Wiring the Ceiling

For a long time, I've been bothered that I have no ceiling lights in my living room at my house. So a couple months ago, I decided I wanted to install them. I called a few electricians, and most were giving absurdly high estimates to do this task. I didn't want the lights so badly that I would pay electricians a month's salary, so I asked around. somehow I convinced DZ that it'd be fun (just like whitewashing the fence, Tom!), and he somehow convinced Trent. So the two of them came to my house Wednesday to see what they could do. After discovering all sorts of obstacles, I agreed to let them wire the line outside the ceiling in conduit.

Meanwhile, I made dinner and hung out with Anke (trent's wife). We were not welcome in the room they were working. Each time we came in and tried to help or give suggestions, we got kicked out. The men wanted their space - which was fine by us. I made a yummy dinner (this sounds so sexist! men working, and women in the kitchen...) and they took a break to eat a couple hours in.

After around 4 hours of working, everything looked great and ready to go, so DZ switched the breaker box, and...nothing. For some reason the lights were not working. Another hour, and Trent went home, and an hour after that, DZ left - both frustrated. note: they didn't cut any unnecessary holes in the wall, and probably did a better looking job than any electrician on the aesthetics.

During the next day, DZ somehow figured out what was wrong, but it meant we'd have to tear apart some of my wall. He came over a second time to look at some more wires or something, and we figured out where the hole would need to be punched. I just hope I have matching paint to patch it up later!