Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Selling the Sizzle (written Monday)

It's been a busy month trying to hit the goal of "ready to move things in by end of June", but barring any unforeseen snafus this week, we should hit the mark. Drawings and funds have changed hands for the carpetting, scheduled for when we return from the July 4th vac. Wall tile is up and grouted in the bathroom and the toilet should be going in tomorrow after sealing. The VCT floor will be finished this week along with laminating the kitchen countertops. Plumbing was done yesterday so the kitchen sink can drop in once the Formica is adhered and trimmed. Umpteen tasks are in-process, like painting the clerestory surrounds, putting up the last strips of wallpaper, and installing the shower doors.
The shower doors is an interesting one. I started installation last week and discovered the doors and frame are taller than the fiberglass tub by 1.25". Pretty standard, but looks ridiculous. So the aluminum framing is now cut down and installed, the sliding doors are torn apart, and I'm waiting on a call for replacement glass panes that are 1.25" shorter from a local glass shop. Tempered of course. (You can't cut glass once it's tempered) Never a good sign though when the glass pattern is commented on as "never seen that before". Great.
I spent Friday out there making big progress and got a call from Ben about the time I was heading out, around 6. Went home to clean up- still unbelievably muggy and temps hovering between 90 & 100F upstairs so I was a real mess. The big news of the evening was the replacement jukebox at the PL, the old one was practically an institution…a very similar model to the Tap's before that was replaced by an internet jukebox (and a good reason why I haven't been back). The PL's was cantankerous, often ignoring quarters and requiring you to beat on the page turn buttons every once in a while. You quickly learned which songs to avoid choosing as it would pass them up (likely due to dust or scratches I assume). A Rowe "CD Phonograph" that had a motorized CD on display, top-center, long since frozen. The new model isn't a total bust; many of the CD's were transferred over and it is NOT an internet model. But no longer can you get 3 plays for a buck, and the LED lightshow this thing puts on is seizure inducing.
After a couple hours Ben took off in typical fashion and Cam and I made good on our promise made months ago to hit up Suds as we knew the college crowd was out of town and the evening temps couldn't have been any more perfect. Enroute we made a quick stop at the Hydrant and I witnessed possibly the finest rendition of Totally Eclipse of the Heart I had ever seen. Words cannot describe this duo's performance.
The ice cold PBR at Suds did the trick and a new discovery was made. Their juke actually pre-dated the old PL machine and was equipped with A) the same discs we found popular at the PL (but no one else found popular, apparently), and B) discs I had never seen at any other juke in town anywhere, and could have come right out of my itunes library. "CD-Phonograph", indeed.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Why Don't you Monkey with the Monkey?

I was sweltering at the lodge Tuesday, doing my best to keep the sweat out of the fresh shellac as the mercury approached 100F upstairs. An hour or so before the blue sky and bright sun made snapping some kodachrome slides ideal (gotta finish that roll) but now there was a wall of gray approaching from the west. Around 4 I stepped out onto the front deck to take view of this and in the course of 30 seconds standing outside the yellow door, the trees practically bent over, the black clouds rolled in, temps dropped 20+ degrees and a very forceful mist, almost like needles, pummeled the lodge. I rushed in to fight the side and back windows closed as the winds intensified. The mist was much like you'd see in a movie like the perfect storm, where rain is falling vertically, wind pushes it horizontally, and you crank up the windspeed until you don't really have drops, just a wall of fine water coming at you. This kept up for a few minutes, coming directly from the NW pounding the glass and siding. The radio was going nuts with storm warnings and reported on the wind as being in excess of 70mph. A few minutes later the large drops were falling and yet the wind refused to let up. I was still running around inside, lights on, checking for leaks, peering out the windows listening to the radio when I got a call from Cara saying a tornado had touched down a few miles away and they were in their shelter at work. Time to ride this one out. Water was now running down the cedar wall near the uppermost window. I can only surmise the storm was forceful enough to get in the uppermost fascia corner outside (needs a flashing cap), drive around the insulation, and follow the interior of the soffit down to the wall where it found its way inside. Pretty wild, really.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Charlie M.

Whatever bug I picked up early last week is still hanging around. At least I'm mobile, but the tossing, turning and coughing doesn't bode well for Cara's sleep. Monday post-work at the lodge I felt the fatigue hit while opening a paint can. Middle of the night I'm awake with sore throat and a fever. Tuesday was spent mostly in bed catching up on my classic game shows on youtube, and a living room viewing of Das Boot. Terrific pic.
 
