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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Whose bright idea was this anyway?


{Light bulbs, originally uploaded by Alastair Bird.}

I am not a fan of the eco-correct, mercury-filled, last-forever compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). I have spent way too much time under their flickering beam in corporate America to want to live with them at home as well. Plus I took all that time and effort finding just the right paint colors for my walls; if I wanted puce walls I would have painted puce walls.

So I buck the trend and stocked up on some soon-to-be-outlawed 4-packs of the Reveal incandescent light bulbs at the Home Desperate tonight after work. In exchange for their low prices I endured the wrath of some CFL eco-freak who acted like I was beheading a kitten. I told her I was allergic to CFLs but I don't think she believed me.

For the record I do lead a pretty green life otherwise - recycle, reuse, walk to work, etc. But do I have to bathe my home in icky green light to be green?

14 comments:

Fifi Flowers said...

No... you do not! I will stand up for you! Those new "energy" green bulbs are dangerous anyway!
We have improved the earth in many ways over the years... the air is a millions times better than when I was a kid... we couldn't have recess because the air pollution was so high... SMOG ALERTS! We never have those anymore.
So enjoy whatever light bulbs you want!

Marie Louise said...

Ah hah! No wonder I couldn't get a hold of you last night. You were on a clandestine mission to destroy our planet! Shame on you - what would Al Gore say?
;-)

littlebyrd said...

Absolutely not dear. I don't use them either - same reasons. You need to do what you are happy and comfortable doing!

Anonymous said...

My husband is putting those energy saving bulbs everywhere. ugh.. I feel your pain. I too want to save the world but I would like to see it, hehe. They just dont have the same effect... Im with you! Susie H~

knitseashore said...

I completely agree! The CLs still emit a green light, which is hard to live with. I find it very depressing. I read somewhere that women favor the brighter end of the spectrum (red, orange, etc) as opposed to men liking the cool end (green, blue, etc), and so I think we *need* the warm light of the regular bulbs.

Off to start hoarding too...

P.S. I use the eco-bulbs outside in the lamps by the doors; that's my concession to the CLs.

The House That A-M Built said...

Oh I am with you on this one! The house we are renting while we build is new and has them in every room. "Did you turn the light on?, yes? oh it's on is it?" We are living in the dark! A-M xx

Marnie said...

funny comment from you today - thanks for your help along the way -

Pigtown*Design said...

UHG! I hate those new lights. They have a ghastly colour and don't throw off any light at all. I love the Reveal lights and am hoarding them, too.

Teal Chic said...

you go sister!!!!

please sir said...

Yeah I know what you mean - I hope they improve them soon!

robin ann mcintosh said...

soon to be outlawed? ? outlawed by who? lighting is everything!!

Anonymous said...

They are okay in their place but that's not "everyplace."
Hording huh? Sounds familiar.

Suzanne : : S.HOPtalk said...

Amen sister!

My husband put them all over our house and I couldn't stand it--I felt like I was stuck in an office cubicle indefinitely. I recently spent an afternoon switching them all out (he still hasn't noticed...hee hee).

I think I recycle, repurpose, and refresh enough goods to help make up for my 'eco unfriendly' lighting. :)

simply seleta said...

Compact florescent light bulbs are the equivalent of living in prison lighting. I would rather use sunlight during the day and kerosene lamps at night than have that nasty light in my home.

Your post gave me a good chuckle. Thank you!