Plumbing Work

"Once upon a time there was a drain clog in an unnamed bathroom sink ... " that's how typical homeowner woes go. Well mine is unlike any other you may have ever heard - one which exacerbated the problem because of this monkey mind.

Got up on a Saturday morning with a firm resolve and a distant dream of watching the water smoothly drain out thru' the sink hole. Little did I anticipate the beast - namely PVC drain TRAP (Yes - pun intended).

Wanting to go about this business in a systematic manner, I thought maybe I should glance at a few illustrations of a well used Home Improvement reference. I swear - I tried exactly what it professed and soon enough I was staring at a broken PVC pipe sticking out of the toilet wall, the detached end in my hand.
It took me a while to absorb the shock as my mind was running up scenarios as fast as it could create 'em, some of it like hiring a plumber to do this and $$$ to be plunked literally down this drain hole.After an hour of raving and ranting, while trying to maintain an outward calm - I decided to forget about the reference and study this trap. Made a mental note of parts and off I went to Lowe's Home Improvement Store.

Next step involved tons of thinking in front of plumbing aisle #16. PVC Pipes, my dear friends, come in all shapes and sizes, not unlike us humans. But mind you, all sizes don't fit all - this is obviously obvious, but you appreciate this fact more when your mental state is that of a baboon making high pitched noises. Finally after considerable phone calls back & forth between Aisle #16 & scene of the accident, I hoped that I had the right pieces to solve this puzzle. Met a bored plumbing specialist and tried to get his feedback. Have you ever noticed these "May I Help You" guys, when you ask them for help - their tendency to walk fast increases, so it wasn't easy getting a second opinion chasing a guy down aisle 16 thru 13.

Mentally satisfied and physically drained, I made my way through Saturday rush at check-out where lost fellow human beings with drain assembly paraphernalia were making a beeline to rush home and impress their better halves with their handiwork.

Long story short, rest of it was surprisingly straightforward. Things fit together without a hitch, little mental fuss, tons of encouragement from wifey, a smelly PVC cement and a sawing routine, things were looking up and ready to drain.

I invite those of you reading this to come and appreciate this piece of art under our bathroom sink. It'll mean so much!

Bollywood Movies

My mind has been regurgitating this topic in endless wonder. Every time I watch one, it leaves me with a sense of senselessness. I have reached following conclusions after years of being "The Public" as only a bollywood director would describe it:

1. Never watch movies as soon as they are released - Wait for Reviews from like minded folks.
2. Never judge a movie by it's impressive beginning - Wait to comprehend the plot (chances are there's none)
3. I am yet to see one without a heroine.
4. Never pause the movie for a break - Wait for opportunities presented by song sequences when our protagonist and his leading lady (who, by divine intervention) suddenly acquire melodious voices and start cooing around shrubs, trees, mountains, valleys, on grass and off late in streets of Switzerland, London, Paris or LA. Bollywood Director's clearly understand people and they carefully plan song sequences based on average bollywood bladder retention rate.
   
5. Never assume the movie will be over in 180 minutes, it may stretch - Wait for the sign which says "This is just the beginning" (Imagine reading that after watching it for 3.5 hrs) before getting up for good.
6. Never be surprised by a sense of De ja vu on watching scenes that remind you of having seen something similar. I assure you, It can't be from your past (if it is - it's time to wake up), so it must be from a hollywood movie. Bollywood Directors call this - "being inspired".

(PS: This one is a working progress or rather a snaopshot in time. I'll keep updating this space based on new discoveries from experiencing Bollywood movies or suggestions from fellow experience rs out there)

Winter: Just when you think ...

"Just when you think you are out, they pull you right back in ..." reminds you of summer which appears to disappear ever so often. I write this, watching icy sleet striking the window next to my cubicle, Its Mid-March, for god's sake ... enough already.
"Winter" has been predictably, unpredictable this year. Temperatures swung from low - lows to high - highs, and that affects people in unpredictable ways especially, someone from the tropics.
"When does it end? "
I remember saying that towards the end of summer last year. Bottomline, I have a low threshold for same old unlike some who flourish no matter what the season.
Hey! But I still love seasons when they begin i.e, its just the continuity that gets me.