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teddy_radiatorWhat a weekend! Man, this is the kind of stuff you just can't make up.
Our A/C croaked on Thursday evening. It had been struggling for a couple of days in the heat, and we thought it was just having problems keeping up - it's been brutally hot here in the South. Then, on Thursday, we realise that it was just not working. Sure enough, the fan on the outside unit was not turning - it was blowing hot air into the house.
It was 6pm, any repair service was either shut or on emergency hours; it was also the debut night of TheHubs™' play, The Explorer's Club, so he had to split. It was also the night before we had to be at Walmart at 4:30 AM for a major reset. Could I go to sleep? Uh, no. It was so hot you couldn't breathe. It was also the Friday that![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
helenarickman was coming up to spend the weekend.
We couldn't leave the Walmart job until it was done, and we knew no one in the HVAC business, and even if we did, it's Friday now, and weekends are emergency rates for HVAC. I was so upset - I just thought, poor Helena, being stuck in this hellish house all weekend. After that, she will never want to hear the name TeddyRadiator again.
We finally finished the job and came home around noon. On Facebook, a friend recommended an HVAC company and I called them. By now, the house is 89 degrees, and I'm feeling a little woozy, like I was going to be sick. The first thing the person at the HVAC business said was, "How did you hear about us?" I told her a friend had highly recommended them. Not only did she recognise my friend's name, but was empathetic and friendly. She sympathised, but said that they were totally swamped, and that it might be as late as Tuesday before anyone could come and work on it. Well, what can you do? Poor Helena was stuck in traffic, so I kept thinking, well, at least it might have cooled down by the time she arrives. In the meantime, we have local friends who volunteer fans, so we knew that would have to do.
The receptionist at HVAC co. called back around 5pm, and said the repairman was going to try and get there in the next hour or so, and to be sure and answer my phone, because if I didn't, he would think no one was home and move on to the next job.
Helena finally got here at around 7:30. No HVAC guy. By now, it's hotter inside my house than outdoors. But Helena has brought smiles and awesome pressies and boundless energy, and she renewed my flagging spirits.
We're just about go outside when HVAC guy calls and says he's on the way, and arrives 20 minutes later. This sweet-looking guy about my age says, "I know exactly what's wrong. It's a cheap and easy fix." Fifteen minutes later, Helena and I are sitting around drinking iced wine and she says, "You know, I think I feel the air getting cooler."
The HVAC guy, who turns out to be the owner of the company, comes in, checks the freon, checks the air levels, says everything is good, and charges me approximately 1/3 of what we were expecting to pay. Mr. Hagan, of Hagan Heating and Air, tells us that he still has one more stop before he can call it a day, bacause he 'can't stand the thoughts of someone having no a/c in this awful heat'. He's obviously tired and had a long, difficult, hellishly hot day, but he's still smiling and friendly and charmed the socks off both of us. He has earned his angel's wings.
And so has Helena. Friends, I have had a dear friend for a long time, but now I have a sister. She and I are exactly two days apart in age - hell, we even look a bit alike. We talked non-stop, had a ball doing a podcast, went to see TheHubs™' play and laughed our heads off, she took us out to eat TWICE, and we just laughed and set the world aright and told one another our favourite stories and fangurled and it was bliss. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was tell this fine woman goodbye. TheHubs™ and I both hated seeing her go.
But we have promised more visits, and we can't wait to see her again. Fandom gives you more than just a focal point to pin all your fantasies and dreams and interests on; it gives you soul sisters and friends that really 'see' you, and something to be grateful for long after the fandom's glory days fade and people move on to other interests and hobbies. It gives you your true tribe.
Our A/C croaked on Thursday evening. It had been struggling for a couple of days in the heat, and we thought it was just having problems keeping up - it's been brutally hot here in the South. Then, on Thursday, we realise that it was just not working. Sure enough, the fan on the outside unit was not turning - it was blowing hot air into the house.
