China announces half trillion package

OK team.

China just announced a big infrastructure stimulation package, DowJones and Nasdaq strongly up. Oil back to $65. And more OPEC volume cuts to come.

Sell that bounce.

And maybe roll with the dollar. For now... then move to alt currencies except pound on the dollar bounce that's almost peaked...

Personally I'm annoyed I missed the Aussie dollar at less than $0.6.

Damn.

Californians vote to deny Gay Marriage

In a pretty shocking side-bar to the US Elections, Californians voted in support (just - 52% to 48%) of the so-called "Proposition 8", to restrict Marriage to be between a Man and woman. Same thing happened in Florida and Arizona. The Mormon 'Church' apparently spent $20 million campaigning to get Prop 8 passed. I think it's a great shame that this ballot initiative passed. There is still a chance that the vote will be overturned on constitutional grounds, as the ACLU have filed an appeal challenging the legality of the measure.

But at a time when 1 huge step against prejudice has been made there, by America voting in Obama, there are still huge forces of bigotry and prejudice out there.

See CNN Election Results summary

Proposition 8: This measure would amend the state constitution to specify that only marriages between one man and one woman would be recognized as valid in the state. If passed, the measure would trump a May 2008 ruling by the California Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage.

I wonder how Omani homosexuals feel about living here? Do they want to leave asap and head for greener pastures, like Holland, London, Manila or San Francisco? The chances of homosexuality simply being made legal in Oman, let alone getting equal rights or even the right to marry, is almost impossible to contemplate.

For a small sample measure of how good Obama is, see his response to the Gay activists on this politically extremely sensitive issue.

What a star.

The motorway disruption season begins

Ah yes, the quaint Omani tradition of closing down the motorways for visiting dignitaries has started again, with the arrival of the Indian prime minister.

Fucking great. No warning. Just shut down the only main road so some convoy can.... what? Feel special? Please.

I wish they would stop this. In the old days when the only traffic was a few goats, fine. But now its so disruptive. I have myself been treated to this in a different country once. And I'm able to confirm it makes you feel super-special, speeding along while the great unwashed sit and wait. Very special. I'm able to share that the fleeting guilt of making everyone else wait is transitory.

Is this the driver? To simply impress some visiting diplomat?

Shit, they even closed the motorway for the visit from the President of Belarus...
What the hell is it going to be like during the GCC conference? There are already - still unconfirmed from my side - mega rumors that the airport will be closed from 24-29 December. Hard to believe, yet who would possibly make that up? (note: anyone with any real info could please email me with details?)

People. Start making your emergency comms and transport plans now for that intra Xmas-New year zone. No decent bars or restaurants as they are all being closed, except Chedi [note Boxster - another reason to go with that PDO membership, you lucky bastard], roads clogged, airport closed (??), town full of Saudi civil servants on the piss... Lucky it doesn't happen every year I guess....

Hmmm.

Iran seems super-keen to progress Omani Kish Gas deal

More news from Iran yesterday, again talking up the idea of an imminent completion of the long delayed agreement on the Iran/Oman Kish gas field development deal.

In the current economic climate, and with Oman now getting almost 6 million m3/d from Qatar and lots of talk on Oman pressing on with the coal-fired options, it - surprisingly - seems more and more the pressure to do a deal rests with the Iranians. The Iranians also keep stressing the LNG angle too, and the article goes on with some boilerplate propaganda about how Iran is successfully doing deals despite the economic sanctions from the USA.

Hard for me to believe a development of that size could be completed by 2012.

Iran, Oman Plan LNG Cooperation
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and Oman said they intend to seal a major gas deal by the year end that would allow export of more than 1 billion cubic feet of gas per day via pipeline. This would not only supply Oman's needs, but also provide supply for liquefied natural gas that would belong to Iran.

A deal to develop the Kish field which may hold as much as 45 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas was signed in April, but the final agreement had been delayed due to price wrangling. [UD: my emphasis] Yet, negotiations picked up after a recent visit to the Persian Gulf country by Iran's Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari.

Nozari struck the deal with Oman during his recent visit. Both countries are eager to finalize the agreement so production can begin by the targeted launch date in 2012. Oman would get the gas it badly needs to meet its export commitments and its soaring local demand. Iran would not only open new export routes to gas hungry Arab Persian Gulf countries, but also market a portion of its exports as LNG, which is more profitable and can be sold on the global market.

