Pass the Whine

September 11, 2006 - 12:18 PM by Allison

Sarah doesn’t want to whine about being single on Rosh Hashana (“Cuz, see, every single year we pray on Rosh Hashanah for the same thing — to be married by next Rosh Hashanah, or at least in a good relationship– and every darn year we’re back in synagogue on Rosh Hashanah, in the same darn seat, in the same darn marital status, praying for the same darn thing again. And again. And again”)

Whining about being single isn’t cool. But whining about other things, more mundane things, is cool. So she’s decided to whine about….light switches:

In the US, land of excessive consumption and consumerism, apartment buildings leave lights on in the stairwells 24 hours per day. In Israel, presumably to conserve energy, the lights stay off unless you need them. There is a little button on the wall at each level, and if you push it the stairwell light goes on for 10-20 seconds. If you are going up or down just one flight, it’s perfect.

But so many times, that light goes off while I’m between, say, the 3rd and 4th floors (because most buildings in my neighborhood are walk-ups). So there you are, stuck between floors, in total darkness, and you have to sort of feel your way carefully down each step, hoping to God that you don’t trip and break your neck. Then, at the landing, you have to feel all around the wall, hoping to find the stupid button.

Today I was holding grocery bags in both hands, coming down from the 4th floor of a building, when the light went out. And I missed the last step going down, and practically tripped into the wall. Darn energy-conserving stairwell lights

Be glad you’re single and child-free, Sarah. Imagine what getting stuck mid-stairs in the dark is like with a two year old.

Share with others