Wednesday I went back to work but wasn't feeling so hot. Handled loads of laundry and an evening of trying to back up the parents' iMac that night. Something was seriously wrong as the transfer rate in FW mode was pathetic. Thursday and Friday I was back at the lodge, sealing grout, laying VCT, tackling the sundry tasks. And Cara came out with me Saturday morning and we really went after things. Slathered up in sunblock, she started mowing on the rider, I went for the east fascias. I kept a box fan running up on the deck as I worked and between us we went through several gallons of chilled water. I took over the mower for a few passes when she went in for the Mo*air Pear sidewalk sale/lunch and realized the SPF50 wasn't working so hot when you're continually drenched in sweat. Unloaded the shower door, finished the outer angled fascia, glued down a portion of the VCT pattern and gave the trees a good drink. Before getting back to mowing Cara gave me a hand pasting up the final length of wallcovering we had on hand for the bedroom.
 
I ran the pushmower around the sideyard and cleaned up where the rider couldn't get to, then set forth to scraping and cleaning the NE clerestory for screen installation. This sucker still had painters' tape baked on from the staining operation, and the crud of 10,000 asian beetles. Done. I met Cara out front, we loaded the mower on the trailer at 6 and headed back to the parents for unloading and cleanup at the apartment. Tired, sweaty, generally beaten by the heat and humidity. But at least it was starting to cool. A cone at 4 Queens hit the spot, and with a cooler of ice and a fresh change of clothes, we turned right back around for the lodge for some bonfire action.
 
Plenty of scraps to burn, including the old OSB that made up the front false garage door walls. I salvaged what framing I could to be re-used as bracing as Ben pulled up; he made quick work of dragging off the separated sheets to the fire area. Wasn't long and we had a good blaze going and a rather nice night for it. Cam joined in and it was after 1 before we called it quits. I was still going strong, oddly. Back at the apt around 2 for some sack time.
 
Sunday, then, was a nice change of pace, as the sore throat came back and the sunburns kept us preoccupied. I treated Cara to a delicious breakfast at W*ffle Stop, then to the parents to finalize software installations and backups as our work clothes were washing. Saw off Brittni and John on their adventure back to Europe, and finally made our way lodge bound for interior painting. One little problem….we were too pooped to climb the ladders. The oppressive humidity didn't help matters either. Change of plans- we set up shop outside and hand sanded all the glass-stop trim on the vintage door that goes at the top of the stairs. Took _forever_ but we managed to get it in shellac-ready condition just as the rain started to fall and the tornado warnings were brd'cast on the radio.
 
It's been an interesting June. For Iowa, the weather has been oddly perfect until this week when the A/C units fired up all across the valley. Getting sick was unexpected and hurt productivity a bit. The wedding and family in town was a nice change but really took it out of all of us. (So….much….summer sausage….) The Wright and Like tour at the beginning of the month was fantastic. Looking back, it hasn't been such a bad month at all.
 
The "ready to move things in" goal still stands for end of June. Approx 2 weeks left and it WILL be busy. Countertops to build, bathroom walls to tile, interior painting (clerestories) to do, and the real PITA, front fascias to finish. (Plus all the little stuff.) The heat index will be the limiting factor I imagine.
 

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Getting around to it...

Weekend Wrapup:  (written the weekend prior)
 
It had been a rather atypical week, starting with the usual late-night lodge activities M-W evolving into a Moline trip Thursday, topped off with more late night work with Cara that evening, buttressed with pizza and laundromat chores. On the upside: free beer. Having been tired hours prior, it was after 11 when we got home. Friday, then, I scheduled a half day to make up for the time shifted to Brittni's evening wedding festivities. Spent the afternoon at the lodge tiring myself out; home for a much needed cleanup and a good sit.
 
The rain started about that time, but couldn't dampen the spirits of my sister's rehearsal dinner at island park. The food and bev's really hit the spot and there wasn't a soul that didn't enjoy themselves. Cara and I pressed on at 8 for a PL meeting with Cam and Ben, Cam and I sticking it out after Ben tired of cut-throat. Pretty decent eve no matter how you slice it.
 
Saturday was the big day. We headed over to the house and jumped right into the chaos to prepare for the reception. Utter madness, but I like it that way. Everybody had their own idea of how a job was to be done, and many forgot this was not their wedding…or even immediate family they were dealing with. Must've been a dozen people working in the kitchen, a dozen more in back moving tables, laying out flowers, setting up tiki torches, moving tables again when someone wasn't looking, etc. Thankfully, both the dance floor and large tent had been set up the day prior, and practically came to blows I hear. Despite the best efforts of covering the parquet floor, Friday night's rain had found it's way onto the surface. We set forth dismantling the whole thing, drying both sides of the soaked panels in the sun and reassembling elsewhere in the yard. Not an easy process.
 
