Monday - May 17, 2010

hard work and free beer

So I’m at the job sight today, going at it on that befouled apartment. And my customer calls me on the cell. “Can you fix screens?” Sure thing m’am, whatever you need. “Good, do those two that are torn up. Do you think you could install that cooktop and get the other one out?” No worries. It takes a while, but I know how to do it. “Great! How about closet door tracks? All those sliding doors are really wobbly.” Yes indeed, I can fix those too! And so on and so forth. Now that she knows I’m Handy Andy and not just Squeegee Guy I’ve got another 2 days work, maybe 3. $250 a day? I’ll take it. And then the words I love to hear: “And anything else you find that needs doing, do it if you can.” Oooh, I love this customer. Seriously, she’s the greatest. I’ve had at least a dozen major recommendations from her, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that that mansion I did a couple years ago is ready for another window cleaning. That’s big money, and she’s the property manager for that. I have 3 more jobs lined up from her for some point soon, so that’s really nice too. At least 2 solid week’s work.

So I got most of the windows done today. I would have got them all done but I stopped to clean out the gutters. She wanted it done, and I had the big ladder there today.  And I had to clean the screens. They were foul.

People, clean your window screens. Do you know that dirty screens block twice as much light as clean ones? The dirt just loves to build up on them. Once a year minimum. Twice a year is better. Just take them down to the backyard, get out a scrub brush and a bucket of soapy water and a hose. Wet ‘em, soap ‘em, scrub ‘em. Both sides! Then spray clean. Both sides! Leave them in the sun to dry, or go over them with another junk towel. NOT paper towels, toilet paper, or any kind of fuzzy cloth. Worn out old towels (we always called them dog towels when I was growing up, and used them for drying the dog) work the best. If you don’t have a backyard or a garden hose, you can do most of them in the tub, especially if you have one of those shower wand thingies on the hose. But be warned: lay down several junk towels in the bottom and on the sides of the tub, because the metal framing of the screen can scratch the enamel on your tub!! ESPECIALLY the old style, raw aluminum ones. Over the years, the outer surface turns into aluminum oxide, which is nasty, rough, and very hard. Duh, they make sandpaper out of it!

So as I’m talking to her on my cell, walking around the apartment, she wants me to check in the closets for the window A/C units. “Look in the closet in the back bedroom. Is there an air conditioner in there?” No ... but there is a 12 pack of Budweiser!! “Beer in the closet? Get rid of it!” Yes m’am, your wish is my command! “Not now wise guy, take it home with you!” Oh, Ok. Geexz.

So I worked till dark while the beer was chilling in the fridge that I brought back from the edge of death to immaculate, like new condition. Packed up the Satrun and took them all home. Gosh, I haven’t ad a Bud in ... 15 years? So I drank one with dinner. Um, there’s no beer in that beer. Foam, yeah. Alcohol, some. But taste? Let’s just say it’s a really light lager. Really light. And people pay just as much for a watered down light version??? So I finished a couple, and then opened a nice caramel brown Leinenkugel 1888 Bock. Mmmm, now that’s a regular beer. But it wasn’t free.

Odds ‘n ends on the schedule for tomorrow. Will try to get a condo customer to switch days so I can make some money, otherwise it’s a day off. Too much shiz to do until noon, then summer bowling league starts in the evening. No point driving an hour to do another day for this apartment job, then only stay 3 hours then have to drive back. But she’s glad to have me when I can get there. Like I said, this woman is my all time favorite customer. And she tips!!

Posted by Drew458     on 05/17/2010 at 08:08 PM   
Filed Under: • work and the workplace •  
• Comments (3) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

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