At least there's not an R.O.U.S. colony down there, right?

[constance]

I've just done something that I not only promised myself I would never ever in one million years do but also did not actually think I could do, to wit: armed only with a staple gun, a flashlight, a roll of duct tape, and my sturdiest, least-favorite jeans, I entered the crawlspace under my house to fix an air conditioning duct which had come loose from its moorings (its moorings being, in this case, my bathroom floor register).

It wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be, under the house, although considering the fact that I expected nothing less than viper pits, cunningly-hidden nests of poisonous spiders, man-eating rats, and a death cult or two, that's not saying all that much.

But once I recovered from my shock at the relative safety of it all, I climbed and crawled over and under the spaghetti-mess of ductwork and the well-wrapped-and-preserved antique columns which I should probably sell on ebay, found the duct using my intimate knowledge of my house's configuration and also the increasing chill surrounding the area where the duct had fallen loose*, fit the duct back into place, and anchored it there; and now my bathroom and not my crawlspace will be blessedly cool, and I am so proud of myself for conquering my hideous, Poe-short-story-protagonist-level terror that I felt I must share it with someone. And now that my heart has stopped pounding and I've convinced myself that I could probably do it again if I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO, I ask: who if not you?

---------
* although truth be told, it was cool throughout the space, which would explain last month's shockingly high electric bill.

Comments

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!

You have jousted with the man-eating rats and hoist them on your petard. Yay!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

*raises tattered Jolly Roger in celebration*

[xanthophyllippa.livejournal.com]

I hate basements. Mine reminds me too much of the Chamber of Secrets.

I like your new layout, by the way.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Mine is more dirt than damp, so I was picturing something more like out of an Indiana Jones movie, but... yeah.

And thanks! I was afraid it'd be too bright, but the brightness is kind of thrilling me.

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

You are my hero! What a fabulous, take-charge thing to do. I think being the primary caregiver to a house is one of those "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" sort of situations, isn't it?

Much applause to you, and I agree with xanthophyllippa's assessment of your new layout. I wish I had placemats, summer jammies and a blank book to match it!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Yes, owning a house is Nietzschean in that way. Plus, I really like being able to do these things if I can, even if I have to conquer deep-seated terrors to do it!

Mmm, yes, pjs in this! I would definitely wear them if I had them. The pattern comes from a German site that sells vintage wallpapers (http://www.5qm.de/index2.html) (real ones, not computer ones), almost all of which are perfectly splendid and would make awesome textiles. I visit frequently in order to lust after them.

[gmth.livejournal.com]

Wow, you used duct tape on an actual duct! I didn't know you could do that!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! Yes, it is surprising but true.

[octoberstory.livejournal.com]

ahahahahaha

[bowdlerized.livejournal.com]

O tofty brave and resourceful! I am glad you were not eaten!

PS do you own the newish Richard Buckner album (Meadow)?

PPS what a nice layout!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I am also glad I was not eaten!

And :O NEW RICHARD BUCKNER. I haven't got it, I haven't heard it. Have you? Is is good as ever? *checks for samples*

[bowdlerized.livejournal.com]

Aha, I have it and will send it to you. I like it very well--it's somewhat less countrified and more produced than Bloomed, but I still like it. Maybe that's not quite an accurate description of the difference, on re-read, but you'll see soon enough!

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I've listened to samples -- can't wait! THANK YOU!!!!!

:D <3 :D <3 :D <3

[octoberstory.livejournal.com]

Tragically--and because fanfiction is the Rosetta Stone of cultural reference--the word "crawlspace" will forever evoke for me the cast of Gundam Wing rolling pantsless in the mud.

These are the days of our lives.

Congratulations on your completed mission.

♥

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I have never read a GW fic in my life, but this still made me giggle. *raises crack pipe to fandom*

[octoberstory.livejournal.com]

Oh, I recognize that crack pipe. It was the one I was sucking on when I wrote the fic about GW characters assfucking in a crawlspace.

*hangs head for...oh, ever*