sunday may 25

today i was assigned to change a set of fluorescent tube lights. there were four lights in the fixture, and two had burnt out. not wanting to burn or electrocute myself, i turned off the breaker leading to the light, and after some strenuous effort getting the two dead ones out and the two new ones in, triumphantly turned the breaker back on, only to find just one of the four lights now functioning. frustrated, i climbed back up to the fixture without bothering to turn the breaker off again, and began fiddling with the brand-new light that hadn't turned on. within about three seconds, sparks flew everywhere, nearly throwing me back off the ladder in surprise.