Rodent Regatta

Nothing works without access. Yesterday a guy backed his cable television truck up to a pole in my back yard and worked on the cable. When he finished and left, my home didn’t have cable modem service.

Today, after 9 phone calls and conversations with 13 people, I’ve got my cable ISP service restored.

Nothing to see here…move along.

This morning I saw where Ben Domenech was unhappy about being without power for eight days. This afternoon, I noticed that Meryl Yourish has some choice things to say about America’s and Americans’ disaster preparedness.

When we got hit on July 22, 2003 at 7:30 in the morning, no one noticed. The national media didn’t notice. The mayor of the city left town. The local utility turned down at least one offer of utility help. We didn’t have lights, refrigerators or Internet access for two weeks. During much of that time we were without reliable land lines or cellular phone services.

[Oh, and Ben, between the Instapundit’s link to you (and mine), I bet that hit counter looks like the meter on a gas pump spinning around.]

Eight days? Eight days, you say? Ben, we only had 338,000 people without power, but many of us were without for almost two weeks!

Here’s a test. You gather 200 friends and acquaintances in a room-the sort of people who attended your wedding or might attend your funeral-and you clink a glass. The room goes silent. You announce: ”I’ve just quit my job! I’m starting a company!” Watch the immediate reaction. In some communities, people will burst into applause. In others, people will stare at their shoelaces, check their watches and go home. Thriving communities applaud the bold risk-taker.

Rich Karlgaard
Where To Get Rich
Forbes Magazine
October 6, 2003

Carol Coletta has done as much as anyone to try and stimulate a Memphis culture that is as different as can be when compared to Austin, Seattle, San Jose or Denver. Her SmartCity radio program, web site and weblog are strong attempts at awakening a stodgy old river town.

With reports of as many as 3.5 million people without power, it’s obvious that some of these people will spend the next two or three weeks waiting in the dark. When Memphis lost power for two weeks in July and August, the heat was simply stifling.

A generator can help a little. Flashlights help. Being able to get ice helps. Use your grill and cook a bit. Get a fluorescent lantern if you can find one. Change your day to one that runs from sun-up to sun-down.

You have one advantage. Whether your local officials handle things correctly or not, your plight has already gathered national attention. Help is on the way. The country knew nothing of the 338,000 people without power here.