Angelina Mendez: Operation Blackout - Surviving Without Telecommunication

My blackout occurred in 2 periods of 9 hours fearing that I wouldn't adhere to a third time after already suffering through 2. On the the first day I wasn't too effected since I was studying for my demography midterm. I embraced the opportunity to separate myself from my lap top and phone since on normal days I wouldn't think to. I anticipated being free from distraction, but it really didn't make a difference that telecommunication wasn't readily accessible. The thought of checking my email, calls, and texts was enough of a distraction. It might have even been worse since I wasn't able to quench my curiosity by checking messages.

My second operation was this past Saturday. This was an experience as uncomfortable as I presumed it would be. I anticipated how inconvenient my life would be without internet because I am fully aware of my dependence on it. Nonetheless I decided to spend my day at fisherman's wharf with a friend who agreed to partake in the assignment. I first felt its effect when I couldn't confirm which bart station would take us closest to the wharf. Thankfully the lady at the information booth told me what I needed to know. I depend on my phone for a camera so I wasn't able to take pictures, something that upset me because I photograph frequently. Distances felt longer because I couldn't continuously reload my location on my iPhone's interactive map. It felt like I was walking forever, especially since I didn't have anything to tell me the time. I also kept having to ask people if I was headed in the right direction.

While surviving was quite easy without telecommunication, it was a whole lot more inconvenient. I had to depend on other people for information instantly available on my cell phone. Overall I definitely felt the impact of being isolated since I was literally cut off from everyone that wasn't in my immediate area. Without my phone or internet I felt more distance between myself and the people I know more than I ever have before.