The Y Chromosome

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

This is really only tangentially related to doodles, although my little furry dood was the trigger for yesterday's exercise where I found myself reflecting that there is a certain body of knowledge that appears to be genetically linked in humans, riding in on the Y chromosome. There's stuff that it seems like guys are just born knowing! (I've heard guys say similar about us females too ... usually in relation to laundry, for some reason. *grin*)

 

So I was trying to assemble a utility cart for Lachlan's grooming tools yesterday, which meant trying to decipher instructions that seemed to assume a body of knowledge that I don't have. First the parts list, which clearly spelled out that there were 8 1.5" bolts and 8 3/4" bolts in the box. Hmmm. I see 16 1.5" bolts and 4 3/4" bolts. Eh? Is this a problem? I dunno.

 

Next I read "insert two 1.5" bolts, slide one small washer onto each bolt, and thread on one hex nut onto each bolt." Fine. Seems simple enough. But wait! There's two small washers on each bolt. Huh? What do I do with the second one?! Is this something I'm just supposed to know?  

 

I ended up popping down to the local hardware store, fortunately only about six blocks from the house, and asking one of the guys if I could borrow his Y chromosome for a few minutes, and could he please explain using little tiny words?. I'm so glad these guys have a sense of humor!

 

This last year has been a fun challenge, learning how to use power tools and do small projects on my own, projects mostly prompted by the resident critters, slowly gaining confidence and feeling able to plan and tackle larger projects. There are a few older grandpa-types who work at the aforementioned hardware store who are beginning to greet me by name and seem delighted to help me learn. I think I'll take 'em cookies or something soon to say "thanks for putting up with me." 

 

I don't think I'll tell them just yet that I'm measuring the laundry room this weekend with an eye for building a raised "dog tub" and setting up a proper grooming room.

 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good thinking!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

My personal take on the Y chromosome - it somehow prevents reading the instructions before commencing the project.  This is an enormous help since those having the Y chromosome do not know the instructions count incorrectly, give directions in backwards order, do not have the correct drawing with the words and so on.  Never the less, DH Y guy does most of the assembly, not because I can't, but because I haved learned that once I "can" do something, that job becomes mine forever - think laundry, cooking, gardening.  My worst mistake was in learning to cook well.  All of my friends who are only so-so cooks, get to eat out a lot.  My best call was my total inadequacy in "balancing" the pool chemicals - in spite of an advanced degree in chemistry - now we have a pool Y guy -teehee! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Building a computer surely takes an 2X, Y and then some.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

ROFL@blind pigmy goats!

 

Honestly, Laurie, I'll probably get my contractor involved with the tub thing. There's plumbing involved and lots of heavy lifting (and he's drop dead gorgeous, which doesn't hurt *grin*). Pretty sure that this one's way past my comfort zone, but it'll be fun to plan and watch and I'll take lots of notes and photos.

 

Full disclosure here: I'm probably missing an X as well!  Complete failure as a housewife. Today's a classic example of what I mean there: Okay, yeah, I can see that the kitchen floor needs sweeping and mopping, but I'm too busy playing with da boyz and building a computer for a friend to get around to it!

[Phoebe's Mom]

I seem to have more "Y" than my DH who is also usually found whining about missing parts or that the problem is it is not made in the USA when doing certain projects.  He will deny this, of couse, if he hears me telling you all.  His favorite way to 'help' me during a project is to call the contractor/handyman who has tons of "Y."  Interestingly, I am okay with that as it means infinitely less stress for all of us!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Hmmm - glad to know that I am not the only one who struggles.  This got me to laughing - the last time I tried to assemble something - a super cute thingy that the cat litter box is hidden in and then has a cat perch on top.  It looked so easy.  Well after 30 minutes I was sweating like a pig, my blood pressure was way up so I phoned into the company for help.  Even they admitted that the instructions were written by blind pigmy goats - lol.  Bake those cookies!!!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Unfortunately in our house my DH is also missing the Y chromosome....at least when it comes to these "handyman" types of things.  I have to leave the house when something needs assembly...too much stress for me.  The things that say "simple assembly required"....yes, even those.  It often takes hours and he usually insists there are "parts missing".  Believe me, it's not pretty.  Maybe he should bake some cookies and head for the local hardware store to see if he can borrow a "Y".

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have no Y that I know of but I haven't had my DNA tested : ) Yet I like to think there's nothing "they" can do that I can't unless it requires brute strength.

[Pat and Traveler]

I'm definitely minus the Y.  Directions for assembly or use of tools assumes some basic beginning knowledge that I don't possess.  Now if they'd color-code the parts, like--take one of the round yellow things and put it on the top (blue is the top) of the long green thing...THAT would be helpful.  :)

[Joyce & Wilson]

Forge on!!!  Those tools don't know if its a womens hands or a mans hands holding them!!  LOL