Going the extra 10 yards...

You have to love the CFL. Familiar enough that you can understand it, but quirkly different that you know it's different. A little off balance putting you somewhere in the middle, but just off slightly. A little elongated and curvy, but still you know how to use it. No, I'm not talking about the Canadian Football League, I'm talking about the Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb.

They are finally getting good enough and affordable enough to start replacing them all around the apartment. When you think about them, you would think they would just be stubbie versions of the long tube fluorescent lights like those at the office, but no, they are all squiggly like a coiled snake, they really are just like neon lights just not. And these don't bite (or at least until you throw them away - bad mercury!).

The only functional downside still is that even though they are instant on, they aren't instant full power, meaning it takes a little time for them to warm up.

So my landlord's solution, and it works quite well, split the difference and meet me half way (which would be the 55 yard line) and use one CFL and one incandescent light bulb if you have dual fixtures and you get the light that you need, when you need it. And you can use all that energy you are saving to go that extra ten yards.

I got my first pack of two CFLs (equivalent lumens to a 75 watt bulb) for only $5. Think of it as buying the earth a beer, the planet and your gut will appreciate it.