pass the parcel
rethink the problem :-)
Montserrat bought and old light with branching arms that she wanted me to put in the kitchen. But, when I examined it more closely, the cover of the wire was broken in one place, but to replace the wire in each arm would be tricky (and tedious - even bloody annoying).
Luckily we had to have an electrician in to repair the oven. I asked him if it was worth messing about with the light, or just buying a safe new one. M obviously wanted to keep it and her charm no doubt helped persuade him to have a serious look at it and then to rewire it (a lot easier for him with his experience) for a very low price.
Then she wanted an antique mirror over the old fireplace. The first hole in the wall was a piece of cake - but then, wouldn't you know it, with the other hole I hit rock-hard stuff (there was a chimney). Perhaps a more powerful hammer drill would have done it.
But then I had a saving inspiration. Why place it in this corner facing another wall? Why not put it in the alcove above the computer, facing the window with a bit of a view reflected in it. To my relief M agreed it was a better idea and the fixing was much easier.
The view in the mirror:
Then she bought a crystal candle-holder and wanted me to reinforce a sloping shelf.
I had all the stuff to do it - but thought about it and I managed to persuade her that it would be MUCH better on the glass-topped table - luckily she agreed again (not always the case ! :-) ):
Somebody once said that they always employed lazy people, because they found the most efficient (if properly supervised) ways of doing things ;-) Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.
The good thing about such tasks is it gives one a good excuse to go out and buy tools. And she can't complain!
"But I need a ditch digger to unclog the kitchen sink. There might be a problem in the main plumbing line!"
My bother who lives in Florida has an extremely well-equipped shop--air conditioned, dust collection, well lit, surround sound, etc. etc. As he has carefully explained to his wife over the years, "if you don't buy quality tools, you cannot do quality work."
Of course, one of the reasons he can endulge his tool mania is because he builds a good building so his house costs roughly 10% to heat and cool compared to the neighborhood average. "Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"
Somebody once said that they always employed lazy people, because they found the most efficient (if properly supervised) ways of doing things ;-)
Oh oh! Somebody has discovered my "secret." Let's just say I am quite efficient.
There is a variation on this. In the early 1980s, I was researching the methods the Swedes were using to build energy-efficient housing. NOTHING remotely "hippie" about their methods--it was VERY sophisticated--lots of science and engineering of the first order. I was commenting on the sophistication and effort to one engineer who I had informed of my Swedish roots. He said with a twinkle in his eye, "You would be amazed at how much effort a Swedish man will go through to create a dwelling that keeps him warm enough so he can chase his naked partner from room to room--while requiring no trips out of doors and if possible, no expense."
"No," I responded, I "I probably would not be amazed at all. In fact, I consider that kind of behavior to be perfectly normal." "Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"
