Save the washing machine
Almost as noble as cause as “Save the Earth”, was for me today “Save the Washing Machine”. We have an Indesit WD104T, bought in Holland in February 2003, for the grand sum of 400 euro. Why, you ask, is all that detail important? First, Indesit machines are made in Turkey, not made to last. Second, the model number starting with 1 should tell you we bought the entry level model. Third, February 2003 is 4 1/2 years ago so the thing is hitting its mid-life crisis (according to this article and this one too, the average life span is around 10-11 years). Fourth, last but not least, 400 euro for a washing machine that includes a condense dryer is a good deal in most any book. Or dirt cheap, depending on how you look at it.
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All-Star break
Every season has a sport, and right now it’s baseball season. This past week was the “all-star break”, where regular games are temporarily suspended and the best players from each team compete against each other. It seems, according to the announcers of the baseball game I’m watching now, that the all-star break can have all kinds of repercussions. Players get “out of rhythm”, their workout schedule is perhaps interrupted, it takes a bit of time to get “back in the groove”.
Give me a break - these are professional baseball players, not Little League sluggers. For once, let’s not start to make up reasons why the New York Mets pitcher just let the Cincinnati Reds score 4 runs in the first inning. For once, let’s not over-analyze poor performance by attributing it to a myriad of psychological reasons. The Mets pitcher has 4 wins straight and has a list of great stats - isn’t it just human not to be 100% consistent? No wonder kids grow up thinking that there’s something working against them when they have off days or something doesn’t go perfectly - they’re taught that there must be some sort of reason beyond their control or in their environment that could explain it.
I say, next time I’m tempted to think up an “all-star break” of an excuse for having a rough time at something, I’ll stop and remember I’m only human.