the hot place HAS frozen over

[sergebroom]

After I spent most of Monday and Tuesday trying to generate the Project from Hell's last data view and failing again and again and again even though it had always performed flawlessly until then, I asked our users if that last view was really necessary. "No," I was told. Then one of the other programmers got around to answering my pleas for help and told me that what had been causing the problem was another project. On the bright side, the Project's data is now frozen and shan't be changed anymore, what with its replacement having been activated. On the not-so-bright side, I felt like a complete moron for two days.

Then I remind myself of the bucket-sized flood I unleashed upon the kitchen when I disconnected the fridge's water line and how, in spite of that, I proved myself not to be a total idiot after all. Based on what did I decide to rate myself as maybe a partial idiot? Some water kept seeping out of the wall valve even after I shut if off. I couldn't simply but a bucket under the valve because the floor's upcoming resurfacing meant that nothing could lie on it. And none of the nearby hardware stores had 'female' valve caps of the correct size. Problems, problems... What to do? I came up with a simple solution that I think Mister Scott (and my father) would have been proud of. Not only that, it involved baling wire. But no chewing gum.

Comments

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

You have been pretty busy. That looks like an interesting temporary solution.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

It did the job. On Monday, a plumber replaced the valve. He told my wife that the problem was that the Sears people who set up the fridge in November used the cheapest valve they could. Acquiring that knowledge cost us $134.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Eek!

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Yeah... So much for those who say that Knowledge wants to be free.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Knowledge may, but skill always has a price.

[kouredios.livejournal.com]

Sears just doesn't have the quality it once did, even with appliances (which used to be fairly reliable). So says my financial analyst of a partner, anyway...

Good MacGyvering on your part!

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Did you see that "priceless" commercial where Richard Dean Anderson reprised his MacGyver role? I think a tube sock was involved.

[kouredios.livejournal.com]

Yes! My brother (an engineer) has it embedded in his myspace. Heh.

[tania-c.livejournal.com]

Very nice - my homesteader genes are applauding. Glad to see you didn't have to get out the duct tape to deal with the situation.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

Thanks. My meager talents are nothing compared to Scottie's, or MacGyver's, or my dad's, but I was happy with myself.