The errors of definitions multiply themselves according as the reckoning proceeds; and lead men into absurdities, which at last they see but cannot avoid, without reckoning anew from the beginning.

So exactly what did you accomplish? Tearing apart a home security system so it will never work again?

It's actually the buzzing-in system for the high school "Battle of the Brains" competition. It wasn't working, and they obviously need it for those riveting televised smart-offs that they air on PBS or wherever.

My kids were really excited to help me test it out and make sure I had actually fixed it. The big question for you... why did I have a box of matches?

Clearly you needed the box of matches for one (1) of two (2) possible reasons:
1) You don't own a soldering iron and needed the match head to heat the broken connection and melt the solder, or
2) You had to light a match to mask the Samuel Adams beer farts.

Good guesses, and close. The matches were used for two things that night.

1) In the top right of the photo you can see a can of liquid electrical tape. I needed to use that stuff to plug the hole where the cord runs through the casing - you know, so the cord doesn't slide in and out. The cap has a brush attached, but it is too large for this work. Matches have proven to be an excellent size for delicate applications of liquid tape. And if they burst into flame, you know the connection is faulty hot.

2) Mexican hiccup treatment. This was taught to me by my father's best friend - a medic he met in the USN. Light a wooden match. Put it out in a glass of water. Drink the water. I have no idea why this works, but I have never seen it fail, even on severe skeptics.

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

URL:

Remember This Information? YesNo

Comments: