Quote: AndreaLynne @ October 20 2009, 3:01 AM BSTI don't want to sound braggy. That's not my intention.
Don't be silly, you never sound in the least bit braggy or boastful. 
Seriously, it's really impressive what you've faced up to and continue to deal with. It is, dare I say it, inspiring. 
Well, thanks Tim. I think it's pretty cool that you're potentially chucking one line of work for another.
Either cool or complete madness. Ask me in a year or so... 
Anyway, off to bed I must go. Night-night. 
Night-night Tim!
(Hayden is waving at the screen to you.)
Quote: Aaron @ October 20 2009, 2:17 AM BSTPlumbling, brick-laying, the internal combustion engine.
Ok, I exaggerate a little. But y'know, DIY type stuff.
As others have said, you are probably best served by getting professionals to do such jobs for you. However, finding a decent professional is a difficult task in itself, and here some assertiveness is useful (it's not manliness, you have no obligation to conform to a stereotype). The best situation to be in is that you are capable of doing the work yourself, so that you can tell when the tradespeople are taking the piss.
Quote: Aaron @ October 20 2009, 2:17 AM BSTI'm sure I was thinking of other things when I wrote the original post but don't recall what now.
Short term memory loss, eh? You're sounding more and more like Mark from Peep.
Quote: AndreaLynne @ October 20 2009, 3:01 AM BST
Now, years later, I'm actually comfortable in my knowledge that I'm a great mom, who doesn't have a great marriage or job, but who is raising kids that will one day be great adults. I'm a damned good writer and I'm willing change my whole personality type to make it work for me. It will most likely mean leaving a very clingy, needy extended family behind, but oh well. They need to grow up a little too.
Good for you.
You are very lucky with your kids. I always wanted at least three children (I always wanted to be a mum) but unfortunately it wasn't to be and I'm exptremely lucky to have just the one. 
I'm not a very good writer and still haven't found anything I am very good at. Hopefully I will before I'm 40, but haven't got long...
Quote: EllieJP @ October 16 2009, 5:24 PM BSTTell him he's got 6 months as you want to turn his room into a sewing room/games room/gym.
Note to self: Never stand as a 'character witness' in Ellie's defence.
Quote: Aaron @ October 20 2009, 2:17 AM BSTPlumbling, brick-laying, the internal combustion engine.
Ok, I exaggerate a little. But y'know, DIY type stuff. I'm sure I was thinking of other things when I wrote the original post but don't recall what now.
You can work out how to use any machine or electrical device in about three seconds, and you put a load of shelves up the other day.
What else is there to being a man, eh?
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 20 2009, 2:23 AM BSTOne of my only tips about becoming a fully grown-up adult male is that, when it comes to plumbing/DIY/car maintenance, unless you really have a passion or interest in learning to do this stuff yourself, then it's much better to admit defeat and get someone else to do it.
I'm not necessarily talking about the small stuff. Anyone can learn to paint a wall, change a spark plug etc. But the more involved/skilled stuff? I've learnt by experience that I would always rather earn the money doing something I enjoy/am good at, and then use that money to pay someone who knows how to do the job properly.
(The key flaw in my argument, of course, is that you have to find a way to earn the money to pay for this philosophy. But in the long run it's the best option.)
Well that's edging onto the problem; I've always been quite interested in electronics, and somewhat interested in woodwork/DIY/etc kind of stuff. Making things. That's why I do websites; because I'm making something. But I just don't have the mind for it. Can't remember anything.
Quote: Nogget @ October 20 2009, 6:33 AM BSTAs others have said, you are probably best served by getting professionals to do such jobs for you. However, finding a decent professional is a difficult task in itself, and here some assertiveness is useful (it's not manliness, you have no obligation to conform to a stereotype). The best situation to be in is that you are capable of doing the work yourself, so that you can tell when the tradespeople are taking the piss.
Yeah, I guess that's kind of what I mean. I'd like to be able to do small stuff like change a plug or ... well, y'know, stuff like that, but I wouldn't want to rewire a whole house myself. Just know enough to tell when tradesmen are, as you say, taking the piss.
Quote: Nogget @ October 20 2009, 6:33 AM BSTShort term memory loss, eh? You're sounding more and more like Mark from Peep.
I have an absolutely terrible memory. Really, really shocking. Prohibits me from doing or being anything more than 'ok' at/in pretty much everything I'm interested in.
Quote: zooo @ October 20 2009, 1:54 PM BSTYou can work out how to use any machine or electrical device in about three seconds, and you put a load of shelves up the other day.
What else is there to being a man, eh?
Lots!
Pff!
Quote: Aaron @ October 20 2009, 2:17 AM BSTYou say "I was independent", we see "I am jealous and alone".
I admit, I would have liked to have been molly coddled and had everything done for me... there's nothing like being lazy... but how would that have helped me?
Quote: Aaron @ October 20 2009, 4:02 PM BSTYeah, I guess that's kind of what I mean. I'd like to be able to do small stuff like change a plug or ... well, y'know, stuff like that, but I wouldn't want to rewire a whole house myself. Just know enough to tell when tradesmen are, as you say, taking the piss.
I'm not sure I understand how you are at once interested in electronics, but still unable to change a plug (although it does take more time and knowledge than some realise).
I have a system to identify decent tradespeople. Just get them to turn up to give a quote. I've found that many of them fail at that task, either by being ridiculously late, or acting in a bizarre or unprofessional manner. I've had guys give quotes in pencil for a £70,000 extension, others who leave their car running for the half hour they're with me (if they have that little regard for their own resources, they're not likely to take care of mine) and some who quote way too much, or way too little. Once they are eliminated, simply employ the single person who remains.
Quote: Nogget @ October 21 2009, 10:44 AM BST
I have a system to identify decent tradespeople. Just get them to turn up to give a quote. I've found that many of them fail at that task, either by being ridiculously late, or acting in a bizarre or unprofessional manner. I've had guys give quotes in pencil for a £70,000 extension, others who leave their car running for the half hour they're with me (if they have that little regard for their own resources, they're not likely to take care of mine) and some who quote way too much, or way too little. Once they are eliminated, simply employ the single person who remains.
Totally agree. I've had real problems with getting people in for some jobs. I can't believe so many don't even turn up to do a quote and why they don't just say no to begin with.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ October 21 2009, 10:52 AM BSTI've had real problems with getting people in for some jobs.
(Although with you, they're probably just plain scared.)
Also, you still have to tread carefully even when the tradesperson comes recommended by a mate. When everything goes wrong, you can't sue your mate.
