Strangers In The Dark

Today, in the run down shack I work in (I no longer refer to my work place as the "g" word) the power went off. 

When the power goes off, this building is pretty scary, and I'm just grateful that I wasn't in the bathroom downstairs sitting on the can, because it is just pitch black in there when the lights go off. 

Moments earlier, I was busily chatting away with one of my co-workers, Dee.  For the most part, usually when I start talking to Dee, it's almost like opening a can of worms, or opening Pandora's box-there is no telling what we end up talking about.  We start talking about one subject, which leads to another, and at the end of a very lengthy conversation we end up talking about another subject that was totally unrelated from the subject we first started talking about.  It's like we feed off from each other from our thoughts. 

Well, anyway Dee had originally came into the office looking for boss lady, but stopped to comment how she enjoyed reading the emails I  send out to the department at the beginning of each month.  I send out emails monthly when I need to compile my boring statistics so I try to make these emails as entertaining as possible. I try and make it a contest to who can send their information to me the quickest.  It's a little game I play with the department and it's nice to hear that they are enjoyed.  We started talking about writing, and don't ask me how all that writing talk ended up in a conversation about voo doo dolls, witches and ghosts.  

Five minutes later.  The lights flicker.

The lights come back on...

Flicker again. 

The lights stay off.  No power.  The building is dead silent with only the voices of my fellow co-workers moaning and cheering. 

I immediately ran into Dee's office, and told her that the "spirits were angry.."  We crossed ourselves and giggled. 

Of course, our building wasn't the only building without power.  The streetlights weren't working, and the business all around in a 5 mile radius had no power.  I went to get my coffee, and then sat at my desk, staring at the walls.  I tried not to think about all the readings my friend, the medium had held in that same room.  I tried, but couldn't help thinking about it.  I crossed myself again.

It only takes a few moments after sitting in the dark to realize how much we depend on electricity.  Sitting there in the dark, I would find myself constantly turning towards the computer and my hand would go immediately to the mouse.  It's an automatic thing.  When I get calls for certain files, often at times my hands go directly to the particular file without me even looking.  It's weird..but it happens quite a bit. 

I finally got away from my desk to the front lobby to break reception.  Of course our "trusty and dependable" receptionist was "sick" yet again.  At least there was light inside that office because the large windows facing the street, but the light from the windows were reflecting the client window, and as clients came in, they were just mere shadows.  You couldn't makeout their faces until they got to the client window.  It was like a bunch of dark globs sitting in the lobby chairs across from you.  It was kind of spooky to say the least.  The only good thing about it is, EVERYONE looks better in the dark. 

 (they looked kind of like this)

Anyway, there was a guy sitting in the lobby waiting for his son to get out, and this person was so incredibly bored sitting in the darkness, he wanted to chat with me.  Lovely.  He had a little argument with the son moments before, and you could tell was feeling a little embarrassed.

"Instead of raising kids, I should have raised dogs," he exclaimed.

I laughed--I can relate to that, kinda.  I just sat there...trying to look "busy", but it's  hard to be busy, when you can't even access the computer.  Of course NO ONE was calling my phone either.  No distractions, just me and that guy staring at me through the glass.  He finally asked to use the restroom, so I gladly went downstairs and unlocked the bathroom just to get him out and away from me.  When I had him follow me down the stairs I warned him about the darkness within the bathroom. 

"It's pretty dark in there, you may have to feel your way inside.."  (Oh gosh, did I really say that?!)

"That's okay, I'll used the light from my cell phone.." 

Lovely. 

Well, like a miracle from above, as soon as I got back to the lobby the lights went on.  Thank the Lord above for that is all I have to say.  I'd rather have strangers in the light, than strangers in the dark any day!

I am counting the days until our wedding anniversary...  In a few weeks hubby and I will be spending the weekend in beautiful Monterey, California.  This time we are going to do something I've never done before..  Whale watching!   We are going to take a 2 1/2 cruise in the Monterey Bay in search of whales and any dolphin or otter that comes our way.  It sounds like that would be fun, but I must remember to take something for motion sickness-it can be a little rocky so I'm told.  I remember feeling sick just staring at a boat in the water, so...I hope I'm NOT hurling my guts out during the 2 1/2 sea adventure.  I'm not a very strong swimmer either.  HA HA HA..  Oh well..it should be fun--as long as a whale doesn't flip us over, and no great white sharks try and eat the boat...  I'll have my hubby there--he'll save me. 

Well, it's Thursday!  Things to be grateful for:

1.  Electricity.

2.  Good friends.

3.  Family, kids & dogs...

4.  Good health.

5.  Whales & dolphins..