Scott's Random Thought for the Day (Impossible Lamp)



In our new condo there is a light fixture which I have dubbed "The Impossible Lamp." Basically it's a hanging halogen light above the stairwell. As far as we can tell it's controlled by switch on the ground floor, but the bulb is long burned out. We can't be sure, though, because we'd have to change the bulb... and that's IMPOSSIBLE.

Here's a picture of the lamp.



This picture gives you a bit more idea of how high up it is.



In order to get a new bulb into it we would have to remove the grill on the bottom -- and the screws are above the big plastic shield. The bulb is probably 10 feet above you if you stand on the stairs directly below it, and it is far out of reach from the second story landing.

Some friends have suggested ways of changing the bulb, ranging from precarious balancing some sort of ladder on the stairs to making entreaties to an uncaring God. "Hiring professionals" has been brought up, but I don't think I can afford the Cirque de Soliel. Also, as I found out from a debacle involving the washer-dryer, the condo baffles even the people who are supposed to be paid not to be baffled by these kinds of things.

I've brainstormed some other methods to change the bulb. They follow:

1. Jet pack.

2. Fly rocket ship into cosmic radiation storm; hope I end up with the powers of Mr. Fantastic and not the The Thing.

3. Jet pack.

4. Invent quantum computer. Move the universe into an alternate reality where the bulb isn't burned out.

5. Jet Pack. And where's my flying car? It's 2005, flying cars should be here already!

Posted: Mon - June 6, 2005 at      

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