Published Jun 28, 2007
About a month ago, my desk lamp in my office quit working. I figured it burnt out, so I changed the lightbulb, but there was no more light with the new bulb than with the old. Sadly, I classified my ’50s-style lamp as dead. Then, today, the light in my kitchen went out. I replaced the bulb but: nothing. So I washed the dishes in the dark, and vowed to call the landlord tomorrow, when he was in the office.
I was sad to see my lamp go, but not too surprised — I’d bought it for just $10 when I was poor and launching my first start-up. Of course it would die when I’m poor and launching my second! But the ceiling light in my kitchen was new when I moved in, and, let’s face it, household fixtures are designed to last longer than $10 lamps. Was it that my lights were out to get me? Was this some conspiracy to get me to bed early?
So I decided to live on the edge: I took the new lightbulb out of the kitchen light, and put in another new lightbulb. Then I turned the light on. And I could see!
Oh yeah, I forgot to wash the wooden spoon I used on Tuesday. Oops. That looked better with the lights off.
And then it occurred to me: maybe it wasn’t the lights that were out to get me, maybe it was the light bulbs. So, three or more weeks after giving up on it, I got a new lightbulb out and put it in my desk lamp. And again, there was light. It was my lightbulbs — my brand-new, pristine 16-pack from Target. The good stuff, actually, real GE rather than generics.
I couldn’t believe I was being betrayed. By a brand name! I looked askance at the remaining 15 bulbs, hiding under my kitchen sink. Traitors.
But a memory slowly bubbled to the top. Was it possible… could I have… when I replaced the bulb in my office, and I declared the lamp dead… did I? Yes, I must have… I put the new bulb back. Because it was new. And I didn’t want to waste it. And that bulb had gone into my kitchen lamp, and I’d thought the lamp dead. So it wasn’t all the bulbs — it was this one bulb. This one traitor, this one fifth column. And now that bulb’s in my kitchen trash, with the fruit cores and those leftovers I should’ve eaten two weeks ago. And I’ve left all of my lights on, because I can, because the lightbulbs — now they do what I say.
Eek! Lightbulbs should be taken to Green Citizen or your local equivalent!
Do I really have to do that for the old-fashioned incandescents, too?
Hmm, I hadn’t thought about it, but it’s a pity to throw away all those useful elements. I’ll see if I can find a recycler nearby.