Russell Kirkpatrick's Journal
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Power Failure
09-Apr-2007
We didn't think much of it for a while. About 5.30pm yesterday there was a bang somewhere in the distance: it was hard to tell whether it was a small noise close by or a larger one further away. Turned out it was a kilometer down the road, the sound of a transformer blowing.
It was late afternoon, so we didn't immediately notice that we were on reduced power. But when we tried turning the tele on, we found it wasn't going. Oddly, though, my computer was working fine. Lights still worked, but at a much reduced brightness. Hmmm. Bang + reduced power = problem.
At 6.30pm everything went off, including our half-cooked dinner. It was dark by now.
What an evening. Here I am, a fantasy writer who puts his characters in strange places by moonlight and even by starlight. But it's been a long time since I tried to do anything by starlight. I wasn't very successful last night, knocking over chairs, not being able to find food in the fridge and standing on the cat. Sorry, Mist.
We went to bed early, but I couldn't sleep without the reassuring hum of electrical equipment. Fortunately my laptop had plenty of juice and, without an internet connection, I wrote half a chapter. There's a lesson there, Russell.
The power came back on at 5am this morning, but only lasted twenty minutes. By now I was worried: we are in a gully and have to pump our waste water up to the street. The pump is, of course, electrical. We have a 24-hour septic tank but I had no idea how full it was. It's Easter Sunday and the chances of getting things fixed looked grim ...
Meh, needn't have worried. Power was restored at 6.30am. I was able to shrug on the somewhat tattered garment of civilisation and resume my pointless and time-wasting internet surfing (which is probably how you got here - admit it). I feel much, much better now.
Comments
Glad to hear you're back on line (my husband was just reading over my shoulder and asked the question "do they have power in New Zealand?" He's quite rude sometimes...). I know what it's like with the internet, if I couldn't surf the net I would probably get more housework done....who am I kidding, that would never happen!!!
If the power goes out more often do you write more half-chapters?
We get more power outages than we used to and I always do a countdown about the contents of the refrigerator. If the power is out for too long then I need to do a giant cook-up.
BTW, Emma is visiting and says "Hi and happy birthday in advance."
We get more power outages than we used to and I always do a countdown about the contents of the refrigerator. If the power is out for too long then I need to do a giant cook-up.
BTW, Emma is visiting and says "Hi and happy birthday in advance."
Hi to naughty Emma (I don't know why, but whenever I talk to Emma online in our Tuesday night Voyager Online sandpit chats I think of 'naughty Emma'. Forgive me, naughty Emma. It's not as bad as Silly Gillian, which is marvellously euphonious, and has the benefit of being entirely accurate.)
And hi to Jo's rude husband. He makes an interesting point. I'd respond by pointing out that Reefton, a small town in New Zealand, was the first town in the southern hemisphere to have a public electricity supply. Now let's see how that power translates to the cricket field. We've already seen how it's working in the Super 14.
I suspect those words might come back to haunt me.
And hi to Jo's rude husband. He makes an interesting point. I'd respond by pointing out that Reefton, a small town in New Zealand, was the first town in the southern hemisphere to have a public electricity supply. Now let's see how that power translates to the cricket field. We've already seen how it's working in the Super 14.
I suspect those words might come back to haunt me.
We didn't lose our power Russell,lucky, considering I live a short walk from your place. Just as well as hubby would have had no tv to watch.....would then be grumpy.
Houses only a hundred metres away had power, including Diocesan School. Lucky them. I was even grumpier and more sarcastic than normal. Dorinda made me go and sleep in the spare room.
Considering the Super 14, we live in Brisbane so we prefer not to discuss that...
Considering power, we are currently camping and wondering at the joys of WiFi internet connections and powered campsites...no more gas lanterns for me!!! Is it just me or does taking your notebook computer and DVD player kinda negate the 'roughing it' feel of camping??
Considering power, we are currently camping and wondering at the joys of WiFi internet connections and powered campsites...no more gas lanterns for me!!! Is it just me or does taking your notebook computer and DVD player kinda negate the 'roughing it' feel of camping??
Sounds like a normal day in Kota Kinabalu, Russell. I am dreading the day I get stuck in the lift of our apartment block. Especially if I happen to be taking the rubbish out at the time.
It's all relative. You don't know what you've got till it's gone, as one songwriter said.
Jo, I've seen all sorts of things taken on camping trips. Last time I went camping we listened to the woman in the next tent vacuum her carpet on a daily basis.
Oh, poor Jo, living in Brisbane. On behalf of all Cantabrians I'd like to apologise for what the Crusaders have done to the Reds.
There's a short story in that, Glenda.
Jo, I've seen all sorts of things taken on camping trips. Last time I went camping we listened to the woman in the next tent vacuum her carpet on a daily basis.
Oh, poor Jo, living in Brisbane. On behalf of all Cantabrians I'd like to apologise for what the Crusaders have done to the Reds.
There's a short story in that, Glenda.
One hopes that there isn't a long story in it for Glenda, especially if the rubbish is particularly interesting.
