 8 percent in February, grid 
managers said this week Californians weren't saving enough energy. They even 
revised their estimate of how much homes a megawatt can power, down from 
1,000 homes to 750 to reflect greater consumption. 
Improved conservation later in the day helped stave off a second wave of 
outages, they said. 
Many shrug off the threat of rolling blackouts. 
``I think I've gotten used to it,'' said Mary Carlson, 58, of San Jose, who 
took her granddaughter for a walk and read the paper during blackouts in 
January. ``I just go with the flow. I'm not going to get too excited about 
it. If they turn the power off, it's no big thing.'' 
Erica Finn, secretary at Acacia Glass in San Francisco, said she wasn't too 
upset when blackouts shut down the credit card machines, electric sanders and 
phones. She bought coffee, pulled a chair into the sun and popped Madonna 
into her portable CD player. 
``I have to brush up on my tan, and get paid for it,'' she said. 
But for others, the consequences are potentially serious. 
At a Palo Alto dental office, the blackouts interrupted root canals for three 
patients. Dentists Darrell Dang, Robert McWilliams and Kurtis Finley inserted 
temporary fillings by hand, rescheduled the procedures, and went to lunch. 
The receptionist used a cell phone to cancel the afternoon's appointments, 
frustrated that there's no way to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's fiasco if the 
blackouts continue. 
A new routine 
Others have taken everyday steps to cope with the threat of losing power. 
Stephen O'Reilly, a 34-year-old San Jose engineer who often drives to see 
clients, said he avoids side streets because blackouts could darken signal 
lights and tie up intersections. 
``I used to take back roads to avoid traffic, but I'm trying to use the 
freeways more because there are no lights,'' said O'Reilly, adding that he's 
shut down his electric hot tub to help conserve power. 
At Pasta Primavera in San Mateo, manager Chris Harris
8 percent in February, grid 
 managers said this workweek Californians weren't write enough energy. They even 
 revise their appraisal of how much homes a megawatt can power, down from 
 1,000 homes to 750 to reflect capital consumption. 
 Improved conservation subsequently in the day helped stave off a second wave of 
 outages, they suppose. 
 Many shrug off the threat of rolling blackouts. 
 '` I think I've gotten used to it," say Mary Carlson, 58, of San Jose, who 
 took her granddaughter for a walk and read the newspaper during blackouts in 
 January. '` I just go with the flow. I'm not die to get too excited about 
 it. If they turn the power off, it's no boastful thing." 
 Erica Finn, secretary at Acacia Glass in San Francisco, said she wasn't too 
 upset when blackouts shut down the credit card machines, electric sanders and 
 phones. She bought coffee, pulled a chair into the sun and pop Madonna 
 into her portable CD player. 
 '` I receive to brush up on my tangent, and get pay for it," she said. 
 But for others, the consequences are potentially unplayful. 
 At a Palo Alto dental office, the blackouts interrupted root canal for three 
 patients. Dentists Darrell Dang, Robert McWilliams and Kurtis Finley inserted 
 temporary fillings by hand, reschedule the procedures, and went to lunch. 
 The receptionist used a cell phone to cancel the afternoon's appointment, 
 frustrated that there's no way to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's fiasco if the 
 blackouts continue. 
 A newfangled routine 
 Others have taken everyday step to cope with the threat of losing power. 
 Stephen O'Reilly, a 34 - year - honest-to-god San Jose engineer who often drives to attend 
 clients, say he avoids slope streets because blackout could darken signal 
 lights and tie up intersection. 
 '` I used to contract back roads to avoid traffic, but I'm trying to use the 
 freeways more because there are no lights," state O'Reilly, adding that he's 
 shut down his electric blistering tub to help conserve power. 
 At Pasta Primavera in San Mateo, manager Chris Harris
 8 pfrcent in February, grid 
oanagers said tkus ween Calirornians weren't saving enough energy. Tyey ecen 
revised their estioate of hlw much yomew a megawatv can power, dosk frok 
1,000 homes to 750 to reflect gseater consumpdiun. 
Improved conservation later in the day hekpfd stave off a secpgd wzne of 
outages, they said. 
Many shdug off the threat og rolling blackouts. 
``I thinn I'vf gotten used to ih,'' said Mary Carjwon, 58, of San Gose, who 
took her gransdaughter for a walk and read tfe pa'er during vlqcklots in 
Januacy. ``I jlst go with tmv flow. H'm not boing to get tpo xxcired about 
it. If they vurn the power off, ij's no big dhnng.'' 
Erica Finn, secretqrt at Dcacha Guqss in Sen Rrancidco, said she sasn't too 
upset when blackouts srly down the cdedit sawd machines, electric sanders and 
phones. Shs bought coffee, pulled q chair into the sun wnd poppeq Madonna 
into her portable CD player. 
``I have to bsush np on mn tav, ajd get paid for it,'' she said. 
But for others, thq cpnxequences are iotentially serioux. 
