Publications
Partners
I just recently learnt my zone, I’m still struggling to understand the stages and just last night at a dinner, I had someone try and install an app without success.
The ritual is always the same when I get home from work. I constantly boil the kettle to ensure a cup of hot coffee. I am addicted to coffee, which really defeats the purpose, since I am now using more electricity.
I switch on the washing machine and head for the shower. But before that I switch on my electric blanket, just in case the power cuts before I make it from the shower to jump into bed. Who can fall asleep in a cold bed without warming their beanbag first especially when you suffer from insomnia?
So I pretty much feel like I’m racing against the clock. I even invested in two cute little battery operated lamps, one in the room and one at the entrance to my apartment. Strategically placed, I’m prepared for this!
But this particular evening my timing was way off and I was caught off guard.
Now usually our power would be cut earlier in the evening rather than later, so I was in the shower washing my hair when suddenly everything went quiet and dark. By dark, I mean really dark. Dark, like you are blind.
There I was in the shower, halfway done and as soon as the lights went out I felt panic stricken. I suffer from anxiety you see, and I still had to calm myself because I still had to rinse and condition!
Needless to say, it was 1,2,3 and in one motion I went to the window to look outside, and so that I could catch my breath from the panic attack.
Nothing. I saw nothing. Eerie. Like those doomsday movies. I felt my way to one of those life-savers of a lamp. A few bumps and (later) bruises - Light! Relief! Hair. Wet hair.
I sat on my bed, wondering which stage we are in and what time the power would be back on. I fell asleep and woke up a few hours later, in the early hours of the morning with all the lights on. Nice. Very nice. Going to bed with wet hair. Never, no never, will I get caught off guard again!
Now I take note of the radio announcements, only because I know the number of my area now and even resort to messaging friends in the area when I know I will be at home in the evening!
This article was written by a reader in response to the Spindel laundry dryer competition.
Need some more load shedding stories in your life? Check out:
My in-laws almost saw me naked thanks to load shedding
I found a mushroom in my laundry bag and other load shedding horror stories
