The mysteries of our condo

So it's really getting to the point at our condo where we're starting to think it's haunted or jinxed or something. Because basically everything doesn't work the first time around. Installations, paint, furniture, etc.,

I think that I mentionned the two sofas that couldn't be delivered. Then we ordered a microwave that wouldn't fit the right way. The red paint in our bathroom is still not completely red. We tried to hang up curtain rods by our upstairs window only to find that there was a good amount of concrete behind the wall that had to be drilled through (after messing up several screws). The curtain rod downstairs had problems as well. There was only wood just above the frame -- for about an inch. Thus, the bracket was pulled out of the all precariously. I had to buy some additional brackets to brace that better. This weekend we were hanging photos when one of the screws just wouldn't go any further into the wall. There's no concrete behind there. I tried to drill a pilot hole, but the freakin' drill bit broke off -- into the hole.

You're probably wondering why I was drilling and screwing in the first place. Well, thing is, I'm not a real big fan of those silly little picture hooks. I prefer to use drywall screws. As a matter of fact, there is a box of the things in my toolbox. Best damn things ever. Are the screws that came with the curtain rod breaking? Use drywall screws. Do you need to screw down a floor before carpeting or tiling it? Use drywall screws. They rule. It's simple.

I also managed to go for a 19-mile bike ride on Saturday to downtown Pittsburgh and back. It was fun riding across the bridges and such, but not so much fun stopping and waiting for traffic lights. Yes, I would normally go through them. But not the ones downtown. People are kind of stupid down there and sometimes it's hard to see traffic coming -- or there was traffic coming.

I managed about 30 mph down the long hill of Liberty Avenue. Not that fast. But the whole time I was thinking about how the Tour de France guys go 60 mph or more down hills and how much it would hurt if I fell. Besides, the roads here are considerably dodgier than in France.