Thanks for Nothing JCP&L/First Energy

By Michael Lavorgna • Posted: Nov 11, 2012

Wind + Trees = No Power. In Hurricane Sandy's case, we're talking nearly two weeks without power and counting and that puts a real damper on day-to-day activities including listening to music on the hi-fi. Since we live in a rural community, our water comes from a well so no power also means no...Water, water, every where/Nor any drop to drink. That said, we were among the fortunate and only lost a few (very large) trees. My cousin's home was filled with water and many of our friends who own houses at the shore saw the ocean and bay rise up to reclaim much of the barrier island they call summer home, a sobering reminder of nature's fury.

We were initially told to expect power back by 11/10 but that didn't happen. We're holding out hope for today but not holding our breath. Instead, we went away. During this time I thought why not focus on something positive like music and this daily ritual has turned out to be, among other things, a pleasant reminder of why we spend so much time fussing over hardware and software. Browsing through sites like HDtracks, Boomkat, and Quboz looking for and listening to music to recommend is one of my favorite past times. I hope you've enjoyed this music-centric week but one way or another we'll be back to hardware and software reviews and more this coming week.

So thanks to JCP&L for providing nothing, forcing us out of our home and into music.

Comments

my sympathy (and thanks for the listening tour)

Submitted by ednaz on November 11, 2012 - 11:38am.

Despite being at war with JCPL for the last year for electrical service that goes out if my dog sneezes, much less in storms, we did not lose power this time. As the storm peaked we started to get light flickers from black to full on, really fast, decided it "must be time for bed", shut everything down, and went to sleep. Woke up surprised to the sound of the clock radio (but with no radio station). The one tree that went down was six inches or so shorter than the distance to our house, also good fortune. (Our fence, not so good fortune...) Neighbors - on every side of us - were without power, and remained so for at least four days. JCPL insisted that our house was also without power. It took someone showing up at our door before they agreed that my lights were, in fact, on.

We became a short stay motel until last Monday with some just wanting a hot shower, others moving in until their power came on.

Qubuz might be the best music tip I've ever found online. Take heart that your misfortune may have provided joy to your readers! (There's gotta be a silver lining in there somewhere, right?)

Squirrels...

Submitted by Michael Lavorgna on November 13, 2012 - 7:57am.

We lose power a few times a year and the main culprit according to JCP&L is...squirrels.

Qubuz might be the best music tip I've ever found online. Take heart that your misfortune may have provided joy to your readers! (There's gotta be a silver lining in there somewhere, right?)

And that's one of my all-time favorite silver linings!

Cheers.

1 of 19K?

Submitted by deckeda on November 11, 2012 - 6:14pm.

Yikes.

According to Reuters, JCP&L says you're one of the 1% ! (Sorry for the stupid joke, best I could muster.)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/11/us-storm-sandy-firstenergy-jcpl-idUSBRE8AA09I20121111

Got a cousin evicted from her Brooklyn, NY apartment because the water's contaminated. Nearest place to rent or find a motel etc. supposedly 200 miles away. She's got pets, which complicates things and has come to her folk's place in GA. Amazing how far flung Sandy has displaced some people.

You could use one of those

Submitted by labjr on November 12, 2012 - 7:12am.

You could use one of those bamboo bicycle generators like they have on Gilligan's Island.