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Thursday, 22 July 2004
Awnings and wind DON'T mix
I sometimes get frustrated when a task or job doesn't go my way. Not always. But it's usually when doing a very simple task. I chalk this up to genetics. My dad is a prime example.
I don't know where it comes from, but whenever my dad is doing something there's usually difficulty and injury involved. He used to bang the same spot on his head on the same side of the barn every day until he dug out the pen a little. And every single time, he swear, yell, and scream and threaten to take a chainsaw to the roof.
Fortunately for me, I've learned to control my temper much better than he ever will. However, it still gets away from me sometimes. Like when you're setting up an awning in the wind. By yourself. Awnings and wind don't mix. Especially when you're by yourself. At least for me they don't.
I was having a squad party at my place one day. Because it was fairly sunny and the yard wasn't really shaded, I thought it would be a good idea to set up the awning. I had purchase it at Zeller's for about $100. Not a bad deal. It's one of those one's that has a stand and is about 10' wide and 14' long. Once set up, there's about 12' of clearance underneath.
So, here I am. Beautiful, sunny day with a slight breeze. My dog and I are outside and I decide that I can set this thing up myself. It's not really difficult (join pole A and pole B, etc.). Wrong! The STUPID wind kept catching everything. Finally, I got the frame set up. Then came the task of putting the canvas on. Should be simple considering the frame is done, right? OF COURSE NOT!!! Why would it be simple?!
It's been about 2 hours. The awning takes a grand total of about 20 minutes to set up under NORMAL conditions. I'm so frustrated at this point, I'm swearing and yelling at the awning (Wonderful thought, yelling at an inanimate object. Like I'm going to hurt it's feelings.). But my stubborn streak will not allow me to give in. I must conquer the awning or die trying.
After another 30 minutes of swearing, I've had it. I'm so fed up at this point that I start launching poles through the air. My poor dog, in the meantime, figured I'd lost it and went to hide in the kennels. Poles, canvas, rope, and pegs went all over the yard.
I went into the house, had a beer and tried to calm down. It took me about 30 minutes before I would go outside to pick up the mess that I had made. Since then, I never set up the awning on my own. Too hazardous for the awning and my sanity.
B
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