DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I was walking back from work just now and something felt a little odd. The walk home has seemed odd ever since the time change made it get dark so early, but this time things seemed a little extra black. It took me a second to realize what it was: the streetlights were out. And not just one -- all of them. 7th street from Grand to Broadway was completely unlit (aside from cars and shops and such).

For once I decided to act on my civic duty and pulled out my cell phone. I dialed 311, got a friendly message from Antonio (in both English and Spanish) and had an operator on the line within a minute. I said I wanted to report a streetlight out, she asked which one, I said all of them, and two minutes later I hung up, problem reported. Three minutes to report the problem is outstanding, now let's just hope the City is as timely with the acting on it bit.

I took a couple pictures of the darkened street, but of course forgot my USB cable at work. I'll update the post and add a photo in the morning.