A few weeks ago, in the midst of the general hubbub of summertime, the main overhead light in my bedroom blew out, with a suitably shocking popping sound. I bought replacements for the light bulbs, only to discover that something else was amiss. What? Well, there was no light. No electricity at all running through the central wall in my apartment and into my ceiling. So, in the way of most Peace Corps Volunteers, I made a mental note to get someone to look at it, then promptly forgot about it. (I was reminded of the situation every evening once night fell and my room turned into a cheap imitation of a bat cave, with my pale face made even paler by the blue glow of my net-book’s screen – spooking everyone I Skyped with – “Uhh… why can’t I see you? Dude that’s creepy. What are you, a low budget Bond villain? You need to get your lights fixed.”)
Finally, Friday before last, a man who I assume was an electrician (his profession was described quite vaguely, but I was assured he was qualified to take a look at the apartment’s wiring), looked around, pulled on some wires, and declared he had not the slightest clue what the matter could be.
The next morning (two and a half hours late), another man showed up, clothed head-to-toe in camouflage, and muttering up a storm. He asked me some unintelligible questions which I responded to with vague gestures (doing my best to discern the meaning behind his cryptic incantations). One week later I again have electricity in my bedroom – a single light bulb hanging, forlornly, from the center of my ceiling. It’s a bit Spartan, I’ll grant you, but – I have light!
In unrelated news:
My cat, Ponchik, in his preferred sleeping pose.
My neighbor, a veterinarian, just shouted my name in the hallway, then demanded to see my cat. I brought Ponchik to him, and he promptly grabbed my cats family jewels and declared that we need to wait another month before neutering him. My cat looked affronted at being treated thus. Then again, he always look affronted unless I’m petting him and/or feeding him mountains of sardines.
Coming soon: A belated discussion of my experience of Ukraine’s 20th Anniversary of Independence from the Soviet Union (it’ll be a page turner!)
