What is causing my electric problems?
Hit this with a voltage meter and everything was fine over time.  [More than willing to hear comments on possible troubleshooting.]

The outlet basically worked intermittently.  Even when it didn't work I was getting 120v continuously.  However while scoping the circuit I found the probably issue.  The wiring was ran down a wall and pulled up to the outlet.  When it was pulled up it was bent sharply across a nail.  

I simply took out that section of the circuit and replaced with copper. (without bending it across the nail)

It was really frustrating but interesting too because 99% of the time this situation is due to a loose connection and funny that a severely kinked cable can cause same issue.