The sky did finally clear, all arrangements were in place, and the ceremony went off without a hitch, including a sermon prepared by the groom's dutch friend/pastor Tim. As getaway-driver, and Cara as my co-pilot, we took the bride and groom downtown, tin cans trailing behind us, rice everywhere, horns a blowing, leading two cars in-tow with the bridesmaid and her BF, and the bestman and his GF from Holland. I parked the car and strolled into the Stuffed Olive after dropping everyone off out front, only to find the group standing around in front of the bar, dressed to the nines, with odd looks on their faces. Why? The server demanded ID from the bride. Seriously. This was also news to the Europeans who found the concept of ID'ing very foreign. I made it clear this was ridiculous, and lead the wedding party out front, along the street where two men with guitars began seranading the group, and marched everyone into the Blueroom for a line of shots! Red-headed sluts. The Euro's loosened a bit and after a quick jaunt through Cedar City, we hit the reception where the party went well past 2 I hear. The band from Minneapolis was fantastic, you couldn't have asked for better weather, and everybody had a great time in the backyard. Upon arrival, rose petals covered the driveway and candles in bags lined the edges leading everyone up to, and around, the house where a thousand+ white xmas lights glimmered in the twilight.
 
Sunday, up and at 'em. I forewent any lodgework to help with the day-long teardown of the backyard, punctuated by socializing with other close family on the deck, and enjoying reception leftovers. The evening brought a heated bocce ball competition, culminating in a post-meal walk about twilight, and total collapse back at the apartment. 10,000 other things surely elapsed, too, but this entry is boring enough without additional assistance.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

"1580AM....The Goose"

Wright and Like Tour '09: Madison, Wisconsin. We set sail Friday in the untested '85 ETC after several days of pulling out hair trying to figure out a part throttle bucking problem and going through hell and back in diagnosing, substituting and outright replacing worn parts. Thursday after work I rolled the dice, dropped the fuel tank and changed the pump and hoses. Finally, success! Cara dropped by and we set to cleaning her up for the trip.
 
So we hit the road, stretching the car's legs for the first time with luggage onboard and a picnic lunch packed. It was around Dubuque that we discovered a serious problem. Transmission+Extended driving (heat) + coming to a stop = slipping and loss of 4th gear. We pressed on to Blue Mound state park in WI in 3rd gear before stopping for lunch and looking seriously at the situation. Fluid level was OK. TV cable was adjusted properly. Bottom line: McScrewed. We decided to press onward the half hour to Madison and rent a car for all the starting, stopping, and darting in the heavy construction zones the city offered. This was a real shame, too, as the car was simply flying on the interstate pulling in 25mpg and doing it so effortlessly. Hotel. Phone calls. Shuttle. Airport. Sentra. And a little peace of mind.
 
Fantastic weekend. I'll keep most of the thoughts in my head, but many architectural details gleaned from one of the masters and his apprentices. It was refreshing to both see how these buildings were not perfect and never had been, and to compare some of my atypical solutions to design problems that never creep up on conventional dwellings and see that they jibed pretty well with these structures. For the most part, it was a shot of inspiration and understanding that I once had, before starting work full time, dulling the senses and sucking a whole lotta' creativity out of me. I've also been so close to the lodge project that it's very difficult to tell anymore what is appropriate and what is ridiculous in completing it. A good example is the flying railings upstairs, meant to evoke a soaring, trepidatious response in visitorsr. I stood there last night, asking myself, "this is it?"
 
Bottom line: creative surge, newfound respect for a man I have viewed from both sides, and of course, food for the soul.
 
I should point out, Friday night's visit to "http://www.theoldfashioned.com/" down on the square could have justified the trip in itself. Ice cold PBR draws for a buck seventy-five, and Cara's Schlitz served up in a pilsner glass with logo was icing on the cake. Food was to die for, and the ambience and vintage decor, perfect. And yes, there are 150 Wisconsin beers.
 
Sunday, the ETC rewarded us with 4th gear and TCC lockup on our pilgrimage to Spring Green to see Taliesin. Afterward, it fought the hills OK, pulled in bucco economy, and then we hit Dubuque with their stoplights. And so it was, 3rd gear and a steady 55mph to keep the revs down all the way back on 20. But we made it… And with a case of Blatz tallboys to boot!
 

