Happy New Year!

Thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts. I had a nice quiet Christmas at home alone. I didn't dare go to Mom's while the electrician was working.

My countertop breadmaker/convection/toaster oven burnt out due to the surge. When I told my landlady I expected her to replace it, she said it was just a co-incidence that it burnt out now, and even if it weren't, it would not be her responsibilty to replace it. So here's the thing - I only had this oven because the gas oven she supplied has a burnt out thermocouple which she would never repair or replace. Even the toaster overn had been a gift from Mom, not provided by the landlady to make up for her faulty appliance. After a little discussion (over several days) we agreed she would pay half the cost of the replacement - $55. Yep, it took 4 days to get her to agree to pay $55.

Then Ms. Landlady freaks way way out and decides that I have too many things plugged in. Somehow it's now all my fault. From now on whenever I use the electric oven I have to unplug the refrigerator. The computer is too much for the wiring in the building. So is the television. I should not use the television, but listen to the radio instead. More discussion.

We agree that we'll discuss it with the electrician. The one that her brother recommended. The one that she's standing there chattering away with - in Chinese (according to her his English is very limited). The one that then turns around and tells me I should only have one thing plugged in at any time in any outlet. That poor fella didn't know who he was dealing with when he said that. My response went something like this:

Me: That is a ridiculous statement. One thing could be a 1500 watt heater or a 15 watt nightlight. You can't simply say that an electrical circuit can only handle one thing. The formula I'm familiar with is voltage x amps = allowable wattage. The voltage is 120, the fuses on this circuit are 30 amps. That means up to 3600 watts of draw should be safe for the circuit. If it isn't, the wiring is faulty and needs to be repaired. Keep in mind that any recommendation you make regarding me reducing my electrical usage will have to be in writing on your business letterhead and confirmed by a city inspector before I'll take it seriously.

Him: Umm (This signified his concern for his license, not his inability to understand English)

Me: Now let's start over and decide whether there's too much plugged into this circuit. There's the TV at 160 watts, and the VCR at 24 watts. They're plugged into an Uninterruptable Power Supply which draws 275 watts when charging and none when fully charged. The other outlet in that wall has a lamp with a 25 watt bulb. Is that too much for this circuit?

Him: No, it's fine.

Me: Here's the computer with monitor, printer, speakers and modem. There's also a desk lamp with a 60 watt bulb. That should run up to about 380 - 400 watts total. Too much?

Him: No, it's fine

Me: Is there any reason why I should have to unplug the refrigerator while I make toast?

Him: What? No! That's silly.

End of discussion.

BTW, don't take my calculations as the gospel on electrical wiring. There's a lot more to it, like some devices can draw double the wattage when starting up - like the saw that started this whole mess! I got that formula out of a home repair book. For those who are curious about 120 volt instead of 110, the book says it works like this: The appliances use 110 volt, but the power coming into the building is 120. That way if there are slight pressure fluctuations in the source it will still be enough to provide a steady flow of 110 to the appliances.

Well, that's the story of the Kitten and the Electrician. WIth 2009 ending this way, I think I can safely say 2010 will be... another year

Happy Holidays

Last Thursday a construction worker running a portable table saw in the garage blew out the electricity in half my apartment. I've got two rooms running off extension cords until the repairs are made next week. This is not the the holiday greeting I wanted to give you, but I'm afraid it will have to do.

Whatever it is you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you and yours happiness, health, saftey and big pile of fun!

Belatedly Early

Here is a belated photo of my early Christmas goodies. The Kristin Knits book from Ruth of The Yarnarian, the KnitPicks Stitch Markers from Patty - aka Midwest Knit Girl, and the fabulous Destination Yarn in Sea from Dawn at Knitting Nonstop. This is such a vibrant, electric semisolid blue! The best way to show that is to put it against other rich blues and watch it outshine them completely. I've also received Dawn's beautiful Sinuosity Sock Pattern. Where do these designers get those wonderful names?

Another belated Thank You to Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos, where I won the book Chocolate: A Love Story. When it gets here you're all invited over to help me cook up some goodies. I may even let you sample one or two. Until then, here is a Chocolate Love Story:

Just after Christmas last year I bought a 1 lb box of real, made in Belgium, Belgian Chocolates for just $2.99. They were so delicious I wound up buying 28 boxes, half went to friends, family and as late gifts. The rest - MINE ALL MINE! I'm down to the last three, having just opened one last month so I'd have another thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Does that sound like a love affair? Or should I have kept more?

So why is the photo belated? When I got home from Mom's Monday, the temperature in the apartment was 48 degrees, and it has not gone above 55 since. I'd rather wear several layers of handknit luxury, or better yet, get out to somewhere warm (still in handknit luxury!), than spend $5 a minute to try to warm the place. Exaggeration, but I know so many of you are in worse weather and the same tight money position. Believe me, my heart goes out to you. At least I'm alone and don't have to worry about keeping kiddies, pets, ailing loved ones or anybody else warm and healthy. So I have either been too bundled up to type or out at the thrift shops, unfortunately with nothing to show for it.

Hopefully the next post will be sooner not later, take care and stay warm!

Stuck in CyberLimbo

At Mom's with the amnesiac computer and my e-mail provider decided to lose my account, I'm not even sure I'll be able to publish this post, which has taken 15 minutes to get the editing screen loaded and these three sentances typed in. At times like this I really miss the 21st century.