Oman has just 24 Tcf of gas reserves, compared to Iran's 982 Tcf. It produces 2.3 bcf/d and demand is expected to increase by more than 25 percent by 2012.
...

More detail on attempted child snatching from Muscat Airport from the child's mother

Readers,
I was forwarded the following email, originally from the mother of the child who was reportedly the subject of a suspicious attempted to abduct him recently at Muscat International Airport.

Perhaps just another sign of the times, perhaps. Fortunately, it sounds like the guy was an amateur, and he was totally unsuccessful. One would think there would be plenty of CCTV footage at the airport to ID him...

The email:
"Teresa V (Aussie Mum with triplet 3 year old boys) asked to circulate this account below. It is not an urban myth or a scare story. There were witnesses who agreed that she was not over-reacting and the airport police are taking the matter seriously. The startling thing is it happened at all and more so that according to the Australian Embassy it is the second incident involving children in Oman in the past few weeks. ..."

The mother's story:

On Thursday the 30th of October we were at Muscat International Airport waiting for a flight to arrive. Shortly after 1pm, two men dressed in Dishdashas, characteristic of the Emirates rather than Oman, approached my three small boys and played with them (pinched their cheeks etc). They then left into the crowd. We were seated in Costa Coffee arrivals and my sons were playing just in front of the seating area in full view.
A short time later one of the men returned and swiftly pushed one of my sons down a corridor adjacent to Costa. The corridor led to a door to the outside of the terminal. I immediately followed the man. When I caught up with the man, he let go of my son and walked quickly off without a word, towards the departures terminal. My son was quite shaken and clung to me and repeatedly said 'why did that man push me'. Two other men at Costa witnessed this and spoke to me and then went to look for the man who had pushed my son. Unfortunately they could not find him. The incident was reported to the police.

Please let me know if you would like any further details.
Many thanks for circulating this
Teresa

I'm still buzzed Barack is President Elect!!! MSM up slightly

Yep. Still find it hard to believe that Barack Obama will be the next US president. Especially when you see how many Americans actually think Palin was capable of being anywhere near National Office. Scary.

Short-term, markets will hold, but it won't last.


MSM indeed bounced up following global markets.

But I'd sell that bounce...

Party and Fireworks: Make friends with PDO people

It's good to have friends who work for PDO, the local national Oil Company. Any expats new to Oman are highly recommended to befriend PDO people, because they can invite you to.... their Club. Situated on perhaps the best beach in all Oman.

Images of RAHRC, borrowed from PDORC website


Thanks to such friends I wangled an invite. Went there Wednesday night to see 2 tribute bands playing - of the Eagles and U2. Dinner and a drink included all for 15 rials pp [~$40]. After a few bottles of South African bubbles, and at just 5 rials a bottle can you blame my indulgence?, they sounded as good as the real thing. A blast was had by the roughly 800 people there.

Possibly the safest rock concert I've ever been to. Loads of kids, and a great mix of Expats and Omanis, all getting stuck in to the bar and shakin their rumps as only middle aged white folks can.

Excellent. And a great way to celebrate Obama's victory too. I watched his speech, and was struck by how impressive this man is.

Next night, it seemed all of Muscat was there to watch a great display of free fireworks. Masses of Omani teens, all scoping out the opposite sex and flirting. Very Cute. And a really great show. Thanks PDO! (and friends)

Attempted Child Abduction reported at Muscat Airport

Haven't seen this one in the papers yet, but the British Embassy have confirmed earlier rumours of someone trying to abduct a child at Muscat Airport. New blogger JetDriver posted on it a couple of days ago, and it was news around the Brit Expat circuit all week.

On 4 November 2008, we received a report of an incident involving a young child at Muscat International Airport on 30 October 2008. The child was the subject of an apparent attempted abduction. We are working with the authorities to determine the facts of the case, and the ROP are investigating the incident. This is the first report we have had of this type of incident in Oman. We advise all British nationals to exercise vigilance when they are in crowded public places with their children.

Hope we get some follow up news. Will chase.

