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Show Ten O'ClocIc Whistle bv David Fleisher The night the lights went out in Park City... A power failure struck Park City, causing the lights to go out in certain areas of town. The "blackout" lasted for around 2 hours. Luckily, there was no looting on Main Street, no one got stuck in elevators, there seemed to be an ample supply of candles, and for the most part. Park City residents faced the minor crisis in good spirits. What really happens during a blackout? Many people's fantasies come alive, springing out of the very depths of their secret desires. There's no way to tell what people do when the lights go out. Everything is based to a certain extent on rumor. I don't think most people do "everyday" things during a blackout because it's boring dnd can be done when the lights are on. How about reading? I doubt it, but it's possible. Reading can be done anytime. Domestic squabbles? Again, this can happen at any time of the day. But it is not day. The lights are out and darkness invites bolder actions. It was reported by one Holiday Ranch resident that some people immediately ran to Main Street to see if the light had gone out all over town. Now this is exciting. It's dark. The lights have gone on the blink. And people run to Main Street to see if other people have experienced the same misfortune. Television? You can't watch T.V. because the power is off. How about driving around in circles in the car. This is not only boring, but stupid, not to mention it can be done when the - lights are on. One favorite pastime is making popcorn in the dark. This is fun. But not very exciting. Another popular activity when the lights have said bye-bye is telling ghost stories. But I think many people go into a temporary state of paralysis and don't know what to do with themselves. It is a time for personal introspection. The more serious ones might say: "Have I achieved as much in my life as I possibly can?" Or maybe something like, "Eternity. What does it really mean?" Darkness can lead to those fantasies which everyone harbors at one time in his or her life: "I will seek out and find a house where I can ski to my doorstep." . The great philosopher, Descartes, must have said "I think, therefore I am" during a blackout. Thoughts like this don't come during light time. The reason blackouts are so exciting is because they happen when you least expect it. Spontaneous behavior results from the shock. When hurricanes hit Florida, residents meet and have what is popularly called "hurricane parties." But activity is fairly limited during these parties because there is a general fear that Hurricane will blow your house away. I was at one of these "hurricane parties" once. Everybody sat around and stared at each other. There was no popcorn. No ghost stories. Just fear. So we were lucky here. There was no looting and probably a minimal amount of fear. Yet there was excitement. We will never know exactly how much excitement, however. If Park City gets hit again with a blackout, I hope it doesn't affect one of the town's great historical traditions, the Ten O'clock Whistle, which I just heard. |