People used to warn me about living in California. They told me
all about earthquakes, and congested freeways, and alternative
lifestyles, but no one, NO ONE, ever mentioned the fact that there
wouldn’t be enough gas or electricity to go around. At least,
that’s what I’m guessing from my latest energy bill.
People used to warn me about living in California. They told me all about earthquakes, and congested freeways, and alternative lifestyles, but no one, NO ONE, ever mentioned the fact that there wouldn’t be enough gas or electricity to go around. At least, that’s what I’m guessing from my latest energy bill.
I know I’m not alone. I submit my bill as exhibit A that Californians are paying some of the highest prices in the country. But for all I know, maybe it’s not so bad over here. I just know it’s bad – and I can’t help but wonder how something like this could happen in the world’s leading industrialized nation.
Naturally, the answer depends on who you ask, but my theory is that sometime around mid-December, while most of us were distracted by holiday shopping, Florida and Texas got together and demoted California to third world country status. I realize this is highly unlikely. But it would sure explain a lot of things like, say, why I have to wear a parka and snow hat to bed every night to prevent frostbite and more sticker shock, and why lately my husband has been heating up a can of soup with his flashlight.
Now, those of you who are lucky enough to live in states that have semi-affordable gas and electricity might think I’m complaining too much. And you’re partly right. I mean, it’s not like we have below freezing temperatures or snowstorms or blizzards or anything like that. It could be a lot worse outside – so what if we have to defrost the stereo and scrape ice off the television screen every morning? I mean, you don’t need to tell me that I should forget about my own selfish needs and have sympathy for the struggling power companies who are trying their best not to go bankrupt by taking all of my money. No-sir-ee.
I’m no political expert but, being an educated person, I’ve pieced all of the information I’ve read together and, as I understand it, the whole problem is due to the “negative effect of deregulation on inflated gas prices, caused by a lack of power plants and too many silly little environmental laws like, say, air pollution control, which can be traced, in some strange and mysterious way, back to saving the spotted owl.” But I could be wrong about this.
Our bills have been so outrageous lately, I’ve been actually hoping for power blackouts, because at least we don’t have to pay for electricity during this time. Don’t tell anyone, but one day I saved about hundred dollars by not being able to turn on my heat for an hour. And there are other perks. For instance, I’m forced to be creative. I’ve had to think up new casseroles that can be cooked with birthday candles, how to find people in the dark by listening for the sounds of their voices, and how to keep my heart from jumping out of my mouth every time I see the amount of my gas bill.
And then there’s another nice perk, when the power goes out. I get to spend time with my family doing things we wouldn’t normally do. Like the night we spent huddled in a circle on the living room floor, singing camp songs while roasting marshmallows in the fireplace. Or playing Marco Polo in the kitchen.
But not everyone is taking our high energy bills so well. Just the other day I accidentally lingered too long gazing into the refrigerator, and my husband looked at me like I was insane or something. “How are we going to manage to send the kids to college if you keep insisting on opening the refrigerator door? Huh? HUH?”
I ask you, is there any other place in the world, or in fact the entire universe, where this would make sense?
OK, I admit it. Deep down, I like living in California despite its problems. So what about little inconveniences like earthquakes and traffic gridlock and expensive electricity? Face it: where else can you find dozens of beaches, a temperate climate, laid back attitudes, cutting-edge technology, and cultural diversity and all that? It’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Besides, spring will be here soon. In the meantime, can someone please pass me a blanket?
