Replaced a broken lock set for a top-hung aluminum glass window panel with a new unit that I bought from the local aluminum window and door vendor. Bought two pieces for RM4.00 a piece.
Never one to pass an opportunity to explore I took the opportunity to examine in detail how the fitting works by taking apart all the separate components and putting them back again before screwing the set down at its original location.
Using a standard size cross-head screw driver I was puzzled why despite using a lot of pressure and strength the screw driver kept on dislodging itself from the screw head when I turned the tool. When I examined the cross-head screws in detail I realised that I was using a wrong size screw driver for the work. After switching to a smaller cross-head screw driver was I able to secure the screw properly in position. It goes to show that you need the right tools in order to accomplish a given task with efficiency.
I found out that the screw at the back of the mounting unit controls the tension of the locking lever. If you want a tight fit of the lever turn the screw clockwise until it stops turning. If you prefer the lever to turn easily loosen the screw a bit by turning it anti-clockwise.
This was what happened to me at few times when my training partners came to know about my Aikido background.
With all inhibitions off I soon became the recipient of some no holds barred throws and pulls that sent me crashing to the hard pavement a few times.
Unbeknown to my training partners to Aikido people the floor is their most natural and friendly environment because they spend a good deal of their training time interacting with it, rolling and breaking fall, much like water is to the fish. I took all the throws good-naturedly and bounced back by rolling myself up to standup position from the pavement.
I don't think that they deliberately wanted to injure me. On the other hand confident that I would know how to take care of myself on the ground without getting hurt my presence gave my push hand partners the opportunity to try out how far they can go to unleash power.
A good training session indeed.
Instead of waiting for us to come home the contractor said that he had already taken it upon himself to repair the leaking roof while we were out. When I stood outside the gate to check it out I saw a shinny new piece of galvanised iron flashing being installed over some roofing tiles. He said he did the same to the rear portion of the roof.
Actually I intended to climb up to the roof with him. I wanted to understand the cause and the full extent of the leak. That was why we told him to wait until we got home from our hospital visit.
Now the only thing to do is to wait for the next rain to come. Hopefully no more leaking after three reparis have failed to stop the rain from leaking through the roof covering to the bedrooms below
It looked easy when the auto mechanic demonstrated to me step by step how to pry open the car floorboard carpeting to insert old newspapers underneath the fabric. In order to soak up the water collected in the wet carpet I have to do this everyday changing newspapers until all the residual water in the carpet dries out completely.
This morning when it was my turn to do the work it took me about an hour to remove plastic moldings, rubber door seal, pry open the carpet, remove the wet newspaper, insert new papers and reassemble all the components back to their previous state. I believe with more practice and experience I should be able to do the work faster and more efficiently.
As I knew water supply in my residential area has already been restored and anticipating water already circulating in the cold water plumbing system I turned on the kitchen taps immediately after I returned home from the day's outing only to be bitterly disappointed to see not a single drop of water flowing out of the taps.
My first thought was perhaps the air trapped in the plumbing system was obstructing the passage of water.
Then on inspecting the external water meter I found out that the problem was not due to air locks in the system but due to somebody turning off partially the stopcock valve, hence shutting down the water supply to the house.
My happiness was indescribable at the glorious sight of clean water gushing out from the faucet as soon as I unlocked the stopcock valve.
For many folks who take uninterrupted clean running water for granted, it takes a crisis such as water rationing to appreciate the fact that water that is fit for human consumption and survival is not only a very precious commodity, but more importantly it is also a non-replenishable resource in the planet.
Bought one each of a coffee and pandan flavored mantou from a pau vendor in the wet market.
Mantou is plain Chinese steamed buns/breads and not many people like them because of their rather bland taste as compared to the more savory vegetable and meat buns.
Maybe it is just me, but my preference for a simple and unpretentious lifestyle spills over to the kinds of food I eat as well. And usually simple foods are plain, insipid and lacking in zestful flavor, just like these ordinary looking steamed mantou buns.
With water rationing in full swing eating simple foods like steamed buns that does not require the use of lots of water for cooking and washing is the way to go.
Dry taps are here.
No running water for the next two days due to water rationing.
Now Resorting to the old but more ecological ways of washing dirty dishes and cutlery.
It is a two stage process.
First fill a basin with water and and detergent and then use the soapy solution to wash and rinse the utensils. After the first rinse is completed empty the basin of the dirty water and refill with clean water. Wash and rinse the utensils with the clean water for the second time and wipe them dry immediately.
Finally water rationing has come to Taman Puncak Jalil and it is scheduled to start this Fri.
To help the family manage the water supply disruptions I have marked down the two days without water supply on the "horse racing" calendar with the "X" character, in addition to storing drinking water in containers.
According to SYABAS's water rationing schedule under it's Stage 4 program Taman Puncak jalil is classified under Zone 4. Water supply will alternate between two days with no supply and two days with supply. On the dry days water disruption will occur from 9am to 4 pm the second day.
According to the schedule the water rationing exercise in Taman Puncak Jalil which starts on Fri 4 will cease on Wed 30.
Hopefully by the end of April the rains will have filled up the catchment areas so that uninterrupted water supply will be restored.
