I’ve been to Southern California many times, but three trips stand out. They were when I was in an earthquake, when major energy-conservation efforts were underway to avoid “rolling” blackouts, and then in the midst of rolling blackouts that folks had hoped to prevent by energy conservation.
The earthquake happened about seven years ago while I was at the Northamerican Heating, Refrigeration, and Airconditioning Wholesalers (NHRAW) conference in Anaheim. I was in my hotel room watching Monday Night Football when I felt that unnerving swaying for a few seconds. I looked out the window and noticed bellhops nonchalantly welcoming guests and hailing cabs.