October 27, 2005
My kingdom for unleaded!!!!
We're down to our last six gallons of fuel for the generator which means we'll only have power at the house for another 10 hours or so. I've tried syphoning from the truck, the wife's car, my dad's Ford and nada. They all have those anti-gas theft thingies in them that prevent the hose from reaching the tank. Note to readers: gas tastes like shit.
I'm at the office right now, left the house at about 5:45 AM thinking I could swing by an open gas station that early and come away with a few gallons of the precious liquid after a short wait. Alas, it was pretty stupid of me to even contemplate that. The gas stations hadnt even opened yet and there were lines of cars blocks long. Im sure the cars at the pumps had been left there overnight.
Yesterday my neighbor and I tackled one of the big pines that had fallen from the neighbors yard into our yard. Took us about 2 hours just to take that sucker down to the trunk and then carry all the crap out front. Unfortunately, when I was finally able to get back in that corner of the yard, I found that another one of the big pines had uprooted and left a gas line exposed. Such fun these hurricanes.
I've got a ton of pictures to post, but they'll have to wait till we get power back on at the house. If a hurricane teaches you anything, it's the fact that we take our power usage for granted. Look under your desk right now and chances are you have a power strip with a slew of things plugged into it. Modems, speakers, printers, routers, etc...And we have these things plugged in 24/7. When you are running off a generator, every little thing you plug into it draws just that little bit more wattage, sucks that little bit more of the precious gasoline that is keeping you out of the dark.
My generator is basically powering three households. My house, my next door neighbor Pat and his neighbor Roney. We each have a refrigerator, a light and one appliance we can use. So every time you need to plug something in, you have to unplug something. That keeps you on your energy conservation toes.
Again, thanks to all who have emailed and commented wishing us luck and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. I havent been able to respond for the obvious reasons, but know that my family and I are extremely grateful and honored.
A huge thanks to Mora for keeping the fire lit under fidel's ass here at Babalú. Hopefully, things will get back to relative normalcy by Monday and the Commie ass kicking will be back on in full force.
Until then folks, seguire cruzando el Niagra en bicicleta.
Posted by Val Prieto at October 27, 2005 08:22 AM
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Comments
Great to read that we all came through relatively well! I am happy as I just got power back last night. It seems we learn something from each hurricane, however, it is hard to believe so many people were desperate for water and ice less than 24 hours after Wilma! Taking personal responsibility seems to be an outdated concept; too many demand that the government take care of everything, pronto!
Posted by: Jose Aguirre at October 27, 2005 09:38 AM
Val,
Great to hear that you hardy South Floridanos are surviving Wilma's atrocities!
We in more northern climes will continue to pray for you all, until all the letters of the Greek alphabet are finally put to bed at the end of the hurricane season.
Last night, we had a nine-hour blackout here in the Maryland county where I live, so I felt a great deal of kinship with you folks down in the Sunshine State.
Here's some advice, to help you endure these difficult times a bit more comfortably: visit a camping store and ask them for a Coleman propane stove model 5431A.
It costs about $30 and it's basically one "hornilla" with a valve at its base. The valve screws onto a small canister of propane that, in turn, fits into a round plastic base to give the whole thing stability.
If you are careful, you will be able to put a huge pot, even the huge cast-iron ones I use, on this stove to cook virtually anything.
To turn the stove on, all you need is a match or a lighter (I have even turned mine on with a piece of iron and a flint!).
One of the canisters of gas, which up here sell for about $4 each, will last long enough to cook at least 20 meals (I have never really checked to see how long my canisters last, but it's a long, long time).
Last night, my wife and I ordered sandwiches and then we were able to enjoy a cup of cafe cubano while we chatted by the light of our three hurricane lamps. Those are handy to have, too... I found two of my three at yard sales, for $2 each, including half the reservoir full of fuel and ready to use.
And wish me luck, folks... because by the end of the day I'm supposed to hear about whether I get a new job, as a photographer, that I applied for recently.
Julio
Posted by: Julio C. Zangroniz at October 27, 2005 11:15 AM
Val,
I thought that you said your kingdom had lost its roof tiles. Not much of a trade there.
Posted by: de la Cova at October 27, 2005 11:30 AM
Val,
Along sunset drive between 87th ave and 117th ave, there are several gas stations open for business with relatively short lines. I went to the Liberty gas station on that stretch (south side) righ before they closed at midnight last night and filled my SUV with 17 gallons after no more than a 10 minute wait.
Posted by: conductor at October 28, 2005 07:10 PM
