Lights Out … Finally!!!
Ok, this so this is kinda off topic but … If you’re at all like me you may have several various electronic goodies in your bedroom. I have an answering machine, a wireless router, a modem, a laptop, a cellphone charger, a vonage thingy, a video game console, and an Altec Lansing iM3. Sheesh! And all of these electronic goodies have little glowing lights which have been driving me slowly mad.
Seriously, this has been driving me crazy every night for forever and I finally, FINALLY did something about it. And it was so simple and so quick that I am still berating myself for not doing it sooner!
I went to my neighborhood drug store and purchased some black electrical tape. I took my little scissors out and cut small square of this tape to place over these little green and orange glowing lights. It took about two minutes. These lights have been driving me nuts for YEARS. I couldn’t believe my happiness when I switched off the overhead light and experienced TOTAL DARKNESS. Wow. Joy!
I’m so happy I just had to spread the love. ;o)
November 26th, 2005 at 6:00 pm
Yikes, what happens when you need to glance and check if your modem is working?
Seriously I’ve had the same problem in the past. My room used to look like the starship enterprise after hours but there were way too many lights to cover up. I lived with it for a long time and I think it grew on me. But I’ve since moved all my computer/electronics stuff out into another room and yes, sleeping in a dark room at nice is rather nice. No buzzing/flashing/glowing LED’s watching over me.
November 27th, 2005 at 8:31 pm
Yeah, just last week we were staying at the in-laws’ house and I happened to have my shaver charging in the same room as we were sleeping and it had a bright enough light to be seen from outer space. Not sure why a shaver needs that bright a light, but geez.
November 28th, 2005 at 12:35 am
Funny. Your missive actually sparked a memory of a passage in Zen & Art of Motorcycle… where the slow dripping of an untended leaky kitchen faucet slowly and invisibly put strain on the family relationship. It was a reflection of uncontrolled technology impinging on our nature.
But actually, Jeff’s image of the Starship Enterprise is probably more fitting.
The slow pulsing of my iMac sleep light is enough to drive me nuts. I can almost read by the LED’s on the Power Protector. Yet your solution of sticking uneven squares of black electrical tape around the room somehow doesn’t jive with the sensitivity of one who created Zen Garden’s most sublime submission.
Makes you all the more human and more approachable… It made me laugh, thank you.
BTW To truly enjoy Total Darkness you have to:
a) leave the City
b) visit the deserts of Arizona
c) truly see the Stars!!!
(again, Jeff ;o}
November 28th, 2005 at 9:23 am
“… the sensitivity of one who created Zen Garden’s most sublime submission.”
Whoa! Thanks, Ed! Which one did you find so sublime? I’ve submitted three. ;o)
But, seriously, what a big smile I have on my face right now – thank you so much for your overly kind comment!!!
December 8th, 2005 at 7:02 am
I use masking tape. It’s translucent, and I can layer it on to block more light as needed. Suddenly that one blue LED across the room that I could use to make shadow puppets is a shadow of its former self. I can still get status at a glance.
December 8th, 2005 at 11:53 am
Lol … Wil – I love it! I feel better knowing that I’m not the only one sticking tape all over things ;o)
January 26th, 2006 at 11:17 am
I can’t live without my lights. I have my TV light, my electronic alarm clock, mobile phone and laptop. I get worried if I can’t see any LCD lights on!
February 11th, 2006 at 10:01 am
I cannot believe what I read here… You are true US-Americans…wasting energy with every step…
Why didn’t you go to the drugstore and buy one or two of these: http://tinyurl.com/bhrt3
Then you could had have your darkness entirely by a single keypress without wasting energy absolutely useless and without nasty pieces of tape sticking on dearly paid gadgets.
I’m nearly as equipped as you are in my sleeping room. But electricity tariff here in Germany seems to be considerably higher to yours. Not to mention environmental impacts…
Finally I love your designs, so I don’t worry about little black squares of plastic tape on your electric devices, which will get greasy by the time… Have a lot of fun with the removal… Greetings from Hamburg,
Miriam
February 14th, 2006 at 10:39 am
What is the easiest way to subscribe to this blogs rss feed?
February 15th, 2006 at 10:55 am
Grohe: I’m clueless as to what the “best” way is, but I use Sage to keep up with all the blogs I read.