Lessons I've Learned

It's been a very, very long week. Here is a sample of things I've learned along the way.

If the Geek Squad dude doesn't have a sharp enough knife to open a laptop box, you are all set if you have a Teamster/Harley guy at the Best Buy counter with you - he's got a freshly sharpened one!

Digital cameras do not like toilets. Which brings me to my next point.

Best Buy lies. Don't believe them when they sell you a service plan that they swear entitles you to a replacement, no questions asked.

Aidan is "not made for winter." His words.

You should listen to yourself and charge your laptop if there is a risk of losing power.

My Blackjack doubles as a great flashlight. Which is helpful since the boys believe flashlights are toys that don't need to be turned off.

You can only stay in a house that is 58 degrees for so long. And if your power goes out for 2 days in the middle of winter, your house will get to 42 degrees.

Sometimes, if your power goes out for 2 days - you might actually consider yourself lucky. I called Aidan's friend across town today and they are still without power, day 9.

If your power goes out for 48 hours and there is a rumor it might be out for many more hours, you should call someone. Who? I don't know. But my dad thinks someone should be called. He doesn't know who that person is either. Usually, he's the one I call. Houston, we have a problem.

My parents are very nice people to take in powerless stragglers.

If there is any risk of a storm that could result in a loss of power, make sure you have gas in your car. Few gas stations have generators and you're gonna sit in a wicked long line. (Ok, says Joe - I was escaping in the other car as he thought he'd just swing to the local station and fill up. Notsomuch.)

Food is supposed to be thrown away from the refridgerator if your power goes out for more than 4 hours.

You will not get sick if you ignore the advice that food is supposed to be thrown out if your power goes out for more than four hours. Especially when that fridge is in a room that is 42 degrees, I'm living proof that it's not a petri dish in there.

You can trick Seamus into taking antibiotics if he thinks it's just Tylenol.

You cannot, CANNOT, keep a Christmas tree looking good when you have 3 inquisitive little boys. So if you're coming here, please be polite and say the tree is just lovely.

If someone at Michael's tries to pay by check, you are much better off to exit that line. Immediately. Even if you've waited for 5 other people to check out before "check lady" and your only option is the back of a line with 20 people in it. It'll still go faster.

It is a mistake to tell Colin about any natural disaster, regardless of how many years ago it was. I have a whole new level of knowledge about what happened in Pompeii in 79 AD. And little patience left to explain that it will not happen here.

And just in case you'd like to learn too - here is our newest favorite video channel: