The people who write DC’s emergency alerts need to learn to consider their audience. Yesterday, they sent an email alert that said:

PEPCO reports a 5% Voltage Reduction has been implemented across the PJM area. In addition customers are requested to curtail consumption. 5% voltage reduction will not result in interruption of power supply but rather a reduction in the supply voltage to customers.

PJM area? Zuh?!

Turns out I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know what PJM meant. A few people chimed in on a local police department listserv to find out the same thing.

Turns out PJM stands for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. The electric companies use PJM to refer to the power grids within and between them; Delaware and DC are included within the PJM area.

It reminds me of a bit from “Are You Being Served,” where Captain Peacock reads a memo about tea breaks laden with acronyms to the floor staff. No one can figure out what he’s saying until he explains what the acronyms mean.

The same thing’s happening here. PJM is an insider term; virtually no one would know what it means unless they run in electric company circles. The police commander on the listserv didn’t even know.

John Inman, better known as Mr. Humphries on the BBC comedy “Are You Being Served?“, passed away at age 71. Ron Lynch, his partner of over 30 years, is devastated according to the BBC News report. Wendy Richard, who played Miss Brahms, said Inman was, “one of the funniest and most inventive actors [she has] ever worked with.”

I came to appreciate “Are You Being Served?” only a few years ago, and Mr. Humphries quickly became one of my favorite Britcom characters.

Below is a video clip of one of my favorite scenes. A customer walks into Grace Brothers to buy a dressing gown, and Mr. Humphries demonstrates a few different styles; he gets carried away while demonstrating a kimono.

(news link via Towleroad)

Anita’s Paper Dolls offers several dressable dolls from Britcoms “Are You Being Served?” and “Keeping Up Appearances.”