red light district

My place is gonna look like a brothel...

Today, while killing some time, I popped into a local Canadian Tire to purchase some red light bulbs.

Last week, it occurred to me to do the same thing at my home, as is done at the RASC Carr Astronomical Observatory: when having an astronomy night, operate only red light bulbs in the house.

I was very happy to find decorative light bulbs in red. NOMA brand, these are transparent red incandescent bulbs, 60 watts, with the standard screw-type base. I bought three for my antique living room floor lamp. They are bright with a very slight pink cast to them.

I find it intriguing, after all these years, that I can make a very direct use of the multiple switches of this old lamp, inherited from my grandparents. It has 3 switches: one for the large tri-light centre bulb, one for the three satellite bulbs, and one for the small light in the base. Ironically, the small bulb in the pedestal is already red.

I tried to locate more of these very small sphere bulbs at CTC. I have found them in the past but now I cannot remember where exactly... I have one spare red left in the "bulb bin."

As I scoured the CTC shelves, I discovered that there are now coloured "ultra mini" compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs available (also NOMA brand). I grabbed a red one. It looks a bit like a neon bulb when lit. More orangey. Quite bright despite 13W. Powers up instantly without flickering.

So. The kitchen, living room, and bathroom are prepared for astronomy night-time use!

All I need now is a desk lamp for the computer workstation. Oh. And another lamp stand in my bedroom. Oh, yeah. And a red bulb in the garage...