Originally Posted by johninmn View Post

      Pete;

      I am an outside sales rep in Minneapolis, MN. This has been either the snowiest or 2nd snowiest winter on record. Yeah, driving all day in the white stuff is fun, and then going home to shovel is just wonderful. With city and state budgets being cut, there are less plows out on the roads and highways so travel time is longer. I usually don't mind it, but this year has been a particularly large pain in the a**.
      I have no problem at all with the white stuff. I personally really hate the cold and the clear stuff that comes from it. I actually like driving in the snow. For you can make your car do things it normally wouldnt be able to do with out that nice layer of winter snow covered roads. Although I do not have to drive to often either so a few inches of snow is not a big deal to me either.

      I actually heard that my aunt got hit worse then we did here with snow. The total amount of snow they got in one night last night was 16 inches. To me that would just be fun. Its the ice and the cold I do not like.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295694].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
        Pete,

        Yeah. The web host thing on top of it would suck. Add in the extra maintenance work, and I can easily see losing quite a lot of productive time.

        I went to New Orleans with a friend once and she was really impressed with the food and the people. I told her there was one big reason I wouldn't move there: Hurricanes.

        As far as trying to type in those temperatures... No. Don't even want to think about it.


        Paul
        Signature
        .
        Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295750].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    I will be so glad when winter is over.

    How many of you feel the same way?
    I do!

    We got dumped on with snow here in New Hampshire - really we are running out of places to put it and I have to keep shoveling out different paths for my Chihuahua to "do her business" in.

    Last winter, we had our power out for almost a whole week. It was brutal. I lasted about 3 days in the house and then I had to prevail on my stepson for shelter. They had heat and electricity but no internet. I spent a lot of time in the internet cafe that week!

    Lee
    Signature
    Gone Fishing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295500].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Pete,

      When I saw the prediction of high winds and a half-inch of ice overnight, I charged up the laptops, battery powered lantern, cell phones and backup UPS. Did a quick supply run, so I wouldn't have to leave the house for a few days, and settled in.

      Got a very thin layer of ice and a few inches of snow. But I was ready.


      Paul
      Signature
      .
      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295525].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author petevamp
        Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

        Pete,

        When I saw the prediction of high winds and a half-inch of ice overnight, I charged up the laptops, battery powered lantern, cell phones and backup UPS. Did a quick supply run, so I wouldn't have to leave the house for a few days, and settled in.

        Got a very thin layer of ice and a few inches of snow. But I was ready.


        Paul
        Its not that I wasn't ready really for I got everything I needed to stay up and running for a little while. But with no way to keep enough power to even charge the laptop. I was forced to get out a notepad and write some thing free hand. Now the other down fall to that is that normally while I am writing my content/articles I am also doing research at the same time. Making sure that the keywords I am using get enough traffic and low enough competition. So that it can be sure to get to that front page with very little effort on my part.

        I pretty much expected a few power outages here but what I had not expected was my host going down for several hours. The way I look at it is that between the power outages and the down host. A total of about 30 hours of down time. It pretty much put me behind for about a week of the work I normally do. I also hadnt expected the power to be out around 10 or so hours in the past couple of days.

        Then the other issue I had was recouping for the many animals I had to thaw out their water dishes that completely froze. So between the 10 goats, three horses, 15 or so dogs, turkey, and cats. It has been a long battle trying to make sure they all have water to drink. The one dog was the worst for the bucket was completely full but also solid as a rock. There for I could not just add some water to the bucket but had to bring out boiling hot water just to unthaw some of it so that the heater could do its job.

        I am hoping that today was the last power outage so I can get back to working fully. It is unlikely though for none of the ice on any of the power lines is thawing at all.

        No wonder I hate winter.

        I would live in a location I did not have to worry about such things except then I would have other concerns like hurricanes/tornadoes or even earth quacks all of which could cause the same issues. However none of which would cause blistering temps in the home.

        Since my work space is typically the coldest place in the entire house. It actually got down to just above 40 in that room and still has not gotten any higher then 58deg so far. What A MESS can you imagine trying to work with temperatures that low.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295670].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author arivera
    I'm over this winter also. It would be a little easier for me tolerate if the sun would at least shine.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295756].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Demond Jackson
    I definitely feel your pain. i grew up in Northwest IN and my parents are actually still there. They told me the stories of the ice storm, the accidents and the loss of power. It is a terrible tragedy. I hope the worst is over soon.
    Signature
    Commitment is the difference between people who "have potential" and people who have results.
    Demond Jackson
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295786].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Doug Wakefield
      This has definitely been a crazy week!

      My wife went out of town for the week leaving me with the kids. That was already going to limit the time I had to work, but I figured I could manage.

      As if on queue, ice storm hits and the kids get sent home early Monday, have been off since (will be off tomorrow too.)

      High winds and 16 inches of snow (with drifts a 2-3 foot high on my driveway) made things interesting as well.

      I have outlined a product I plan to release shortly, so it is not a total loss. Built some backlinks and did some blog comments as well.

      About to make things a little more productive, however. I have an article pack that I have had on the editing board for a bit. Gonna finish that up and bundle it tonight and get it on the site.

      Has been nice getting some quality time with the kids though. The summer job doesn't give me a lot of that. So I'll call this week a win.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295844].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Pete, I feel for you, buddy.

        When I lived in Nebraska, the longest we went without power was four days. And we lived ten miles out in the country, so not only was the heat off, so was the plumbing. Good thing for the wood stove in the living room, but a definite pita melting snow to flush the toilets...

        Winter ended for me a little over five years ago, and I don't miss it a bit.

        Paul, I understand the worry over hurricanes. We were negotiating on a house when Charlie came through and made negotiating moot. But unless you get a freaky one like Charlie, you usually have several days to get ready. Even after Charlie hit, I don't remember anyone freezing to death.

