Editor's Blog July 31st 2012
Eddie here, writing by candlelight and with what the Russians, whilst laughing so hard they pee’d a little, used as an alternative to the biro to write in space… A Pencil! Let’s forget all about technology for a while, Why, well simple, it doesn’t work without electricity.
It was a crazy day yesterday; from about 15:30 through to gone 19:00 Gibraltar had no electricity. Somewhat of a freak accident, caused by building works, apparently, but hard to believe some times, especially here in Gibraltar, when we have suffered from so many issue to do with black outs, power cuts and the like.
So as I left my office, air conditioning not working, computers off, studio so dark I nearly killed myself tripping over the tripod, I went back to my car, chuckled thinking, “electric cars – your buggered if you need to charge yours right now, aren’t you?”
As I drove round the corner in my, diesel, environment killing, O zone destroying 4 x 4 I came to the first traffic light and suddenly realised how bad the situation in Gibraltar really was. No power at traffic lights… Surely traffic lights work on some form of back up system as well? Maybe we can bolt on solar panels like those outdoor garden lights?
It did make me ponder about the lack of Police anywhere. You would think:
BLACKOUT + NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS WORKING = POLICE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Surely that’s just logical maths isn’t it?
I drove around for a bit to see what sort of chaos had descended on Gibraltar and, much to my disappointment, there wasn’t much to report on… Although I did pop in to Morrisons!
If anyone reading this was in Morrisons yesterday whilst the power was out and behaved like the following, by the way this is from someone who was there at the time, you should be ashamed:
“The fridges had been closed off with screens to keep them cool and people were literally tearing them open to get at the food.”
“Some people were buying packs of candles, they were worried about the power cut”.
I actually know some people that were worried the power wouldn’t come back on so they went out and bought BBQs for their flats, thinking well at least I’ll eat tonight.
Ripping through curtains that are there to keep produce cold, buying up candles and BBQs… What will people do when it’s the Zombie Apocalypse? (A Zombie Apocalypse will eventually happen, this something that both Ed and I feel very strongly about). Anyone seen and remember the important rules the film Zombieland taught us:
Rule 1: Cardio – Fat people (like most of us Gibraltarians will get eaten first).
Rule 2: The Double Tap – Just coz they look dead, doesn’t mean they are. Kill them again.
Rule 3: Beware of Bathrooms – it’s when you are most vulnerable.
Rule 4: Wear Seat Belts – You just never know when it might save your life.
Anyway until the Zombie Apocalypse comes, wouldn’t it be nice to have an uninterrupted power supply, super fast broadband at a reasonable price, a mobile phone that came free with your thousand free minutes contract and maybe even a Starbucks if we are pushing towards developed country status…
In other news, no power shortages in Syria yesterday! Just saying!
Pencilled on the back of a dirty napkin by Eddie.
