Alex Peters

My DeLonghi portable air conditioner was subjected to some “unnatural” forces during my previous move, and one of its caster wheels broke off.  A metal rod was protruding from the base of the unit as a result, risking damage to the floor (especially carpeting) underneath it.

Why is this a problem right now, in the middle of winter?  The unit also functions as a dehumidifier, which in this apartment is proving essential for getting washed clothes dry and stopping mould from growing on walls and windowsills.

The obvious solution: call up DeLonghi, order a replacement caster wheel and snap it on.  Estimated effort time required: 20 minutes.

Simple, right? More »

I feel like I spend an inordinate amount of time and effort getting simple things done sometimes, especially when those things require the involvement of some external entity.

• connecting a land-based phone line
• receiving my tax refund
• organising a gas connection
• receiving the correct amount of mobile data for what I’m paying
• organising repair of a broken vent in the kitchen
• replacing a broken caster wheel on a home appliance

These are just a few of the things that stand out in my mind as having required ridiculous amounts of work to action, sometimes still even to no avail.  And as I see more and more of my free time lost to such stupid things, I’m getting more and more frustrated. More »