Of lights and cold storage (Monday)

The day began with a city-wide power outage.  Luckily, I had come down early and grabbed a cab BEFORE the power went out.  There were tales that the power draw from the new Metro had caused a problem - a huge problem - and had tripped the whatever-it-is-that-protects-the-grid-from-power-surges.  Or maybe not.  But whatever it was, the whole city was plunged into darkness (for those without windows or in elevators)

Whatever the cause, when I got to UTP, the lights were off and the lift was not lifting.

So I lifted myself up the stairs.  As usual, a kind gentleman took my briefcase up for me which was really helpful because I was bringing back books I'd used over the weekend to put together the slides for the course I'll be teaching at the Regional Centers next week.

Thing was, I didn't know how long the courses were going to be.  I had a meeting with both Nicolas (the Dean) and Geralis (the Dean of Academics) at 9 am to sort all of this out.  But, alas, Nicolas had another meeting elsewhere.  So I wrote out an email EN ESPANOL!  And it was almost all correct!  I was very proud of myself.  Of course, I couldn't send it until the power came back on so the wi fi was working again.  But a small detail.

It was lovely because I could see (my office is near a window) and my laptop was charged so I could work, at the same time that I heard a veritable party swirling around me.  I like these times.

And, best of all, it was a reasonable temperature!  Usually the office is frigid!  Like SERIOUSLY frigid!  It seemed colder than in our house in Minnesota in the winter.  Everyone keeps scarves, shawls and even jackets (as in for outside in the cold) in their offices to deal with it.  I have a scarf, a gorgeous hand-woven shawl given to me by Simone Barbosa in South Africa last year, AND my wool ruana in my drawer.  And I often am STILL freezing.

The power did come back on after not all that long (at maybe 10 am?) and, although the temperature was fine at that point, it promptly plummeted.  Precipitously.  Perilously.  Plummeted!

Soon, despite my layers (one of which was the jacket I wore to work in the morning), my teeth were chattering.  I kid you not.  I was freezing.  I tried making myself a cup of tea.  I walked around a bit.  I went outside the office area where it's not air conditioned.  None of it warmed me up.

So I had to leave.  I went home and worked on my class and little by little, my brain thawed and I was actually able to think.

The course isn't all complete yet but it's definitely a lot closer than it could have been had I stayed.

I need to wear (left to right):
A turtleneck shirt, a jacket, a scarf, a wool shawl, and a wool ruana
Not shown but in my desk drawer for extreme times:
Long underwear!