What’s the Most Infuriating Thing You’ve Ever Tried to Put Together?

Last week I was on vacation, which meant that I got to spend all sorts of time doing chores  that normally get put off. A few of the items I tackled included detailing the car, painting a room, and setting up a home theater system. After completing that last task, I realized why I had been putting it off for so long.

Honestly, the home theater system wasn't that hard to figure out, but all of the wires dangling everywhere was really a pain. I tried keeping all of the components separate, but there were a lot of wires. Not only did I have to  to install and arrange five speakers, but also hook it all into a Blu-ray player, television, cable box and (the coolest thing that I own) a high definition projector. Between the speaker wires, power cords, HDMI cables, cable cables and those red, white and yellow things, I had a pretty good mess to contend with. Tangles were inevitable, despite my best efforts to avoid them.

The whole experience reminded me of a few Christmases ago, when my niece turned three. She got a little toy house to play in. Rose Petal Cottage was what it was called. I remember it well. Nothing that I've ever attempted has been more frustrating than trying to put together Rose Petal Cottage.

Everyone has faced similar nightmare scenarios regarding bicycles, telescopes, tents, or just about anything that says "some assembly required" on the box. What's the most infuriating thing you've ever had to put together?