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| Week
38: 1900
House Spend a full day without any electric device. This includes t.v., radio, electric lights, microwave, hair dryer, razor, electric clock, phone, automobile, bus. After 24 hours discuss/document/photo your learnings. What did you miss most? What was the most difficult to escape? What did you discover you can do without? |
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Typical Means: Alarm
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Alternative Used: Sun and birds |
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I moved to the front porch and read for a a good hour or two enjoying the coffee, a book by great uncle Arch Whitehouse and the picnics starting in the park across the street. It was just too beautiful a day to sit any longer. I headed inside for a sandwich and a cold glass of milk, collected my bike and headed out. Cold milk you may ask? I had set up a rudimentary refrigerator the evening before by purchasing a block of ice (which ended up lasting for 2 days) and putting it in a cooler along with the milk, juice, some fruit, beer and a number of other food stuffs. I rode for the next three hours covering every inch of the new Greenway, Cedar and Kenworth bike paths. It was a great day for a ride since the neighborhood was having its wheels as art parade and there were art cars and decorated bikes everywhere. After covering 20 plus miles in 80 degree temps. it was time to head home to clean up an cool off. A shower was definitely in order. Unfortunately our hot water heater requires both electricity and natural gas. The cold water was just that, but after the mild shock of the initial splash, the rest of the shower was moderately enjoyable. Very quick, but enjoyable all the same. Cold showers seem to save electricity, gas and water. After the shower, Kris came back from her ride and we both enjoyed a mid afternoon nap drifting in the warm summer breezes sliding in and out of the wide open windows. Upon rising, I served up a big glass of cold juice and headed out back to actually get some "work" done. We just purchased a "new" 98' Dodge Dakota Pickup truck the week before and it was in dire need of a washing and waxing. The truck was in the garage, so I wasn't required to drive it anywhere. Kris came out a bit later and together we had it washed, waxed and looking like new by dinner time. Kris and our friend Robin Dowden had planned a Fourth of July picnic downtown in a park along the Mississippi, putting us in a good position for watching the fireworks later in the evening. Kris and Robin drove down and I helmeted up for a bike ride downtown. My legs were a bit rubbery but the ride was smooth and fast. I even ran into my friend Tom Hambleton on the way there. If we were in cars, we might have seen and each other and waved, but on bikes we were able to stop and chat for a few minutes. Eventually I made to the park, met up with Kris and Robin and partook in an evening of eating, drinking, playing Scrabble and enjoying a short, but sweet fireworks display. I cautiously rode home using only the street lamps and the moon for illumination. Upon returning home, Kris and I prepared for bed in candlelight. The day of fresh air and exercise launched me into a deep sleep soon after hitting the pillow. Looking back from the 21st century, my day in the 1900's was relatively painless due to the week and day the curators and I chose. A work day would be nearly impossible since the moment I enter the museum I am dependent upon the HVAC, electric lighting (our office area is in the center of the building). My group's work is based almost entirely on the use of computers for communication, production and delivery. We have lost electricity in the museum a number of times and after a few minutes of sitting around doing nothing in glow of flashlights and Palm devices, we always end up retreating outside for light and fresh air. At home, we are a bit less dependent depending on the season. In the dead of winter, the fireplace and candles would only go so far in keeping us cozy. Believe me, we gave this a lot of thought when considering the potential impact of the Millennium Bug in the winter of 1999-2000. In summary, I appreciate living in the United States in the luxury 21st century, but continue to rethink my use of resources and ways in which I can better conserve these privileges I often take for granted.
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