Origo

I've been trying to diagnose a sick washing machine. Something is dreadfully wrong with its circulatory system. I'm not sure whether the cost of a service call is warranted on a 10-year old machine, so I've been talking to Amana and looking up do-it-yourself washer repair web sites.

Something is dreadfully wrong with printed and online trouble-shooting instructions. They say things like, "If your washer shows symptoms of being unplugged, insert prongs of electrical cord in wall socket." And, "If the water faucets are turned off, turn them on and that may solve the problem of your washer not filling."

This does not help me at all! I need clear and detailed instructions on how to address problems like "Why do only 50% of the socks that go in come out?" and "Why does the washer shrink all my jeans during the holiday season??!!!"

I did something fun yesterday.

I built a ruin.

A basilica ruin.

A ruin so you can see inside where the columns are, and altar, and throne in the apse. And you don’t have the roof blocking your view. It’s more authentic as a ruin, anyway, since so many of the classic basilicas are in exactly that state.

But here’s the fun part. I built it on the computer and then ordered it from LEGO! Yeah, you can go to http://factory.lego.com/ and download the Lego Digital Designer. Then you can build whatever you want using digital bricks and accessories in a 3-D environment. When you’re finished you can turn your creation to all angles and take screen shots, with different backgrounds. AND you can order it online, and even customize the LEGO box that it comes in! Is that cool, or what?

Now I’m on pins and needles hoping my ruin will arrive before I need it for class in two weeks! Ahhh!

I’m ruined either way...