Musician Suggests Solstice Blackout
Friday May 9, 2008
Rufus Wainwright is a musical genius, but now there's even more reason to think he rocks. Thanks to reader Linda for sending me a tip on this -- Rufus is suggesting a really neat way to celebrate the summer solstice on June 21. This is, after all, the longest day of the year, and a time when some people believe that magic is at its peak. Rufus is challenging everyone to select a twelve-hour period on the summer solstice and go without electricity. Just shut everything off. Spend that time, instead of watching tv or surfing the Internet, contemplating how you can make changes to help the environment in the coming year. It's a great idea -- and one great wayto celebrate the day. What if everyone just turned off the lights for the sheer beauty of the experience?
Comments
I like this idea! I have to be honest and say I may not make the full 12 hours - and I may not be able to spend them all contemplating - but I certainly like the idea of turning everything off and just “being” for a while - it’s a win-win!!
I think this is a wonderful idea also. A month or two ago our electricity went out because of a snow storm. Thankfully we were warm and in no danger of things getting too cold, but as a family we read, my girls loved the idea of lighting all these candles so that was a good time to go over fire safety. We played card games and talked. Looked at all the snow coming down, tromped around outside for a little bit. It was great. Granted this would be at a better time of year for no electricity. We have been saving fire wood, xmas tree and wreaths to burn on the solstice. Maybe grilling…But I agree with rebecca, the whole 12 hours, I know my husband wont do it. Anyway, we just got a PS3 with Ghost Recon and GTA4, so we have been video game freaks for a while.
Blessed Be
I like this idea as well, though going with my AC for 12 hours might prove a bit daunting.
I think it’s a great idea. I know they did that through out the world a couple months ago. It needs to be done at least once a week, honestly! We can save electricity, the earth, and have great family time, with out all the modern age ‘baby sitters’ the electronics. I’m gonna do that, and have a great day planned w/ the family! I’ll even turn off the air conditioner, and just have pools or squirt gun fights! If everyone did just that, they will enjoy the cool summer nights, and the satisfaction that they helped the earth, and more importantly, spent quality time w/ their families. Thank you!
That is something my parents used to do all the time when I was small. We would have weekends where we would cover all our clocks, and shut off everything and just spend time together hanging out in the dark. We would tell ghost stories or play games by candle light. It was a great time.