Black Out 2003

In memory of the Black Out from 2003, I decided to repost my recollection of that day.


And Out Of The Darkness…

There came cursing and swearing as tempers flared at the inconvenience of it all. I’m writing this before we suffer another blackout albeit temporary one. The newscasters are forecasting rolling blackouts much like California endured.

Really, California eh? Hmmm, when was that? I didn’t realize that California suffered a blackout recently. Or was it a long time ago? Damn, why do they make a statement like that and then go onto the next topic without providing a little bit of background information. Now I’m going to have to spend my time looking for the information. I’m curious.

Welcome to Shelly World. Your inside look at the Blackout from the point of view of one ordinary Canadian. Well, ordinary really isn’t true, but I digress…on with the story!

I was planning on working overtime. The second night this week. It was expected after a week off when our backlogs are so high. Surprised at the bonus of it all. Take a week vacation, come back and get 6 hours of overtime at time and a half to help make up for the money spent while I was away. Pretty cool!
Fifteen minutes before the shot of darkness I was at the work rack gathering files, old files and resolving myself that I was going to stay and finish everyone of them, even if it meant staying longer than my 3 hours and not getting paid for the extra time. I really wanted to make a dent in them. Old claims generate extra work in the form of enquiries, that take precedence and in effect slow the completion of the files, generating more enquiries and the vicious cycle continues on and on and on. I was determined to stop my madness.

My manager had just walked up to my desk with one of those cursed enquiries. This one from a fellow that had contacted his MP (member of parliament). So of course, that got higher priority than anything else. I dropped the files on the corner of my desk, grabbed his and opened it up to see if I could just plug it through quickly and quiet the whiner. I was immediately pissed when I realized that his file was much newer than most, he had not waited without money as long as the other 25 on my desk. He was in the pile to be done although and may have gotten done in spite of his harassing the MP. Further investigation although indicated that I was going to have to contact the employer to verify some information. Naturally they were not available. I left a message tossed his file onto my ‘call back’ rack and put my hand on the next file.

I was cruising through that claim with the finesse of an experienced figure skater, my skates were my fingers pressing the keys with confidence, sure footed or fingered…hehhehee, I was in the final stretch, on the last page just split seconds from pressing accept and putting this person into pay and POOOOF. Everything fell into darkness. The fans, radios, elevators, computers, fell silent. The silence coupled with the darkness in our office was creepy. I swore loudly. Other’s cursed quietly but the sentiment was the same. Frustration. It never fails when you make plans to tackle something, or are under the gun with pressure, something or everything jumps in your way trying to prevent you from making that goal.

Jeeeezus Cuhhhhhrist, I HATE this place. Damn it all anyway. 4:15 pm. How long will this last, shit I hope not long…oh well, I’ll just stay however longer I need. I need to get these done…I can’t stand this.

Voices raised and people scurrying back and forth replaced the regular office noises quickly. My boss was still there.

He smiled at me as he approached, "You were thinking you were gonna stay weren’t you Shelly?"

"Uhmmm, yes that was my one desire for today!"

"Well, sorry to disappoint you but I would like everyone to pack up and head for home now, while it’s still light outside. This could take awhile because I was on the telephone to the MP’s office when our power went out and theirs is out too. This is not just something that is affecting only our building. They have heard that the subways downtown are not running."

He quickly did a head count and made sure that all were accounted for and that everyone understood that they were to leave immediately and then he disappeared down the stairwell to his car. Four of us were the last to leave. We’re women after all, we had the washroom to attend to, keys to find…well, you know what it’s like. But we were good girl scouts and we stuck together on our journey to the underground parking garage. Which was BLACK.

I now know why I park directly across from the door to the stairwells and elevator. It’s not laziness to save a step or two, it’s because in cases like this, I can still see my car and my way to my car. The emergency lighting was very, very sparse, but it was lit up in the parking lobby that was directly across from my car. Before I got into my car and headed away, my good friend Lorna gave me a piece of very good advice.

"Take the highway home Shelly. If all the traffic lights are out like they say, you will be safer on the QE than traveling through the city."

"Ok, I will, thanks Lorna…see ya tomorrow!"

Shit, I guess I’m going to have to stay late tomorrow night instead. Friday night. Damn, what a sad life I have. Working overtime on a Friday night and it won’t make not one bit of difference to anyone. Well, the clients will be happy. But nobody will be sad for me as I sit at my desk in this cold, lonely tower of cubicle cells.

Ok, well let’s get the hell home before the friggin traffic gets worse. I just hope the highway is somewhat clear. Oh nice people, HAVEN’T YOU HEARD…when the traffic lights are out you are to treat EACH intersection as a four way stop. That means number one, bring your fucking car to a stop. Stupid idiots. Ahhhh, thanks buddy for blocking that lane, I’m outta here…thank god, I’m through my first hurdle.

Hmmm, Kipling isn’t too bad. We’re going pretty fast oh ohhh, spoke to soon. Oh well, I’m on my way, just going to remain patient. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, I just don’t want to get smashed in a car accident. I wonder if my cell works. Damn I hope Melissa gets home alright. How is she going to cross Hwy 10. It’s going to be crazy. Will she be waiting for me? Should I just drive right there, or go home first and see if she’s at home? Damn fucking cell phone. Figures it won’t work in an emergency. Hmmm, I should turn on the radio and see what’s happening. Shit what’s that car whipping through that parking lot like that so fast for? Hmmm, what is that place? Oh I see, "Power Ontario". Locking the gates up tight. Interesting. I wonder… They were saying that there were real imminent threats recently. Could it be? What a better way to bring a country to it’s knees. Cripple it quickly.

The radio announcers were trying to act encouraging as they informed the listeners that all of Toronto was in a blackout situation. Take your time as you head home, stop at all intersections without police directing traffic. The common sense heeding came steadily in place of the normal nonsensical banter that is usual for this time of the day.

God, I love my air conditioned car. I feel so sorry for those poor people without it. It’s friggin hot.

Shit I wish I could get a hold of Melissa. I’m never gonna make it to the mall by 5:00pm. It’s 4:40 now and I’m not even on the QE yet. Geez, what is going on up there. Friggin assholes. Oh damn I hate this. I wonder if I’m making the right decision going this way.

"This just in from our connection to CNN on the internet people, it is not JUST Toronto that is without power, this blackout has affected all of Southern Ontario, New York, Detroit, Ohio…looks like the whole Eastern Seaboard is out. Now we do not know the cause of the blackout yet and well, it’s just better not to speculate at this point. But it is very serious."

Holy shit. This is big. Dammit. Look at us in our little metal boxes jockeying for the best lane, the quickest spot to get home. I just want to get home in one piece. I’m not going to risk going to the mall for Melissa. She’s probably already at home by now. They would have closed the mall when this hit. Ahhhh, finally a policeman. Thank god, they’re out here. Maybe it will be better on the highway. Not too far now, I can see the exit from here.

Home free now. Ooops, maybe not. Geeez where did all these cars come from. Dammit doesn’t anybody believe in the better way? Shit! Oh my god, what about Antoinette, Dennis, how are they getting home. Oh geeez, how could I forget they don’t have cars. Antoinette could have come home with me, at least she would have been almost home that way. Dennis, well, he could have come home with me too I guess and I could have taken him home later I guess when the power comes back on. OH my god, I wonder where they are … I can’t turn around now. Why wouldn’t they have said something. I’m going to have to tell them tomorrow that the next time they should ask…I’m so fucking forgetful, I can’t remember who has a car and who doesn’t. This is just ridiculous. Oh this is going to be fun trying to get across three lanes while everyone tries to come over here to get on the 427, ok, there’s a bit of a gap, too bad buddy, I’m coming in..thanks! Ok, one down, two to go…here we go, another one, and another, whew. That was easy. Now I’m staying put until I have to get off. Frig there is NO good lane on here tonight. Now why is that transport trying to come into this lane. What the fuck difference will it make. Too bad buddy, you want over here, get behind…hurry, you stupid bitch, move up, don’t let him in…there. Shit she’s a friggin idiot. Where did you get your license you stunned bitch? Out of a bubble gum machine? Yeah thought so! Good, yes move into that lane…thank you! Buh bye honey! Now we’re going. Wooo hooo I’m actually doing 60 km’s now. Damn now I know why people like automatics over standard shift. Goddamn clutch is a pain in the ass in stop and go traffic. Ok, here’s my exit. Ahhhhh, almost home. 5:10 pm. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Now to get up Cawthra and through all those lights without incident. This should be fun.

