Lights Out

the last blog entry i made, could have been the last that you ever heard from bulbboy. it was almost lights out for me.
DIY disaster, or near disaster, which ever way you look at it.
i was plastering around a dimmer switch, fixing an area that was in need of repair.

the sensible thing to do would be to switch off all the power and remove the dimmer switch entirely before commencing any work.


jimi hendrix was playing in the background.
i mention this as it is a key factor.


again the SENSIBLE thing to do would be to turn off all the power.
bulbboy recommends doing this.....now.


all along the watchtower was playing, a version that even the great Bob Dylan called superior to his own, and i wanted to continue listening to it.
turning off all the power would not have allowed this.
so with dimmer hanging out by its wires i proceeded to plaster.
and i was so close, but yes you've guessed it.
one stray blob of plaster, and sudden reaction to avoid it, put my hand in contact with a LIVE wire and i got a zap!
oops!

a little jolt reminded me why we should abide by safety rules.
don't forget about them, not even for the music of mr hendrix. well, it would have been a good tune to go out to ringing in my ears.
but that is still no excuse.
would you have missed me?








by the time jimi hendrix was my age, he was dead.

How long should light bulbs last?

How long does a bulb last? Well bulbboy has been
going strong (mostly) for nigh on:


Different bulb last different amounts of time.
An ordinary 60 watt incandescent bulb is supposed
to last about 1000 hours. Usually you will see a
"rated lifespan" on bulb packaging. In bulb testing this
number is the median at which 50 percent of the test
bulbs had popped, and 50 percent were still lit.


So what does this mean in every day terms?
It all comes down to a bit of luck really. If lady
luck is on your side you won't have to visit the
bulb shop too often.
Does any bulb ever reach its expected rated life.
Answers on a postcard please...

It is always a good idea to have a few bulbs spare in
the cupboard, because

In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes (and bulbs popping).

ps. see how many days old you are at howlong.eu

Moonbeams and Toast

bulbboy was moonbathing. not every night has to be filled with beams from flashlights. now and again, oh about once a month, it's good to chill out and relax under natural light, at night time.

let any stresses of the day disappear as you
stare into the dark blue expanse of sky.
this can be done indoors, but for best effect,
find a large window to lie beside.
if you have double glazing, a ghostly 2nd and 3rd
moon can be seen either side of the real moon.

bulbboy finds that a hot drink and toast can increase
the enjoyment no end. watching the moon arc across
the sky is a wonderful thing to behold, and can lower
your stress levels.

feel free to try this lunar meditation under next months
full moon, or even over the next few days as the moon
wanes. enjoy!

Know Your Bulbs

don't you know a GU10 from a GZ10 or an E27 from an E14?
bulbboy says: know your bulbs!

why? the reason i say this is that many
people do not know what kind of bulbs
they have in their lamps at home.

i see countless numbers stop and stare
in front of a wall of bulbs, and stare,
and stare, and stare, and stare and...
...well, you get the message.

they aren't marvelling at all the different types
there are, the shapes, the fittings, or even at
the amount of light each can give out.
they are just plain baffled.

this lengthy decision process coupled with the
disappointment of buying the wrong bulb, and then
the prospect of having to return said bulb, it's no
wonder that some do not enjoy this process, those
who came expecting to buy "an ordinary bulb."

dear readers, there is no such thing as an ordinary bulb.
each one must be cherished for what it gives to the world.
it has a finite lifespan like ourselves,
and then it's time is done.

take a peek inside your fittings and make a note
of all the different types you have.
and then go and seek them out...

Hallelujah!