Amazerating! Monkey Stomp!

I have a new quest: add awesome words to the English language. It usually takes years or being a celebrity (Sarah Palin and 'refudiate'). I will use Merchant Circle to advance this quest.

A word and phrase for your consideration: 'Amazerating'. The meaning is very impressive, something a few steps beyond amazing, and increasing in its influence. For example: "My son just learned how to read. He is picking up Latin as he learns. Amazerating!" Or "I troubleshot a burned receptacle and corrected two other electrical problems at the same time. Amazerating!"
So far, I have only used it to describe my granddaughter.

Monkey Stomp has been around for awhile, but I saw it illustrated recently. Picture a surly, baboon attacking a man, picking him up, flinging him on the ground, then jumping repeatedly on the victim's chest. The whole assault is punctuated by wild screams and hand gestures. I would not advise using Monkey Stomp casually. A great example would be "That teenager just totally disrespected his ex-Army Ranger father. I hear a Monkey Stomping on the way".

ABR Electric: Electrician for Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano with amazerating service to include troubleshooting, lighting, breakers, home offices, flat screen televisions.

Do it right, make a positive memory and have fun!

Can't Lose 'Em, Can't Stand 'Em

You guessed it: I am talking about pets, specifically old, blind, deaf, willful dachshunds.
For those who hoped I would be wading through the swamp of marriage to answer spousal issues - not a chance. I feel sane today.

So, here's the dealio: it turns out that our low-slung beast has diabetes. Shotzi had been feverishly drinking water all day long and then, with the restraint of a puppy, watering the carpet several times a day and night. Although I am a patient man, day two of this had me considering the 'lead vitamin' for our beloved pet (one treatment cures 'em forever).

We opted to take her to visit the vet. I don't want to do that again. Ever. It smells bad. They had cats wandering loose, tormenting the incontinent dogs. Plus other people's pets are weird...I'm just sayin'. Not normal like Shotzi.

We are praying for healing. While we're waiting on the miracle, I bond with the beast twice a day giving her insulin shots. She has recovered her lost lbs (she had dropped about 30% of her weight in two weeks).

The catch is this: while pondering the possibility of putting her down, I was at the verge of tears. I am positive this dog has grayed my hair as much as any of my kids, but the thought of her being gone just tore me up. 24 hours later, she is on the mend, and eating toilet paper rolls and incessantly begging for food. Absolutely driving me crazy! I'm thinking the lead vitamin was cheaper and easier.

Shotzi has a few good years left in her. I'll commute her sentence and see if she can't amaze me in the meantime.

Do The Basics - More Than Electrical Work

In Allen, Texas, my customer's dishwasher and garbage disposal worked intermittently. Another electrician had searched, but had not found the problem. During the investigation, I found something alarming in the main panel: the neutral wire for the circuit had never been tightened down.
At all.
The white insulation on the copper wire was completely missing for the first inch or so. It had melted away from the arcing caused by the loose connection. Further, the insulation was charred and bubbled. The appliances would work when the wire happened to be touching the buss, but quit when it moved.

The basic task in this case was: turn the screw until tight on the neutral wire. I checked the other neutral wires in the panel. Only this one had never been tightened.

Neglecting the basics creates problems: intermittent performance, heat, damage - to name a few. If you are experiencing 'heat' in your life, whether in business, family, or school, it may be a result of neglecting the basics.

At ABR Electric in Allen, Texas, we pursue the basics: do the work right, make a positive customer memory, and have fun.

The Power is in Your Hands - Sometimes!

Picture this: I am ushered to a main hallway by the lady of the house. She is frustrated to the point of talking through her clenched teeth.
"I told him 'Just get an electrician. You're going to burn the house down!' Would he listen to me?"
I am guessing he didn't based on the colorful arrangement of wires escaping from the switch box, with a few scattered burn marks on the wall near the wires.
"Well, are we going to die?"
"No ma'am"
"Too bad. It'd serve him right...". She begins to wander down the hallway, muttering about the plumbing. Suddenly she turns and demands "You can fix it, right?"
"Yes, ma'am".
Many times have I witnessed this scene played out. A plethora of multi-colored wires crazily protruding from an electrical box, arc marks on the wall and husbands with band-aids on their fingers. Usually a wife near by, muttering and shaking her head.

Here's the secret: If someone utters the phrase "It can't be that hard. I'm an engineer/architect/lawyer/mechanic/accountant, I can figure it out", distract them with a football game and hide their tools.

Electrons do not respect a degree. Or good intentions. They flow where and when they can at the speed of light.

Call ABR Electric for anything electrical in your home to be fixed right, for you to have a great experience and to have some fun (without the burns).

We are located in the great City of Allen, and can be reached at 214-690-1941 or at www.abrelectrician.com

Have a great day!

Friday's Hope, Saturday's Promise

Fridays are a lot like Christmas: you get excited, but secretly hope that this one is better than the last.
I think the magic of Friday is greater than cessation of work. It is more than "the most painful and miserable 5 days of my life are over". The American working psyche is able to magically wash away Monday thru Friday - POOF! It's Saturday.

Friday is great because of Saturday. Of course, you say, but without Saturday, there is no Promise of something greater. Sunday is the Day of Rest. More disturbingly, it is the day before Monday.

Saturday is the sweet spot in the week. Not working. Not worried about Monday. I can do something useful, creative, and best of all, my decision. Saturday is the banner waved in the face of expected and accepted servitude - the J O B. I have the financial security of Monday coming, while living in the Possibility of Saturday. I can try things, indulge a hobby, go somewhere new.

I can be a human being of promise. The troubling question to me, is why can't we have more Saturdays?

Electricity in Allen, Texas

Some of my friends may be wondering: 'James, you moved from California to Texas. You have opened another electrical business. Is the electricity in Texas different than in California?'

I'm surprised you were able to have your first cup of coffee without having that burning question quenched.

Shockingly enough, the answer is 'yes'. My pseudo smart friends will disagree. The OCD-ites are confounded, while checking for grammatical errors and counting ceiling tiles. The nurturers are affirming: 'I just knew there'd be difference. I just felt it.'

There I was, setting finish in a small apartment remodel. Something was wrong. I had mixed neutrals on the load side of a GFCI. What does that mean to you? Nothing at all. Just keep reading. I reached in to separate to wires. My thumb and forefinger approached the wire in the darkened room. They got closer. And closer. Finally-
HEY, HOWDY! DON'T TOUCH ME! THAT DOG WON'T HUNT! Zap! That's what Texas electrons say to you while they're trying to stop your heart. I yanked my hand back, annoyed and embarrassed. Don't worry. It didn't kill me.

You see in California, the scenario would have played out this way:
I reached in to separate to wires. My thumb and forefinger approached the wire in the darkened room. They got closer. And closer. Finally-
I WILL SUE YOU! I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, AND I WILL SUE! Zap! California electrons are more reluctant to kill. They don't believe in the death penalty.

There you are. Stay in touch as we explore the vast chasm between Texas and California.