Breakdowndom
Don't you just hate it when everything breaks down just before Christmas, and you feel like "agh" because a) it costs money and b) you don't have time to deal with it because you're already spending your entire life trying to deal with the Pre Christmas Rush at work? Well, I do anyway.
And I know there are other things in the world more blogworthy that I should be moaning about, but I don't have the brainspace to think about them, so here is my list of breakages (in no particular order):
1) The car. Haaaaaa, of course it would be the car, because the car always breaks down just before Christmas every year. This year, not content with sustaining a dent after a youth* used it as - er - a trampoline, the car decided to have a puncture in its wheel too, which meant we had to drive around to no less than four garages this morning, before we found the one that was run by Tyre King, who knows everything there is to know about tyres. Then, while he was looking at it, we took the dog for a walk and almost got trampled by a herd of horses who ran at us (it's true... well, at least the dog almost got trampled). And now, we have to go back again tomorrow because Tyre King says blahhhhhh and blahhhhh and whatever, but mainly because it's the most complicated way of doing things.
*exhales*
2) The TV signal. Contrary to popular belief, living on a hill does not help you to get better TV signals, so tomorrow we are getting Sky TV**, because our electrician (who has been 11 times; we counted) said it's the only way we might actually see subtitles and proper TV channels and everything else that TVs are supposed to show.
3) My computer. Oh yes, siree. The Evil That Is V*sta has finally won the war and - er - done something. Sigh. So now my computer doesn't work without randomly switching itself off when I'm in the middle of the Pre Christmas Rush. Thank god for laptops, is all I can say, and that's strong coming from someone who hates laptops.
4) The dog.*** Who is now banned from under the bed for the rest of his life.
5) The cat. **** More catvice needed please, cat fans: how do you make a cat use his lovely new scratching pole thingy rather than scratching all of our doors and furniture to smithereens?
And that was my Broken Things Rant. Thank you and goodnight!
* - we think.
** - if you're interested in the special Dixons £75 deal and the website says it's sold out, don't be fooled because it isn't, and you can save a further 10% by putting in the code SKY10.
*** and **** - mainly just mentioned to annoy OPD, because she thinks I blog about the Harrys too much. And she is right!
Comments
I'm baffled at how it can take more than a day to change a tyre. It's a few minutes job. Tracking adds on another few minutes.
Or should I risk being sexist and comment if it's something to do with the garage taking advantage of the fact that it's just a woman's car and so can make extra money on it? :)
Vista - your cure - http://ubuntu.com
If you can make the effort to learn everything all over again with Vista...then you can with Ubuntu ;)
Posted by: JGJones | December 10, 2007 9:30 PM
No, Joe, you can't be sexist. Not here, anyway! Basically Tyre King didn't have the right tyres in stock... something I didn't mention before because it is extremely boring and I didn't think anyone would comment on it! And he is actually SAVING us money, but again, I can't be arsed to explain why... tyres aren't really blogworthy are they? Unless, of course, you're a man, and thus interested in trivial things like that :p
Posted by: j | December 10, 2007 9:42 PM
Put catnip on the pole.
Scream, shout, throw something at, kick (lightly) etc the cat everytime it tries to scratch anything else. Needs discipline. Obvs no animals are harmed in such a process.
Computer - it has to be still under warranty? Send it back? Otherwise do a clean install of Vista?
Posted by: Alison | December 10, 2007 10:33 PM
Wow, a very eventful week or so you have had! Hope all be OK soon.
Cat - use diversion tactics when you can see what it is doing and then take Harry to the pole and put his paws on it. Can only try! Cat nip mmm wonder how Harry will respond to that! We shall see!
Hope all is sorted soon.
Ce xxx
Posted by: Anonymous | December 11, 2007 10:13 AM
Yep, use catnip around the pole - the cats go bonkers over it! Trust me!
As for furniture - buy water pistol and every time Harry the cat go near where you don't want him to, spray bit of water on him to scare him off, keep doing it until he get the message!
Posted by: Vikki F | December 11, 2007 9:01 PM
if cat doesnt like cat nip then try his fave food on it like rub on it and then he walk pass and he will get a sniff of the smell and u know the rest!! Scratch will happen.....with me cat he hates catnip, we use tuna from tin or fresh prawns...
Posted by: claire | December 11, 2007 11:23 PM
Not known a cat not to like catnip. :)
Re scratching, its a way of a cat marking their territory. Could be having some issues with the dog! Its also a display of confidence or assertion if done in front of you.
Posted by: Alison | December 12, 2007 12:29 AM
Wow, many thanks for all of that advice! The cat has shown no interest in catnip so far, but we only tried to give him some catnip treats so will try the "other stuff", whatever it is. Don't fancy rubbing tuna on the pole, esp as it's in the living room (!!) LOL. Also tried Ce's tip of putting his paws on the pole... did not work! So catnip it is. Will keep youse posted...!
Posted by: j | December 12, 2007 9:12 AM
no no you got it wrong...it was 'how did you manage to link the lost ID's with Harries stories?', I love the 'Harry files' more please!
Posted by: opd | December 12, 2007 12:39 PM
Cat poles I find are useless..I think Harry is quite old and prob doesnt like to arc his back up too much. I use an old rug which is rolled up, so Ciara can scratch the underside of it (has to be roughish)without having to raise her front paws up. Hope Ive explained it ok.
Posted by: K | December 12, 2007 7:53 PM
Cat poles I find are useless..I think Harry is quite old and prob doesnt like to arc his back up too much. I use an old rug which is rolled up, so Ciara can scratch the underside of it (has to be roughish)without having to raise her front paws up. Hope Ive explained it ok. That may help?
Posted by: K | December 12, 2007 7:54 PM