Note: In another forum, now a virtual ghost town, spontaneous stories would pop up. Literally, with no planning or structure, stories pertaining to the subject of the thread would form. Rather than hijack the flashlight thread, I thought it best to move it to its own thread. I have no idea what will happen; I'm curious to see where it goes.

Jeanette, a twenty-nine-year-old single woman, attends her first flashalcoholics anonymous meeting. Her hair, a shade darker than auburn, is in a ponytail, a style she has worn since she was a child. Her emerald green eyes hide behind her glasses.

In her purse, at her feet, is her first MAG-LITE: a black incandescent flashlight converted with a LED insert and powered by two D cells. The scuffmarks on it not only serve as a testament to its craftsmanship; also tells a story of a time the lamp stayed on during a rather painful accident.


"Hi Russ." Jeanette says in unison with the others who are currently seated.

Jeanette Isabelle

It's really nothing serious, I can stop any time I want. Any time... just not yet.

Dr. Ross, a nationally recognized expert on flashalcoholism who has written a book on the subject, leads the group. "Russ, let me ask you, do you want to stop?"

Jeanette Isabelle

Chaosmagnet mutters, quietly, "No. I shouldn't even be here today."

honest.... before the 2004/2005 hurricane events here in Florida, I had only two LED flashlights... a Gerber Infinity and Photon Micro, and was as happy as a clam with an incandescent Sure Fire 6P, a couple of Mag Lights and a Tupperware box of batteries... the switch to Eneloops for standardization was a lessons learned.. I gave 25 Fenix E01/E05s two years ago for Christmas...7 Solar Force L2s the year before

No, I guess I don't. As my fellow flashaholics will testify, it's not a bad addiction and I shouldn't be here either.

Now if I was to give "7 Solar Force L2" flashlights as Christmas presents then I might think I had a problem -- unless of course I lived in Florida and had gone through a few severe and sustained power outages, and had 7 friends who didn't have decent flashlights. But if I was that guy I'd consider those fairly reasonable gifts, generous too.

But back to the question, I can stop whenever I want, anytime I want -- now's just not the time.

I'm a bit of a fflashlight junkie although I only have 25 to 30 good lights. My focus has long been quality over quantity. I'm a big believer in weapon mounted lights so that has expanded my collection as well.

Dr. Ross does not let Chaosmagnet's muttering disrupt the session. He sees LesSnyder raise a hand. "Yes, LesSnyder?"


"Don't you think you are encouraging others in your addiction?" Dr. Ross asks.

Jeanette Isabelle

"Why do you believe you shouldn't stop?" Dr. Ross asks.

Jeanette Isabelle

Dr. Ross sees Phaedrus raise a hand. "Yes, Phaedrus?"


"Only twenty-five to thirty? Do you believe that is too many and why do you believe you must expand your . . . collection?"

Jeanette Isabelle