What does this generate?

Just thought that you might want to see what sort of generators you can buy at the Iringa market. Would Harry Potter buy one of these? You may have to click on the picture to blow it up to read the label on the right.

We are reading by dork light (LED headlamp) as the power went out about 30 minutes ago. We were suspicious that something was going on as some of the lights in the house started to dim a bit ago.

Dale and I went to the University today for class only to find that the Convocation pre-empted class. The administration and students were in the multipurpose room having a question and answer session this morning when they were supposed to be welcoming the Provost and having a state-of-the-university address. Since it was all in Swahili, we bowed out and came home about 11 AM. Unfortunately, this is the end of the 3rd week of class and we have seen our students for fewer than 3 hours of class. I hope that the students were asking: "Where the heck are the faculty?"

We did figure out the electrical meter system. The meter is a very fancy box with a keypad and flashing LED's and flashing numbers. One of the numbers it flashes is the number of kilowatt-hours you have left on the meter. The other is a mystery and as far as we can tell it is the number of years we will have to live to see the Vikings win the SuperBowl. Or maybe the number of NHL players that will be left once the strike is over. Anyway, as the number of KW-HR left draws down, we have to take cash to a little store up on the main drag. They take the cash and scan in a VIP card and give us a receipt with a code number. That number entered into the keypad gives you more electricity. How simple is that?

Still no rain but both Friday and Saturday were forecast for 50% chance of rain. Since the Italians are jailing their earthquake experts for failing to warn properly (didn't these morons jail folks who told us the earth is round?) we should start stringing up the meteorologists who give us false hope that the rains may come. Anyway, as you can tell I am a little steamed by the Italians. I may never eat spaghetti again!. We are still hoping for rain, but I am sure that when it starts, we will regret it.

Still no electricity, so I better publish this blog before the PC dies. It is quite incredible that I am sitting here updating a blog, downloading podcasts and checking e-mail from Minnesota while the rest of the neighborhood lights candles.