Richard, I hear you on the electrical problems.

I work on electrical systems, so thankfully I know enough to not have to call an electrician most of the time.

Evidently we have similar gremlins popping about... (to anyone reading this, DO NOT try this at home unless you know what you're doing!)

I was sitting in the livingroom tonight trying to do my homework, and lost power in the back half of the house. So, got the boy, a flashlight and my tools to go see what was happening in the breaker panel. I heard an ever so faint infrequent popping (frying bacon) coming from the panel. I threw the main breaker, and pulled the panel face to find one of the neutral wires was loose in it's terminal socket, causing arcing between the wire and the panel frame. No bueno, that's the kind of issue which causes electrical fires.

Clipped it back to good wire, reconnected it, and all is well.

I am, however, going to miss my deadline on homework.