I also remember the 77 blackout, and it was no big deal in my area. Dad yealled to me, "what did you do?" (I was messing around in the shop) I said "Nothing, and all the lights outside are out" We walked over to the closet, he pulled out the dual mantle Propane lantern, set it up in the litchen, and kept playing cards with my mom and the neighbors. We both grabbed a couple of flashlights. It was a big nothing

Then there was the blackout in NE Queens about 7 years ago, another no big deal - we held a block party.

Last year was more work for ME, as I was not home when it happened, so I had a LONG trip. Once I got home, I finished setting up the family (they knew where one or 2 flashlights were, and had already eaten dinner when I got home), then I went out with the Ham radio crew once I changed. I was out all night

Someone else made a comment about hams and clothing - we are trying to battle that here in NYC - we can't REQUIRE uniforms, BUT we "request" - Black Pants, White or Grey Polo shirt (we are transitioning from White to Gray, so either goes) - we usually get them embroidered with our logo, name and call sig, BLACK shoes or boots, hat (was orange, transitioning to black logo cap), and we are encouraging a royal blue jacket, with logo on brest, lettering in the back - your ID hangs on a chain around your neck