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October 03, 2005
Runner not Driller
I have no idea how to use power tools and I don’t have anyone else I can pawn this task off on. Can you picture me drilling into a wall?? I actually have a drill (x-mas gift from my parents) but I have no idea how to use it. I am supposed to select the “correct screw type for my walls” and then drill holes. 1) I have no idea what kind of walls I have. 2) Even if I did know I wouldn’t know the correct screw type 3) Once I manage to buy the right kind of screws (which will be accomplished by explaining the situation and apartment to the patient and kind staff at Home Depot) I have to somehow hold up this really heavy wall thing while drilling. Then I have to also drill holes for my other pictures. This is DEFINITELY a two person job. I am going to be calling in some favors to my friends. I just find it really annoying I can’t do it by myself. (PLUS, I don't care about decorating. At all. I am so not enthused for this project). I think in the year and few months I have lived by myself the only thing I needed help with was when my uncle installed my smoke detector b/c I didn’t have a drill yet. Everything else (which admittedly is not that impressive-at all) was all me. But what if I had just moved here? What if I had no friends or relatives here? I hate being dependent on other people! And I REALLY hate that I am going to have to drill. I feel like such a girl, but I have no interest in learning how to do this. Maybe it will be good for me. Is it horrible that I want a boyfriend just so he can help me hang things?
I was up until 2 AM last night b/c I napped in the afternoon. I set the alarm for 5:45 to go swimming before work-and then snoozed every 9 minutes for an hour and a half. I finally got up, collected my swimming stuff (the new plan was to swim after work), and went to my internship. Unfortunately, I got lost on the mile to work. I went on foot to continue letting my leg heal by avoiding the bike and I tried to take a back way. It wasn’t exactly a direct route. In the middle of the day I discovered that the pool I go to doesn’t have adult swim in the afternoon on Mondays. I could go to the MIT pool which is gorgeous-but it’s much further away. I don’t love swimming THAT much. I will do my knee exercises later. No napping. I am getting a great night of sleep tonight.
PS. The biking guy at work brought an old tire in to work to show me. I couldn’t believe it when he showed up at my desk with a tire! It is different b/c it doesn’t have air so you can’t really get flats. It’s about $25 and a little heavier than regular tires, but it’s good if you commute or are training. It’s not ideal for racing obviously b/c it’s heavier.
Posted by Audrey at October 3, 2005 06:33 PM
Comments
Your parents bought you a power drill?! That totally cracks me up for some reason . . . I just cannot picture you with a power drill :)
I am glad that you are resting your knee - you will be back running PRs in no time!
Posted by: bridget at October 3, 2005 09:22 PM
Uh, first rule when talking about power tools: tell us the brand and voltage (I'm assuming its cordless). For guys who like powertools this is very key. :)
And you don't need a full time boyfriend just to hang pictures, Audrey. You just need a guy who *wants* to be your boyfriend. They are alot more willing to do stuff for you. ;)
Too cool about the bike tire. Is it just solid rubber or foam or what?
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at October 4, 2005 07:13 AM
Your wall is probably drywall...in which case you don't need to drill the holes, you can just use the drill as a high powered screw driver and screw in dry wall screws. If it is a large picture that needs more than one screw to hang then you will need a level to make sure the screws are lined up correctly so your picture is not cock-eyed...unless you like cock-eyed then go for it without or try and guess at level using a straight edge and marking the correct locations with a light pencil. Oh also make sure there is no stud behind the place you intend to screw...oh that sounded kinky didn't it? You can do this with a stud finder...or by knocking.
If your wall is not drywall you will need the proper bit to drill in concrete or brick morter depending on what ya got.
That confusing enough for you? You can do it on your own though, you just need to know the wall type and the size and number of mount screws you need. If you know that then the PERSON at the hardware store can help you pick the right screw or screws and tell you which bit to use...you could even take the picture with you.
Good luck.
Posted by: Rob at October 4, 2005 11:01 AM