Talking to a friend today, and we do what we commonly do these days, lament our ages. It's a standard theme in middle age, and for this blog as well. Today, in particular, I was noting how responsible I've become in dealing with problems relative to how I dealt with them when I was younger. For instance:

Problem: Tree is tilting at precarious angle threatening house
Middle Age : $40 to county for removal permit, several hundred to tree service to remove
College: Liquor up friends, Take tree down like goalpost

Problem: Car making noise clearly indicating mechanical trouble
MA: Another several hundred to mechanic to repair
C: Turn radio up till noise is no longer distinguishable from backbeat

Problem: Dishwasher throws rod, makes noise like bird being sucked into jet engine
MA: You guessed it, several hun for new dishwasher
C: No real need for dishwasher as we ate with our hands & used pizza boxes & big gulp cups as tableware. If we had used it, it would have been as high powered bidet or mini-sauna or something inane like that.

Problem: Toilet continuously runs water
MA: Trip to hardware store, install tank repair kit, call plumber as you could sooner tune a violin on a tight rope than adjust your sensitive toilet, only $50 this time
C: Disable noisy toilet, defecate in yard

Problem: Car gets loose in turns & rain
MA: Leave several at tire retailer for 4 new ones
C: Pump tires full of more plugs than you could find at Men's Hair Club of America, fishtailing becomes your signature

Problem: Compressor & air handler on house blow at once
MA: This one's over a thou, plus another hun to shack up in a hotel for a night while it's getting done, oh & $20 to board the dog too
C: Your only appropiately clothed in the spring and fall, summers you're nude, winters you look like a Sherpa  ¶ 1:09 PM