Oh my god, I don’t believe it, look at those assholes, speeding along Dundas, they have to be doing 60-80 clicks through that intersection and they aren’t even slowing down. Fucking idiots. I swear people are crazy. It’s not a nice world that we live in. I just want to get home..I hope Melissa is there. Should I try to drive over to the mall? No, just go home, see if she is there…
Hmmm, I dunno, damn I’m not going until SOMEBODY going the other way stops. We could be here all night..oh there THANK you somebody with sense, stopping, going now, whew, made it. Shit I can’t wait to park this car.

I continued to try my cell phone needlessly. I knew that it was down, but I had this huge desire to further aggravate myself while I tried to stay out of the way of the wayward drivers rushing home.

I let out a huge sigh of relief when I finally made it up the drive to my underground parking garage and my door opener card actually worked. It was really creepy inside though when the door closed. I park close to the doors where you enter and exit outside and once that door was shut, the blackness was very thick. I sat for a moment trying to get my eyes accustomed to the darkness before I stepped into it.

Damn this is freaky in here. Maybe I should have parked outside. What a perfect place to get jumped. Hehhehehhee, fuck who would want to jump me? They would be in for a real surprise as I pummel them, hehehhehee. Ok, good lights thank god. Now, I wonder if the elevator is working. Should I try? Or should I climb the eight flights. I’ll try first. Oh that’s a good sign the light is on. I hear something moving up and down the cables, voices…sounds promising, I think it’s coming, oh it is…goood!

The door opened and the elevator was filled with 5 men. I didn’t hesitate to jump on. I don’t care how crowded it is, you’re taking me with ya. They were all telling tall tales of their horrendous trips home and I smiled knowingly, because like them I had just survived the ordeal and made it home scratch free.

The elevator stopped and four of the men disembarked, leaving me with one.

"You realize you and I are taking a huge risk on here." He announced to me as the door closed and the elevator started it’s trip upwards.

"I know, but when I thought about climbing stairs or taking a chance on this, I figured I’d take the chance. Besides I know they always have an elevator that works on generator."

"Yes but it won’t last forever!"

I smiled at him as the door opened at my floor. "Well good luck, I hope you make it the rest of the way and have a pleasant evening!"

Thank god…I made it.

I opened the door and could see that Bryce was home already.

"Bryce, have you heard from Melissa?"

"Yeah, she’s getting a ride home with someone from work so you don’t have to go get her."

"Oh good. When did she call?"

"About 15 minutes ago, she said she’ll be here around 5:30."

Thank god for that. I hope whoever is bringing her home is careful. Not much longer, only 10 minutes and she’ll be home. I should call my sister and see if she was out in this…

I called my sister and mom to make sure that everyone was safe in their respective homes. Of course, my mom was panicking about the situation and what was she going to do with Sammy if the elevators weren’t working? None of her concerns could be rectified by me or anyone else for that matter. This was far bigger than any of us and we were all going to have to cope the best way we knew how. Thankfully, my mother or sister mentioned that some people in condo’s did not have water and I quickly run to fill up my tub before our water disappeared. I also filled our drinking water jug and stuck it in the fridge that was still somewhat cold. Our water stopped as I was filling the bathtub. But at least, we could use that water to flush our toilet. Next I rushed around gathering up tea lights and candles and placing them where I could find them easily.


Bryce went downstairs at 5:30 to meet Melissa and moments later they both appeared. Melissa was beat red from walking all the way home and then climbing the stairs to our apartment. It seems that her friend’s mom refused to give Melissa a ride home. I’m not sure how a mother could do that. I know that I WOULD not have done that in any circumstance. I was happy that we were all safe and sound in our little haven. Safe from the craziness outside.

Then the boredom settled in. What do you do without the internet, music, tv, cooking devices, water, a refrigerator? Within an hour all three of us were sound asleep hoping with all our might that when we woke up the nightmare would be over.

It wasn’t though. Melissa and I woke up around 10:00 and sat outside on the balcony marveling at the darkness of the city, the stars that we can never see otherwise and the screaming of tires as young punks raced the dark streets in their sports cars. We talked about a lot of different things. Took the time to laugh and commiserate like we haven’t in years and as I looked at my grown up baby I was proud. Proud of all that she has become and proud of our relationship. This is what a little darkness can bring. It brought a lot of light to my world, by slowing things down enough to bring us back to the basics, life, love and family.