        Now you couldn't pay me to live in New Orleans. Just something about living below sea level...

        Originally Posted by Kom View Post

        Why do you complain for the weather

        why dont you move to florida...

        Kkwkwkw Just kidding ...
        thank you
        Pssst, Kom....

        Don't tell them that. According to one of my neighbors, there's enough damyankees moving to Florida. And yes, down here, Crackers consider that one word...

        To anyone else...

        Not to rub it in, but it WAS 80 and partly sunny today. Almost had to crank up the a/c...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3295925].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author petevamp
    You know now that I think of it the one that has really had to suffer the most from this ordeal is my 9 ft red tail boa. Who really needs 70deg plus. I do have a bit of a trick to that though. I simply covered her cage with a blanket to hold in as much heat as I could. Since I am already pretty much forced to run her heat lamps and other heating devices 24 hours a day while the temperatures are low. What bothers me the most with these cold temps with her is that she basically goes into hibernation mode and will not eat at all. She rarely comes out of her cave these days as well. She proves this year after year and forces me to try and keep the rats alive while waiting for her to want to eat. Despite the fact that I do not have the necessary items to keep them longer then a few days. So it cost me every time I think she may eat and find out I am wrong. It has actually been 2 months since she ate and is starting to bother me. But I know that the second it starts to warm up again she will eat like crazy and will actually cost me more money to feed her. If she wasnt over 5 years old I would simply sell her but I can not trust many people to take care of any animal I have basically raised for that long. She was actually a feisty little b---- when I first took her off a buddies hand. That was also about 7 feet ago. He didn't have the patience to deal with the biting habit she had started to get because he simply wasn't feeding her enough.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296037].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author OpticalOut
    Hah, I was actually saying "I will be glad when winter is over" the other day. And then this huge storm dumped all over us in Montana. You gotta love winter
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296091].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author genietoast
      Yeah, it's snowy here, too, in Oklahoma. It's not as bad as the ice storm we had back in 2007.

      The trees in our yard (we have a big yard) came crackling down, laden with ice. Power went out. And it was scary sounding. 2am an you hear ker-cra-crack-crack as if big foot has stepped on each tree. I looked out my window and thought I was looking at a scene out of a horror film. We only just got rid of the last piles of spare wood 2007 a month ago.

      It took us about 6 months to clear all of the debris and branches. This winter is cold for us, but not as bad as that ice storm was.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296138].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
    Woah! I love winter, but yes, I'll be happy too when it's over! Good job for making it through this!
    Signature

    We do mail-in iPhone Repair Services, Nationwide in the US. LCD/Digitizer Glass Replacement And More.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296181].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SingerRinging
    I am praying for you, whether or not you believe in God. I live in New Orleans, and in less than 6 hours, it went from 72 degrees to 32. Now it's 26 with snow flurries, and that's plenty cold for us. :confused:
    But a lot of the weather-issues have to do with what mankind has done over the past several decades to our planet and environment.

    Even though working may be difficult, try to focus on warm thoughts.

    You do realize, however, that you don't have to work all the time. Sounds like You deserve a break, so why not take one?!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296183].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author petevamp
      Originally Posted by SingerRinging View Post

      I am praying for you, whether or not you believe in God. I live in New Orleans, and in less than 6 hours, it went from 72 degrees to 32. Now it's 26 with snow flurries, and that's plenty cold for us. :confused:
      But a lot of the weather-issues have to do with what mankind has done over the past several decades to our planet and environment.

      Even though working may be difficult, try to focus on warm thoughts.

      You do realize, however, that you don't have to work all the time. Sounds like You deserve a break, so why not take one?!
      Taking a break really wasn't on my agenda until this weekend. For two things are happening this weekend. First I get to celabrate another long hard birthday and the other being the superbowl the day after. So I had already planed on taking a few days off. Both both of these days will be for me and not be because I have too. On the plus side though I did get to catch up on soe much much needed sleep. Its still almost to cold in my work space to get much done but I am trying my best to get as much done as possible before round 3 gets here and I am not able to do anything again.

      Its also not that I want to work all the time nor do I need to work all the time. I just prefer to keep busy and can not really do much out side this time of the year so I tend to work as much as possible. Unlike those who watch tv I prefer to be doing something that benefits me and my family. There for until the weather warms up so I can get out side I will be doing as much as possible so I can take my days off in the summer while it is warm out side and their is much more to do.

      If all the hunting seasons hadnt closed up here a few weeks ago I would have been out their doing that even through all the snow and ice. But the only seasons left open I think is coyote which is open all year long and I think racoon. So no need for me to do any hunting for that unless they choose to come up and mess with my other animals I just let them go. But no more deer season no more rabbit season no more fowl seasons they are all out until about oct/nov of this year. Once they do open back up though I will be out just about every day since I live on 40+ acres of land out in the middle of no where. I think the closest neighbor is about a mile away and the closest town is 5 miles away.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296331].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lamarstar
    I know what you mean I am in Decatur and the snow really came down.
    Signature

    TWO COUNTRY BOYS MAKE A KILLING ONLINE WATCH THE FREE VIDEO AS THEY SHOW YOU HOW TO GO FROM BROKE TO MAKING 50,000 A MONTH ONLINE . http://9nl.be/b9sl

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296191].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lamarstar
    Wish I had a snowmobile lol.
    Signature

    TWO COUNTRY BOYS MAKE A KILLING ONLINE WATCH THE FREE VIDEO AS THEY SHOW YOU HOW TO GO FROM BROKE TO MAKING 50,000 A MONTH ONLINE . http://9nl.be/b9sl

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3296209].message }}

Trending Topics