Oct 17 2006
I’m HANDY
I admit it. I take a small amount of pride in being handy.
I like being able to deal with minor repairs. It actually has less to do with being handy and more to do with being independent and capable.
I would be more correct in saying that while I like being able to do minor repairs, I don’t necessarily enjoy doing them.
I have a small repertoire of skills.
I’ve spackled, sanded, grouted, masked, painted, primed.
I’ve installed a dimmer switch, a flapper valve.
I’ve sealed counters. Replaced window glass. Drilled. Orbital sanded. Hammered.
I know where the breaker is and when I lived in a house, I knew how to turn off the water and the gas.
I have tools. I have used them.
I’m handy.
One of my track lights finally went out. I hadn’t had to change one since I moved in.
I’m handy. I’ve dealt with track lights before. I attempt to unscrew the bulb. It resists and seems to be an integral part of the fixture.
I’m handy. I attempt to remove the track light unit. No release switch thingy like my other track light. I see this raised arrow that turns clockwise followed by the word, “Lock.” I deduce that I should turn the unit COUNTER clockwise to remove the light.
*&%^%$#!!
I’m teetering on a short ladder with my arms fully extended above me. I squint at the track light unit. Do I turn the ENTIRE base counter clockwise or something else?
%$##@@*@$!
It pops off. I’m now drenched in sweat, but I’M HANDY.
I head out to Hardware Superstore with the track light bulb model number in hand.
Not in stock.
Go to small neighborhood hardware store. In stock.
I’m handy!
Screw bulb in unit, flip light switch, teeter on short ladder, insert and twist the track light unit CLOCKwise.
Step down short ladder. Flip light switch back on.
No light emitting from new bulb.
Maybe the entire unit is bad?
Flip switch back off. Step back up short ladder, fully extend arms overhead and turn track unit COUNTER-clockwise.
I. Turn. The. Entire. Base. Counter. Clock. Wise.
*&%^%$#!!
………………………………
…………………………………………………
*&%^%$#!!%#@!&^
I’M FRRRIIIIKKKKKIN’ HANDY.
Guess I don’t need to install the dimmer switch now.
So, did you take the track lights with you? LOL!!!!
I read your latest post on my travels today. Sometimes I wonder, “What is Ms Q doing today?” I see you were swearing again … (long time ago). Somehow I just can’t picture that.
Happy weekend
Eric
Speedy!! I did swear more back then - I had my phases in life. I never swore a whole lot but I did try on effin’s (the REAL one) for size.
I can’t even recall how I got the track light to finally work - I think I had to have help from one of the maintenance guys in my building! But I did install 3 dimmer switches later on (I forgot all about this, been meaning to write about it, even took photos…)
Thanks for the well wishes. Gorgeous weather this morning and I’ve been somewhat productive this weekend - meaning, I got some chores done. Weekends are now for “catching up!” what with the new job being WORK and leaving so little time for LIFE. I hope you’re doing well, too!
I heard that you said one of the bad words again (J/K)
…. are the track lights still working?
This was one of the “similar posts” listed (linked) so I dropped in. I knew I was here before!!
OK, back to Hollydale I go ….. HUG for MsQ!!!!!!!!!!
CU,
Speedy
Speedy!! Thanks for the re-visit and the HUG! Yes, the track lights are still working and I haven’t written about them, but I also installed DIMMER SWITCHES. Hehehee!!