One Big Oversize Bottle of Visine...

That's what Honeytown needs right now.

Something to make all the red spots on Ameren UE's blackout map to clear up. It was in the background during one of the newscasts concerning the citywide splotchy blackout- where some of the north county residents are boiling water, others have neither water nor electricity, and still others have recently had electricity restored to them. I never knew that I'd be so greatful to live out in Ballwin.

I have to give major props to all the local clear channel stations that banded togeather to broadcast a united voice of help, hope and continual updates that could be heard by everyone. My family had on KLOU last night when the lights started flickering, and this morning I couldn't even find KSLZ on the dial. It wasn't until after I got off work that I heard what they were trying to accomplish in this crisis (albiet not as big as Katrina, but still a crisis nonetheless), that I really realized the effect that this was having on the community.

Granted, with all the customers trying to escape the heat by shopping at TJ Maxx, I should have realized. This was not just a few small grids. This is entire counties.

There's not a single hotel room to be found in the entire city, or any of its surrounding counties- calling out as far as Wentzville. There are cooling centers throughout the area- turn to a clear channel station such as 103.3, 100.3, or 107.7 to find out more information.

I still can't get in touch with one of my elderly family members. I hope she's all right.

I hope that by the end of this, everyone's all right.