5 hrs. to kill on cold Sunday evening

[PamNY]

I vote for the down comforter, headlamp and book plan that Tri Girl suggested. If you don't have battery-operated lights for power outages, this is your reminder to get them.

If you don't have a camping stove (or don't want to use one in an apartment) maybe you could have hot drinks in a thermos.

Will you be without water? If electricity is needed for pumping to a water tank, you might be.

Work like this often takes longer than expected, and you will be better off tucked in warm at home.

I lived through elevator replacement, 9/11 and a blackout in a high rise building, so I have learned to expect the worst, especially where elevators are involved.

Good luck, and hope you aren't getting sick.

Edit: Your building has a backup generator? That is so cool. Is the protection needed due to very low temps?