In Cold War movies, countless spies and diabolical governments worked tirelessly toward the downfall of the good ole U.S. of A. Little did they know there’s a much easier way to undermined the American mind and spirit. Yes nowadays, imported terror comes in the form of foreign-based instruction manuals for U.S. bound household goods. James Bond, Our Man Flint, and Maxwell Smart would have crumbled under the mental duress and pressure of swingset assembly.
Just last Saturday, I made my most foolish decision of 2008 by telling my pal Eric at the hardware store that I’d forgo the assembly charge of $10 and assemble my newly-minted imported wheelbarrow all by myself. I even taunted fate (and the skill set needed) by saying, “How hard could it be; it’s just a bucket with handles and a wheel.” He grinned with the self-satisfaction of a man who could visualize how my Saturday would be spent–choice words and tool tossing notwithstanding.
Upon its completion and in the photo above, you may see a shiny new garden tool, sporting fancy steel handles and a dashing red tire rim. As for me I don’t so much see a wheelbarrow, I see two and half hours of my life that I’ll never get back and an uncomfortable apology due one sage at the local True Value.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Renae // May 9, 2008 at 2:15 pm
It’s so true. I, for one, am very willing to pay to have something put together, and if the cost of assembly is to great than I probably can’t afford the item anyway.
Perhaps you should apologize to the True Value Sage in writing on your blog.
2 Renae // May 9, 2008 at 2:16 pm
That is unless you can figure out a way to verbally apologize on your blog, or apologize in pictures.
3 Tom // May 9, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I fear I must take the high road; look him in the eye and say, “I’m sorry, you were right.” Hopefully, I won’t faint. And then follow it up with bringing him a cup of coffee and croissant. (Luckily, there’s a bakery next door.)
4 Nicholas // May 15, 2008 at 8:58 pm
If I could go back in time, I’d pick up one of these:
http://gardeneryardener.blogspot.com/2006/03/load-dumper-wheelbarrow-great-concept.html
Instead of lifting and torquing out your back and arms you push down to let the wheels roll free and you’re off.
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