This sort of crime doesn't generally get officially reported. Even so, this is rare in Oman. Muscat is pretty crime free in the expat areas especially. A few break ins and thefts, and petty muggings in Ruwi, are about all you see.

The best hope America's got. President Barak Obama

So, finally. President Barack Obama. After 2000 and 2004 I was always holding my breath. Would the polls be accurate? Would American's really vote for an African American, once in the booth and faced with a stark choice?

Yes.


Now the tedious time of overlap as we wait for Bush to exit.

Not the landslide I would have liked. Its frankly shocking for me to see how many votes McCain/Palin got.

But President Obama. Fantastic.

And now comes the hard part, but I sense a great 8 years ahead for America. Hard, but great.

Unfortunately, a lot of talk now about his chances of surviving the right wing para-military nutcases. I think he will.

I don't the time nor the talent to do this monemt justice, but here's one I like

Deborah's US Liberal Politics Blog - Great post on Obama

As Obama said -

"America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love."

I would urge people - especially in Oman and the GCC - to read/listen to his speeches, and imagine what more leaders like this in the Middle East could achieve. The whole region is suffering from its poor leadership - even here, the 'second' layer could do with a lot more accountability and information exchange/feedback. Fortunately, there are signs that the Majlis Al Shura is starting to flex its powers. That must be encouraged, with funding for a functional independent working arm of civil servants to act as a balance to the executive branch, an 'honourable opposition' almost. Equally, the judiciary in Oman must be protected and cherished as a truly independent counterbalance to any and all acts that are incompatible with the general rule of law, fairly applied.

And so, what for Oman?

A big opportunity for Oman. Very big.
Certainly, the issues wrt the free trade agreement will become less debatable. Labour laws and unions will be important. Diplomatically, Oman will be even more recognised as the stabilising force in the region it is. And there is a real opportunity for Oman to gain an increased influence in the White House, as the New Administration will be less willing to put up with the excesses of the rest of the GCC wrt women's rights and democratic representation, and Oman can get brownie points by helping to lead the way. A very small effort in the human rights, human trafficking dept would potentially pay HUGE dividends too.

Elsewhere?
The markets in general will be glad of a result, and positive, as Obama's economic team are about as good as you could wish for. Dollar will ease. Markets will bump and, short term, run flat. The underlying recession is not going anywhere. Sell the bounce.

Today's the day! American Election time

Yes, tonight (our time) the voting starts properly in the USA. Finally. It may be expensive and messy, but its not a bad system compared to many.

I'm hoping for an Obama victory. McCain was OK when he was a centrist outsider, but he's since rolled over on every major issue [taxes, abortion, war, right wing], and then let the Republican Party Machine make him pick an ignorant, inexperienced, right-wing pro-life Christian nutcase as VP. Simply amazing irresponsibility, to pick someone like that just to pander to the prejudices of swathes of the great unwashed and to try and squeak a victory.

Whereas I think Obama can pretty quickly restore a lot of the world's faith in the USA, and he will be more centrist. And Biden will be a solid Foreign Affairs focused VP.

Its a pity that Bush, through his incompetent leadership helped by the rest of the Republicans, is handing him a country in such terrible shape: economy in the dumps and getting a lot worse, huge budget and trade deficits, massive debt in both Government and personal spheres, housing market crashing, 2 wars, low ratings, rising tensions with Russia, and a domestic polical environment more polarised than ever... How anyone in their right minds can even imagine rewarding the Republicans with another term in office is... beyond me. Bush should be impeached.

Good Luck Mr. Obama. You are sure going to need it.

And remember, there are a lot more than just 300 million Americans who will be counting on you to do better than the idiot you are replacing.

How much crude does Oman produce? And by who?

I've had a few requests to explain the story on Oman's crude oil & gas production. How much really? Who produces it? How long have we got before it 'runs out'?

Checking with a few knowledgable sources over the amber nectar this week, I can share the following. I hope I got it right, as it all started to get pretty complicated as the nectar flowed...

