luckykaa

Nothing seems to be working all of a sudden.

We went down to Sussex to see my parents. Traffic was pretty good. Roads were mostly clear. Then we got a flat!

Not a huge problem. From past experiences, I thought I was prepared. We have an actual spare. Only a space saver but it should get us the rest of the way. That was something I learned we needed last time. I also have a decent spanner because the electric tools they use make these very tight! So I got the nuts off, and... the wheel refused to move!

Fortunately a tyre repair van stopped next to us. They offered to get the tyre off for £50. Now, while I'm okay with this, it's a lot of money to pay someone to whack a wheel with a hammer! I mean I was happy to pay that to get moving again but it was a business transaction rather than the Christmas miracleflickums  seemed to think it was.

Oh well. We got moving and were at my parents place before midnight.

Next day we sought out a tyre repair place. Seems there's a tyre fixers flu going around. First place they couldn't help until Tuesday. So we tried Camden road tyres. Now this is a dodgy looking place. Looks like an abandoned petrol station and just has rough ground and lots of tyres. They offered us a used try for £30. Cheap but I really don't want to scrimp. Kwik Fit also seemed to be suffering from tyre fixers flu, having a staff of 2, but could fit us in the next day.

Asked what caused the problem - the tyre was worn on the inside. Kwik-fit suggested that the tracking needs to be looked at. They couldn't do it there and then but suggested we could book and get it done another time. Yeah. Not until January. Finally managed to get this sorted with Halfords. Some people think the big chains are rubbish but I prefer them for this routine type of stuff.

Flick had offered to forward some packages to a French woman. Turns out she actually wanted about a million dresses shipped! That took up about an hour!

We got back. We'd made a commitment to see my brother, so had to leave again almost immediatey. Decided we'd go to Brighton's Winter market.

Well, that was a bloody disappointment. There were a few places selling food and that was about it! After hunting for something to do we finally ended up in the library. On the plus side, we did get to the Rock and Soul cafe (previously Kensingtons). And I found a birthday present for my niece.

Got home. Dad was cooking for us. Except the cooker broke!

Went to watch The Polar Express. My parents' terrible DVD player stopped working half way through. Couldn't get it to work on my laptop either.

Was expecting a nice relaxed weekend catching up with friends and family. Instead we spent most of the time doing errands, and running around, and dealing with broken tech. I'm pooped!

Some time ago I realised we had a leak from the bathroom.

Insurance were absolutely bloody useless. Didn't seem interested in sending anyone round. Figured I could probably track down the leak myself. Invested in an endoscope type thing and after a lot of poking, worked out where the leak was coming from. It's the flush pipe. So it leaks each time I flush.

Insurance still wasn't going to deal with it (they might have done but the excess is quite high) but told us who they usually used so I called up the company. They sent round a plumber and the plumber confirmed that there was in deed a leak after I relayed where it was (via online chat with flickums ) Surprised he decided to use his phone. I feel it's a bit weird that I have better equipment than a professional.

So, apparently it needed a new cistern. Not 100% convinced but maybe I do. I'd have thought it was just a replacement pipe but whatever. Anyway, parts needed to be ordered. This was taking time. Fortunately Flick is working form home 3 days a week, so I asked them to come on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. After a ridiculous amount of time, they said they could send someone round on Thursday!

Flickums kindly rearranged work week to be in for the plumber, who eventually came. He was 90 minutes late. but these things happen. Anyway, he replaced the flush valve, and then flushed the loo (which is what causes the water to escape) and announced that he needed another part!

Then they rang me up and said they were waiting for a price for the new part!

I still can't work out what the plumber did here. Don't see any evidence of a replaced flush valve.

Anyway have demanded a refund, and will go to Wickes and fix the problem myself.

I recently installed a flickums in my flat! She's great! I just need space to put the accessories...

Most of last week has been spent finding space for stuff. DVDs are on shelves. Flickums' PS4 is installed. I have a rudimentary man cave (A place to sit and a TV and console). Things were starting to look good. Space was starting to appear. Boxes were starting to pile up (because we have another week until the recycling van comes along) but things were progressing nicely.

Then the bed collapsed. Problem is, it has a central support. The central support never really fitted that well anyway. And it probably came off. That meant there was not enough support for two people and the tasty roast dinners inside them. So, cue lots of grouching and complaining, and working ut what the hell to do. Under the bed is used for surplus storage. So there's more stuff to find space for until I get a new bed.

