A single girl's guide to loadshedding

When a country experiences a rough patch such as war or famine the government comes up with  contingency plans for the survival of its citizens. They ration out resources such as food and citizens themselves learn that they have to make some compromises so that they can all make it through the day. Things that were regarded as standard become  luxuries.  Initially the  people rant and rave, they moan and groan until it becomes the norm . Though they may not like it they learn to live with it until it is sorted out. This is the case with electricity in South Africa right now.  Our grid cannot meet the demand for electricity so as  a result electricity is rationed through a process called load shedding.

I weep.

All right so there are too many of us  with too many households and we can all have electricity but not all at the same time.  The load shedding story makes headlines every day because we are all trying to be on top of it. Load shedding  has become an icebreaker much like the weather used to be.  It has brought on a new dynamic to how we spend our time especially if it happens in the evening.  What do you  in the dark ?  I figure people who live in pairs or  groups will find ways to entertain each other but what about the singletons? Especially the girls; what are we to do in the dark?

Again, I weep.

Having been caught off guard a number of times and living through  hours of no food, no drinks, no warmth , complete silence and darkness I realised that if  I am to make it I will need a  fool proof plan. So here it goes:

Know when darkness will strike

Don't ever, allow load shedding to catch you off guard. Ever. You must get the load shedding schedule. If  you are going  get screwed you better know when it's going to happen.  Ask your friends, ask your enemies, visit the Eskom website, check your municipality , find out who your neighbours are and ask them . Just make sure you know when its going to be lights out.

Battery power

Make sure that all your battery operated apparatus are fully charged, especially the torch  as this will help you to locate the other things. Your phone ,  Wi-fi  router,laptop and tablet should be fully charged as they will provide not only entertainment and a connection to the outside world but also a beam to pierce through the dark.  

Sparking flames

Candles are probably the nicest thing about load shedding.  Have as many or as little as you like and don't forget matches and lighters.  We love candles because they give us  both light and a great opportunity to have a candlelit dinner by our bad selves. 

Workout your supper time

Look its either you prepare a cold meal like a salad or sandwich or you need to make sure that your supper is warm when you want to eat it.    If load shedding starts at six, but you eat at seven, and it ends at eight. I suggest you find a  good pasta salad recipe or one those granny dishes that keep things warm for a while.  You can now have a delicious supper while you listen to music from your fully charged laptop by candlelight by your bad self.

I've had dinner,now what?

So suppose you are thrown in the dark between eight and ten.   This is a great time for that home-spa bath.  All those oils and salts that you buy and never use can come in handy now.  Run your bath and surround it with an army of candles.  Soak and soak until you turn into a prune.  Relax and let your mind wonder.If you want to take it up a notch you can listen to your music or a guided meditation.  I love the latter.  Stay in there as long as you like and realise what a gift this is.

If  like me, you have a fireplace ...make a fire, pop a bottle of wine, listen to Billie Holiday and Nina Simone   but forget about the blues.

Surf the net, skype, play candy crush , retweed, follow, share, post, chat if you are so inclined. Or better yet, read  an  ebook or your favourite blog ( ahem). 

Go to bed early

What?  Go the bed before ten? Yes, the early to bed story is not a myth.  Maximise on the length of the winter night and get your beauty sleep.  It will be wise of course to prepare your hot water bottles, well in advance as the alternative is too sad to bare.  You've had supper, taken a bath, sat by the fire with a glass of wine, listened to good music, read a book and now you really should be ready of bed.  Unless of course like me, you  suffer from insomnia then you may just be happy being sleepless in Polokwane or your own town and write a blog post or two. Let the dark  be your inspiration.

Or you could do that