On Confounding Plumbing

So as promised here's something ridiculous for today's entry.



All bathtubs should have that little nubbin to pull!


I couldn't figure out how to take a shower this morning.

I'm serious.

I've had a shower stall for the last 9 years. At college: stall. Off-campus: men used the downstairs stall, lady roommates used the upstairs full bath. I haven't had to work a tub faucet in a decade, save for the occasional hotel and overnight stay at a friend's house.

Now, I'm not incompetent. Even with piping I've some modicum of perception. I got the water on. I got it warming. I found that little toggle that opens/closes the drain that never actually works.

I could not activate the shower head.

I tried everything short of voice activation which—this tub being rather old and quite obviously not Japanese due to the lack of LED lights and plethora of buttons—seemed excessive and foolish at the time.

So I went BA k to my old house with shaving supplies and tool a shower alone in the apartment before work. My Frosted Mini Wheats this morning tasted of shame and confusion.

After a few 'Likes' on a Facebook status about this, my roommate called me up from wherever she was to tell me that she figured it out yesterday.

You have to turn the water on and then TILT THE FAUCET UP.

What the flying French baguette is up with this? Who's the teeter-totter obsessed madman contractor you designed this feature? And what slapdash plumber jonesing for his fix agreed to install such a contraption!?

At least now I know, and knowing is half the battle.


The other half I think is "lather, rinse, repeat."