A storm blew through my area the other day and took out the electricity for a little while. I have to tell you, I am not proud of this, but during the time when there was no light or internet or television, I felt incredibly adrift.
I literally didn’t know what to do with myself.
Can you imagine this? I went to check my email. Oops, no go. The internet connection and my computer are both dependent on electricity.
I thought, no problem, I’ll check email on my cell phone. Crud. Forgot to charge it the night before, and it’s down to one bar. No biggie. I figured, I could charge it now. I actually went to plug it in before I realized what I was doing. Wow.
I remembered the awesome dinner mom had given me as leftovers in the fridge and almost cried at the thought of it going bad.
To cheer myself up, I figured I’d check out what’s on the TV. Um. Yeah.
I’m not even joking.
Desperate for some type of contact with the world outside my apartment, I started texting people. Shortly after, my phone died because I hadn’t charged it.
That was it. I was completely cut off. It was the strangest feeling. I could actually hear the clock ticking above my head. It was a little unnerving, I have to admit. I said out loud, “How did people live like this??”
I dug up a magazine under my bed and read for a little bit, but really, the magazine was only a minimal distraction.
I know that’s a sad statement, that I’ve become that dependent on technology and modern conveniences, but here we are. I’m owning up to it.
You know who wasn’t bothered in the slightest? Not one single bit?
My cats.
Okay, they didn’t like the storm that started this whole mess, but for the most part, they ran around as though everything was completely normal. They continued their characteristic, daily romps.
My newest addition walked around the house, obviously looking for something to get into – that seems to be his modus operandi after all. I don’t know how on earth he found a clothespin, but he did and he was chasing that all over the house.
At least it added sound to the clock ticking.
So as I sat, waiting not-so-patiently for the telltale sound of electricity once again connecting me to humans and the outside world, I watched my group of felines calmly go about their routine as though nothing was amiss.
And I thought, dang, it must be somewhat freeing to be an animal.
They don’t have to check email every day; they don’t keep cell phones attached to their hands just so they don’t miss a call; they don’t rely on a television to keep them entertained. In fact, apparently today’s modern conveniences don’t mean a whole heck of a lot to them if my cats’ reactions were anything to go by.
So I have to take my realization a step further. Are these so-called conveniences, really a help to us? Yes, technology is neat and cool and makes life easier and certainly provides relatively instantaneous gratification, but is that always good?
What’s the downside of our increasing reliance on these scientific advances?
Is it really making our lives better or is it just a serious distraction?
I think, maybe, it’s that it takes us farther away from living life like our pets – free, unfettered, able to enjoy the smallest of life’s pleasures, the simplest of moments – and that’s kind of sad to me.
It’s kind of bizarre the insight I’m able to eke out of a few hours without electricity, isn’t it?
But maybe it’s something to think about…
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Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, readers may call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Bargain hunters and pet owners can help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
