Home Improvement

Mr. Pointy Sticks and I are, how shall I say, not so skillful when it comes to those little around-the-house projects that others seem to tackle with such ease and skill. No Bob Vila, us. But the computer room is finished and we have a blind to install. So far, putting up the brackets, there has been a minimum of blue language. Though we do seem to be pulling out every tool we own in order to get the screws in. I've counted three screw-drivers and two different little ratchety things. The ratchety things seem to be the best, at the moment. And why is it that one the drill bit you need is the one that doesn't seem to be nestled snugly in the little drill bit box?

I am hoping that the color of these shades...I think it was called Buttermilk...blends with the walls. It is a cool shade. Cordless. Just glides up and down and stops where you put it. That's the theory, anyway. Let's see how well it works in progress.

Now reporting from Blind Central...this is your host, Jim Slats, ably assisted by Fiona Venetian...we join the event in progress. We are checking the final leveling of the brackets. So far, so good, Fiona. The left-hand bracket seems to be putting up some fuss, perhaps because it's at that awkward age...I mean, angle...and thus hard to address with the screw-driver. The right-hand bracket seems to be nicely seated, however.


Oooh, Jim, yes, we can see that the right-hand bracket is pretty much right where it should be. We can also see that the lie here is somewhat problematic, what with the bulkhead right there. Do you know, Jim, has anyone smashed his or her head yet?


Why yes, Fiona, we did have a minor head-thump earlier in the proceedings but the participants now seem to have a firm grasp of the layout here and further head-thumping seems to have been skillfully avoided.

Ooooh, Jim, I think we're coming to the moment of truth here! Why, yes....yes.....


We have blinds!! We have achieved blindness!!!!!
(Resounding cheering from the assembled crowds. That is, me and Duncan.)