Hurricane Ian
I almost offhandedly mentioned concerns about Hurricane Ian last post. As it seemed more certain the storm would head our way, my main concern going into Tuesday was planning because the worst was supposed to be starting when I would be going into the club Wednesday. Plus I had some shopping to do, which I would normally combine with going out Wednesday, but if I was not going to the club, I needed to do Tuesday before things got too bad.
Fortunately before I could call and ask I was called and confirmed not to come in Wednesday. I went out and did my shopping (there were big crowds and long lines and some empty shelves, not surprisingly.) Oddly, my mood was one of a kid getting an unexpected day off of school, despite the dangers of the hurricane and despite the fact that I would still be working Wednesday, just from home. I guess I just really like getting afternoons off and don't often have the opportunity for changes in the schedule that give me more time to do things instead of less.
I took down my various hanging front yard decorations and took everything off the porch except for the stand of shelves, which I laid down in the left corner. Wednesday, despite the rain and wind, it was an enjoyable evening of playing on the computer and reading, although there was a brief moment of losing power and it stuttered a bit to come back on. Before I went to bed I noticed part of the porch roof was missing.
I had a hard time sleeping with the noise of the wind and rain. About seven in the morning the power went out. I slept in bit, was weirdly starving so ate some cereal, then went back to bed and slept for about three hours. There was fortunately enough light to see, although I accidentally wore navy shorts instead of black for half the day because I couldn't tell in dark of the closet. And the bathroom was annoyingly dark, of course.
I read some and edited some pages I'd had the foresight to print out the night before. But I couldn't cook anything so all I had to eat was chips. I quickly opened the fridge once to transfer cold packs from the freezer below and to grab some drinks.
I'd knocked down the temperature a few degrees the night before, but it was getting a bit stuffy and it was genuinely cool outside, so once the wind died down a bit in the the afternoon I opened the door and the temperature dropped nicely. Just as I was thinking I'd have to go to the parents' (who still had power, if no internet) when it got dark and maybe come back in the morning to salvage the fridge), the power (and internet!) came back on about 5:30 pm.
It was then I discovered that at some point (unknown due to the dark) the ants had gotten into my bathroom. I don't know how or why (Riding on the flashlight? Following proper hurricane hunkering down procedures and seeking the inmost room for shelter?) But it is very annoying.
More annoying, in fact, than the storm damage, which took about half the porch roof, oddly more towards the building side. Lord knows where the torn off parts ended up; I think I spotted a sliver over by the mailbox. One of the screens was torn half off and the shelves somehow managed to make their way to the diagonal opposite side of the porch. And apparently many worms died (though I can't figure how some managed to get inside.)
I was able to work Friday and only ended up being shy three hours. Oktoberfest ended up being cancelled today (or else I'd be there now.) Again, I'll enjoy the additional time, though I'll miss the money.
I've been able to do a lot of reading and I've ordered the last bunch of books on my current list, so now I'm just working on whittling down all my books until I can make a big library visit. It'll be a while until I get my latest order, though, since the library won't even open again until Monday.
Fortunately before I could call and ask I was called and confirmed not to come in Wednesday. I went out and did my shopping (there were big crowds and long lines and some empty shelves, not surprisingly.) Oddly, my mood was one of a kid getting an unexpected day off of school, despite the dangers of the hurricane and despite the fact that I would still be working Wednesday, just from home. I guess I just really like getting afternoons off and don't often have the opportunity for changes in the schedule that give me more time to do things instead of less.
I took down my various hanging front yard decorations and took everything off the porch except for the stand of shelves, which I laid down in the left corner. Wednesday, despite the rain and wind, it was an enjoyable evening of playing on the computer and reading, although there was a brief moment of losing power and it stuttered a bit to come back on. Before I went to bed I noticed part of the porch roof was missing.
I had a hard time sleeping with the noise of the wind and rain. About seven in the morning the power went out. I slept in bit, was weirdly starving so ate some cereal, then went back to bed and slept for about three hours. There was fortunately enough light to see, although I accidentally wore navy shorts instead of black for half the day because I couldn't tell in dark of the closet. And the bathroom was annoyingly dark, of course.
I read some and edited some pages I'd had the foresight to print out the night before. But I couldn't cook anything so all I had to eat was chips. I quickly opened the fridge once to transfer cold packs from the freezer below and to grab some drinks.
I'd knocked down the temperature a few degrees the night before, but it was getting a bit stuffy and it was genuinely cool outside, so once the wind died down a bit in the the afternoon I opened the door and the temperature dropped nicely. Just as I was thinking I'd have to go to the parents' (who still had power, if no internet) when it got dark and maybe come back in the morning to salvage the fridge), the power (and internet!) came back on about 5:30 pm.
It was then I discovered that at some point (unknown due to the dark) the ants had gotten into my bathroom. I don't know how or why (Riding on the flashlight? Following proper hurricane hunkering down procedures and seeking the inmost room for shelter?) But it is very annoying.
More annoying, in fact, than the storm damage, which took about half the porch roof, oddly more towards the building side. Lord knows where the torn off parts ended up; I think I spotted a sliver over by the mailbox. One of the screens was torn half off and the shelves somehow managed to make their way to the diagonal opposite side of the porch. And apparently many worms died (though I can't figure how some managed to get inside.)
I was able to work Friday and only ended up being shy three hours. Oktoberfest ended up being cancelled today (or else I'd be there now.) Again, I'll enjoy the additional time, though I'll miss the money.
I've been able to do a lot of reading and I've ordered the last bunch of books on my current list, so now I'm just working on whittling down all my books until I can make a big library visit. It'll be a while until I get my latest order, though, since the library won't even open again until Monday.