Thursday (03-November-2011) — New Jersey

Retirement Planning

I spent the day an Executive Retirement Planning Seminar at the corporate headquarters in Whitehouse Station. My long-term plans had been to work until I was at least 60, and probably 65. After the seminar, I ran the numbers. It was an eye-opening exercise, but it does looks like I can think about retirement earlier where I can spend more time on travel and photography. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Wednesday (02-November-2011) — New Jersey

Late October Nor’easter Aftermath: Day 4

Update from PSE&G >95% of Power Restored. Restoration Challenges:

  • This storm caused more individual incidents of damage to PSE&G’s electric infrastructure than Hurricane Irene.
  • This storm was particularly damaging because, with leaves still on the
    trees, the heavy snow created considerable weight on tree limbs, bringing down
    numerous trees and power lines.
  • In addition to major circuits, there were a larger number of individual
    service lines from our poles to customers’ homes and business that were
    damaged.

Tuesday (01-November-2011) — New Jersey

Late October Nor’easter Aftermath: Day 3

Other than a few power dips (brown outs), the power remained on for the last day. My APC UPS units continue to protect the computers and servers. The following is an update from PSE&G.

  • 88% of the more than 570,000 PSE&G customers impacted by power outages from
    Saturday’s wet, heavy snow that brought down numerous trees and power lines.
    Crews will continue to work around the clock until all customers have power.
  • PSE&G expects to meet the state’s goal of having at least 95 percent
    of customers restored by Thursday. At this time, about 67,000 customers are
    without power with the majority of these in Bergen, Essex and Passaic
    counties
  • This storm caused more individual incidents of damage to
    PSE&G’s electric infrastructure than did Hurricane Irene. There is a larger
    number of service lines that are damaged as a result of falling tree limbs.
    Repairing the significant number of single lines from the poles to customers’
    homes and businesses presents the greatest challenge with this
    storm.
  • PSE&G is using every available resource to make repairs and
    restore electricity as quickly and safely as possible.  Resources include 262
    crews and troubleshooters, 116 line contractor crews and 240 tree crews working
    to restore power.  In addition to its own crews, PSE&G is receiving
    assistance from mutual aid crews from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and
    Mississippi.
  • Electric crews work to restore power to the largest numbers
    of customers first, taking into account “priority” customers, such as hospitals,
    police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, schools, and
    communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone).  At the same time, the
    utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits
    serving the largest number of customers.

31-October-2011

Halloween and a 2 Year Anniversary.

I finally got power back here at my house in New Jersey after a very early snowstorm. Two years ago today I was in Florida for a wedding of Lars (my brother) and Valerie. I’ve made it clear in the past that I do not do, and am not a wedding photographer. On the other hand this did not stop me from taking some pictures that day. For a full selection of images from that day please check out 31-October-2009.

Lars and Valerie. (David J Mathre)
Lars and Valerie. (David J Mathre)

30-October-2011

After the Storm.

The power came back on at about 3:30 AM, which was good since the house was getting cold. I had moved out to the RV since it has a propane heater. Unfortunately, the power went out again at 10 AM. Once it was light out, I went out to survey the damage. Several more trees down, including my favorite Japanese Maple in the front yard. The remaining Birch trees were bent almost to the ground. Images to follow. The night before Halloween is known as “Mischief Night” in this region. Hope folks are not running around tonight with downed power lines. Right now PSE&G is saying power should be restored by midnight Halloween, or for some of the worst hit parts of the state on Wednesday. If it is going to be much longer, I will need to drain the water in the pipes before they freeze.