I like to brew alone too. I do, however, look for a hand now and again when transferring to a keg or secondary. Since my dog doesn't have opposable thumbs, I usually commission one of the kids to hold the tubing as I carefully start to siphon.
I smoked some injected wings last night using the recipe from another forum.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/119306/scarbelly-wings-buffalo-style/120
Best wings that I have ever had. I finished them on the grill to crisp them up the way that I like them. No mess. Hot Sauce on the inside.
After a few too many, I feverishly scrubbed my carboy at least 6 times and two 30 minute soaks trying to remove a spot of stubborn caked on grime. It later dawned on me that I couldn't remove the stuff because it wasn't on the inside of the carboy...it was on the outside.
We were just talking about this in another thread recently, so I thought I'd share another easy method:
A few months ago I read about someone putting them in a hot oven. I decided to try it by heating the oven to 350 and throwing the bottles in for 5-7 minutes. While they are still hot...
It's nice, isn't it ? I started putting all of mine in the oven only a few months ago and wouldn't do it any other way. Now the plastic labels are my preferred type too. I usually can remove a dozen or so labels in less time than It used to take me for one.
I turn on the oven to 350 and throw them in for 5-7 minutes. Everything just pulls right off while the bottles are still warm (usually in one piece). I remove any stubborn residual gunk or glue with wd-40 or adhesive remover if necessary. Piece of cake...wear an oven mitt.