Am getting kind of irritated by the annoyances vcoming my way :(

It was agreed that I could work from home today.  I have a laptop now and it's easier without the distractions. 

So, I plugged in the USB key, took the machine up to my desk.  Realised I have no working wi-fi.  Took it down to [plug it into the network.  Found most of the USB key was no longer connected to the plug. 

A valiant attempt to solder a new cable failed.  Decided to take the day off and do some other stuff that I'd been meaning to do.  Mainly make a pair of shiny Flash Gordon trousers (attempt 2). This time, to reduce the amount of excessive stretching of the backing I used some poly cotton to line them.  If the backing stretches too much, the plastic comes unstuck. 

Tried the trick of using baking paper to sew with the shiny side out.  And this more or less worked.  The same cannot be said for the trick of lining to prevent the PVC coming unstuck.  PVC still came unstuck.  I think I made a mistake in using such a fine stitch length.  Maybe I should have a third try next on Sunday.  Will see. 

Have managed to mostly catch up with essential TV watching.  Which mainly consists of Grimm and once Upon a Time.  Interestingly different ways of handling similar concepts.  Grimm actually kinda reminds me of Demons, but with production values and possibly with less humour. 

My parents are on holiday at the moment. 

I received a phone call from a slightly panicked brother's gf.
"Hello.  Do you know where the stopcock is?  There's a burt water pipe and your parents house is flooding"
"Uhm...  I take it you've tried under the sink"
Angry voice from brother "YES!"
"Oh.  Erm... where the sink used to be?"
"Not there either"
"Shall I come and help?"
"That would be useful.  Yes please"

So I arrived.  Water was coming through the ceiling of the bathroom and the landing and probably the bedroom (I didn't dare look), and then going through to the living room and the kitchen.  My parents have an indoor swimming pool. 

After an extensive search I found the stop cock.  It felt like it hadn't been shifted since the place was built (1930-something).  Forced it off.  Water slowed down. 

That's the immediate problem solved.  Now there's roughly 100 gallons of water in the kitchen, wallpaper soaked, electrics not working (the breakers broke as the should do but I don't think they're going back on), and the fact that there's still no water when they get back.  I don't envy my dad's task of tracking down the pipe and fixing it. 

Remember - when going away on holiday, always turn off the water!

Now that's left me all stressed out and I need a cuppa.

How the hell did I tear my trousers?

This lunchtime I discovered that decent quality cotton trousrs can't be purchased in Next.  No suitable ones in Sainsbury's either.  Went for a pair of cheap vVn de Graaf trousers instead. 

Today I shall be luckykaa!  Lord of Lightining!

I have big spotlights in the ceiling.  I have a partition between the bedroom and the shower.  Basically just a rail for sliding doors.  The shower light failed.  Here are the steps I went through to change it.

The partition was put in after the shower so I couldn't extract the bulb.  I tried unscrewing the partition but it still didn't budge.  I had to go into the loft and dislodge the light fitting just to get the thing out.  I'm sure changing a frikken lightbulb shouldn't have been so hard.

So, because people whizz down the road at stupid speed, and I parked just a little too far from the edge without my wing mirrors folded in, I have yet more wing mirror damage... 

Mirror's fine.  Trim is damaged.  Need a new wing mirror cap. 

Wondering whether to go for these...  Not because I have any major desire for chrome mirrors.  Just that I expect this to be easier than getting the plain plastic ones and spraying them silver...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peugeot-206-Chrome-Side-Mirror-Cover-Trim_W0QQitemZ280381723487QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item41480d935f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

In shoe news, the new DMs came with a pair of yellow laces.  Yay!  Brightens up the relatively dull reddish colour. 

Update:
In shower news, the electrician came and couldn't do anything.  That means I'll need a new shower.  That means the electrician will have to get onto the landlord to work out what needs to be done, and that means I'm still having cold showers.  Bum!

Eek. 

Maybe I shouldn't have destruction tested my beanbag.  It's all fine until the test fails.  I now have a floor with many polystyrene balls on it and a semi-restitched bean bag. 

Seems to be the final edge that was the weak spot.  Strange.  I double stiched it. 

I was grilling some burgers.  I saw a light from the grill.  It was bright and it was yellow.

It was a sign!

A sign that my grill element is broken. 

Oh well.  Better call my landlord.