Lawson Torpedo

Quick week, really. Getting back into the swing of things at work took some time but I managed. Had a little bit of time to play with the finances as well, which gives a guy hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for doing....other things (he says crypitcally). Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not quitting my day job anytime soon, but it never hurts to run the scenarios and consider other endeavors.

Weekly Notables:

Scored some terrific finds at both the UNI weekly sale as well as an auction on campus in Sabin Hall which will likely be gutted for renovation this summer. Mostly stuff that will be at home at the drive-in; more about that when I can snap some pics.

Lodge-wise, temps were tolerable last week so things were getting done. Friday, an inch or two of the white stuff fell before I could leave work and more was slated for that night. Managed to get the last sheet of sheetrock needed and haul it out there before meeting up with Cam and Ben at the PL. Pool? Horrible. Ice cold beer? Excellent. From

there, to the Hydrant. The place is growing on me but the waitstaff continues to both baffle and leave one with a sense that they could care less about a tip. And the prices do seem a bit steep for the area. A $5 bill at a place like this should go further than one draw and gratuity. Anyhow, Cam and I practically closed the place out after a few good laughs at the karoake show. Not bad.

Despite feeling whooped late Saturday afternoon, I did mange to get the last sheet of appearance lauan cut and notched to fit, sanded, and with 40F upstairs, shellac'd as well. Hung both pocket doors upstairs while that was drying. Cut-to-size the felt paper backings for the pegboard sections ready to go up. Worked out the crease in the red

canvas wall covering. Cut and hung the final piece of sheetrock on the big east wall. And planed, sanded and routered the wide trimboard that transitions paneling to the door frame upstairs. Didn't feel like falling off a 12' ladder onto the cement below so called it a day around 5.

And again, as if I were 21, Cam, Cara, Ben and I hit up the Hydrant for dinner and drinks (excellent dinner by the way) and took in Fernando's show, this time with a bigger crowd than Friday, but with fewer people willing to make an ass of themselves in public. One of these days I'll put down a little Joel. Ben took off for bigger fish before things got hot and we all ventured out off after a few more pitchers (and some impressive confusion with the waitstaff momentarily losing my card). Good time. Got home around 1.

Sunday…laundry ALL DAY LONG. On the upside, we had the Discovery Channel's HD pres of "This Planet Earth" on to keep us company…on the 13" cable ready set in the kitchen. Needless to say, no lodge action, which is why I was at work this morning at a quarter to 6 to even things out.

Lodge front: Excitement still high. List of ancillary stuff continues to grow though. Not difficult stuff, just time and money consuming things. Like a new set of gates, lumber and stain for fencing, the construction of the entry sign, pumphouse build, the outdoor shelter, and of course everything related to the Drive-In. Plus bigger stuff

for the lodge, like the face-brick, cement slab and approach deck. Criminey. And tough to do any of this stuff with the ground frozen.

Update: Managed to trek in and out this eve before the blizzard put a stop to it. Roads are a mess. Ladder work? 95% complete. Sheesh.