We got thumped with 12 inches between midnight and 5am on New Year’s Eve. A big wet snow. It even collected as a large blob in the netting of our basketball hoop, defying gravity.

This was a brown out. Worse than a blackout for some. Light bulbs barely glow, appliances can be damaged by low voltage and you have to keep everything off as IF it was a black out. All of this started me thinking about the pros and cons of our situation.  I think that if anyone is going to bitch about something, they should spend the same energy thinking about how it can be a positive experience too.

Cons. Apart from what is mentioned above:

1. No computer, no blog.
2. It gets cold.
3. No Rose Parade
4. No Football
5. No videos for the 3 year old.
6. No stove/microwave
7. It was the last day of vacation before heading back to work.
8. It gets dark really fast.

Now for the Pros:

1. I sat and read a book.
2. Beer still stays cold on the porch.
3. We all went out and played in the snow.
4. It makes me grateful for the old fashioned kerosene hurricane lamps.
5. It reminds me of camping when you cook outside with your camp pots over a gas grill.
6. I played several games of Gin Rummy with my wife. (and lost)
7. You realize why you keep all of those candles and batteries around.
8. You’re still able to wash your hands and flush the toilet.

So as you can tell, I kept a positive attitude overall. Here’s a picture of my kid with rosy cheeks just before his first official snowball fight – which he started. Don’t be fooled by the innocent look.

How did you spend your first day of 2008?