Have any other ducks lost their power during November? Report in on your NaNoWriMo power outages!
Last night I had just returned from a Friday of pizza and drinking. I was jolly, free - totally prepared to write. Then - wham! The power flickers a couple times and then dies. My laptop had no batteries left so I ended up just going to bed. I am no renaissance woman to novel with ink by the light of flickering candles. Which means my new emergency kit for my home will have to include a laptop power source in the future. Even if it was only for one night I think the trauma of it will live forever in my heart.
----------
36,331 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 15 29
Mine was flickering a bit last night before I went to bed, but I don't think we ever lost it, judging by the fact that our microwave clock is still okay. If we ever do, my laptop can survive probably about an hour and a half without battery, more if I put it into powersave mode. Hopefully I won't have to worry too much about that, though!
----------Original Fiction/NaNo Journal | tiesuchaknot.livejournal.com
"Drama, instead of telling us the whole of a man's life, must place him in such a situation, tie such a knot, that when it is untied, the whole man is visible." ~Leo Tolstoy
25,129 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 18 56
That's a good question what with the unsettled weather we've been having. My lights have only flickered, so far, but I'm rarin' to go if the power does. I've been using pen and notepad at write-ins (approx. 1500 words written that way), so I'm learning that I can compose either on the paper or the computer screen. But you're right: I'd prolly just go to bed.
----------SeattleKos
"The Time Before"
(a spec-fic original)
53,614 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 19 39
That's impressive! I type way faster than I type. If I was forced to pen and paper it would just make me flip out. Not only that, but all that fast writing combined with my left hand drag would make my pages a mess. I salute you, seattlekos, for being way more hardcore than me. :D
Of course if Seattle experiences widespread power outages we'll have to send tips to investigators about whatever city is #2 in word count.
25,129 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 19 51
Thanks, oui! I should've included it was that amount after two write-ins: 790 at the first one and 881 at the second. Okay, so I don't know how to add!
LOL, loved the comment about if the power goes out... it'd prolly be because of Germany/Austria.
----------SeattleKos
"The Time Before"
(a spec-fic original)
64,909 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 23 24
Them Germans, trying to sabotage us...
My biggest fear is that I'll lose power (as usual when it gets stormy). My laptop battery can run about 45 minutes, if all I do is run MS Word. Add internet or music, and that goes down a lot. I guess I'll have to find the nearest coffee shop for just-in-case emergencies...
-----------------
Despite my username, I really am female.
0 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2009 - 23 59
I have an extensive history of being electrocuted and as such my fear of lightening is completely justified. I think it is safe to say that was even justified on November the 5th when as I was purchasing beer and chips for movie night, the power came to a dark hum and emptiness filled 7Eleven causing me to scream like a school girl who is quite certain she had just seen a spider, though of course, is not completely certain. Unfortunately, my purchase had already been totaled out and as such I did not receive anything for free. Even more unfortunate was the fact that November the 5th is Guy Fox day and watching the Movie V for Vendetta was a must that was put on hold. Yet, even more unfortunate was my fellow friend’s lack of charisma and adventure when I suggested we went out looting on account of the power outage-this of course would have made me feel better about my mental and emotional breakdown to the clerk who kindly showed me that the automatic door was still in service. Of course this was no day for writing, but then again I am old fashioned and am chained to a pen and paper so candle-lit writing might have been nice. Instead, my friends and I spotted land with power and quickly ascended into a night of drinking and watching a movie.
4,000 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 02 16
We had a power outage on Thursday, lasted for 2 hours. Luckily no power outage yesterday, though we did have a funnel cloud spotted not to far off.
22,678 / 50,000
Nov 8, 2009 - 12 55
I've only had a little flickering so far. Luckily, I write by hand, so my only concern in a blackout would be getting too cold to hold the pen. I imagine I would be good for a thousand words or so before that happened.
Another member of this forum and I were in a writing class a while back in which the teacher turned off all the lights and conducted the class by candlelight. For in-class writing he encouraged us to bring flashlights or those little reading/writing lamps. I assume those are battery-operated (I used a flashlight, with okay results). Not my favorite way of writing, but doable. I think in an actual blackout the romance of it would appeal to me.
By the way, Oui, I'm a longhand leftie, and I've been pretty successful at finding non-smearing pens. My current favorite is the Pilot extra-fine-point rolling ball pens (thank you, non-Nanoing friend!). Hopefully my pack of four will last the month, although my novel may change color periodically.