So It Begins - The Tale of The Lights and a Hearty Thank You

[said_scarlett]

So, in my ineffable wisdom I decided to hang some Christmas lights this afternoon. Outside of my door - my room has a door to the outside - is my little section of deck. It's not all that big, enough for maybe three people to comfortably sit on the patio table. It has a wrought iron railing and two gates; one that goes down to the dog run and one that goes to the rest of the deck.

I was gifted with a string of 100 white Christmas lights and thought to myself 'these will look lovely on out on my deck!'. I spend so much time out there, it should be all prettied up for Christmas. I armed myself with my box of lights and a cigarette, looking forward to the quick and pleasant task. Never did it enter my mind that hanging Christmas lights was difficult - thousands of people hang them every day!

I first encountered a problem when the lights came out of their box in one large clump. 'Oh dear' I said to myself, observing the tangled lump of green cord and clear bulbs. Immediately I sat to untangling them. Within minutes I feared that the tangle had won, for I was no neared to discovering the start of the string than I had been before. Each unraveling was mirrored further down, the string twisting and twining as I worked.

I fought on, and finally the tangle became a serpentine line of lights. Triumph! I said to myself. But oh no, my trials had only just begun. As I began to loop the string about my fence, I saw that it was too long to do so comfortably. No, I was forced to pull the entire string through before moving on. And still it tangled! Clumps merged into braids, dancing and twisting out of my reach. I cursed. I swore. I stomped my foot. I pit my will against the will of the lights and lo, I did manage a section of fence.

Then it was before me. The large post that cut through a portion of my fence. I couldn't wrap lights around it, it was too large! Steeling my will, I said a quick prayer to Indiana Jones and tossed the lights, whiplike, abut the post and hoped they gained purchase on the other side.

Triumph again! Yet, I was too soon in rejoicing. For as the lights made their journey, in mid air they took advantage of my inattention to merge and mate once more. Cursing more forcefully I cautiously moved down the steps to reach for the tangle.

After a good few minutes, I employed the use of my wand to shake the tangle free. Tired and frustrated, I was ready to give up. But no! I would not let them get the best of me. Onward I worked, uncoiling and wrapping until finally, finally the string was done!

It was only then that I noticed the large tangle in the middle that I had forgotten. Near pitching a fit now I retraced my steps, uncoiled the spiteful tangle, and stretched the string taut as I wound it about my fence.

I plugged in the lights. This was the moment of truth. I did not know if they would light or not, and yet.... they did. I was pleased, and retired to my room for a bit of a rest. It was then that a box was brought to me. 'Aha!' I exclaimed. 'Surely this must be more BPAL - I have three boxes I'm waiting for', I took the box and grinned, wondering what scents would delight my nose this time. Was it the package from kyiana? The mystery Imps sent down from Seattle? Or the second order from the lab itself? But then I saw that it was an unfamiliar box! 'Japanese Animation and Hobbies' it said. Sent overnight! Perplexed, I went at it with scissors and forced myself to contain my excitement. When the prize opened, I admit that I made a noise of joy.



And now the squeeing commences. Dude! Whoever got me the set of FMA figures, I love you to pieces. Thank you so much! There's no order thing, so I have no idea who you are, and if you want to remain anonymous that's fine, but please comment so I can gift you with fic or something. Because these are gorgeous, and they weren't even on my wishlist. Hell, I didn't even know they existed, and I can't find them through a search. Y

Comments

[ex-mikazuki336.livejournal.com]

Twasn't me, but that's so cool! You're lucky. :)

And.. your Christmas Light Adventure sounds like something I would do. XD

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

And you were one of the top two folks I'd narrowed it down to! *glomps* I'll have to post pictures, they are super cool little dudes. And dudette, in the case of Winry.

It was horrible and hilarious at the same time. But the lights are lit! (Are you going to be on tonight? I won't be back until 9 my time.)

[ex-mikazuki336.livejournal.com]

LOL at your icon. *licks Lust* I got some Xmas icons too.. *uses one* Though I'm not talented enough to make my own!

Yeah, I wanna see! I've been seeing some around Ebay and stuff, and wonder what yours are like..

Hehe. Well.. I think I will be then. Not for a terribly long time, but.. I should be. :)

[diea.livejournal.com]

See, you are such a good story teller!

I would however suggest that in future you plug in the lights before you string them to make sure they work. It's good to know ahead of time that all that effort won't be wasted.