Idiomatic Expression

I managed to install the new light fixture in the master bath, while only slightly electrocuting myself (twice). I also tripped a breaker, but not during one of the mild electrocution.

Now I have a working light that turns on and off from a light switch in the master bathroom. All of the problems started when my original wiring job had the light on at all times. Who in their right mind runs the hot side on a black wire?

I just want to take a minute to bitch about Gypsum Board! Our new house was built in 1972 and most of the walls have been covered with wall paper for all of those 32 years, leaving the walls dry and brittle. The bathrooms are the worst as the builder didn’t bother to put a coat of primer on the walls prior to wallpapering.

I did a relatively good job in removing the wallpaper. I only damaged 5-10% of the dry wall (when you rip the outer layer of paper off it exposes the fibrous inner layer of the paper and you have to patch it prior to painting). I repaired this reasonably well with joint compound, considering this was my first experience with joint compound. The walls have been primed and painted giving me the illusion of steady forward progress.

What put me over the edge was the area over the door when removing the masking tape, a large chunk of paint along with the first layer of drywall paper came off. Upon further inspection the area where the tear started was in a suspiciously straight line. Apparently when installing the wall paper the builder used a razor knife to trim the wallpaper to size after it was on the wall, and at the same time scored the drywall underneath. Why oh why couldn’t the contractor cut the wallpaper to size prior to installing it on the wall?

Happily the damaged area is patched and primed; now I just need to apply a coat of paint.

It only set me back a couple of days, now I can prime and paint the trim and ceiling, install the new fixtures (vanity, mirror, and wall cabinet), replace the toilet, and keep my fingers crossed that I don’t F something else up in the process.