My #2003Blackout

Just in case you need a refresher:

• It happened just after 4 p.m. EDT on Aug. 14, 2003
• It was caused by an electrical failure — deemed the worst power failure in North America’s history — a tree branch touched a power line in Ohio and then spread through eight U.S. states and Ontario.
• Around 55 million people were without power — an estimated 10 million in Ontario and around 45 million across the eight states.
• Some cities did not get power back for 4 days (We were lucky and got power back within 24 hours)

I cannot believe it’s been 10 years since “The Blackout” happened. 10 years ago, I was 17!

Since I was on the digital camera bandwagon before most people, I thought it’d be cool to see if I had any photos I took that week and I DID!! Don’t think I was ever joking when I said I have always taken a ton of photos of myself  – just don’t post most of them. I used to do it w/ film cameras, but life changed when digital cameras became commercially available.

My camera was only 1.3 pixels, by the way (and cost like $800!) Oh how times have changed!

Taking artsy selfies a few days before the blackout (hahahahaa no big deal)

Taking selfies with some sunflowers Kris got me. Pretty sure I posted this on my LiveJournal.

Ok – back to the day of the blackout!

I spent most of my day with Kris (yup, that’s the fiance now).

Kris and I were in Square One Shopping Mall (sadly no photo there). We were in Urban Behaviour – it had just opened recently so I was excited to be there. Then the lights went out and some girl beside us stuffed a whole shelf full of clothes into her bag. She was a ninja, man! She did it so fast! I don’t think anybody else saw but us. They started guiding everyone out of the store, so we went with the flow. On the way out, there was a security guard checking every one’s bag. We’re not sure what happened to that girl but we still talk about it. We’ve named her the Girl that tried to steal during the blackout.

Then we went to Kris’ house to pass the time. We hung out with the neighbourhood gang. We staged this “accident” of my “first time driving”. THIS IS HOW BORED WE WERE.

We went for a walk to pass the time, too. Kudos to 17-year-old me for this pic! Me likey.

Then I went back home to my house – I lived in a different city. My whole family had left for the cottage so it was only me and my cousin home. We lit some candles and tried to make the best of it. I remember coming home and we were both like, “Soooo……..”

Oh and I was reading Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts (they made a movie starring Natalie Portman. Both were ‘meh’.)

I’m so glad I found these photos and that I had a really fun-filled day 🙂 Crazy how so much has changed! Do you remember where you were during the 2003 blackout?! I love hearing these stories, so feel free to share in the comments! Wouldn’t it be cool if we were near each other when it all happened?