NO - not THOSE appliances - good gawd, people. I'm talking about the oven, the washing machine, and that toaster bitch.
If you remember the initial trauma back in September, you know there's a certain amount finesse that must be applied to living in these old buildings using new-fangled items that draw much power. Since the 'attack of the Italian washing machine,' I've since not only made peace with laundry day, but look forward to it.
NOTE 1: If you are not familiar with the washing machine situation, I've supplied a link for getting "caught up" here - "There's Nothing to Fear but the Italian Washing Machine" If nothing else, it's my Dad's favorite, so he'd like you to read it.
I have new lavender laundry detergent, fabric softener (thank you T!), & well, clean clothes RULE. I've learned to ration, plan, calculate, and integrate formulas for washing items that I know will have to lay around the apartment for, literally, days before they dry in this weather. Remember not to wash ALL towels at once, and which sheets & jeans to keep on reserve. And oh the places I've learned to hang "things" so they will dry quicker.
NOTE 2: Apologies, neighbor - sunny days only - but "Hanky Panky" & "Victoria" (not a secret anymore, is it?) deserve 'extra' special care. But aren't they preeeeetty?
OK, so I've made peace with the washing machine. I've also found a place to plug in the toaster - after moving it around my apartment and not eating toast for months because I couldn't find an outlet to fit the plug. Then one day, I unplugged my washing machine, and was creatively rotating my lavender-scented sweats through the expedited drying process (otherwise known as laying them on the radiator, and turning them like marshmallows on a campfire so they cook evenly & thoroughly) - it hit me. Ahhh, you little bread-toasting vixen - THIS is where you can be plugged in. So I pulled said appliance down from the top of the fridge, plugged it in, dropped in some whole grain bread - nothing.
Popped up the bread, pushed the plunger down again. Damn, must be broken. Went to unplug it and realized that I had plugged the washing machine back in, thinking it was the toaster. The first time it was funny. Ha ha. Then there were the "toasted socks" or "clean bread" jokes. Funny funny ha ha. Then there was the 2nd, 3rd, and now 4th time - it's getting old. Not funny, just more bending over and around the sink (that's what I said) & mop buckets to get to the outlet - damned good thing I do yoga and am quite bendy - or I would have hurt myself (again), un-toasted bread, and dirty socks
NOTE 3: Must also be careful not to make toast after washing dishes. You see, dishes are placed to dry in the rack above the sink, causing water to drip down IN to the toaster. That would be a bad day. And I am the girl that doesn't dry the dishes here - I just reuse them (bowl, spoon, wine glass, coffee mug) later when they are dry.
Now - the oven. I don't know if it's some kind of convection thing, but my lamp (I have a "one light bulb allowed on at a time" rule here) is going through these dimming cycles as I roast vegetables. But here's what I DO know. It draws a hell of a lot of power - landlady said "Eez very expensive, but quick." OK, I smell smoke - be right back.
Damn, she wasn't kidding - that whole head of garlic I also roasted is perfection! As are the veggies - still not sure, however, where the smoke is coming from. Huh. That's new. But the lamp is happy again, so there ya go.
I wonder how long I have to wait before I can plug my computer back in. For the washing machine, there's this 12-hour suspension before doing a load of laundry. Sometimes I push my luck and wash clothes within 4 (!) hours - I know, I'm living on the edge. I'm a wild woman.
With respect to the oven, it will probably be safe to plug the computer back in when the smell of that roasted garlic leaves the apartment (or me), but only if not making toast - or washing sheets. Or during a full moon.
Either way, I wouldn't trade it for anything. And I still have 2 more weeks of goofing off before the next semester starts. Let's see what kind of trouble I get into in Venice this weekend, shall we?
If you remember the initial trauma back in September, you know there's a certain amount finesse that must be applied to living in these old buildings using new-fangled items that draw much power. Since the 'attack of the Italian washing machine,' I've since not only made peace with laundry day, but look forward to it.
NOTE 1: If you are not familiar with the washing machine situation, I've supplied a link for getting "caught up" here - "There's Nothing to Fear but the Italian Washing Machine" If nothing else, it's my Dad's favorite, so he'd like you to read it.
I have new lavender laundry detergent, fabric softener (thank you T!), & well, clean clothes RULE. I've learned to ration, plan, calculate, and integrate formulas for washing items that I know will have to lay around the apartment for, literally, days before they dry in this weather. Remember not to wash ALL towels at once, and which sheets & jeans to keep on reserve. And oh the places I've learned to hang "things" so they will dry quicker.NOTE 2: Apologies, neighbor - sunny days only - but "Hanky Panky" & "Victoria" (not a secret anymore, is it?) deserve 'extra' special care. But aren't they preeeeetty?
OK, so I've made peace with the washing machine. I've also found a place to plug in the toaster - after moving it around my apartment and not eating toast for months because I couldn't find an outlet to fit the plug. Then one day, I unplugged my washing machine, and was creatively rotating my lavender-scented sweats through the expedited drying process (otherwise known as laying them on the radiator, and turning them like marshmallows on a campfire so they cook evenly & thoroughly) - it hit me. Ahhh, you little bread-toasting vixen - THIS is where you can be plugged in. So I pulled said appliance down from the top of the fridge, plugged it in, dropped in some whole grain bread - nothing.
Popped up the bread, pushed the plunger down again. Damn, must be broken. Went to unplug it and realized that I had plugged the washing machine back in, thinking it was the toaster. The first time it was funny. Ha ha. Then there were the "toasted socks" or "clean bread" jokes. Funny funny ha ha. Then there was the 2nd, 3rd, and now 4th time - it's getting old. Not funny, just more bending over and around the sink (that's what I said) & mop buckets to get to the outlet - damned good thing I do yoga and am quite bendy - or I would have hurt myself (again), un-toasted bread, and dirty socks
NOTE 3: Must also be careful not to make toast after washing dishes. You see, dishes are placed to dry in the rack above the sink, causing water to drip down IN to the toaster. That would be a bad day. And I am the girl that doesn't dry the dishes here - I just reuse them (bowl, spoon, wine glass, coffee mug) later when they are dry.
Now - the oven. I don't know if it's some kind of convection thing, but my lamp (I have a "one light bulb allowed on at a time" rule here) is going through these dimming cycles as I roast vegetables. But here's what I DO know. It draws a hell of a lot of power - landlady said "Eez very expensive, but quick." OK, I smell smoke - be right back.
Damn, she wasn't kidding - that whole head of garlic I also roasted is perfection! As are the veggies - still not sure, however, where the smoke is coming from. Huh. That's new. But the lamp is happy again, so there ya go.
I wonder how long I have to wait before I can plug my computer back in. For the washing machine, there's this 12-hour suspension before doing a load of laundry. Sometimes I push my luck and wash clothes within 4 (!) hours - I know, I'm living on the edge. I'm a wild woman.
With respect to the oven, it will probably be safe to plug the computer back in when the smell of that roasted garlic leaves the apartment (or me), but only if not making toast - or washing sheets. Or during a full moon.
Either way, I wouldn't trade it for anything. And I still have 2 more weeks of goofing off before the next semester starts. Let's see what kind of trouble I get into in Venice this weekend, shall we?
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All entries are strictly observations from my point of view. This blog is not intended as professional commentary on travel, wine, food, or any other subjects I discuss - it is for entertainment, an online journal, for my friends, family, and anyone interested in my stories or journey in general.
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