Daylight saving time not saving me any time

Proposition 7 on today’s ballot is an attempt to keep California on daylight saving time (or standard time) for the entire year. As I understand it, approval gives the state legislature the opportunity to make this change — that is, as long as the feds go along with it (always a catch).

The result would mean no more endless timepiece changes around the house and office every six months.

While it may be a long shot, the idea is overdue for a number of reasons. Back in 1949 when the state officially adopted this concept, it made more sense. Timepieces were easy to switch. Change the mantel clock, one in the kitchen, a wind-up alarm, a couple of watches and ta-da! Mission accomplished.

Now it’s a whole different story. Let’s look at what a typical California resident must go through in order to make this process happen today:

First of all, change the digital clocks on two microwaves and perhaps two ovens.

Each one works differently. Some of them you hit “clock” twice, others no. One has “AM” “PM,” others no. One oven screen says “hit ‘cancel’ button,” but there’s no “cancel” button. Woops! Another try starts one of the microwave carousels turning.

Of course, we could figure out the differences among these units by digging out various owner’s manuals that reside in a number of hiding places. But trial and error seems quicker. Eventually, this approach works but not without several failures.

Moving to the digital phones, one must scroll through the menus and eventually find “time set.” More trial and error is required until the new time remains permanent.

Next, there’s a wall clock and perhaps two thermostats. They are easily done as compared to what has just taken place in the kitchen. Oh yes, there’s a fireplace mantel timepiece as well. Be sure to check the batteries. They can send a man to the moon but they can’t make a small storage cell that doesn’t leak acid and cause corrosion.

On to the master bedroom to change the digital alarm clock: It takes a flashlight to read the fine print on the side. Clicking a button moves the numerals too quickly. Now you must back up and try again.

There’s another clock on the office desk. Also, we can’t forget at least two watches.

But we’re not done yet. Heading to the garage, there may be a water softener that needs attention. It has another menu that makes no sense. Again, through trial and error, we find the time set solution. Bingo! Another one down.

Most of us have an automatic sprinkler timer. Find the menu, click, click and now an additional job is completed.

Probably at least two vehicles reside in the garage — each with a digital clock and each that works differently.

If it’s an older car, the task may be fairly simple — but a modern vehicle? Good luck!

We still may not be finished. After all, it is California and there is a good chance a pool timer needs to be changed as well. Don’t forget the garden and security lights.

There are always one or two items forgotten that will need to be corrected later.

Thank goodness the TVs , computers and cell phones automatically change on their own.

After a couple of hours, the job is finally completed — well, that is, just as long as you don’t own a second home. Now it’s almost the same process all over again.

I hope the state legislature gets the message and allows us to end this antiquated concept. We need to be free from two laborious and frustrating Sundays — just as Arizona has done for its residents.

And what are the chances of this nightmare finally ending? I hope I’m wrong, but I’d guess about the same chance as a major asteroid crashing into the earth’s surface within the next calendar year!