Tuesday June 29, 2004

Singapore Blackout

Blackout!

Something's really rare in modern Singapore. I've probably seen less than 3 blackouts in the last 10 years (at where I stay). Authority was quick to announce that it was a gas supply disruption that tripped the generators. These days, people are quick to jump to suspicion of another terrorist act.

The blackout hit my place at 10:15pm SGT right when Smallville was on and was soon restored at 10:30pm, just long enough for me to miss the part on how Clark got himself strapped down and dunked into a pool of Kryptonite liquid which jolted his first memory of being put into the craft that brought him to earth....

... Oh the blackout ... yeah, there was a blackout.

At first I thought my main breaker tripped again as it did a few times. The amount of juice my appliances and gadgets draw must have been way too much, openning the envelope of my electricity bill every month is like watching a horror movie, less the entertaining value.

First thought was to open the main door to let the lights from the corridor in, but it's dark outside too. Then when I look across Bishan Park seeing it's pitch dark, it struck me this one's the real deal.

Having lived in a place like Manila for many years, "brownout" as it's called in Philippines, is a way of life. I rate myself much more prepared than average Singaporean, and it was quite true. Being the last person to go to sleep in the house every night, it wasn't a problem finding my way in the dark to get to a flashlight, and I know exactly where it was just for situations like this. Then it's the candles... which is not at all an essential item in a Singapore home as people don't expect blackouts, whether man or natural causes since there is no typhoon neither. Soon enough, my next door neighbor was calling out for help as she stand in pitch dark inside her unit, no flashlight, no candles, no clue!

It took a while for me to dig up the bag of tea-light (the kind that's used for aroma therapy), and an old disposable lighter, lid up a few and handed a whole bunch to my next door neighbor. She was thanking us profusely and couldn't be more grateful.

(2004-06-29 21:21:21.0) Permalink