My Latest "Might As Well" or Half Inch Itis 2.0
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:32 pm
One of the innumerable issues my ex- had with me was her inability to understand why it took me longer to complete DIY projects than similar jobs done by professionals. Somehow it never penetrated her XX chromosomal brain that there is always the issue of proficiency; someone who does a task every day of their working life will inevitably do it quicker than someone who does such things only occasionally.
I think the real chromosomal difference in understanding wrapped around the wisdom of the concept of "might as well." All of you home repairmen know what I mean, "While I am up on top of this ladder/ have the tools out/ etc. I might as well fix this other problem that I've just noticed/ been meaning to get around to/ whatever," which saves Mobilization Time and Effort so a larger percentage of that work clothes time goes to actually working rather than preparing to work.
Isn't that how all of us with both X- and Y- chromosomes operate?
Anyway, awhile ago, while treating a large scale wart on one of my fingers, a ridge formed on one of my nails. When I tried to even out the ridge, the nail shattered and wouldn't grow back properly. I came to the conclusion that the only hope for that finger and nail was to have a fake nail put on top of it for not only aesthetic purposes, but also to protect the nail from further damage as it grew out. I also knew that the cheap, drugstore, glue-on variety wasn't going to do the job, so I was going to have to go to a nail salon.
Even for me, that was a distant bridge. By the time I decided to bite that bullet I had realized, no one's going to put on just one nail, I was going to have to go for all ten. In addition, I had back-to-back charity events, so I had all the reason in the world to dress up. When the manicurist asked if I would like to have my nails polished I said, 'Sure!' figuring that while I'm trying to look my best for the events, I might as well have shiny, bright red nails! When the expected job interviews got scheduled the following week I'd just use some nail polish remover and I would be good to go!
Cultural digression for the benefit of our friends across the Pond: Here in the states anymore, nearly all of the manicurists are South East Asians. Who invariably have thick accents and usually don't have a strong command of American English. (No, even more so than all of you in the UK.) So I didn't understanding that by "polish" they meant SHELLAC! Naturally when it came time to prepare for my interviews I found that the nail polish remover didn't even touch the stuff! I've had cars with less durable finishes! In desperation I pulled out that ultimate do all tool, my utility knife and started scraping!
In time, I removed all of that coating that would have done Ferrari proud and used the nail polish remover for mopping up operations.
In due course, about two weeks, it was time for a "fill." That is, an application of nail acrylic to fill in the noticeable gap between the artificial nail and the cuticle. "Did I want polish?" Because the weekend was upon us, "Yes!" but the removable stuff I had brought along not the impenetrable shellac. Because you never know when a job interview might pop up!
So far, so good. However, by the next time I needed a fill I had jury duty coming up so I had put the job hunt on hold. In addition, for the first time in my life, my nails were beginning to show some length. I've always bitten my nails and have never been able to quit for long. Until now. I don't think a great white shark could bite these acrylic babies! So, the inevitable question, "How long do you want the nails? And what shape?" After a momentary hesitation, I thought, "I might as well let them grow out, get them shaped and go for another coat of polish!"
After a grueling, two-week trial, it was mid-December and well into the Holiday Season so the fills included even more shaping and polishing! Maybe I should have taken a picture of the final result, because all good things must come to an end. Today I was due for another fill, the holidays are behind us so with no further excuses, it was time to get serious about the job hunt again and get the nails back to reason.
Even though their shorter and their natural colors, my nails still look great and when I drum them, they still deliver that great tattoo! so all's well.
Oh, I'll et some of you are wondering about the shattered nail. Through the clear coat and acrylic overlay, it looks like it's growing out nicely and about half of the broken off area has grown out to the current tip of nail. In a month or so I can say "Mission Accomplished!" Then I'll have decide whether or not to maintain the acrylics or go natural.
So, who else has a good, relevant "Might as well" story?
I think the real chromosomal difference in understanding wrapped around the wisdom of the concept of "might as well." All of you home repairmen know what I mean, "While I am up on top of this ladder/ have the tools out/ etc. I might as well fix this other problem that I've just noticed/ been meaning to get around to/ whatever," which saves Mobilization Time and Effort so a larger percentage of that work clothes time goes to actually working rather than preparing to work.
Isn't that how all of us with both X- and Y- chromosomes operate?
Anyway, awhile ago, while treating a large scale wart on one of my fingers, a ridge formed on one of my nails. When I tried to even out the ridge, the nail shattered and wouldn't grow back properly. I came to the conclusion that the only hope for that finger and nail was to have a fake nail put on top of it for not only aesthetic purposes, but also to protect the nail from further damage as it grew out. I also knew that the cheap, drugstore, glue-on variety wasn't going to do the job, so I was going to have to go to a nail salon.
Even for me, that was a distant bridge. By the time I decided to bite that bullet I had realized, no one's going to put on just one nail, I was going to have to go for all ten. In addition, I had back-to-back charity events, so I had all the reason in the world to dress up. When the manicurist asked if I would like to have my nails polished I said, 'Sure!' figuring that while I'm trying to look my best for the events, I might as well have shiny, bright red nails! When the expected job interviews got scheduled the following week I'd just use some nail polish remover and I would be good to go!
Cultural digression for the benefit of our friends across the Pond: Here in the states anymore, nearly all of the manicurists are South East Asians. Who invariably have thick accents and usually don't have a strong command of American English. (No, even more so than all of you in the UK.) So I didn't understanding that by "polish" they meant SHELLAC! Naturally when it came time to prepare for my interviews I found that the nail polish remover didn't even touch the stuff! I've had cars with less durable finishes! In desperation I pulled out that ultimate do all tool, my utility knife and started scraping!
In time, I removed all of that coating that would have done Ferrari proud and used the nail polish remover for mopping up operations.
In due course, about two weeks, it was time for a "fill." That is, an application of nail acrylic to fill in the noticeable gap between the artificial nail and the cuticle. "Did I want polish?" Because the weekend was upon us, "Yes!" but the removable stuff I had brought along not the impenetrable shellac. Because you never know when a job interview might pop up!
So far, so good. However, by the next time I needed a fill I had jury duty coming up so I had put the job hunt on hold. In addition, for the first time in my life, my nails were beginning to show some length. I've always bitten my nails and have never been able to quit for long. Until now. I don't think a great white shark could bite these acrylic babies! So, the inevitable question, "How long do you want the nails? And what shape?" After a momentary hesitation, I thought, "I might as well let them grow out, get them shaped and go for another coat of polish!"
After a grueling, two-week trial, it was mid-December and well into the Holiday Season so the fills included even more shaping and polishing! Maybe I should have taken a picture of the final result, because all good things must come to an end. Today I was due for another fill, the holidays are behind us so with no further excuses, it was time to get serious about the job hunt again and get the nails back to reason.
Even though their shorter and their natural colors, my nails still look great and when I drum them, they still deliver that great tattoo! so all's well.
Oh, I'll et some of you are wondering about the shattered nail. Through the clear coat and acrylic overlay, it looks like it's growing out nicely and about half of the broken off area has grown out to the current tip of nail. In a month or so I can say "Mission Accomplished!" Then I'll have decide whether or not to maintain the acrylics or go natural.
So, who else has a good, relevant "Might as well" story?