You may have seen the various Twitter reports of incidents as they’ve taken place, or shortly there after. The most recent, and most news worthy, is the account shortly after the US Airways plane landed safely in the Hudson River (Wall Street Journal post). A month earlier a Continental airplane slid off the runaway in Denver and the story unfolded via Mike Wilson’s Twitter account. Not all events are news worthy. Nonetheless even small, localized event are chronicled on Twitter as they occur.
On Monday January 26, 2009 a power outage occurred in parts of McHenry County, IL (Northwest Herald report). Below are the tweets that chronicled this event from a few Twitter users.
Power out in what looks like the whole neighborhood. Family all downstairs preparing for zombie attack. @rbieber (Woodstock, IL) 20:31
Power is out… what the heck. @jolisouci (Capron, IL) 20:32
so many candles lit I feel like I’m living the last scene in Carrie. @rbieber 20:35
WOW major power outage. Parts of Woodstock, IL and Capron, IL according to @rbieber and @jolisouci. Any other reports? @frumpa (Woodstock, IL) 20:41
Power is back on. Too bad I couldn’t pause this PBS special on Oppenheimer’s trial! @jolisouci 20:43
@jolisouci how long was power out for you. We only lost power for a minute but sounds like @rbieber is still in the dark (know what I mean?) @frumpa 20:44
Power outage longer than Linux server UPS lasts. There goes my uptime @rbieber 20:45
Jonna still doesn’t get this Twitter thing. She replies to me verbally. @rbieber 20:47
forgot to tell the family I was afraid of the dark. Panic setting in. @rbieber 20:48
Can’t breathe … Oh wait this is a power outage. Not stuck in space … @rbieber 20:49
Dammit, I just put by Braille books in the basement yesterday. @rbieber 20:58
Dear god. I’m sorry for goofing on Ubuntu Christian Edition. Please turn the lights on now. @rbieber 21:04
Is in hell: power is out in the whole town and Ron is entertaining the family with ifart @jonna404 (Woodstock, IL) 21:06
I eat chocolate fudge pop tarts and drink Guiness - two things you can’t find in the dark. Just my luck. @rbieber 21:09
Power back on. @rbieber 21:12
@frumpa your power just went out? Ours was out for about an hour, came back at 9:10 @imps (Woodstock, IL) 22:00
There you have it, citizen’s journalism at it’s best.
Posted by Al Degutis
Today we remember Martin Luther King. This day is also being observed as the National Day of Service. How are you doing your part? Seth Godin lists a number of great ideas on how you can be of service today or any day.
I’d like to add one more option: volunteering.
Judy has been a volunteer at the Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store for over six months. Proceeds from The Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Stores help support the Home of the Sparrow McHenry County Interfaith Shelter Program.
Home of the Sparrow provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless women and children in northern Illinois. Home of the Sparrow’s mission is to empower individuals and families to eliminate homelessness, joblessness and hunger by teaching self-reliance, independence and self-discipline. The program goals and objectives of HOS specifically focus on individuals and families who were homeless and now participate in our program. Every facet of HOS’ program is designed to foster independence and teach life skills to help break the cycle that perpetuates homelessness.
Make a difference in someone’s life today by helping out this great organization, whether through a donation or volunteering your time.
Volunteer opportunities
Donate to Home of the Sparrow
~ Posted by Al Degutis
Twitter can be addicting. It can also be very frustrating when it is down. Some people have suggested that Twitter charge for the service and use those funds to provide a more reliable “Pro” service. So, the question is “What is Twitter worth to you?”
Interacted with another Barton employee and once again felt the tinge of tears and emotion well up inside. Just when I thought I had moved past that stage. I realize now that I may never be over it. Barton was a great place to work and the people there are great. They were a part of my life for many years and I will always feel that tug of emotion when I think about them or interact with them, because I care. I know they feel the same, that’s just the way it was there. Like family.
