See What I'm Saying: The Blackout

THE BLACKOUT

I believe the year was 2004, around August. I just remember it being dumb hot that morning on the way to work. I was 22 years old; working a summer job on NYSE as a ticket runner(lowest man on totem pole, I have no college degree, don't get it twisted!). I did that by day and moonlighted as a guerilla marketer for an independent hip-hop record label, Legacy Unlimited Records in the Bronx. I worked for a dude named Prince, gold fronts, mad gold rings, slick talker from the BX. We would load the promo van up with flyers, posters, etc; for artist like M.O.P., Busta Rhymes, Redman, and more..whoever was dropping at the time. Needless to say on the morning commute I was day dreaming about the day going by fast so I could hit the streets later that night.

The day ended up moving painfully slow. Usually the market closes at 4pm EST on the dot, but today I was asked to stay a little later. This turned out to my favor because at about 4:10, 4:15, I can't remember exact time but all the lights in the building went out. Still shell-shocked from 9/11; I remember someone yelling out, "Oh, NO! Not again!!!"

Turns out we were NOT under attack but NYC had undergone a blackout, first one of this magnitude since '77. As we exited the building and walked to the corner of Wall St and Pine St. there was pandemonium. Everyone was frantically scrambling, fights breaking out on bus lines, and I soon found out that the train I take everyday was stuck underground with no electricity, it must have been 100 degrees that day.

An old friend of mine, Ahmo, who lived in Staten Island and drove to work, say his goodbyes, heading home immediately. Me, confused as to what to do, and after a few attempts to get on the long bus lines, I decided to just walk home.

At that time I lived on 86th and West End Avenue, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, so it was going to be a long, interesting trek home. Seemed like once the city came to grips with the fact it was powerless in more ways than one, in typical New Yorker fashion we made the best out of it. On my journey I saw restaurateurs handing out food, dairy products and anything else that would spoil with no idea when the power would be back on.

People were chilling in the parks, on the street, some frantic, some gave in and cracked beers, opened up wine, and lots of weed was lit. Canal turned to Houston, Houston to 14th, eventually I got to 42nd street. This must have been around 9pm as it was just getting dark.

As I walked through Times Square with my button down now fully opened, tie off, and hard bottoms it looked surreal, it was pitch black, not a light in sight, barely even any cabs if I recall. I had never seen NYC this way, felt apocalyptic, like Armageddon was coming haha. As I passed Grays Papaya, I knew I was getting close to home, all I could think about was lighting the rolled blunt I had waiting for me. 

As I approached my block, the neighbor family, looking pleasant as if this shit was normal, had a table, tablecloth, with candles lit over wine; their kids running around with battery powered flashlights. I greeted them, grimey from sweat, street and still in shock, I entered my building, hit the back steps, flicked my lighter to guide the way to my apartment. 

Finally I was home, exhausted beyond belief but grateful to be back safe. I found some tea light candles, lit them along with my blunt, blew them shits out and went to bed. Around 7am the next morning I woke up to the power back on and shortly after a phone call from a co-worker asking if I could come in for a bit!? WTF!? 

HELL NO!

Anyways, I made this faraday hank drawing inspiration from that day I'll never forget and always kept it in the back of my mind that when it happens again to be prepared. I, Stephen Crawley, present to you 'The Tempest' faraday hank by 20/20 Collections in conjunction with Superesse Straps.

Thank you.

Available online 11/1/24