even the mighty must fall

Chris and I went out for drinks with our friends Drew and Erin. We had a very nice time. We arrived home at about 11:00 to find all of our lights popping on and off with some vigor. Now we are used to power fluctuations and not a day goes by without the power going out and/or the generator going haywire. But something in the nature of the current event felt different. Luckily, we are used to unplugging the computer and the stereo equipment whenever we are not using them, but even large things like the refrigerator and the transformers were making hideous popping noises. I mean, everything in our refrigerator is melting.

We let it go for a little while to see if it would stop but it didn't. I finally called the consulate at midnight to tell them that something was wrong. “Yes, there are many power fluctuations in India”, says the man on the phone. “Yes, I know that very well but you have to trust me. This is different.” OK. Somebody is going to come over.

Meanwhile, things settle down a little bit and Chris goes to sleep, luckily, since he has to get up early in the morning. Soon afterward, the generator starts making heinous noises again, while I sit outside with my neighbors Jason and Lola and wait for the man to come help us.

He did, and he did something, and it got fixed, and we all went to sleep.

Next morning, everything seems to back to normal. Everything, alas, but our poor refrigerator.

The verdict of the experts at the consulate is dreadful. “Beyond repair, madam.”

The power problem was so bad that it blew up my damn refrigerator.

But ashes to ashes, and all that. She was a good refrigerator and a valiant cooler-down of foodstuffs but, like pets, she is quickly forgotten upon the arrival of a new and cuter one. Behold. Snowball II: