Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. - Cyril Connolly
Monday, January 29, 2007
Lemony Wet Poodles
I'm "working from home today" because I had the upstairs carpets cleaned (the first floor is all hardwood), and had scheduled an electrician to finish the job of installing a new ceiling fan after multiple attempts by jwer and myself to do so last weekend had failed.
The electrician was a really amiable guy in his fifties. Dundalk's finest, and I mean that with a great deal of respect and sincerity. He had the light fixture in and working in no time - all for an ass raping $180. It's still not as tight to the ceiling as I would like, but I completely believe it's the drywall's fault at this point - not his, and there is absolutely no wobble to the fan whatsoever.
Anyway, as he's finishing the cup of coffee I gave him, and I'm writing the check, he's playing with the cats, and when he tears the invoice off the clipboard, he says - "these are MY babies - I'm a poodle guy!", and proceeds to show me his clipboard which is simply COVERED in thumbnails of little white toy poodles in various stages of cuteness - some wearing outfits. Trying to suppress a squeak of amusement and amazement, I asked "how many do you have?"
"Oh, there's just the three of them, but I take them everywhere!" - as proud as any Dad could be. Now understand, this is coming from a Dundalk electrician. Union grade, blue collar, Bawlmore at it's best and most honest. I loved him. He was just great.
Next up were the carpet cleaners, and for about the same amount of money, the carpets look amazing, and they were prompt and friendly. They used a special procedure since I have all wool Berber carpets, and although they look great, and there is a fresh lemony scent happening, there is also a decidedly wet dog component to the smell from the wool.
I never thought I'd read the phrase "ass raping" on here.