My new job!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220245)
Walnut Creek, California
June 4, 2022 10:58am CST
I discovered a talent yesterday I did not know I had!
When the outside sink at the preschool got plugged up, and was also leaking, you can guess who was called in to fix it. Damn XY chromosomes.
I am good at restoring wood surfaces, and at carpentry in general, but I never considered myself to be a plumber.
Fortunately, the pipes beneath the sink were PVC, and they had joints that can be hand loosened and hand tightened.
I took everything apart, and tried to form a mental image of how it all went back together.
I cleaned out all of the pipes, and managed to get them back together. No more sand. No more incredible stench. No more leak.
What's sweet is that Isabella was in my lap during much of my work. It was a "teachable moment." I told her everything I was thinking, and everything that I was trying to do, as I removed, cleaned, and reattached the pipes.
I am going to have to research how much plumbers make. I also want to see how much Early Childhood Educators make in Scandinavia, where I hear that they understand the importance of the first few years, educationally speaking.
23 people like this
20 responses
@DaddyEvil (137636)
• United States
4 Jun 22
I'm glad you've finally found a marketable talent, pony. 
I'm sure you had a good time talking to a littlie while playing with the plumbing. 
I'm sure you had a good time talking to a littlie while playing with the plumbing. 2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47064)
• India
5 Jun 22
@DaddyEvil
Pony's skills plus education can earn him a lot in India!
But it's strange that he hardly visits India even though he is the Indian President!!
@TheHorse (220245)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun 22
@LadyDuck Did you know that I have a weird hobby? I like watching airplane crash videos and also videos of near crashes. It's not because I enjoy Schadenfreude. It's because I am fascinated by breakdowns in communication. I'll attach a video I like of a near disaster as a jet tried to land in Europe (Germany?) with a strong crosswind.
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
4 Jun 22
Lol on your last idea. Did they pay your anything for your plumbing skills?
How old is Isabella?
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
4 Jun 22
@TheHorse I'm sure you're right that plumbers make more. Back in the eighties to nineties I heard that they made forty bucks an hour. I'm sure they make more now
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181690)
• United States
4 Jun 22
You can add "plumber" to your resume. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220245)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun 22
@LindaOHio I just "get 'er done." I actually wrote a short story about wood rat removal (full of metaphor) and a book chapter about using a dying rat as a "therapeutic tool."
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
5 Jun 22
Yay, a new skill to add to the list. Your resume should be looking pretty interesting.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47064)
• India
5 Jun 22
Plumbing is a very important and essential work.
Here in India, norm is to get plumber from outside.
They are in good demand and even though they do not command very high salaries, they do have a big ego at times.
You did a commendable job.
I think the folks around you must have been quite elated.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47064)
• India
5 Jun 22
@TheHorse
Each one of us have their own special interest.
Mine is more into reading, analysing things and occasionally setting and organizing things, but at my own leisurely pace !
(In a way more reminiscent of previous decades!).
@rymebristol (1808)
• Philippines
5 Jun 22
that's one skill to add to your resume and it is really one of the best trades you can learn. good luck in your endeavor.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220245)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun 22
@paigea Yep. I did a bit of research yesterday. The pay varies widely, based so far as I could tell) largely on experience. I love the hugs I get, working with littlies, but I really do feel that the early years are important for social, emotional and cognitive development.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38709)
•
5 Jun 22
My Dad remodeled several houses in my younger years, bathrooms and kitchens. He used to say that plumbers might be pricey, but they were worth it--he did not relish some of the disgusting plumbing issues that come with owning a home, having a family, and as he said, he knew what he was doing so he could fix it all. He often said he wished when he learned all of that from his father that he would have skipped the plumbing lessons, LOL.
You went the extra mile and had a good teachable moment, as you stated. Good for you.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
5 Jun 22
Always good to check your options and also to teach outloud.
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Jun 22
I hope she retains everything you taught her so she can fix her own plumbing when necessary.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (139976)
• Roseburg, Oregon
5 Jun 22
That was good that you had a helper while you fixed the sink.
@RasmaSandra (80748)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Jun 22
Time to add plumbing to your list of jobs. This is what I found out.
How much do plumbers make an hour? Plumbers make an average of $15 to more than $45 per hour depending on various factors. Apprentices or entry-level plumbers make $15 to $20, while journeymen make $20 to $30 and masters can make $30 to over $45 per hour.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220245)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Jun 22
Thanks for the info. I make $35/hour at Guitar Center when I am teaching a student. But when I don't have a student, the salary is quite low. As a professor, I make close to $90 per classroom hour, but that's based on my fancy degree and my experience. And it does not take into account the hours I spend at home writing/tweaking lectures, grading papers, etc. Corporate lawyers make absurd amounts (I read Michael Cohen's book) but I was never tempted to go to law school.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
5 Jun 22
Isabella will follow in your footsteps, to become a plumber someday:) A little maintenance(I just learned this), tell them to put a cap full of liquid drain cleaner in the drain, once a month. This won't allow the problem to come back. Our drains no longer get plugged or stinky:)
