You know the drill. You wash clothes without a worry in the world. Then the dryer kacks. You call, and they are very nice to you at the service center.  They look at the schedule and give you the needed, but dreaded, time slot of opportunity.  And my call on Monday, gave me the "Friday, between 1-5pm," slot.  This is a tactic I believe made world famous by the cable company. Although as I remember their window was far wider.  At first, it was darn near picture window sized.  They've had to narrow it down since to avoid countless mutiny's of business.  Generally it's a 4 hour window, and you of course have to be home for the guy to show up.  And for the most part, that's fine. Overall my schedule allows that. There are some benefits to getting up at a million o'clock, doing the show with Sue Wilson on WQMX, and going home early.

But as understanding as I try to be, there is something I will never understand about the whole exercise.  I have never been the "One Guy."  You know, where they show up at 1 o'clock? "The One Guy!"  I long to be the one guy.   I mean someone is the one guy!  There supposedly is a charmed residence somewhere on that digital schedule where the repair man shows up at 1, does his thing, and by 1:30, life returns to normal, and One Guy is free to keep his tee time, work appiontments, or keep his blissful afternoon plans.  But over the years of repair people showing up, I am yet to be, the one guy.

To be honest, I don't really think the one guy even exists, I think he's as mythical as a winged Pegasus.  I think they just want you to think he exists!  And what exactly does it take to make yourself the one guy?  Maybe my technique is bad when I call.  I mean, I'm polite and respectful as I know those guys work hard.  I often wonder if there's some secret word, code, or phrase, like "The dove only flies at night....."...then they answer, "Yes, but he is flying into the wind at dawn."  I might try that approach next time.

But being fair, I have never been the Five Guy either.  You know, where the repair man shows at 5, and then finds the distaster of his - and your day?  Where the part breaks that never breaks? Then the poor guy stays until you are dishing dessert?  Today, I was the 2:50 guy.  More than halfway through the famed window, which is better than I expected.  I am usually about the 3:40 guy.  Long enough wait to make you look out your front window a lot, but not long enough to start huffing and puffing and lightly cussing. 

Dave called, and about 20 minutes later showed up with a smile and got me going.  And I am happy to report that I am drying a weeks worth of laundry, care free as we speak.  Today, I will proudly proclaim that I am the 2:50 guy, and I will wear that mantle with honor.  And luckily the streak is in tact, and I avoided being the five guy  - yet again.   I still have some daylight, and can catch a late afternoon movie for reviewing.

But sadly, yet again, one guy greatness has eluded me and is just out of my grasp.  And I can't help but think longingly about - one guy.  And wonder if he is  mocking us all knowing he was at the head of the line  - yet again, and was tidied up by 1:30.  

Darn you one guy......darn you!

Dryer on the DL.