Oman at the moment produces around 750,000 bbl/d, (that includes about 80,000 bbl/d condensate liquid derived from gas production):

Who produces?
No.1 is Petroleum Development Oman, aka PDO, producing ~83% of that.
No.2 producer is Occidental, with almost 14%.
No.3 is MB Petroleum, the local lads, with ~3% (mostly in 50/50 partnership with the Chinese National Oil Co).
And lastly, PTEP (I think they are a Thai company) with less than 0.4%

So, where is the extra production HE Dr. Rumhy refers to going to come from?

Well, mainly from Oxy's on-going development of the Mukhaisna heavy oil field, where they are injecting steam to boost production. They are expected to eventually increase to over 100,000 bbl/d from around 30,000 now. As a partner in the Dolphin gas project, they were probably helpful in getting that new gas importation stream from Qatar that started a few days ago, and I can't help but think there was a connection between that gas arriving and Oxy getting the rights to develop Mukhaisna from under the nose of PDO. I've heard Oxy originally promised to get to 150,000 a day, but are now lowering their forecasts and delaying the rate of ramp up too.

PDO has lots of big projects underway too, but these will be needed to offset the decline in their existing production. Instead of growing now and then declining again, PDO has been instructed to hold steady at 550,000 bbl/d for at least the next decade.

The Government, via the Ministry of Oil and Gas, have also been pretty effective at attracting a lot of new exploration companies and taking advantage of the high oil price and oil fever around the world, and they hope these efforts will lead to further production growth in a few years. But from the oil side my experts say don't hold your breath, and anything they find will tend to be small and shitty (still profitable, as oil is worth so much, but not enough to change Oman's production much).

On gas, at the moment PDO produces basically all the country's gas with about 65 million m3 a day, plus a super-tiny bit from PTEP. Just under half of that gas is liquified and exported to Korea from the 2 LNG plants at Sur. (equiv. to another 150,000 bbl/d I think).

As well as PDO and PTEP, there are British Gas, BP, RAK Gas and Tethys working on producing gas. BG is apparently having a few disappointing results from their drill testing, and sent a rig home earlier than planned recently. BP definitely have a big gas field to develop(found for the Government by PDO ages ago), and hopes are much higher that in a few years they will be able to produce a decent amount of gas and some liquids too. BP's gas price will make it tough though, and they've only just started drilling. RAK Gas and Tethys may produce a bit of gas, but nothing significant. Indian company Reliance are supposed to be looking offshore soon, and everyone says its unlikely there is anything big, but no-one really knows what's out there because they say so far there are only a couple of shallow wells ever drilled off the coast. Here's hoping.

Oh. Remember, Oman has 2 refineries that together take around 200,000 bbl/d, so not all that crude gets exported. About 60,000 a day is needed domestically, with the remaining 140,000 exported as refined products.

How Long before it runs out?
As long as oil price stays high (and by high I mean around $60) Oman will be able to produce and export over 500,000 bbl/d plus the LNG for at least the next 15 years. Probably longer. And even 25 years ahead, will still be over 300,000 bbl/d.

Hope you found that useful!

Oh, and I was told that we should expect to hear some big announcements on National Day: it seems 2 more new companies (and 1 that is already here) are being given some pretty good areas by the Government to look for more gas. . Excellent work, Dr. Rumhy.

Minister of Oil and Gas confirms slow-down will delay Duqm

HE Dr. Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas confirmed today that, because Oman has been using project finance (semantics for non-Governmental borrowing) to fund many of the development projects, the current global environment will cause delays in projects if financing isn't available, with special reference to the plans for a refinery and petrochemical plant in Duqm.

Dr. Rumhy also commented that the gas deal with the Iranians on Kish development were still in the air.

There are three big problems with the Iranian deal:
- how much per Mscf will Oman have to pay Iran?
- who will fund the development? (a project that will probably require more than $10 billion!)
- who in Oman can afford to pay a high price for that gas? Certainly not the new Sohar & Salalah projects.

Yes, some of the gas could be exported as LNG, but the profitability will be close to zero on that - Oman might end up paying as much for the feedstock gas as they would make in LNG sales after costs, and why invest $10+ billion just so Iran can make money from your LNG plants?

See Reuters

Crisis may slow Oman energy projects -oilmin
ABU DHABI, Nov 3 (Reuters) -
A global financial crisis will affect Oman's oil and gas development projects and may cause delays, Omani Minister of Oil and Gas Mohammad bin Hamad bin Seif al-Rumhy said on Monday.

