The Orlando Sentinel (subscription required) ran a great story this morning about things we learned from Hurricane Charley. Here is their list (slightly modified to remove some specific local references).
- Water is a comfort food, but 3-day-old Cheetos are too.
- We shouldn't complain about all the "useless" tools in the garage -- we actually DO need a generator.
- You can't spell "priceless" without I-C-E.
- Shadow animals on the wall -- still fun!
- It's your God-given right to sit on your back porch and eat Chinese takeout by candlelight in your underwear.
- You can use your washing machine as a cooler.
- No matter how hard the wind blows, roadside campaign signs will survive.
- Cell phones: Breaking up isn't hard to do.
- Water from the shower is much colder than water from the kitchen sink -- and tastes just as bad.
- AA and D are the only alphabet we need.
- There's a plus side to having nothing in the refrigerator.
- You should never admit to having power at your house in the presence of co-workers or neighbors who don't.
- Even after all these years, it can still be nice to spend time with Col. Mustard in the ballroom with the lead pipe.
- Chain saw-wielding men are nothing to be afraid of.
- When house-hunting, look for inside closets with lots of legroom.
- SUVs are the best makeshift tents on the market.
- An oak tree on the ground looks four times as big as one standing up.
- The four-way stop is still an ingenious reflection of civility.
- Getting through the day should be an Olympic event.
- The movie theater can be a most pleasant place, even if the feature is Alien vs. Predator.
- Radio can be the best way to watch television.
- Air conditioning: Best invention ever.
- Candlelight is better than Botox -- it takes years off your appearance.
- Small lakes can generate waves.
- Gasoline is a value at any price.
- The need for your dog to go out and take care of business is proportional to the severity of the storm.
- The lifeblood of any disaster recovery is coffee.
- Downed power lines make an excellent security system.
- Somebody's got it worse. This makes us feel a little less bad.
- Somebody's got it better. Obviously, they're getting preferential treatment.