Monday, June 1, 2009

Cue the Skee-Lo

Thursday night, Cara came along for an evening of lodge work when I checked my phone. Hmm. Missed call. Hit the connect button to discover Bob and Barb visiting the lodge…and we were about 10 minutes out. Gave 'em the full tour, and with an evening so perfect, it was tough to get to work after they left. Alas, we did. I scraped clean the bathroom tile floor with a razor blade while Cara sanded her door. Painted fresh nail heads. Cut and installed the PH roof flashing "tails" and glued down the rubber corners. About dusk we retreated the deck for a drink and discussion on where to plant the trees we picked up. More decisions.
 
Starting my Friday off without coffee was an amateur's mistake. The intent was a day of fascia work but my focus was lacking, and the fatigue of the week had caught up. Nevertheless, I managed to get a 14-footer up with the correct compound angle (took most of the morning), and Zinser'd the remaining boards in prep for final paint. Vac'd the debris off the bath floor, liberated a bird, and headed in for lunch.
 
The ETC was ready for the pressure test so I figured I'd shift gears and work on the car over lunch (if I can get it ready by Friday we're takin' it to the road). Filled it with coolant, cranked her over and she fired up. Drove it around the block; no leaks. But still plenty of bucking. Ran to AZ to return the pulley puller that was "loaned" and picked up a temp sensor. On the way over I ended up in a bottleneck of 4-lanes reduced to 1 on 218, and 4mph cruising speed. Passed a late model Buick lacking most of its front end. 3 fire trucks, couple ambulances. Didn't look like anyone was majorly hurt.
 
The Sat radio in the parents new Outlook has me thinking about a subscription. Being able to pull up hits of the 40's on demand is a great perk. True 50's hits (without the dominating late 50's popular songs everyone knows). Plus they've got a 90's channel that was not the same old krep over and over like FM. They swung the full span of the decade, playing Genesis, En Vogue and grunge as well.
 
Back to the car, changed the sensor, had to solder/shrinkwrap on a weatherpack connector, then on a hunch played with the EGR. A Ha! Not. Holding. A. Vacuum. Ran a can of Sea Foam through her and returned to the lodge. With measuring cup in hand, I mixed up the sanded grout and got to work. Grouted the floor and set to planing and ripping fascia boards while waiting for it to set up. Got everything squared away upstairs and hand sanded the boards outside. Sponged and wiped the tile, then put the works away and headed in around 7ish to clean up and meet Cam for pool and drinks at the PL. Walked down to the PL where the ice cold beer really hit the spot. A good time was had.
 
Now for the real work. The big Saturday job was installation of the SE garage door and knocking out the false wall. Cut/installed 3/8 plywood on the rear of the pumphouse to help with shear. Then ran up to S&R in Waverly for a 1x8 and took stock of their wares (not bad, but pricey). Prep'd it and another board, then got to work knocking out the old OSB and framing. Cleared away the debris, and once again, the place did not fall in on me. Now I could run all the (heavy) PH siding outside to my makeshift assembly line. Spent a couple hours staining those and setting them in the sun to bake, then cutting track and filler for the door when the parents arrived to give a hand. Together we jockeyed the door sections around and into place with only a few crushed hands. Mounted the door hardware and let the parents flee. It was going on evening but the door must be stained, so I got after it as the wind eased and the sun set. Long Day. Jockeyed the siding inside and got to the apt around 9:30 for cleanup and a viewing of "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" on LD.
 
Up and at 'em on Sunday to first, chase a bird out of the lodge, thenm clean up after it. Note to self: get a hand to help plug the 3" gap over the new door. Grabbed my tools and wrapped the PH in tar paper, getting it ready for siding. Marked and snapped lines for fasteners. Brought out the 10' siding strips that still needed stain and got after them, then ripped some starter strips, stained them, and brought out the drip edging for paint. Put in the remaining garage door hinge screws and drug the new trees out to their respective positions (to watch them blow over in the gale wind). Late afternoon, time for lunch. Contributed my part to the sister's wedding plans by calculating electrical loads for the number of party lights and available ckts. Grabbed a bite, then back at it to install the trim and starter strips. My mom came out to lend a hand holding the opposite ends of the siding strips and by nightfall, all the siding was up. Closed up the bird opening and once again, arrived at the apt at 9:30 for a hot shower, cold beer, and some sleep.
 
Busy weekend, but a little recoup is on the way!

*Update Monday night: Crap, home at 10PM.