How The Sopranos saved my basement

Another close call...

I've been re-watching The Sopranos lately and enjoying it even more than the first time. I highly recommend it.

And then I got to the excellent first episode of the third season, where the FBI is trying to put a bug in Tony's basement. They notice on their surveillance footage that his water heater is draining brown liquid and is due to burst. They laugh about how it'll rupture in about 4 months but they naturally won't warn him. Sure enough, the thing blows, but early than expected, foiling the FBI's plans, as Tony's basement is flooded.

And that made me think about how the hot water in my shower lately hasn't been as hot as it used to be.... and how old our water heater was. Almost 20 years. So I put in a call to Direct Energy yesterday evening and already it's been replaced, less than 24 hours after my call... no charge.

When they were draining the old one, the "drain caulk" jammed and burst which meant they had to drain it manually. They also said that it was a good thing we called when we did, 'cos it was ready to blow any time.

So thanks to creator David Chase, and everyone working on The Sopranos to make it a thoroughly re-watchable experience... 'cos if I hadn't seen Tony's basement flooded, I probably would've ignored the water heater for months more, and then gone canoeing in the basement at some point.

SO... how's your hot water heater, huh?

A Close Call and more importantly, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

If we were parked in the spot directly in front of our house like we usually are, this huge tree branch would've landed on our car roof yesterday morning, like it did on the poor neighbour's car, instead of just bouncing of it to land in front of our car and not leaving a scratch on us. Lucky break for us.

And we've turned most of the branch into firewood for my Grandma. Waste not, want not. (I can already hear the 'ass-backwards into luck' comments from Koops)

But really, this is just an excuse to wish everyone a Happy New Year!