Once Works Well was pure technology. Now it seeks merely to divert.
Pansy subjects - Verse! Opera! Domestic trivia! - are now commonplace.
The 300-word limit for posts is retained. The ego is enlarged

Wednesday 27 August 2008

One route to euphoria

Can’t pretend I know much about washing machines. The control on our Bosch offers odd options, at random and with inconsistent typography. For instance: Delicates, Wool and Cotton are self-explanatory but why is Easy Care labelled as if it were a further, related choice to these three? Jeans is listed in a different typeface but aren’t jeans made of cotton? And why is Intensive Stains related – typographically, at least – to Jeans?

I am not proud of this ignorance, the result of never having operated this device or its ancestors.

I offer this defence. When we were very poor a pool of water developed under our inexpensive Indesit. I disconnected the power, took the back off, discovered a burst pipe and replaced it. A year later it was evident water wasn’t making it into the drum. The pump was easily identifiable. I removed the front cover, found that one of the three rubber impeller blades had sheared off (someone – let’s not say who – had left a UScent1 piece in their jeans pocket), bought a new impeller, and installed it.

These days I get a man to do this sort of work. Which is a shame. These were very simple tasks, but never mind. Successful DIY repairs create a sense of euphoria, of being ahead of the game and of outwitting large interests. The experience is worth more than rubies. Material comfort is no substitute.

TECHNO-WONDER. Yesterday was my birthday (thanks for your good wishes Marja-Leena). This morning I checked my profile and Blogger has added another year to my listed age. Clever!