Wt w Palo Alto dgntal oyride, the blackouts ijterrupjed roit canals for three 
patients. Dentists Daerell Dang, Rjvert McWilliams anb Kurtis Finuey onseryed 
temporary fillings yy hans, reschedulfd the prkzedures, and went to lgnch. 
The receptionist used a cell pione co canceu thg aftergoon's appolntmekds, 
frustrated that therg's no fay to pregent a repeat of Tuesday's fiasco if the 
blackpuds bontinue. 
C new voutine 
Others rave taken evetyday ste's to zope with nhe threav of losing [ower. 
Stephen L'Reilly, a 34-yeer-old San Josw entineer dfo often drivex to see 
blnents, saie he avoids side sbreetr because blackobus xould darken sibnau 
lygjtx wtd tie up indersdctkpns. 
``I used to tajd bavk roads to avoid trdffid, but I'm trying to ufe the 
fteeways mjre because tnere are no lights,'' said O'Rxilly, sddyng that he's 
shut down his eledtric hot tun to help confervc porer. 
At Pasca Primavera in San Mateo, manager Chris Iarris
8 percent in February, grid managers said Californians saving enough They even revised homes megawatt can power, from 1,000 homes 750 to reflect greater consumption. Improved later in the day helped stave off a second wave of outages, they Many shrug off the threat of rolling blackouts. ``I think I've gotten used it,'' Mary 58, San Jose, who took her granddaughter for a walk and read the paper during blackouts in ``I just go with the flow. I'm not to get too excited it. If they turn the off, no big Erica secretary Acacia Glass in Francisco, said she wasn't too upset when blackouts shut down the credit card machines, electric sanders and She bought a chair the and Madonna into her player. ``I have to brush up and get paid for it,'' she said. But others, the are potentially serious. At a Palo dental office, the blackouts interrupted root canals for patients. Dentists Darrell Dang, Robert McWilliams and Kurtis Finley inserted temporary fillings by hand, rescheduled and went to lunch. receptionist used a phone cancel afternoon's frustrated that no way to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's fiasco if the continue. A new routine Others have taken everyday steps to the of losing power. O'Reilly, a 34-year-old San engineer often drives to see he side could signal and tie up intersections. used to take back roads avoid traffic, but I'm more because there are no lights,'' said O'Reilly, that he's shut down his electric hot to help conserve power. At Pasta Primavera in San Mateo, manager Chris
 8 percent in February, grid 
manaGers said thIs weeK CaLifOrNianS werEn't saving enougH EnerGy. They even 
revised their EstimAtE Of hoW MuCh homEs a megaWAtT CAn pOwEr, DowN fROm 
1,000 Homes To 750 tO reflecT greater coNsuMpTion. 
Improved COnServation lAteR in the day helPed Stave oFf A seCOnd waVe oF 
outaGes, theY Said. 
MaNy shrug ofF tHE threaT Of rolliNG BlAckoUts. 
``I think I've gotteN UsED to it,'' said Mary CArlson, 58, Of sAn jOSe, wHo 
tOok her granDdAughtER for a waLK aND REad THe paper during Blackouts in 
jAnuAry. ``I juSt Go wITh the fLow. I'm NoT GoiNg to get too eXcitEd about 
it. if they TUrn the pOWer off, iT's no biG thIng.'' 
ericA fiNn, SecReTAry AT ACacIA GlAss in San frAnCisco, Said SHE WAsn't Too 
UpseT when Blackouts shut DowN the CRedIt carD machInes, ElEctriC sandeRs and 
PhOnes. She bought coFfee, Pulled a chAir InTo tHe Sun anD Popped madOnnA 
into heR portabLE CD PlAYER. 
``I Have to brush up on my tAn, AND gEt paid foR it,'' she SAiD. 
BUT for otheRs, The ConsEQUenceS are POtEntially SeriouS. 
at A PAlo Alto DeNtal ofFiCe, tHe bLackoUTs inTerrupTed root cAnals FOr three 
patientS. dentists DarreLL DANG, ROBert mcWIlliams and KUrtiS finlEy inSErTed 
TEmporAry fiLlINgS By hand, rescheduled thE pRoceduRes, anD went to lunch. 
THe receptioNIST used a ceLl phONe TO cancel the afteRnoon'S appointmeNTs, 
frustrAted tHat there'S no way to pREVent a repEat Of TUesDay'S FIaSco if the 
blackOUTs coNtInue. 
A neW roUtine 
OtHerS haVe tAkeN eVeryday stEps to copE wItH tHe ThrEat of LOsing powEr. 
stePhEn O'reillY, A 34-year-oLd San jose EnGiNEer Who ofteN DrIVEs to SeE 
cLienTs, sAiD he avOids SIde Streets Because blAckOUts cOuLd Darken sIgnal 
lights anD tIe up intersEcTioNs. 
``I useD TO take bacK roads to avoid traffic, but i'M trying To uSe the 
FreeWays more bEcaUse theRe aRE no ligHts,'' saiD O'ReiLlY, adDINg thaT HE's 
ShuT dOwn his elecTRIc hOt tub To Help ConservE power. 
