Fri 18 August 2006 - Unaided flight
Memo to self (and anybody else listening): Only put rugs with rubber backing onto wooden floors.
They’re extremely slippery otherwise, as I discovered this morning, when getting ready for work. I was in a bit of a rush and attempted to run to go turn off the computer. I had shoes on, and my grip on the floor was no problem. Neither was my grip on the rug. But as I turned the corner on the rug, it became apparent that the rug’s grip on the floor was going to be an issue.
It flew out from under me. I (quite spectacularly I suspect) flew through the air, then went down, flat on the floor, landing with a resounding thump.
Sprawled on the floorboards, I ran an internal human diagnostic. All limbs present and operative. My teeth hadn’t quite hit the floor, and appeared intact. My lip may have made contact, and if it looks slightly fat today I wouldn’t be surprised.
So, I think it’s time to get rid of that ol’ slippery Ikea rug and get something nicer. Oh, and maybe I shouldn’t run inside the house.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:55pm
I guess if you slipped on the rug, someone else will too. Remember pool attendants yelling out, ‘don’t run’ at the pool. For good reasons I think.
August 18th, 2006 at 9:31pm
Geez. Just think, one little video of that and you could have been $10,000 richer… or at least got some new white goods or an entertainment package for the new place….
That’s a missed opportunity right there…
August 19th, 2006 at 4:33am
I had the exact same problem on my lovely fake wood floors. Don’t fret though - there is a cheaper answer than a new rug. You can actually buy rubber mats that go under your rug. They grip both the floor and the rug, and keep the rug in place. Quite handy I have discovered, as floor surfing isn’t always my favorite sport.
The only problem is I am in the US, and am not sure you have em down under. But keep an eye out for em :).
August 19th, 2006 at 11:55am
Yes, we have them here, but I don’t know where to get them. M parents bought them years ago when they bought Persian rugs as no-one wanted to go sliding on the polished boards.
August 19th, 2006 at 6:34pm
Well I’m sure your parents were always saying “don’t run in the house, you’ll hurt yourself!”
Now you know why (G)
August 19th, 2006 at 11:01pm
There are rolls of rubber grip mats about 30cm wide and 2m long available from supermarkets or $2 shops for about (you guessed it) $2. They’re designed to stop cutting boards and other things from sliding around on the bench. A couple of these either side and the mat will stay put.
August 20th, 2006 at 11:05am
Sell it on eBay as a magic carpet
August 21st, 2006 at 8:37am
You weren’t carrying scissors too were you?
Have you seen the film Top Secret? “Gotta straighten that rug…”