innocuous

  I often post little anecdotes on Facebook. I did so yesterday concerning my attempt to purchase a light bulb. But as it sometimes happens the post was misunderstood. I had gone to the Walmart looking to buy an appliance sized incandescent bulb. It surely seemed like an easy enough thing to do. I went to the electrical department and began browsing the selections. After some searching I discovered that Walmart no longer sells incandescent bulbs, only the LED variety and those curly ones. I have read that LED bulbs are really not suited for refrigerators. The temperature range is unsuitable. But I didn't want a bulb for my fridge anyway , so an LED bulb would be alright. The only problem remaining was finding a bulb of the correct physical size. Appliance bulbs being smaller in diameter but with that standard base. Didn't find any like that. 

 Well, nothing is simple these days as far as selecting a product. That's a blog for another morning. As everyone is fond of saying these days, you have to do your research. As a former military service member I am aware of product description. It may be something like: bulb, incandescent, standard base, clear glass, 40 watts, 470 Lumens, blue light spectrum, followed by the stock number. You can't just say I want a light bulb. I decided to just buy the LED bulb until I discovered the only sell them in a two pack for $7.68 cents. I only want one. The package does proudly proclaim those bulbs comes with a seven year warranty. So I'm thinking I only need the one bulb but I'm forced to buy two and the second one I won't need for at least another seven years! 

  And that was the anecdote I posted, or something similar. I left the Walmart without any bulbs! My wife was laughing at me and said she would just have bought the bulbs anyway. I did stop at my local Family Dollar store and purchased a four pack of LED bulbs, on clearance for $1.78. Now I have to store three extras for seven years, but I saved about six dollars. I feel vindicated! 

  After posting that I did start receiving a few comments. I was surprised to read the majority of them regarded how good LED bulbs are. In my way of thinking the point of the anecdote was missed altogether. Now I take responsibility for that, after all I'm the one that wrote the story. I did smile as I read where LED's are so much more energy efficient and all that. Saving the planet and humanity one bulb at a time. I wasn't trying to promote the use of incandescent bulbs just relating that I couldn't find one. That seems funny to me as I still think of incandescent bulbs as something completely innocuous. Fluorescent bulbs that contained mercury were the bad guys. Yes, I'm that old. I can remember using candles when the power went out and the dangers associated with that. 

  Well my anecdote just wasn't that amusing I guess. I have another. I went to McDonalds to get an iced coffee for my wife. She really enjoys iced coffee, I'm not a fan. But anyway, I go to the drive through and am asked, "will you be using your mobile app today" I answer no. I had learned about that on an earlier visit after responding, no I'm driving my car. I knew I needed to provide a full description of the product I wanted. I ordered one large iced coffee with cream and sugar, no flavoring. The response was one large iced coffee with cream and no sugar, is that correct? I said no, I want cream and sugar but no flavoring. I was immediately met with a sharp retort, somewhat annoyed, Sir, sugar is the flavor. I just replied, ok I want the sugar. I got the coffee and left. Next time I'll know to order, iced coffee with cream and two spoons of flavor! I didn't ask what the vanilla in those coffees may be called, not flavor apparently.  Well, I'm just an old man stuck in his ways. 

                                                                                 

   The elusive appliance bulb. Not as innocuous as it seems.