Posted on 10/23/2003 10:26:08 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
How many freepers does it take to change a light bulb?
1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed
14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently
7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs
27 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs
53 to flame the spell checkers
41 to correct spelling/grammar flames
6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb" ...
another 6 to condemn those 6 as anal-retentive
2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp"
15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that "light bulb" is perfectly correct
156 to email the moderators complaining that they are in violation of their "acceptable use policy"
109 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a lightbulb forum
111 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum
306 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique and what brands are faulty
27 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs
14 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL's
12 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy
4 to suggest that posters request the light bulb FAQ
44 to ask what is a "FAQ"
4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"
143 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs"
1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again
Everlasting Light
How many firefighters does it take to change a lightbulb?
At Livermore's Fire Station 1, the question is moot.
For nearly a century, firefighters there have been keepers of what is believed to be the longest-burning bulb on the planet. Donated to the department by a local businessman, it has been shining since 1901.
The naked bulb, which hangs from the ceiling, is celebrated in Ripley's Believe-It-of-Not and has become a tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of visitors each year from as far away as Japan and Australia.
It has appeared in newspaper and radio reports across the country and Charles Kuralt once featured it in his TV special, "An American Moment."
Through earthquakes, fires and riots, the bulb has burned faintly with only short interruptions for the occasional power outage and a 23-minute respite in 1976 when the station moved locations. The bulb was brought along to the new building.
"We gave it (an emergency) code 3," firefighter Jim McCraw remembers.
"We had all the trucks out with sirens and lights flashing. It was like the O.J. Simpson chase, we moved it so slowly down the street."
The bulb was designed with longevity in mind. Made by the now-defunct Shelby Electric Co. in the Livermore Valley, it is constructed of hand-blown glass and a carbide filament about as thick as a pencil. Local businessman Dennis Bernal gave it to the department and the station has used it as a nightlight ever since.
It hangs from the ceiling and burns at low wattage - only about a bright as a toaster coil - and is spared the wear-and-tear of being turned on and off.
But the bulb has had some near misses. In the 1970s, when Frisbees were the fad, firefighters often nicked it as they tossed the plastic discs around the station.
Now, it has become such an institution that the firefighters worry about the day it burns out.
"I'd hate to be on duty if that ever happens," McCraw said. "We'd all be brought in and interrogated. They'd want to know if we had something to do with it."
Naturally, this is Livermore, Ca.
Yup, I was hoping someone would catch the reference.
I've been of the opinion that Laz has transcended warped and has gone to a grand form of twisted.
It's one of Laz's special qualities that I appreciate greatly.
It's against the rules. I'm sure you wouldn't want me posting your name and address.
Relax. Everybody sees their own and nobody elses. Its an old trick.
(Shaking in Atlanta after AL earthquake...)
...and another group of Freepers will blame a damn Yankee for the light bulb going out...while yet another group will note the advantages of Union light bulbs...
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