Contingency Plans

While I don't espouse negative thinking, it is important to be prepared. "Hope for the best, but plan for the worst" is a useful maxim. In our post 9/11 - Katrina - Swine Flu world, you never know when you are going to be screwed and I promise you don't want to depend on the government. Keep some extra food and water on hand. Give this some though. A few flashlights, a radio, batteries, cash, etc. Keep the cars gassed up. Try not to run out of prescriptions. You can take this as far as you want. You should be able to last a week or 2 without leaving the house. Living without electricity, even for a weekend, can be very difficult. Think of our ancestors. Candlelight can be very flattereing, but then again, they were probably better off not seeing the filth.
So, life will throw you a curve. Your car will break down. You will have to wait. Have some water, a book, and music. Think about your EDC (Every Day Carry) bag. You need to roll with it.