* * * * *
The MEGA hardware store
After attending a disapointing meeting (I thought certain issues were going
to be discussed but they weren't) and lunch, I decided to head on over to
Home Depot. [1] Nearly all the light bulbs in the condo are burned out, and I
needed to repair my toilet.
I spend about half an hour preparing to go. Checked what bulbs I needed. Two
36" kitchen lights. Two 48" kitchen lights. Nine regular 60W bulbs. Four
decoration bulbs. One three way bulb. One colored bulb, yellow, preferrably
yellow. One halogen lamp, 300W, type J. Four bulb light unit for ceiling fan,
chrome. And one toilet flapper.
It used to be bookstores were dangerous territory for me. Now it seems to be
home improvement, office or art stores.
Rows upon rows of items that can be used for any number of nefarious reasons.
Wire. Screws. Pipes. Wood. Abstract styrofoam shapes. Pens. Pencils.
Protractors. Art pads. Sewing thread. Stuff. Stuff! STUFF!
Ahem.
I was both overwhelmed and underwhelmed by the selection of light bulbs at
Home Depot. Overwhelmed at the types of bulbs availble. Underwhelmed at the
selection of any one type. It seems that 36" kitchen lights are only 30W,
while the 48" ones are only 40W. I couldn't find a 60W yellow light bulb, so
I ended up with a 25W. Found plenty of 60W bulbs. And the three way bulb only
came in two different settings, 50/100/150 or 50/150/200 (or something like
that). I could not find the proper halogen bulb, but I really don't need one
quite yet.
Going through the ceiling fan section, I did find light units to replace the
one that's shorting out in the dining room, but it was brass, not chrome. I
guess chrome is out this year. And I really don't want to get a new ceiling
fan because I happen to like the one I have now, with the transparent fan
blades. So I still need a light unit.
And it took me a long time to find the flapper.
It was odd—I picked the correct isle but it took me a long time to actualy
find the flappers. I couldn't find them, found one or two that were almost,
but not quite right. I almost got a complete toilet repair kit ($7 to replace
all the components in the tank—seems pretty cheap to me) when I found a
partial toilet repair kit (about half the parts for about half the price)
when suddenly I found all the flappers I wanted. Even five-packs of flappers.
Flappers everywhere! And cheap. Only a buck.
Got out fast, not wanting to spend any more time or money there.
Got home, replaced all the light bulbs. I now have lightage. I then replaced
the flapper. I now have a quiet non-leaky toilet.
I'm happy.
For now.
[1]
http://www.homedepot.com/
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