It was a dark and stormy morning...

Monday October 24, 2005, I woke up at about 5am the wind began to whistle and howl, and branches begun to fall to my roof... It was pouring down rain, and I found myself alone scared and wondering what was going to happen over the next 5 hours.  And that's when it happened, the lights went out, I turned on the radio to hear what was going on.  It was about 6:30 am when the eye of Wilma made landfall on the West coast of Florida.  75 mph winds were already being felt at the Ft. Lauderdale airport (1 mi from my house), and the situation wasn't getting any better.  The windows were rattling, trees and roof tiles began to crack and fly around.  I was listening to the radio when they begun to report tornados, great not only do we have to worry about the hurricane but now we have to worry about tornados too.  Top wind speeds of 120 mph, that was some scary shit.  Every time I heard something that would sound like a train coming at me I would run into my closet.  Why hadn't I prepared for this, two bottles of water and a a couple bags of chips.  Who led me to believe that this would not be any big deal.  Anywhoo, poor planning on my part, no extra batteries no extra nothing.  At about noon the winds began to die down and neighbors started coming out to assess the damages.  Thankfullly the only damage I sustained was that all of my car windows got smashed out my car is pretty water logged.

Now the search for water, food and gas began!! And what a search that was.  I myself was not concerned about gas but many people were.  People standing in lines for 6-12 hours for gas.  These spoiled brats where do they need to go, there is no electricity and no where to go, stay home!!  FEMA--who was strategically placed outside of our county (Yeah big joke that was) arrived late or didn't arrive at all.  My house is located across from the distribution center, old ladies crying waiting for MRE's ice, and water.  People were not prepared we had a week to prepare for perhaps a category 1.  Well the storm hit as a strong category 2 and in some places a Cat 3. 

I realized that we would not have power for a long time, the radio stations were reporting a lot of damage and there was damage as far as the eyes could see.  Old 100 yr old Banayan trees down everywhere roofs caved in, patio furniture littered the streets.  What a mess. 

I deciderd I would try to leave I had plane tickets for anywhere in the US, well it wasn't like LA where they were bussing people out.  I called the airport it sustained alot of damage so it was closed, ok I will take the greyhound just get me out of here.  Well greyhound was not operating either.  I was stuck and all I wanted to do was leave.

Well folks, when there is nothing to do you have to be creative, so I decided to go on a 10 day bender!!!  With whatever money (cash) I had.  So the partying began, I did lots of drugs and can't tell you haw many warm beers I drank.   I stopped looking for ice, b/c that was a lost cause, you spend two hours waiting for ice just to cool your stuff down till the next day when you have to go and stand in line for another 2 hours.  It was pointless.  Nothing was open no grocery stores no convenience stores no bars no nothing!!!  Ughh!  When I did sleep I dreamt of air conditioning and an ice cold pepsi.  I walked for two miles (by the way my car broke down the day b4 the storm hit) to find a store that was open, and I got a cold soda.  It was the best glass of caffiene I ever had.

Day 6, still no power!!  You don't see FPL trucks anywhere, you wander aimlessly in circles just to try to pass some time.  Not to mention when there is no power there is no work.  So you guessed it no work = no money.  You can't get to the banks to get your money out of the ATM, no one wanted to take checks this is hopeless.  The only good thing about day 6 was McDonald's Dunkin Donuts, and some grocery stores opened up on my street.  I cleaned out my yard went for a lot of walks and began to get really depressed.  Every morning you wake up and wonder will I have power today.  Not at my house.  it is day 9 and I am finally back to work, I still have no power and I haven't had a hot shower in a long time.  Bird baths are getting old fast.  Maybe when I get home from work I will have power.  The electric companies projected date for all to be restored is November 22.

The on going joke is that they should stock the MRE's with Zoloft, b/c damn this is depressing.