Light Fixtures
Since we moved into this house in 2000, my wife always hated the big fluorescent rectangle that serves as a standard kitchen light. About a year or so ago, she bought a new fixture that was "absolutely perfect" for the kitchen and requested that I hang it for her. There were many problems that ensued (along with a lot of teeth gnashing) and, once I finally got the damned thing hung, I swore I'd never put another one up there again.
You see, the junction box that the illegal immigrants who built this house used was placed about .5" too high into the ceiling, thus making it impossible to go buy a standard light fixture and use it. Oh no, you have to hack the universal mounting joint assembly by making sure you have .5" space between it and the junction box! It's great fun, especially when you have to use 3-4 hands and you only have 2.
Anyway, about 15 minutes after I put that fixture up, the wife was most displeased with its size. It turns out, that it was too small. Darn the luck.
For some foolish reason, I allowed her to talk me into replacing it again today. I must be a glutton for punishment. What is normally a 20-minute job for someone whose home was built by people who speak English turns into 1.5 hours of cursing, frustration, and a growing hatred for stupid people. This time, I had to wedge the universal mounting bracket on the outer edge of the hole cut into the drywall so the "easy-mount" screws (which are completely unadjustable, thanks!) could have enough clearance and the "stylish coverup" screw caps could do their job. Another thing I am completely dumbfounded by is WHY are there "stylish coverup" screw caps when the entire assembly is covered and hidden by a frosted glass bowl?
So, the fixture is in, but due to the wedge I had to create, the entire assembly is not able to be tightened down all the way, so if you reach up and jack with the light, it sways. Good times. We'll also get to use a wrench when it's time to change the bulbs!
