Lighting up the night

The few weeks before I became aware we might become homeless was one of the more frantic periods in my life, more so than actually being homeless. Deciding what was necessary, needful things, and outright wants.

With my experience involving computers and mobile computing, I'd already backed up many documents and family pictures to either thumb drives or online storage, links to agencies for medical services and such...whatever came to mind.

One thing I learned was that there's no easy quick place to plug in items for recharging, whether it's a cell phone or laptop. Many places don't have readily available electrical outlets to tap in to. Many locations that 'do' have them make it a policy 'not' to use them or risk being kicked out for 'jacking' and powering up.

One family I came across had been around long enough in the homeless shelters to start using hand crank powered items, such as radios or flashlights that use led light bulbs. Both use less electricity and last a while after just a few turns, and many models can be found locally in dollar stores for under $6.00 USD.

What I didn't know is that this same technology used in small flashlights with single LEDs is now available in home lighting bulbs. Granted the initial cost is much higher than conventional bulbs, but the overall savings and ability to go 'green' is pretty interesting...especially with recent increases of our own electric bill.