It was 6pm, any repair service was either shut or on emergency hours; it was also the debut night of TheHubs™' play, The Explorer's Club, so he had to split. It was also the night before we had to be at Walmart at 4:30 AM for a major reset. Could I go to sleep? Uh, no. It was so hot you couldn't breathe. It was also the Friday that
helenarickman was coming up to spend the weekend.We couldn't leave the Walmart job until it was done, and we knew no one in the HVAC business, and even if we did, it's Friday now, and weekends are emergency rates for HVAC. I was so upset - I just thought, poor Helena, being stuck in this hellish house all weekend. After that, she will never want to hear the name TeddyRadiator again.
We finally finished the job and came home around noon. On Facebook, a friend recommended an HVAC company and I called them. By now, the house is 89 degrees, and I'm feeling a little woozy, like I was going to be sick. The first thing the person at the HVAC business said was, "How did you hear about us?" I told her a friend had highly recommended them. Not only did she recognise my friend's name, but was empathetic and friendly. She sympathised, but said that they were totally swamped, and that it might be as late as Tuesday before anyone could come and work on it. Well, what can you do? Poor Helena was stuck in traffic, so I kept thinking, well, at least it might have cooled down by the time she arrives. In the meantime, we have local friends who volunteer fans, so we knew that would have to do.
The receptionist at HVAC co. called back around 5pm, and said the repairman was going to try and get there in the next hour or so, and to be sure and answer my phone, because if I didn't, he would think no one was home and move on to the next job.
Helena finally got here at around 7:30. No HVAC guy. By now, it's hotter inside my house than outdoors. But Helena has brought smiles and awesome pressies and boundless energy, and she renewed my flagging spirits.
We're just about go outside when HVAC guy calls and says he's on the way, and arrives 20 minutes later. This sweet-looking guy about my age says, "I know exactly what's wrong. It's a cheap and easy fix." Fifteen minutes later, Helena and I are sitting around drinking iced wine and she says, "You know, I think I feel the air getting cooler."
The HVAC guy, who turns out to be the owner of the company, comes in, checks the freon, checks the air levels, says everything is good, and charges me approximately 1/3 of what we were expecting to pay. Mr. Hagan, of Hagan Heating and Air, tells us that he still has one more stop before he can call it a day, bacause he 'can't stand the thoughts of someone having no a/c in this awful heat'. He's obviously tired and had a long, difficult, hellishly hot day, but he's still smiling and friendly and charmed the socks off both of us. He has earned his angel's wings.
And so has Helena. Friends, I have had a dear friend for a long time, but now I have a sister. She and I are exactly two days apart in age - hell, we even look a bit alike. We talked non-stop, had a ball doing a podcast, went to see TheHubs™' play and laughed our heads off, she took us out to eat TWICE, and we just laughed and set the world aright and told one another our favourite stories and fangurled and it was bliss. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was tell this fine woman goodbye. TheHubs™ and I both hated seeing her go.
But we have promised more visits, and we can't wait to see her again. Fandom gives you more than just a focal point to pin all your fantasies and dreams and interests on; it gives you soul sisters and friends that really 'see' you, and something to be grateful for long after the fandom's glory days fade and people move on to other interests and hobbies. It gives you your true tribe.
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no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:15 am (UTC)Fandom really is awesome!
no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:23 am (UTC)I like what you said about this tribe, because I feel it strongly. I truly believe I could step off of the page into RL and find my missing sisters.
So glad the a/c got fixed. Seriously bless that man for making it happen.
Here's to more visits and your continued coolness (in all aspects!)
❤️
no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:42 am (UTC)And I am jealous of both of you, getting to hang out with each other. :) What fun! 💖💖💖
no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 01:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 02:03 am (UTC)And Mr. Hagan? God, wasn't he handsome!
Truth is, I was a little disappointed. I was fantasizing about going to the store, buying several large bags of ice, dumping them in your garden tub, filling it with water, and we would chill in there all night long. Functioning A/C makes life so vanilla.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 02:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 02:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 03:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 04:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 06:31 am (UTC)Yes, fandom has been very kind.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 10:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-06-20 04:23 pm (UTC)Bless Mr. Hagan for fixing your AC. If mine went on the fritz I'd have to go to a hotel or one of my kids homes. I swear, the older I get the less heat tolerant I get. Summer's hardly started and I'm already wishing for October to get here.
I hope your podcast wins the top prize! I'll make sure to listen to the one y'all just taped with Helena!
*lots of hugs*