I learned about today's scheduled brownout late last night, but I didn't expect it to happen as early as 7:30 in the morning. I am sure of the exact time because when I was aroused from sleep due to the very hot temperature, I immediately looked at the clock to ensure that it was the pre-announced power off that was causing the unbearable heat. I even remembered wishing odtherwise as I slowly panned my gaze towards the time-piece.
I admit I really felt bad not having known early of the scheduled power-failure because had it been so, a family movie date for Sunday would have been set today. A last minute schedule adjustment would have been possible had it not for an earlier appointment with the house help for a Saturday house clean-up. Honestly I was satisfied that the house grooming did push through, but not without exposing all of us to an oven-like temperature that had us all sweating and silently cursing until 5:00 in the afternoon.
As I sit down to write this piece and ponder on what transpired during the day, I realized that power-offs have positive effects on people. First, my children and I found ourselves reading some books that we haven't even had the time to scan in the past. It was because all the while, we had either been glued to our television set or engrossed with the net. Second, children from the neighborhood busied themselves with outside games at mid morning; the much older ones watched and teased them. Third, people went out to talk with their neighbors; some tried to find time bonding with family members. All these happened because it was not possible to surf the net and watch television. I also assume a lot of cellphone batteries were half empty just before the brownout, hence texting was not maximized.
It may sound absurd, but I wish unannounced power offs will be more often if only to bring back age-old traditions: long quality talks with family members, pleasant conversation with neighbors, cheerful outside games among neighborhood children, and so forth. A powerless day could be worth all the sweat and the secret curses because during that moment, we tend to set aside leisurely activities that do not promote camaraderie and tight family bonding.
I admit I really felt bad not having known early of the scheduled power-failure because had it been so, a family movie date for Sunday would have been set today. A last minute schedule adjustment would have been possible had it not for an earlier appointment with the house help for a Saturday house clean-up. Honestly I was satisfied that the house grooming did push through, but not without exposing all of us to an oven-like temperature that had us all sweating and silently cursing until 5:00 in the afternoon.
As I sit down to write this piece and ponder on what transpired during the day, I realized that power-offs have positive effects on people. First, my children and I found ourselves reading some books that we haven't even had the time to scan in the past. It was because all the while, we had either been glued to our television set or engrossed with the net. Second, children from the neighborhood busied themselves with outside games at mid morning; the much older ones watched and teased them. Third, people went out to talk with their neighbors; some tried to find time bonding with family members. All these happened because it was not possible to surf the net and watch television. I also assume a lot of cellphone batteries were half empty just before the brownout, hence texting was not maximized.
It may sound absurd, but I wish unannounced power offs will be more often if only to bring back age-old traditions: long quality talks with family members, pleasant conversation with neighbors, cheerful outside games among neighborhood children, and so forth. A powerless day could be worth all the sweat and the secret curses because during that moment, we tend to set aside leisurely activities that do not promote camaraderie and tight family bonding.