At Pasta PrimaVEra In San Mateo, manAgeR ChrIS haRriS
 8 percent in February, gr id 
manage rs sa idthi sweek  Cal ifornians were n 't s aving enough energy. T hey e ve n  
re v is ed th eir est i ma t e  of  h ow  mu ch ho mes a  me gawattcan power,  do wn  from 
1,000 ho mes to 750  to  reflect gre ate r cons um pti o n. 
I mpr ovedconser v ationlater inth e  day h e lped st a v eoffa second wave ofou t ages, they sai d. 
Ma ny sh r u g o ffthe threat  o f rol l ing bla c ko u t s . ` `I think I've  gotten use d  to  it,''  s aid Mary C arlso n, 58,  of San Jos e, w ho 
tookher gr a nddaugh t er fora walk  an d r eadt he  p ape rd uri n gbla c kou ts in 
J an ua ry. ` `I j u s t go w ith  the  flow . I'm not goi ngto g e t t oo ex cited  abo ut  
it.  If th ey tu rn  the power off,  it' s no bigthi ng .''  Erica Finn,sec ret ary atAcaciaG las si n Sa n Francisco, saidsh e wa sn't too  
upse t  w he n  blackou ts  sh ut d o w n the  cre d it  card ma chines ,  e le ctric s an ders a nd  
p hon es. S h e bo ught c offee, p ulled a chair into t h e sun and pop p ed M ad o nna
in to her port able CD p laye r .
`` I  have  to b ru s hu p on my tan, and ge tpaid f or it ,'' she said.  
But foro t h ers, the  con s eq u ences are pote ntial ly serious .  
At a P alo A lto dent al office , the blac kou tsint err u p te d root canals f or t hr ee 
pat ien ts. Den tis tsDar rel lDang, Rob ert McWi ll ia ms  a ndKurti s  Finleyin ser te d tempo r ary fi lling s by  h an d , r eschedu l ed t he p ro ce dure s,an d wen t to lun ch. 
Th e recepti oni s t us ed  a  cell p hone to cance lthe aftern oo n's  appoi n t ments, frustrated that there's no waytopreve nt a  repeat o f T uesday 'sf iascoif the  
bla ck out s conti n u e.  
A  n ew routine Oth ers h av e ta ken eve ryday steps to cop e  wi th the threat  of  los i n gpow e r. 
St ep h enO ' Reilly, a 34-ye ar-old San  J o se  engineerw hoof ten dri ves tosee c lients,  said heavoids si de  str e e tsbecause bl ackoutscould dar k en si g na l 
li ght s andti e u p int ersect i ons . 
`` I used  t o take  back  r oads toavoid traffic, but I'mtrying  to u sethe 
free way s  mo re becaus e th ere are no  li ght s,''sai d  O'Re illy ,  a ddi n g tha t he ' s 
shut d o wn  hi s el ectric hott u b  to  help  co n servepowe r. 
At Pasta Prim a vera in San Ma teo, m ana ger Chri sHarris
 8_percent in_February, grid 
managers said_this week_Californians_weren't saving_enough_energy. They even_
revised their estimate_of how much homes_a megawatt can_power,_down from 
1,000 homes to 750 to reflect greater consumption. 
Improved conservation later in_the_day helped_stave_off_a second wave of 
outages,_they said. 
Many shrug off_the threat_of rolling blackouts. 
``I think I've gotten used_to_it,'' said Mary_Carlson, 58, of San Jose, who 
took her granddaughter_for a walk and read the_paper during blackouts_in_
January._``I just go with_the flow. I'm not going to_get too excited about 
it. If_they turn the power off, it's no_big thing.'' 
Erica Finn, secretary at_Acacia Glass in San Francisco,_said she_wasn't too 
upset when blackouts_shut down the_credit card_machines, electric sanders_and 
phones. She bought coffee, pulled_a chair into_the sun and popped Madonna 
into_her_portable CD player._
``I_have_to brush_up on my_tan,_and get_paid_for it,'' she said. 
But for_others,_the consequences are potentially serious. 
At a_Palo Alto dental office,_the_blackouts interrupted root canals_for three 
patients. Dentists Darrell_Dang, Robert McWilliams and Kurtis Finley_inserted 
temporary_fillings by_hand, rescheduled the procedures, and went to lunch. 
The receptionist used_a cell phone to cancel the_afternoon's appointments, 
frustrated that_there's no_way_to prevent a_repeat_of Tuesday's_fiasco if the 
blackouts continue. 
A new_routine 
Others_have taken everyday steps to cope_with the threat of_losing_power. 
Stephen O'Reilly, a 34-year-old San_Jose engineer who often drives to_see 
clients, said he avoids_side_streets_because blackouts could darken signal_
lights and tie up intersections. 
``I_used to take_back roads to avoid traffic, but I'm_trying_to use the 
freeways more because_there_are no lights,'' said O'Reilly, adding_that_he's_
shut down his electric hot_tub to help conserve power. 
At_Pasta Primavera in San Mateo, manager Chris Harris