So, I am not sure how many people saw the TLC show. Most of the people at work didn't see it but that is probably mostly my fault for not reminding everybody.
Anyway this seems to be the week of broken things. Last Saturday, I had to open up Rachelle's video ipod and fix it. By opening it, I of course broke it a little bit more but it seems OK now. Then on Monday, I went to listen to my Ipod and it just stopped claiming low battery. I am hoping that it is just a battery problem because that is relatively easy to fix. It turns out that if you fix it through Apple, the battery replacement will cost something in the range of 60 dollars and a repair of anything else will cost somewhere in the range of 200 dollars. This, of course, is completely ridiculous. If you ever have an Ipod break, chances are you can fix it yourself. From Ebay or dealextreme.com, you can get Ipod batteries for something in the range of 5 to 10 dollars (and they even come with tools and instructions on how to replace them). In addition to that, you can get new screens, logic boards, front covers, scroll wheel components, and hard drives. In other words, every part of your Ipod can most likely be replaced by a part from Ebay. My Ipod turns out is a little bit different than most so I had to pay 11 dollars plust 1 dollar shipping for the battery and tools. I'll let you know how it goes when I try to fix it.
Today, Rachelle pointed out that the little flapper door on the ice dispenser from our fridge was having trouble closing. When I went to look at it right before leaving for work, the whole door just fell off. I was in a hurry, so I just stuffed a shirt in the hole and ran off for work. When I got back, I took it apart and found that a little plastic piece that holds the door on had broken off. I am attempting to epoxy it back on (I'll let you know how that goes) but I thought that if it didn't work, I could maybe order another part. I looked on Sears web site and actually found a technical drawing of the assembly but noticed that the part I needed is no longer manufactured by the orignal manufacturer and that there is no replacement part. As far as I can tell, it looks like I will have to figure out a way to fix the plastic piece or somehow secure the pin to the plastic. Bummer.
Still, I have to admit that fixing something is really fulfilling. I was excited when Rachelle's Ipod started working again. I was pretty sure that the act of opening it up and poking a screw driver in there almost garanteed it to destruction but by some miracle, it didn't. The funny thing is that I often can't seem to help but try to fix things when something is broken. Broken things really bug me and I get really figity when I feel like there is a chance that I might be able to fix it. I often (falsely) assume that since it is broken, I probably can't make it any worse. Unfortunately, I have definitely made things worse on multiple occasions. However, in this case it seems to have turned out alright.
I am just hoping that I will be able feel that same excitement for my Ipod and our ice dispenser. Fortunately, none of these things are vital but it sure would be nice if they were not broken.
3 comments:
This reminds me of my dad, who is also an engineer (works for LSI). When things broke while we were growing up, there was never even a thought about throwing them away! It was always, "Give it to Dad." :)
Good luck with the in-progress repairs!
I think that that fidgity feeling is something that we all got from mom. Maybe not Alicia, but definitely me, you, and Joel all have that irresistible urges to tinker. May all the appliances we "fix" be saved from a more gruesome fate.
Yay for Dad's with blogs...I think yours might be the first one I have come by..I think my husband would fall on the floor laughing if I mentioned him starting a blog :) Have a blessed weekend!
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