had my first harrowing experience in my house.
the electrical cables chose the coldest night this year to snap.
shortly after eleven, i found myself in darkness and silence.
there was no power, no TV, no internet and gasp, no heater.

i poked my way to the toolbox to search out the torch i picked up at ikea.
i knew that would come in handy somehow. talked rubbish to rakesh for half an hour.
read a presentation report using the torch. tried to settle down on the sofa wearing my winter jacket. just as i was nodding off, the lights came back on just before 12.

the giantic Xmas tree in the estate compound must have short-circuited. good intention, bad idea.