(And I now have a licence to be silly - yay me!)
(And I now have a licence to be silly - yay me!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR (?)RUSSELL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUU
WHY WAS HE BORN SO.......oops that doesn't apply :-)
xoxox
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR (?)RUSSELL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUU
WHY WAS HE BORN SO.......oops that doesn't apply :-)
xoxox
Did you hear the echo of Linda's voice? That wasn't an echo: it was me from far away. She lost me in the second verse - I valiantly kept on singing.
Isn't that lovely! If Linda didn't have a voice like rats disappearing down a plughole, I would have enjoyed that. Thanls, Linda and Gillian.
So what did I get for my birthday, you ask? The boys clubbed together and put some money on my iTunes account - so, some new music is coming my way. And Dorinda, clever Dorinda, bought me a trial flight with the local aero club. I hope she realises how expensive it is to get a pilot's license.
So what did I get for my birthday, you ask? The boys clubbed together and put some money on my iTunes account - so, some new music is coming my way. And Dorinda, clever Dorinda, bought me a trial flight with the local aero club. I hope she realises how expensive it is to get a pilot's license.
My husband is now denying all knowledge of the Reds and considering taking up watching curling (we have cable sports channels, they probably show curling somewhere...).
Your husband will be pleased to know, Jo, that Australia won the gold medal at the 2005 Pacific curling championships, beating out such hotbeds of winter sports as Fiji and Vanuatu. I note, however, they did not send a team to the 2006 Winter Olympics, at which New Zealand finished a creditable 10th place out fo the 10 countries competing.
I can hear the 'aussie aussie aussie' chant echoing across frozen lakes all across the world... and the one good thing about curling is that it's dangerous for teams and supporters to do the haka if they win.
I can hear the 'aussie aussie aussie' chant echoing across frozen lakes all across the world... and the one good thing about curling is that it's dangerous for teams and supporters to do the haka if they win.
Now I really want to see a proper haka done in traditional costume on the ice in wintry Canda. I suspect it could be the best haka ever.
So Russell, did you have a good birthday inspite of my "rat voiced" singing....you could have said I sounded like a donkey :-) None of that "nag" stuff either.
I have some Billingham for you tomorrow.
Bless
I have some Billingham for you tomorrow.
Bless
Hi to everyone posting here, I'm Jason from Perth over in Western Australia. :)
Russell, just finished reading "Path of Revenge" last night and enjoyed it immensely, only problem now is I can't wait until the next book comes out.. In the meantime I might have to go and have a look at your previous 3 books.
And in regards to power failure.. Maybe I'll have to see that your power drops out more often, so I can get to read the next story all the sooner :P
Happy Birthday too, and thanks for the good read!
Cheers,
Jason
Russell, just finished reading "Path of Revenge" last night and enjoyed it immensely, only problem now is I can't wait until the next book comes out.. In the meantime I might have to go and have a look at your previous 3 books.
And in regards to power failure.. Maybe I'll have to see that your power drops out more often, so I can get to read the next story all the sooner :P
Happy Birthday too, and thanks for the good read!
Cheers,
Jason
Thanks, Jason. The first three books give the backstory to 'Path of Revenge'. I hope you enjoy them.
I'm making good progress on the next book now, honest. Don't touch that power cord ...
I'm making good progress on the next book now, honest. Don't touch that power cord ...
Hmmm....do you think it might not be tempting fate to write a SS about me in a lift with smelly rubbish? Maybe it can be Gillian in a lift with smelly rubbish. A horror story. The rubbish bag takes on a life of its own...
Not me. I live on the ground floor.
Hi Jason from Perth, lucky you living in one of the most beautiful places in Australia. I spent two weeks in Perth a good few years ago and just loved it.
Well Russell since you were in the window I have had so many people offering me their work to read.....I think you should hurry up with the Billinghams and give me a hand. I have a travel book, a biograohy, a romance *yeck* (thats me vomiting)a childs/teen read and an inspirational book on angels........so some reading for you Russell, inbetween writing and being nasty to me that is!
Well Russell since you were in the window I have had so many people offering me their work to read.....I think you should hurry up with the Billinghams and give me a hand. I have a travel book, a biograohy, a romance *yeck* (thats me vomiting)a childs/teen read and an inspirational book on angels........so some reading for you Russell, inbetween writing and being nasty to me that is!
I find it incredible and sadly desperate, Linda, that people would think you as a bookseller could get them published. Interestingly, no one has approached me since the window display, even though I'm more likely to be of help to them than you are (and that's not much).
Am I nasty to you? I don't mean to be. I'm so sorry! :)
Am I nasty to you? I don't mean to be. I'm so sorry! :)
Russell, firstly I'm impressed that you knew the results of a curling competition ANYWHERE... Secondly, are you feeling unwell, apologising to Linda is sooo unlike you (not that she doesn't deserve it, I'm sure!). Lastly, Troy (rude husband) suggested that I don't mention the cricket...why is that (she asks, innocently)???
