Susan Anderson - Hands On: A MANual for Getting the Job Done

2014 by Susan Anderson

Photography 2014 by Susan Anderson

Published by Running Press,

A Member of the Perseus Books Group

All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2013945762

E-book ISBN 978-0-7624-5251-4

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Digit on the right indicates the number of this printing

Cover and interior design by Susan Van Horn

Edited by Jordana Tusman

Typography: Prohibition, Filmotype Lucky, Glypha, and Gotham

Credits for Shutterstock photography:
front cover, page 115: Nemeziya (sky); page 1: tuanyick (tape measure); page 2-3: Nemeziya (sky); page 91: Kesu (fire); page 95: Rimantas Abromas (woodgrain); page 103: Nemeziya (sky); pages 114, 128: urciser (landscape background); page 118: originalpunkt (fire); pages 126-127: Pavel Vakhrushev (sky and landscape)

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CONTENTS

HANDS ON. Those two little words conjure the image of a can-do guy, a delicious composite of Mr. Clean, the Brawny man, and your fantasy knight in shining Armor All. While some people dream of a man who writes poetry and others swoon for the irresistible allure of a hedge fund manager, youve always been more the type to imaginein quiet, solitary, extremely private momentsa man who really looks his best attired in a tool belt.

Just a tool belt.

Can we be frank? Theres no substitute for plain old-fashioned competence. While a star of the silver screen may dazzle with brooding good looks, you just cant know how sexy he really is until youve seen him performing with a cordless drill. The singer-songwriter is so sensitive, but he only knows how to use a six-stringed axe.

That guy whose mad skills in arbitrage won the day may look good in his power suit, but can he rock your circuit box? Need we discuss the untamed animal who wins his mate under a cascade of unimpeded shower flow? Its all about the plumbing, baby. Your mother may have wanted you to marry a doctor, but whats most important is a great pair of hands and all the right tools.

This book was lovingly crafted to remind you of all the ways that a hands-on man can make your world a little better, one page at a time. This volume is a feast for your eyes and a balm for your soul; a bit of spit-and-polish for your fantasies. We cant all have a hands-on guy in our lives, but we can dream, cant we?

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Things getting boring in the bedroom? A well-hung mirror will add excitement to your dcor, and make everything look bigger. Hang the mirror so it reflects an appealing view. Get a friend to help you find the best position.

POP QUIZ

A big stud is what youll want to find to hang your mirror. How do you find a stud?

[ A ] In the parking lot of Home Depot

[ B ] By purchasing an expensive gadget, e.g., stud finder

[ C ] Calling an expert to do it right

STUD: A seducer, a ladies man; a male animal that is kept for breeding; upright posts in the framework of a wall. Oh, lets get serious. Theres only one thing you want upright.

SIZE MATTERS: There are many tools available to do any job. The key is deciding which is the best tool to use. A good rule to follow is: Match the tool size to the job.

THE LOWDOWN: So you found your stud, but here is where size really does matter. Weigh yourself first, then step on the scale holding the mirror. Do a little math, and voil, you can buy hardware rated to the weight of the mirror. Purchase any other gear that you might need later. Does Home Depot carry handcuffs?