Often I am so distant from the truth, my rambling just becomes embarrassing in the end.

I had Biology 204 homework, English 122 Homework, Geology 111 homework, and a Top level distribution test to study for this weekend.  But I am a Landlord, not a slum lord.  If your appliances don’t work.  I fix them or I replace them.  So on Saturday the dishwasher came in.  No dollies, no help, I am big enough to carry those things around.  They aren’t heavy.  I have done it five times before.  But this one.  This one would teach me the price of not getting all of the information.  I install it.  Electrical, check.  Water flow, check.  Water drain, check.  No leaks, looks good.  Mount it!  I am done! Or, was I.

Renter calls, “Error 24 flashing…”

I tear it out, check it, drain it… and say,

“Yeah, you have to limit the grease.  The centrifugal pump on the bottom of the dishwasher can’t handle the flow if it is full of food particles.”  Run it with the drain in the sink, it works.  I lecture some more… yeah, I am right this time.

It’s hooked up and running, wife says, “Wait, wait, another error.”

Pull it apart, check it.  “It’s the hose, its too long.  The pump can’t handle the distance, yeah that’s it.  I am a water professional, I know these things.  I am sure of it…”

Go and get the kids some food, its finally over…  need to get back to the homework.

“What?” my wife says in a sigh, answering her phone.  “Oh no…”

In the drive through at a burger joint, I ask my phone, “What is wrong with the dishwasher hooked into a garbage disposal?”  I read… it takes seconds.  I shout, “I am an idiot!”

Garbage disposals have a plastic button the size of a dime that you have to knock out.  I go, I knock it out.  “Done!”

“BIO 204 lets dance, you are going to be a handfull.  Prokaryotes… interesting…”  the phone rings.

“Oh no,” my wife says… “Water on the floor…”

“Tell them I will be there in 10 minutes…”

Unhook it, pull it out.  Drain line fell off of the unit… “Got it!”  Reinstall for the 7th time.  Run it.  Watch it.  “It works!”

I think about life.  How many times have I thought I understood something and spoke upon it as if I was some sort of an expert.  Good life lesson.  Transforming from landlord to student in under 10 hours, sounds about right.

Ready to learn and listen.  “What is this, the scientific method? Sounds interesting.”

Copyright © 2017 Zachary W. Gilbert