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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Shocked Once Again

Do a search on this blog for electricity and you'll come across a few stories of my journey of self-discovery into the callings I have been shown not to pursue. In this case, I've proved once again I am not a do-it-yourself-handyman-electrician.

I took another round of 110 through my right arm this last weekend while installing track lighting. I'll spare the details of how it happened but I promise, this time, I took all known safety precautions in order to keep myself alive. Namely, like any learned human being, I shut off the breakers to the circuit I was working on. How in the world did I get shocked? The lighting unit was all installed and I of course needed to test it - show me the light. I flipped the breaker back on, flicked the light switch, and there was the light. Great! I did it! Success.

Something didn't seem quite right. There was too much space between two of the four lights and so I decided to slide them closer together. Oh, and I didn't like the looks of the the exposed wiring so I tucked it back into the main housing. Immediately after the sparks, explosion, shock, and pain, I observed in awe the major damage to the track. It is all a matter of perspective though. I suppose some welding experts would admire the perfect welding bond of the main unit to the track. I guess I won't be making any small adjustments to it now. Yeah, looks good to me. The lights still work and I have feeling back in my finger tips again. Project complete.

I used to think I could die by accidentally electrocuting myself. Today I am thinking differently. I think I have proved I will never die by the power of electricity. Some will say I am Electroman in the making. I am not there yet but I am aware of a small shift in my thinking. Electroman? It could happen!

11 comments:

Bill said...

These Electroman episodes are great. You should consider a whole series! Bob Villa in the making?

erin said...

Have you tried poking anyone since then? If yes, what happens? Do paperclips stick to your fingers? What happens when you get in the shower? Are you drawn to copper and inexplicably afraid of tires?
I'm just wondering if you are carrying some sort of a charge.

Carla said...

You have been electrocuted so many times! It's shocking, really! sorry.

-V- said...

Just don't stick your tongue to a flagpole... Oh wait.

Anonymous said...

Dear Pat,
Stop stealing my thunder. I am the one and only! You cannot have my fame. If you are not careful, I will come to your house and electrocute you--not that I think it will work anymore, you have built up such a resistance.
Electroman (THE REAL ONE!)

ron said...

It seems that something rather dramatic is in the making. The post from anonymous appears to be from Evil Electroman. If my theory is correct a battle of epic proportions is coming. Remember Pat, with great power comes great responsibility.

Joey said...

I don't have any stories quite that bad. Just sticking the knife in the toaster. Hey, the bread was stuck!

kristi noser said...

Maybe you should try meditation.
OHM....OHM....

ah I crack myself up.

kristi noser said...

ARE YOU TALKING TO ME????

WATT? WATT?

Unknown said...

Oh, all these great comments from friends just get me charged! Thank you all.

theswamphare said...

Y'know, with your history, you could get a lot of mileage out of pretending to be getting a shock when you touch outlets, appliances, wall switches or whatnot; it'd be fun.

Swampy