I could never live in that kind of climate. Well, I suppose that's a lie. I grew up in New England and, believe me, never want to even visit the place again. Can't stand the cold. I live in Los Angeles, and today things are a little nippy by my standards (50s or so).
Okay, a personal question: If it's more genuine than politics, why does politics attract you so much?
And with that bad a chance of losing power, why not just buy a generator? As I recall, for a few hundred bucks you can get something adequate to at least make sure your computer and TV keep humming for the duration of the emergency. (I know you say your computer's on battery - but it doesn't last for days, does it?)
D
Billybob
Billybob
Living in L.A., if you get the urge for snow you can always to go Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear. We lived in Whittier and Lake Arrowhead for 26 years, but now in West Tenn. Hardly ever see mountains or snow like we did in So. California.
Given that he doesn't need power for anything but lights, which could be low power flouresents and his electronics, he could probably get away with a wind turbine as back up power. A nice vertical turbine would probably be best up in the mountains. Having it charge batteries rather than run things directly, would be a good idea, since that would let him continue surfing and watching the news should the turbine or generator needs fixn' at a particularly interesting or critical time, or even just at night. The batteries would give him some time to get it working again.