Qatar, top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and three other Gulf states have more than $2 trillion of projects under construction, buoyed by bumper oil revenues that have helped their economies triple in size since 2002.

But a looming global recession now threatens to scupper the plans of countries that have spent fortunes building massive economic, energy and industrial zones, tourist and leisure hubs.

"The recent financial problems will have an impact because most of our projects are on project finance," Rumhy told Reuters at an oil and gas conference. "It is a more challenging environment than six months ago. If we can't borrow, we will have to delay."

Rumhy named the Duqm refinery and petrochemical complex project as one of the developments that could face delays.

"Oman's development plans will continue but certain projects will be revisited," he added.
The government announced plans at the end of 2006 to build the Duqm Refining and Petrochemical Complex, which would see the construction of Oman's third refinery at al-Duqm in the southeast of the country.

The plan, which is faced with rising costs, would include a 300,000-bpd refinery and a petrochemicals facility including a polypropylene plant with a capacity of 1.2 million to 1.5 million tonnes a year. Commercial production had been set for 2012.

Rumhy also said he expected Oman's oil production to rise to 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2009 from 750,000 to 760,000 bpd this year and gas output to remain steady at 60 million cubic metres per day.

He added that Oman was still in talks with Iran to import gas, but no agreements had been reached yet.
The two countries are in negotiations on the sale of 1 billion cubic feet per day of Iranian gas to Oman, news agency ISNA had reported.

Analysts say that Gulf Arab states will keep raising public spending in the face of the world financial crisis, but at a slower pace, even as an oil price slump and credit woes put the brakes on an economic boom. (Reporting by Simon Webb and Stanley Carvalho; Writing by Ramthan Hussain; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Oman Media awards itself a free dinner and an undeserved pat on the back

Yes, its Oman's first Media Awards celebration.

In a flurry of self promotion and in the spirit of 'any excuse for a free dinner', there are apparently going to be awards for best journalist, best newspapers, etc etc.

Yawn.

The winners will undoubtably get a plaque, and will crow about being the best in Oman. I guess it might increase competition between the papers. But picking the 'best in Oman' is not exactly setting the bar very high...

Quote of the article for me was this one:

“The awards will give recognition to the commendable efforts of reporters in informing people and create awareness among the public on different topics.

As everyone in Oman knows the papers here take about 3 mins to read cover to cover, as they are so generally lacking in content and consisting mainly of copy paste from the wire services, repeating anything issued by the Goernment News Agency, & reprinted press releases.

So, readers are encouraged to send me your nominations for Muscat Confidential's Alternative Media Awards, in the following catagories:
- worse article written by a local journalist
- most sycophantic article
- most full of hyperbole press release, printed verbatim
- best non-event to get on the front page
- most obscure connection blaming something bad on the American/Israeli conspiracy

Email your nominations to undercover.dragon (at) gmail.com, and please attach links!

Deadline Nov 9th.

Times of Oman - Media awards

Media gets its due: CPP to announce first media awards
Swati Dasgupta
Sunday, November 02, 2008

MUSCAT — To acknowledge the role of media and appreciate the contributions made by those associated with it, the first media awards in Oman for the year 2008 were announced yesterday.

At the press conference held at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Saleh Al Shaibany, managing director, Creative Press and Publishing, said addressing the gathering that media has always played a very important role in Oman.

“Several Arabic and English newspapers have been launched since the time of Renaissance. Hence it’s essential to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations,” he said.

This media award is a brainchild of Creative Press & Publishing (CPP), publisher of City Business magazine, and is the first annual media award in Oman to honour reporters, publications and advertising agencies. Emphasising on the role of English language newspapers in Oman, Saleh Al Shaibany said that since there are very few locals writing for English dailies, it had become all the more necessary to appreciate their efforts and awards like this was a step in that direction. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to National Bank of Oman (NBO) for supporting the event.

The awards have been divided into seven categories. They include the best English journalist of the year, best Arabic journalist of the year, best English daily newspaper of the year, best Arabic daily newspaper of the year, best English publication of the year, best Arabic publication of the year and best advertising campaign of the year.
...

Oman Imports Gas for the first time ever, 30yrs after first gas from Yibal.

