So, I went to Komeri, the home center that uses a cock as it's logo (why? I don't know) and purchased this new system. The faucet itself cost JPY 17,000 (about $153 at current exchange rates). I also decided to put on this $20 filtration system since I drink a lot of water and prefer it purified than straight from the tap, although I have been drinking it "tapped" for the entire time here.
The water runs smoothly, the faucet rotates well, and most importantly there is NO LEAKAGE. That is a good thing; a very good thing indeed. Now I can relax knowing that if the house is empty for a few days I won't come back to water everywhere. I seriously worried about this when I went to Canada, and the three dishtowels I had wrapped around the base were soaked when I returned three weeks later.
This is what it looks like now! I'll see if I can get the owner of the house to reimburse me; he is usually very good about that so I'm not particularly worried. And even if he says no, it's money well spent. Mission Accomplished! (and a Sunday killed).
Note the can of Kirin Beer in the background. Let me tell you a little bit about the mythical beast known in Japan as "kirin". It is an amazing animal, and one we can all admire for many reasons:
The kirin is a mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creature known throughout various East Asian cultures, and is said to appear in conjunction with the arrival of a sage. It is a good omen that brings serenity or prosperity. It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body.Although it looks fearsome, the kirin only punishes the wicked. It can walk on grass yet not trample the blades and it can also walk on water. Being a peaceful creature, its diet does not include flesh. It takes great care when it walks never to tread on any living thing, and it is said to appear only in areas ruled by a wise and benevolent leader (some say even if this area is only a house). It is normally gentle but can become fierce if a pure person is threatened by a sinner, spouting flames from its mouth and exercising other fearsome powers that vary from story to story.
Some stories state that the kirin is a sacred pet (or familiar) of the deities.
Japanese art tends to depict the kirin as more deer-like than in Chinese art. Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd. is named after the animal, and the word kirin has also come to be used in modern Japanese for a giraffe. It's depicted as a dragon shaped like a European-style unicorn, only with a horse's tail instead of a lion's.
Now THAT is a mythical creature your children would surely love!
I love you!
(back to my second beer...)
Cam
Uh oh... TWO beers???
ReplyDeleteSo much for Cammy...
Great job on installing the new faucet.
Can you come over to my place and help me with my bathroom?
the faucet is fine but i want to get a whole new sink/vanity cabinet. But that means i'll have to put a new faucet in.
We did it upstairs and it was a bitch to get in.
Not sure if i should attempt it again or hire it out... sigh... more money...
The "joys" of home ownership....
If i rented i could just call the landlord or the super.
If i ever marry again (HUGE if), it will be to a skilled tradesman.....
Anybody know any?
I'm a pretty good catch.
Um... I put holes in bathroom sinks. BIG ones...
ReplyDeleteNo ....
ReplyDeleteYou BREAK bathroom sinks...
in HALF...
right off the WALL...
TWICE now!
But they were pedestal sinks... mine is in a counter ... in a sturdy vanity cabinet.
Still.....
hmmmmm...
umm...
Never mind.
Jen - I'm sure I could come up with a way to accidentally break that sink if you just "lemme at her!!!!" for a little while.
ReplyDeleteI hate plumbing. LOL But it is done now. Relax and have another. Cheers
ReplyDelete'three cheers for cam'
ReplyDeleteyaaay me.
ReplyDeleteI remember Kirin. We used to be able to find it here in little "mini-kegs"... like a two-liter bottle with a tap on it. Good stuff, as I recall.
ReplyDeleteI hate plumbing... even when it goes well, it's an irritating endeavour... I've actually invented new swear words whilst lying on my back under a sink...
I really like this blog.... and the beer!
ReplyDeleteScott is in the process of replacing the bathroom faucet....
and toilet...
and.. sink.... not that it was broken or anything.
Thanks for popping in, Stefnee. These days I know how many pairs of CTs you go through, blowing out the soles as you are running ... what? 26hrs a day? So thanks for coming over here.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like this beer. As I said, it's probably the best of the mass produced ones in Japan. Suntory Malts is another good one.
Scott's working hard on being Mr. Home Handyman these days! I love it!
The sink? Broken? Why my dear, whatever are you referring to? I most certainly would have no inkling as to your third meaning.... nope. not one whit.
I love you.
P.S. Gang... as for the bathroom faucet and the toilet replacement... I'M INNOCENT! INNOCENT I TELL YOU!!!
Yeah, Gang...
ReplyDeleteHe just broke the sink... not the faucet.
Hehehehe... Doofus!
the faucet was gross... gold and out dated... so...
ReplyDeletegot a new one.