A rather better day

Today was an improvement over yesterday - although almost anything would have been an improvement!  The air-conditioning was fixed by mid-morning, and cooler temperatures made life much more bearable.  To my surprise (and irritation), we learned that modern A/C motors are no longer the simple units of old.  Apparently one has to tell the supplier the type of unit (manufacturer, model, etc.) in which it'll be used, and it's then 'programmed' to work in that particular system.  I can see how making a single motor that can be programmed to work in 20 or 30 different units is easier from the factory's perspective, but it means one can't just walk in, buy the motor one wants, and take it out the door.  Now one has to provide the necessary information and wait two to three hours until the supplier can put it through the programming process - and pay rather more for the motor as a result.  I'm not sure this is an improvement from the user point of view.

I also picked up some shims from a hardware store.  Slid beneath the uprights of my bookcases, they tilt them backwards just enough to provide greater stability.  So far they look good, but I might still pursue the option of fastening them to the wall for greater security.  Since these are rented premises, I'd rather not do that, because it'll come out of our security deposit when we leave;  but it may be necessary.  We'll see.

Miss D. and I are now setting up our shared office space in the largest bedroom (we've taken the second-largest as our actual bedroom).  It'll have two desks, three computers, a laser printer, a scanner, and a treadmill at an upright desk so we can exercise as we work.  Internet access is a problem, though.  I'm using a T-Mobile internet hotspot, which isn't bad, but it's a lot slower than cable.  I'm trying to find a cable Internet service, but both Comcast and AT&T want a contract for one to two years.  We can't agree to that, because we may have to move for work reasons at short notice;  but the sales assistants to whom I've spoken so far all say they can't sell me a month-by-month service package.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get a decently fast Internet service on that basis in or near Nashville at an affordable price?  If so, please let us know in Comments.

A thunderstorm has just passed over, with lots of lightning, thunder and rain.  It's broken the oppressive heat and humidity that's plagued us for two days.  Things are much more comfortable now.

Peter