I've never even heard of the ASVAB.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. [link]

I'm not sure why they would make them take it, it's not like we have mandatory service in the States.

sara, they've been terrific so far. The initial claims guiy did carefully ask me and the responding plumber a lot of questions about what caused the flood. Once he was confident that it was a "result of a 'sudden' indident" and not a long-term pipe leak or something, it was a "no-brainer" claim. Whew!

I have a 1-year home warranty too, from the sale, and I need to call them and see if they'll cover the new toilet. That would be nice. I'd intended on replacing the toilet; just not this soon!

HOLY CRAP, SPARKY! I hope it happens and helps and everything! If anyone can bring Sassafras home, it's AC! He has magic blue eyes, glistening white teeth, a steel jawline and beautiful hair!!!

Naked bike riding, ditto.

We had a group of nude cyclists go through Madison this year. I kept wondering about chafing.

it's not like we have mandatory service in the States.

That is exactly why it seemed odd. Either college or the military for you...no other options exist. wtf?

Beware the ASVAB! I took it (I think everyone had to take it at my high school?) and apparently showed scary military aptitude because I was nearly at harrassment level of recruitment efforts. And I was a TOTAL pacifist peacenick Joan Baez-worshipper who told them that, again and again. And yet the recruiter would literally wait outside of our family's apartment door and FOLLOW me when I'd walk to school or the 7-11, pestering me to join.

Either college or the military for you...no other options exist. wtf?

Hell, here in Madison, they won't even allow recruiters into any of the high schools for career days or anything. I could just see the parents getting up in arms if the high schools made the kids take the ASVAB.

The warranty should. I'm keeping mine for a while. I feel like I've got my money's worth from it. Will be calling them to bleed the radiators and do a checkover this year, on account of the earthquake. Shaking an 80 year old brick house is just not a nice thing to do. Maybe I'll finally get the whole housefan working.

You know, my insurance might cover my ceiling...but I'll get quotes first, because it is probably below deductible. Besides, I want to hire someone who will let me watch, because I need to learn how to do this shit.

eta: my neighbors all have their own dedicated handymen. They aren't taking on more clients! We refer to them as the house-husbands. I had a handywoman, but she moved to the Eastern Shore.

Besides, I want to hire someone who will let me watch, because I need to learn how to do this shit.

I just bought three huge books by Black and Decker on do-it-yourself home repair because I had the same thought!

I can follow instructions, but given this house, and what my neighbors have warned me of, I need a hands-on demonstration. 1931 codes and/or this builders were different. But provided I can find someone familiar with this hood, I'm golden. We pretty much all have the same sort of issues. I really want Salvador, cause I've seen his work and he lives a few streets over, but he's not taking on new single homeowners clients right now. Bah!

My co-worker just had huge flood in her basement last week and can't get anyone in to fix it for weeks. All the contractors are booked to the gills after Irene and then last week's deluge. Suck! And this is, like, the 5th time her basement has flooded out badly all for different reasons.

Makes me feel very lucky as a homeowner.

sara, I can check with my contractor friends to see if they have any available time. (One is the one who did my kitchen/bathroom and the other just did a beautiful job on another friend's kitchen redo. Both are pros at working on older bmore homes.)

Remind me to stop arguing with stupid people on the internet. Bah.

I Just had to hide my accountant. Evidently he's a 9/11 conspiracy theorist. sigh.