My Next Imaginary Profession

 Last week, my imaginary calling, or profession was to be MacGyver.  Well, Life moves on, and like a youngster, I dream of what I want to be when I grow up.  I have changed my mind due to unforeseen circumstances.  MacGyver came about by a real life experience, and today was no exception.  It started on Friday.  AS I went to go out and go to the bank, I clicked my clicker, and I did hear the clicks of my car doors unlocking.  Life is normal! 

  Or, so I thought.  thinking and looks both can be deceiving.  I got to the drivers side door, and without a thought, put my hand into the handle and went to open the door.  It stuck, and did not open.  Pulled my hand back in pain.  I had thought I broke my fingers.  My door was locked. I tried the clicker again, and same results, only this time I watched the button go up and down. And yet, door was still shut tight.

 Going old style, I inserted the key into the lock, and yest the same results. Manually, I went around the car, and each of the other 3 doors open as they should. Just not the cursed drivers door.  Grr. Well, I need to get in and on my way.  I attempted different entries into the car.  After many trials and errors, I found the easiest way for me to enter the car, is to climb into the car from back seat, and reaching my hand in against the drivers door, I hit the switch to recline the drivers seat fully, and then climb in over it.  As to exiting the car, I just would recline the seat, and crawl back and exit thru the rear drivers side door.  It is too cold to just leave window open and enter as a NASCAR driver. I called my Monro Pit crew, but the soonest they could get me in was on Sunday morning.  

  Rest of the weekend, I would open the back door, climb over the reclined seat and get into drivers position, and then would raise up the back of the seat to drive. When I got to my destination, I would recline the seat and contort to climb out of the back seat.  It was a sight to see.  I am starting to get used to it.  I must admit, it does bring some curious stares from people as they watch me.  

  Going back to when I made my call to my Pit Crew, They had told me that in order to work on the mechanism, they would have to remove the door panel, and I agreed that would be the best way.  But, to remove the door panel, they need the door open.  I said I knew that, and that was why I was calling them.  

  I arrived early for the appointment.  This is not a normal job that they perform, they had brought in an outsider who has experience.  That being said, with a Slim Jim, it still took over two hours to get the door open, and panel removed and parts in hand.  Here is where it is getting interesting.  N ow with part in hand, it will be my job to find a replacement. If I go to the dealer, and if they have the part, it will be more than an arm and a leg.  So, I am tasked with finding a replacement via an Auto Reclamation center.  Sounds much better than say Junk Yard, doesn't it?  

  Now you must be thinking, with the works removed from the door panel, how am I going to keep the door closed and latched.  American Ingenuity!  That's how.  No, It is not Duct Tape.  Not this time anyway....Yet. No, I have it lashed to the back door with a bungee cord.  To get in, I climb into front passenger seat, reach across, and unhook, then go and climb in normally. This will be my ingress and egress until I get the part. Below are a few photos.  If you look closely on last two photos, you can see the bungee cord in the upper left corner of the photos.

  For my brother Mike, does not the second from the bottom photo remind you of the "Thunder Chicken?" So, for this week, I want to be a NASCAR driver.  Look for me on a track near you soon!

MacGyver Lives On

 Last night, as evening is due to close, I went to the home library to do a little a little light reading and take a shower before calling it a night.  the time is 10:50 PM.  As I contemplate the world, and just relax a little, my phone goes off in the living room.  If you are familiar with my new phone, as it starts to ring with an incoming call, It also announces who is calling, if they are on my address list, or, at the very least, the number who is calling.

  As the number is being called off, I wonder what sort of trouble "Dalton" could be getting into this time. Wait, wait, it is not Dalton, it is Aunt Mary, and she is in trouble. I run naked from bathroom to living room to get the phone.  She is really in a jamb.  Her bathroom door is locked. She cannot make entry.  I hurry back, and get some clothes on before I go to investigate in person.

 I arrive and find Aunt Mary in her night gown awaiting my arrival.  She has her house keys in hand, but cannot unlock the door.  What suspense!  Hmm, what to do?  All I have for tools on me is my Swiss Army Knife on my belt. But, there are no blades for opening locked bathroom doors.  What would MacGyver do?  looking around to see what was on hand, I see I have my ball point pen in my shirt pocket.  An Inspiration! Eureka!  I got it!  Just as Mac would do, I disassemble the ink pen, take the spring off of the nib of the pen, and insert the pen insert nib first into the hole on the knob.  Feeling around, I feel it in the indent inside the knob, and with gentle pressure, I indent the spring while carefully turning the knob, and voila, the knob turns and we are IN!  Wahoo!  Proceeded next to unlock the door from inside and allow Aunt Mary to take care of business. Another case solved, and the damsel in distress is rescued.