In article >,
bob in nz > wrote:

> On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:50:36 -0500, Lou Decruss
> > shouted from the highest rooftop:
>
> >On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:49:46 -0600, Christine Dabney
> > wrote:
> >
> >>On Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:45:08 +1200, bob in nz
> > wrote:
> >>
> >>>On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:27:44 -0600, "Janet Bostwick"
> > shouted from the highest rooftop:
> >>>
> >>
> >>>>> Miche in Dunedin is not that far from the epicentre and would have
> >>>>> probably felt it. But since there were not injuries, we can hope that
> >>>>> Miche is fine.
> >>>>>
> >>>>It sounds as though they will be without power and water for a while.
> >>>>Janet
> >>>
> >>>That's not good. We were without power for around 36 hours last
> >>>weekend, but that was due to a nasty storm up here (2,000 kms from the
> >>>epicentre). At least we had water (in our two six thousand gallon
> >>>water tanks).
> >>
> >>If they are without power, I bet Miche is busy, busy, busy....if she
> >>is okay. She is a journeyman electrician these days..
> >
> >I'm one of those J people too. Much different than a lineman. I hope
> >she and everyone is ok but electricians don't restore power. I won't
> >bore you with 30 years of OT stories but most of the guys/gals who run
> >the big lines have no clue how to properly install most things in a
> >home or a commercial setting.
> >
> >And I would have no clue how to work a downed pole.
>
> My wife and I have a great respect for the guys who go out in storms
> like the one we had last week and restore the power while we're safe
> and comfortable at home.

So do I. I work with some. Great guys, salt of the earth.

> We finally got our power restored after dark and when the two guys
> returned in their truck to check and see if we were OK, I handed one
> of them a 24x bottle case of Speight's lager. I swear the young guy
> cradled it in his arms as if it was a newborn baby and his smile lit
> up the gloom.

Oh, bless you.

> BTW - I have great respect for sparkies as well. To be honest,
> electricity scares the hell out of me.

It scares me too, which is why I treat it with respect. I've seen it
track up something to jump over the edge, and I've seen it arc to earth
over a two-foot spark gap at 75,000 Volts. MUCH respect.

Miche

--
Electricians do it in three phases