I have never found anyone else writing to the editor about not being able to complete work/submit because of power outages, except for you, now. I'm so used to power outages (and water shortage) during summer and during monsoon that it's second nature for me to decline work/push deadlines because of it. I get push backs. I get the suggestion to "work elsewhere". I completely understand the sentiment behind - "Am I not in a real place? Am I not on this earth?" This resonates deeply.
It is such a real circumstance for so much of the world and yet it is systematically erased in current media. Yet even in the United States, power outages have been common in certain regions such as Louisiana and are becoming more widespread because of weather events.
Moat of the editors I have worked with have been Continental US based with all the wifi and electricity you could ever want. If a rain drop drops on my house the wifi goes out. My house has been struck by lightening at least ten times blowing fuses and frying modems. But I am still expected to turn in copy and drive in a Strom to a Cafe or something? When my dog Benny died I did managed to get an extention of a week.
I was wrapping up a brief assignment for BA when Ida hit New Orleans in 2021 and had to tell them I'd be late submitting my payment paperwork -not to mention the near-monthly interruptions to our potable water. A common idiom people say here is "New Orleans is not a real place".
Absolutely. I think a lot about the Louisiana town Isle de Jean Charles, the first federally relocated community due to climate change in the United States. How many towns will be next? And when will people stop shrugging their shoulders and saying its our fault for living in these threatened places?
reading this still gives me that little pang of anxiety, hearing the drone of the generator, thinking back to those sweltering days, using my phone as a hotspot so i can edit my mfa thesis on my laptop. ugh. it's just a specific experience but you captured it well. ty ❤️
I know it’s the last thing highlighted, but my eyes light up whenever I see Annie Ernaux mentioned! I organized a book club around The Happening in February, and I ended up reading all of her books published from A Man’s Place thru The Young Man. A revelation. The Years may be her masterpiece, but Look at the Lights, My Love may be my favorite. Can’t wait for the new one!
I have never found anyone else writing to the editor about not being able to complete work/submit because of power outages, except for you, now. I'm so used to power outages (and water shortage) during summer and during monsoon that it's second nature for me to decline work/push deadlines because of it. I get push backs. I get the suggestion to "work elsewhere". I completely understand the sentiment behind - "Am I not in a real place? Am I not on this earth?" This resonates deeply.
It is such a real circumstance for so much of the world and yet it is systematically erased in current media. Yet even in the United States, power outages have been common in certain regions such as Louisiana and are becoming more widespread because of weather events.
It is seen as such an aberration when it will soon become the norm!
Moat of the editors I have worked with have been Continental US based with all the wifi and electricity you could ever want. If a rain drop drops on my house the wifi goes out. My house has been struck by lightening at least ten times blowing fuses and frying modems. But I am still expected to turn in copy and drive in a Strom to a Cafe or something? When my dog Benny died I did managed to get an extention of a week.
I was wrapping up a brief assignment for BA when Ida hit New Orleans in 2021 and had to tell them I'd be late submitting my payment paperwork -not to mention the near-monthly interruptions to our potable water. A common idiom people say here is "New Orleans is not a real place".
The wild thing is “reality” is shifting and infrastructure is breaking down everywhere—we are ahead of nothing in most places in the US!
Absolutely. I think a lot about the Louisiana town Isle de Jean Charles, the first federally relocated community due to climate change in the United States. How many towns will be next? And when will people stop shrugging their shoulders and saying its our fault for living in these threatened places?
Thank you for sharing this, beautiful and eye opening to read.
This is the perspective I keep coming back for. Thank you, AK!
“a large All-Clad nonstick pot as a basin to wash my face…” This small detail, so fierce!
reading this still gives me that little pang of anxiety, hearing the drone of the generator, thinking back to those sweltering days, using my phone as a hotspot so i can edit my mfa thesis on my laptop. ugh. it's just a specific experience but you captured it well. ty ❤️
I finally got a hotspot from AT&T last month lol it’s been a lifesaver — so much anxiety, though!!!
I know it’s the last thing highlighted, but my eyes light up whenever I see Annie Ernaux mentioned! I organized a book club around The Happening in February, and I ended up reading all of her books published from A Man’s Place thru The Young Man. A revelation. The Years may be her masterpiece, but Look at the Lights, My Love may be my favorite. Can’t wait for the new one!
I started with The Years and am now trying to go through more or less chronologically—absolute revelations!!!
Beautiful writing, as always
Thank you so much
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Alicia this is beautiful and so frikkin important
Thank you, Caroline!