Oh, in my darkened state, performing death defying feats worthy of Cirque du Soleil to change light bulbs (here's a photo), I almost forgot there was actually some real news today!

Almost in time for the 30th anniversary of Oman's domestic gas production by PDO, Oman has finally got its first gas imports from Qatar.

Its a daily volume equivalent to about 8% of Oman's total gas produced domestically from Government owned fields and sold to downstream customers. As the agreement was signed in 2005, the price probably ain't too bad, especially at the lower oil prices these days. And Oman got to sell gas the other way for a few years too, which paid for the pipeline etc.

Rumour has it we could have gotten the gas earlier, except it was desperately needed in the UAE for power stations, and needed especially urgently with RAK Gas's gas processing plant in the UAE down after a small.... fire incident (no one hurt apparently), and electricity demand maxed out by the summer heat.

This is great news for Oman, as long as the price is right, which I don't know well enough to post. Oman needs the gas, and this will give a bit of breathing space for a few years at least.

PS: If anyone can find that price out, email me and I'll probably send you a big dragon thank you.

Dolphin Energy delivers first natural gas to Oman

Nov 1, 2008

WAM ABU DHABI, Nov. 1st, 2008: Dolphin Energy Limited today said it began to supply gas to Oman today, completing the strategic Qatar-UAE-Oman natural gas grid first proposed in 1999.

The company announced that Dolphin gas from Qatar was now flowing to the Sultanate for the very first time, as part of a 25 year Gas Sales Agreement (GSA) signed in 2005.

Al Dolphin's gas is produced offshore Qatar and is processed onshore at its Ras Laffan Gas Processing Plant. The gas is then compressed and pumped through the Export Pipeline to Dolphin's Receiving Facilities in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for distribution to customers.

Supplies for Oman subsequently flow across the country via the company's Eastern Gas Distribution System (EGDS) to Al Ain, where the EGDS connects with a new Omani pipeline on the Oman border.

Dolphin Energy began to deliver gas to UAE customers in July 2007: it has been supplying them with an average of 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas a day (scf/day) since February 2008. Oman will be receiving some 10 percent of this quantity, 200 million scf/day, under the terms of the GSA.

Dolphin Energy's CEO, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh said: "This is a historic moment for Dolphin Energy - it is equally significant for the three nations who have embraced and supported the Dolphin Gas Project from the very beginning.

"We have always been grateful for Oman's supply of gas to our Al Ain-Fujairah pipeline project in 2004, which enabled us to deliver much needed gas to the Northern Emirates three to four years earlier than if we had waited for completion of our Qatar facilities.

"Now Dolphin, in its turn, can contribute to Oman's own future economic growth." Dolphin Energy Limited was created to develop substantial energy projects throughout the GCC and to create long-term economic wealth and new business opportunities for GCC citizens, far into the future.

Dolphin Energy's major strategic initiative, the Dolphin Project, involves the production and processing of natural gas from Qatar's North Field, and transportation of the dry gas by sub-sea export pipeline from Qatar to the UAE, which began in July 2007.

Oman: Land that ate light bulbs - What is up with the power in this country?

OK. I'm basically typing this post in the god-damn dark. Does anyone else notice that light bulbs seem to last like... 20 mins in this country? I try different brands. No difference (as least not that I've noticed).


Photo credit:Unplugged by maapu

Do the manufacturers ship us like, factory seconds? The ones that a bit too much O2 got left in or something? And these are like Sylvana or Philips brands. Is this too nothing but re-labeled crap made in China from 20% melamine?

I hate it. My house has... well... a shit load of light bulbs. Waay too many to count. And a few that I'd need a cherry picker - inside the house - to reach. But there never ever seems to be a time when all the light bulbs I can reach actually are all working.

Sometimes I'll spend what seems like a whole morning in a blitzkrieg of bulb changing. To no avail. Some of the bastards - especially the hard to reach/change ones- seem to take perverse pleasure in popping as soon as I've put away whatever piece of furniture I was precariously balanced on to change the damn thing.

So, I've often wondered. Has anyone else noticed the same phenomena? Is it the power supply? Or the bulbs? Or the shitty wiring in my house? Aaaaaarg!!!!