MISSING: Easy Button

I completely get that life is a series of challenges in which we get to choose our course of action and our reaction. I like to think that my actions and reactions are typically within the "normal" range however, there are some times I can't help but throw up my hands with an I surrender.

The latest instance of this? While I was standing under the hot water pouring out of the shower while I was trying to warm up post workout via candle lit bathroom.

Yeah, let's back up a tad.

After greeting Nico & CO, Monday evening at the front door I realized that my normal dark entry way was rather light. Strange because it's that time of year when it's dark on my departure and arrival. I then heard beeping that meant only one thing- my alarm was acting funny. And yes, we all know how I love this alarm system. So I start exploring what's going on. Turns out that all my downstairs is powerless, apart from the flood light that triggers when the power dies.

Upstairs was fine and in all honesty, I had hours of cleaning in my poor neglected kitchen so that's where I focused my energy. I figured it was just a glitch so flipped switches but with no luck. I even called my resident engineer who specializes in ships, but you know, he's my helpful go to in cases of uh oh to confirm I thought of everything.

Exhausted, sore, and already stressed out about everything that was coming together in a day's time for work I found several (okay, a lot) of candles and illuminated my bedroom just enough to avoid stepping on a cat or tripping on a stray shoe. Hey, I called someone. He couldn't assist, but I was in no mood to play charades with my landlady, especially over something technical like that.

In the morning? Well, still nothing and it was actually darker since the battery charge was gone on the flood light. Getting clothes out of my rather dark closet in the morning made me thankful for my organization kick I was on last week- mainly to prevent injury. Fortunately the upstairs lights confirmed that I did in deed match and allowed me to apply makeup so that I didn't look like I was about to take stage.

When I got home I learned that my alarm system was dead. Apparently it too has a finite amount of stored energy. Feeling a tad more energized, or maybe still fearful that my house could be a target despite the lock/key change post car break in, I once again played electrician. This time with more luck as I realized that one of the circuits was popped.

SHOWTIME!
Knock, knock.
Si?
Ciao, questa Katerina. (Dressed in an "I <3 Nerds hoodie and the pink/purple awesome running capris I'll be running through Paris in)
(Door swings open) 'sera.
Non che luce en la prima pisa....er piano.
Non che luce? (Turning to her guest to say she'd be back in a second, she followed me back to my apt, right to where I had been previously flipping switches.) With no luck, but spotting one my visiting cats (oops) she said she'd call Fabio.

730ish rolls around and Fabio calls. His English is fabulous but as he's trying to explain what I need to do to the fuse box and unplug things, and flip off wall power supplies I was getting a tad frustrated walking back and forth between the storage closet and stumbling through dark rooms. After some time of failed trouble shooting and determining that there was an issue in the wall wiring, he asks if they can show up in the morning. Um, I'll be at work, how about tomorrow evening? Somehow despite assuring him that domani would be better, he said his father would be over to look at it soon. Are you sure? Don't you guys want to call it a day and eat dinner...it is 8 after all. Translation: I'm starving, need to prep a dish for the potluck, still am in gym clothes, and have a presentation I need to finalize.

Yeah, his dad showed up. His dad who speaks no English.

After troubleshooting, he determines that the motor that runs the outer shade in my room is burned out. How? I still have no idea. I almost always have that shade down so the neighbors don't get subjected to Katie-vision. Plus, the last time I messed with it was probably for my epic nap on Saturday. Power issues started Monday. When I asked Fabio over the phone if that sounded like the real reason, he said these things happen and then we arranged for the time the 3 guys could come back and fix it in the morning. Okay, great. I'm an American; I eat dinner before 9pm so please go home to your family before you turn into a roasted turkey before my very eyes.

So this morning I was up and running except for a few outlets...it's amazing how fabulous electricity is.  Cats were sequestered and the house was prepped for the repair guy parade.

They were here. I know that much.

How? Well it appears that half the shade is now missing all together (meaning I have no window covering to my bedroom) and they put the faceplate back on wrong in my room.

No phone call or text indicating it's taken care of. Or that they're waiting for a part. Or that they need to get back into the house later this week.

See? Italy isn't all fabulous food, amazing history, and traveling. Real life still happens. Don't believe me? Come stand out in the parking area and catch tonight's episode of Katie-vision where I walk around my bedroom in PJs, have cats running around my bed, and maybe even put away laundry.