Category: Alex vs. The World

Alex vs. the juice bar: BYO soy milk

Posted April 30, 2012 under Alex vs. The World

Juice bar sign: “Grab these smoothies with full cream milk, skim milk or soy milk.”

Me: “I’ll have a #12 with soy milk, please.”

Juice girl: “We don’t offer soy milk; only full cream or skim.”

Me: “You sure?  Your sign suggests otherwise.”

Juice girl: “No.  Only full cream or skim.”

Me: “…if I go to Coles and buy my own soy milk, will you make it with soy?”

Juice girl: “I have to check…yes, that’s okay.”

I go to Coles, purchase a carton of soy milk, then hand it to the juice girl.  My dream of a smoothie with soy milk—as advertised—was realised.  No discount for supplying my own ingredients.  (I did get the remainder of the milk back though.)

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Alex vs. DeLonghi: the caster wheel

Posted July 10, 2011 under Alex vs. The World

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 »

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Alex vs. The World: an introduction

Posted July 10, 2011 under Alex vs. The World

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 »

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