Monday, October 24, 2011

Hoarding


I’m not a hoarder. My husband and I belong to the if-you-haven’t-used-it-in-six-months-give-it-to-Goodwill club. But I’m seriously considering setting aside an area in the basement for incandescent bulbs, which are being phased out by the government. I know compact fluorescent bulbs save lots of energy. But, setting aside the fact that I have mercury concerns, and that CF bulbs are really ugly, I don’t want them because they flicker and flickering lights give me migraines. Even watching a movie on the new TV with their LEDs, which have much less flicker, can give me migraines.

So I investigated CFBs. I’ve read reputable reports—not just scare websites. Some say “Technology has improved. The new CFBs won’t cause migraines.” Though I can’t find any research that supports this claim. But other websites, also reputable, say “danger: CFB may cause migraines.” A WebMD website recommends that people with flicker-induced migraines wear blue-green tinted glasses when they’re around CFB. Right. I can just see myself wearing Jackie O-type glasses with blue-green lenses. Everyone will look like Martians. On the other hand, they might give me the eccentric-writer look. And everyone knows that makes you more successful. And I could write by candlelight. Except...candles flicker too. Time to buy up those incandescent bulbs.

7 comments:

  1. Yeah, you basically have to call out the Haz Mat squad if you break one of those bulbs. One the other hand, I have known some people who have broken those bulbs and cleaned them up without the proper procedure and seem to be fine. . .

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  2. Yeah... uh... what's the point of the light if you're going to wear sunglasses to prevent migraines. :-/ Someone REALLY did not think this product through.

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  3. Next they will probably make incandescent bulbs a prescription item for people who get migraines, and charge a bundle for them. I would definitely stock up if that is what you need to do tom prevent a migraine.

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  4. Ummm...since we're at the other end of the hoarding spectrum, in the garage we may have a 100-year supply of incadescent bulbs—right behind the pile of plastic flowers, fluorescent tubes that don't fit anything we own, and baby clothes :>)

    (Tammy is like you...a tosser. You two managed to find the few non-clutter genes in the Harrell family!)

    Good luck stockpiling your stash~

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  5. Luke- we're those idiots throwing away light bulbs w our bare hands. Still kickin...

    I can't believe they are getting rid of "real" lightbulbs, and I just don't like the light from the CFBs. I hadn't realized that they could give a person migraines. That stinks. I'd stock up, then read City of Ember, and buy some more. :)

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  6. How eccentric you look is totally what defines your writing abilities. This all makes sense now..!!

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  7. Oh, ow, what a problem to have. I agree that wearing sunglasses most of the time could help cultivate the proper writerly eccentricity, but there are easier ways!

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