An Even Crazier-Ass Idiot Wind Knocks Out Power in L.A.

Wow! Yesterday's wind storm knocked out power all over town, including up on our hill in Silver Lake. Yup, didn't have no electricity for over 17 hours! Lived life like back in that there 19th Century. That's righty neighbor! No heat, no TV, no internet, no blogging!!! But the gas stove worked and we had plenty of candles (which they say you are not supposed to use but, whatever).

Over dinner -- which tasted better than ever (I'm told that when one sense is diminished -- sight -- another is enhanced -- taste), the Mister asks me, he says, "Hey Ma, ever been to The Gamble House over Pasdena way?" Why goodness gracious! What a silly question to ask! Of course I have! And he knows it! But I kept those vexing thoughts to myself.

"Lovely place, Pa" I replies. "You been there too? Before we courted? " Yup, he sure as sweet sorgham had. Then he reminded me of the docent's tale about when Mssrs. Greene & Greene put in those newfanlged and blindingly bright 15 watt bulbs (some of the first electric lighting to be installed in a residence!). The owners hated it, thought it was "garish." I wondered out loud if the advent of florescent lighting has contributed to the obesity of the country -- the brighter the light, the more fat or "mouth feel," the food must possess to satisfy? To which Pa replied, "What's florescent lighting? What's mouth feel?"

Living life in the 19th century was good. It was a simpler time. A time when life slooooowed down and we could truly appreciate what we have instead of opening up the latest issue of Vanity Fair or T Style magazine and want more more MORE! It was a good time. A time when barefoot, tow-headed children could run around unsupervised for hours and men in suits who smoke pipes could talk about how folk music defined a nation without a trace of irony.

Yessiree Bob! We enjoyed our down time quite a bit. Not at first mind you. At first we cursed a blue streak. At first we threw us a big-time 21st century pity party. Then we let go and let wind gods Vayu and Fujin do their thang and by accepting our increasingly dark fate found ourselves relaxing -- really relaxing for a change! Thankfully there was enough urban skyglow from nearby 'hoods still hooked up to 2007 that we didn't fall into a time-warped worm hole for good. But the time we did spend in the past made us wonder if maybe we shouldn't take our evening constitutional down the time tunnel more often?

We found that fewer distractions (couldn't watch that DVD of Running With Scissors we just rented) meant more emotional intimacy (far better than Running With Scissors anyway, we hear the movie version isn't that good). We also discovered that the LADWP website (accessed thru technology that thankfully needs none of that antiquated electricty stuff) is completely worthless and in case we have a REAL emergency -- say that big earthquake we're due for? -- we will all be very, very fucked. (And shall be dragged, kicking and screaming, looting and murdering, into the 11th century.)

But then the lights came back on this morning and the modern frenzied pace of life began. As they say, the show must go on! We put away our bustle, hopped over the hedgerow and soon we were off and running back to the adrenaline-fueled land of Self Promotion. In other words, come see my show tonight and Saturday night at The Steve Allen Theater! I might even incoporate a pipe-smoking stage manager into the act!