Well, it isn't a joke when there's only one of you and it really calls for two!
For those "not in the know" ...
My utility room has florescent lights on the ceiling. They are the kind that are 4' long, twin bulbs, enclosed in "case" with hard plastic ends and a flexiglass type cover.
Last Saturday evening, I flipped them on as I headed to my pantry that is in the rear of the utility room and had instant disco. (You know, strobe lighting.) Okay, those are the one kind of bulb I didn't have on hand. But, no biggie. I would pop the cover off, check to see the exact type, and pick them up on the way home from church the next day. Simple. Right?
Well, the plan fell apart at step 1: "pop the cover off."
After several minutes of looking, struggling & attempting to use force, I decided this was a task best left for another day. It was 9:30pm; I had left for a a 7:30am meeting & had just gotten home a few minutes earlier (hence, putting up groceries in the pantry), and this just wasn't a time to stop and get frustrated over changing a light bulb. Off to my other "chores" ...
So, Sunday afternoon, I decided I should resume the project. I once again spent quite some time looking, strugglilng & attempting to use force. The cover didn't "pop" off. It wouldn't "slide out." Neither end was moveable.
Tomorrow came and went, and it was Saturday again.
I did finally see how to "pry" the end off. Of course, when I got one end off (which took a little force - which means it also took both hands), the cover also came off. (Interpret: fell & I had to catch it.) One of the connectors to the first bulb I went to remove was loose, so it almost fell as well. I took the second one out a little more gracefully.
Fortunately, the bulbs I had purchased earlier in the day were correct. So, I'm feeling this project is almost over.
Not so fast ...
When I would get the bulb connected properly in one end and then try to move to the other end (remember, they are 48" long) ... you've guessed it ... the first end would come out. And remember that loose connector I mentioned? Hmm ... That was not "helpful" either.
The simplest of tasks, if there were two people.
For one, not so easy. :(
However, some minutes and one electric shock later, I prevailed!
Now, I just needed to put the cover back on and replace the end piece.
Okay ... here we go again. Not difficult, if there are two people - one to hold the cover in place while the other replaces the end piece. With one set of hands trying to do both ... let's just say "it takes a little longer!"
Perseverance!
So, "How many people does it take to change a light bulb?"
I guess, only one.
But it sure would have been faster, easier, and less frustrating with two!