Really last of all, I am nearly finished reading "Across the Face of the World", damn fine read, I have to say!! I know, I am ashamed to admit that after all this time joining in these discussions, I hadn't actually read any of your books! Rectifying this as we speak (so to speak, heh, heh!).
Really last of all, I am nearly finished reading "Across the Face of the World", damn fine read, I have to say!! I know, I am ashamed to admit that after all this time joining in these discussions, I hadn't actually read any of your books! Rectifying this as we speak (so to speak, heh, heh!).
I need to get this clear.
Do you not mean to be nasty to anyone and sadly we all misinterpret? Or do you not mean to be nasty to Linda and donkeys are actually the highest life-form and you admire singing voices of a particular kind? Or is there a third alternative that I should really try very hard not to define because it makes me sound nasty and I'm nice (except when I describe people as possibly descended from zombies, but that's only in the interest of historical accuracy)?
Do you not mean to be nasty to anyone and sadly we all misinterpret? Or do you not mean to be nasty to Linda and donkeys are actually the highest life-form and you admire singing voices of a particular kind? Or is there a third alternative that I should really try very hard not to define because it makes me sound nasty and I'm nice (except when I describe people as possibly descended from zombies, but that's only in the interest of historical accuracy)?
Gillian, definitely the first. I am completely innocent and constantly misinterpreted. I keep a straight face because I'm not saying anything funny.
Thank Troy for reminding me about the cricket, Jo. He has truly done me a service.
Linda, I've finished both the Billinghams and enjoyed the most recent one most particularly. Interestingly it has a character called Sharon Lilley, a name quite similar to someone who posts regularly on my blog.
Thank Troy for reminding me about the cricket, Jo. He has truly done me a service.
Linda, I've finished both the Billinghams and enjoyed the most recent one most particularly. Interestingly it has a character called Sharon Lilley, a name quite similar to someone who posts regularly on my blog.
Russell isn't THAT nasty to me....its just how we are with each other and as I am going to be a beautiful princess in book 2 who marries Johnny Depp I cannot complain. Yes the last Billingham was the best and I really like the character of Tom Thorne.
Jo what cricket was that again??? Oh the one where we dropped all those catches and misfielded quite often, where Fleming did his usual crap job of bating, fielding and captaining.......we are just lulling the green and gold into a false sense of security, they will be so confident of beating us now that we will knock there socks off (she says with fingers crossed behind her back)
Jo what cricket was that again??? Oh the one where we dropped all those catches and misfielded quite often, where Fleming did his usual crap job of bating, fielding and captaining.......we are just lulling the green and gold into a false sense of security, they will be so confident of beating us now that we will knock there socks off (she says with fingers crossed behind her back)
Gillian, you can come and take out my rubbish any time...
Some amusing posts here :) And IMO it's pretty cool to find an author who communicates directly to some of his readers on a website ;)
Hi Linda, thanks for the comments about my home town :) Its generally a nice place to be, although rainy and wet all day today. :/
I went for a holiday to New Zealand last year... Thought it was amazing and definately somewhere I want to travel to again.. I will even admit that in general lots of the people seemed more courteous than here.
As for cricket, can't wait to see the world cup final (if I can stay awake all night) and an Aus v NZ game would be great :P
Hi Linda, thanks for the comments about my home town :) Its generally a nice place to be, although rainy and wet all day today. :/
I went for a holiday to New Zealand last year... Thought it was amazing and definately somewhere I want to travel to again.. I will even admit that in general lots of the people seemed more courteous than here.
As for cricket, can't wait to see the world cup final (if I can stay awake all night) and an Aus v NZ game would be great :P
Jason, I would like to see that as well, as long as we win. Russell and Linda would be unbearable if we lost to a Kiwi team!!! It wouldn't be blatant gloating, but it would be subtle, insidious and neverending! *grin*
Truth be told if I were to have a bet on the winners of the Cricket world cup......I would bet on Australia (dont let hubby hear that!!)
It would be blatant gloating. Unsubtle, but most certainly never-ending. Which is a good reason for Australia to win any competition between the two nations.
The problem Australia has in any competition with New Zealand is the 'bully' tag. While New Zealand can play the 'underdog' card whenever it likes. We can't lose, really, even when we lose.
Although if Australia is pulverising New Zealand in the World Cup final, I'll be praying for a power cut ...
Although if Australia is pulverising New Zealand in the World Cup final, I'll be praying for a power cut ...
We could power the stadium lights with energy derived from blogcomments.
Russell, are you putting off posting purely to see how far we can move from the subject of this blog entry?
Russell, are you putting off posting purely to see how far we can move from the subject of this blog entry?
That's the plan ...
Actually I'm crushing novel words out of my brain and smearing them on the computer screen. Not much brain left for blog stuff. I'll see what I can come up with tonight.
Actually I'm crushing novel words out of my brain and smearing them on the computer screen. Not much brain left for blog stuff. I'll see what I can come up with tonight.
This fiction writing thing is good. Keep it up. One day someone might publish a book of yours and put bridges on the front. (this post was brought to you through a timewarp.)
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