Entry for October 18, 2007

I started to put a baby gate up the other night. I was undeterred by my complete lack of experience and/or aptitude in joinery. You see, I am a man. And I have tools. Therefore I can do woodwork.
My efforts were not entirely successful. Unless your definition of the term "successful" encompasses includes not fitting the babygate, drilling several unnecessary holes in an otherwise perfect wall, and spending a lot of money on the largest rawl plugs that money can buy.
However, I am delighted to report that Alan B's First Law of DIY has yet again proved to be true.Every DIY job will take 4 times as long as you anticipate. Actually, the law may be a little optimistic, particularly if you include travel time to the local DIY shop to buy woodfiller and paint to patch up your botched efforts.
The gate is still not up. Here is a list of things I now need to employ to remedy the situation -
strap of wood
saw
workbench
very very long screws
screwdriver
spirit level
smaller screws
woodfiller
emulsion paint
primer
gloss paint
patience
woodwork classes
advice from father (reluctantly sought because it makes me feel less of a man)