My Week That Was - October 10

This is going to be what?
10/3/2020 dwm photo

IKEA is known for it's assembly-required furniture and the labyrinth you negotiate to get from the front door to the exit.

When we visited one in August, I liked one of the chairs enough I ordered it, a POÄNG, which was enough of a name to cover the chair and ottoman/foot stool.  When I pressed the purchase button, it told me I'd have it September 22.

When that didn't happen, I waited a few days then made a call and was told it hadn't been picked up from warehouse.  On September 29, I received an email telling me to expect delivery October 2.

This time, it arrived in a large rectangular box, five feet long, six inches wide.  Inside were two more boxes with the pieces, hardware, an assembly tool, and pictures showing how to assemble.

The footstool was simple.  The chair (right) was more involved.

My main issue were the screws.  There are 14 (8 large and 6 small) screws.  The picture guide circled one type with an X through the other.  The back of the chair had 8 holes, so it seemed obvious the set of 8 screws were for it.  Nope.  The first screw went right in, but none of the 7 similar screws fit.  Finally, I tried one of the 6.  It worked!

Ta-da, and no pieces left over!
10/4/20 (dwm)

Just why this was happening, I have no clue.  I ended up using 2 of the 8 for one back brace and the rest of the 6 to install the other three.  I'm not sure why, it doesn't make sense, but it worked and it's solid.

I was sitting on the finished project a short time later.  I love it!  A few months ago I read something interesting about IKEA products.

Loyalty and satisfaction rates are high for the Swedish giant because the buyer puts it together, increasing their feeling of "ownership."  If it was fully-assembled on delivery, we wouldn't like it as much.

Yet, for me there was still the matter of whether it's any good.  Six days later, I really like it!

One of my many
Packer hats. (dwm)

However, I was concerned Monday night about the Packers and their prospects for a fourth straight win.  Atlanta seemed dangerous and needed a win; while Green Bay was missing their top two receivers; their best defensive lineman; and potentially overconfident with a perfect record.

But it was just game four; there are 12 more to go but by extending their winning streak, I think this team could be a bona fide contender.  The defense held the Falcons under 20 points; their best performance so far.

The next four games will be telling.  It resumes a week from tomorrow in Tampa, I can't wait.

Almost every job requires on-going instruction.  Most of the time, I pick up continuing education hours at meetings of professional organizations or conferences.  Now we have to earn them through webinars or Zoom calls.

Thursday I listened to and participated in 3 hours of class.  Most of the other students turned off their cameras.  I didn't at first, but as it seemed strange to have the camera on me if I took a drink or a bite to eat, so I turned it off.  To interact, we posted a message in the chat room.  Ah, 2020.

Progress on the voice front... I've auditioned for several jobs, this week I received feedback, "Good audition, the voice isn't a match."  It wasn't a job offer, but it was positive and I'll take it.

It's been a nice week of weather.  In October, it's a good idea to treasure every nice day in a diminishing supply.

May your next week be filled with great days.