My neighborhood (basically in between Astor Place and Washington Square Park) lost power last night about 8pm on the dot, triggered by an explosion at the Con Ed plant down at the far eastern end of 14th Street. We broke out the candles and the flashlights, turned on the radio and called the neighbors round and made the most of it.
Around 10:30 or 11pm, my neighbor Bruce and I went out for a quick stroll around the `hood, and it was truly surreal. The streets were pitch black, but the sky was eerily illuminated (with random flashes of light). Faces would suddenly appear at you out of the gloom. It truly was like something out of an apocalyptic zombie flick.
Today wasn't quite as fun, of course. There's talk of the power not being restored for a few days. We have no hot water. The kids are going kinda bonkers (and very alarmed that Halloween is looking unlikely tomorrow night). I'm typing at you now from my office in midtown, where I stopped in to catch up with my colleagues and charge up my cellphone and my wife's cellphone (both drained). Soon, I'll be hoofing it back downtown...before it gets too dark.
It's freaky in the dark. And, as Newt once sagely admonished, "they mostly come at night .... mostly."
Hang in there, fellow East Coasters!
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