Here for the day, Gone for the weak

Post Work, A/C cranked up and cooling nicely, cold beer, Seinfeld on the set, just biding my time for things to cool off a bit before I head to the lodge. It's a killer out there.

First and foremost, how 'bout a good rant? Stopped over at Menards over lunch with my itemized list (items arranged from front door to exit). I ran out of 8-3 NM last night. 15' is enough for 1 dryer; I thought I'd get more out of that being they're all next to the panel, but no. Of course it costs 25 bucks for 15'. One might think the 25' roll would be less cost per foot, but strangely enough, 25' was $55. OK then.

Also, I think my old-skool Silencio tiles have been DISCONTINUED. The kiss of death.

Hemmed and hawed over the rebar. A 20' length is only a couple bucks more than the 10' lengths. Being I needed a bunch, that's big savings.  "They" know you'll succomb to the 10' length so you can get it home without a flatbed trailer. Well, I figured I'd get the 20's home somehow. Got back in the yard after checking out and surveyed the situation. The solution was obvious- use the ball hitch to put a bend in the rebar mid-length. Bingo!

Finished off the day going over system schematic revisions. Fun stuff. 

AND, decided to swing by the UNI sale preview on the way home. Major scores on last weeks items! Nabbed some classic Apple multi-color power cords, a Panasonic closed-ckt monitor that was about to get tossed out (had been there three weeks and was marked down to a $0.25) and the big one: a replacement power adapter for my 17" PB. Damn near mint condition for $7. Mine's still going strong despite my duck-tape strain relief at the PB end and the internal rewire job at the cube end. Anyone that thinks I must be hard on Apple power adapters has never owned one of their portables. I'll keep it tucked away for the day my original fizzles. 

Oh yeah, and I've got a cement delivery scheduled for Saturday AM. Gotta get crackin'!

The Strip Teaser

Sunday night... hot shower and a shave, cold beer in hand, pizza in the oven and rain falling outside: A refreshing end to a mediocre weekend. 

Friday morning I was pretty ambitious with my plans for the evening. Namely, some late-night lodge work. Trouble was, once I got home, my legs were tired, I was beat, and eventually consigned to laying down for a nap. And ya'll know I am NOT a nap person. I woke up a few hours later (Cara had come home, was equally beat and joined me). I ended up staying in, figuring VCT requirements and colors, and got to sleep at a very decent hour. 

AND, despite getting a jump at the lodge at 7AM the next morning, everything was a struggle. Every job took 3x as long, and some scaffolding slipped and squarely damaged my pristine restored Frigidaire Compact 30 avocado range we had brought out earlier in the week for the kitchen. I pressed on, succumbing to lunch at 1PM, loaded shelving for the apt and whatnot with Cara, and made it back out to the lodge after a minor brain meltdown trying to juggle everything on my plate (it had been a looong day and it was only half over). But things picked up that evening- Cara and I went to the CF Raceway to see The Night of Fire . Smokey burnouts, raging horsepower, packed grandstands (and all proceeds benefitting the Red Cross Flood victims). Watching (and feeling in your chest) two jet-engined toothpicks fitted with wheels race against each other was icing on the cake!

We then ventured onward to Janesville only to discover overpriced beer and bad music at Janesville Days. We headed back to CF and suitably warned Ben not to head up to JV. Interestingly enough, Dave Cox and Becca were in town and having drinks with Cam...so we meandered over for a couple and had a grand time. Fun evening, but I still felt I hadn't earned it.

Sunday turned out pretty well though. Quick lodge visit with Cara to decide on flooring/color requirements after laundry and breakfast at the parents'. Then onward to Lowes for new blades for the planer. 60 bucks lighter for some stinkin' 12.5" blades. We took care of business at Menards (and enroute to W'loo,  Walmart and FarmFleet) and left as the rain was falling. I went BACK out to the land around 5 and things clicked into place. Sanding, painting, planing and lotsa progress on the drop-ceiling too. Finally, some achievement. For being so great though, it'd be nice if it were really Saturday!

Week in Review

I swear that once upon a time I had a good experience at Lowes, but for the life of me I can't imagine when it was, or how it was possible. Even when I know exactly what I want, know the price before entering, and know where it's kept on the shelf, I still end up waiting in line at the single register they have open while the cashier shoots daggers at the customer for even daring to question the price on an item. Finally it was my turn.... I must admit, things had been going well up to that point. Got a price on a formica pattern I plan to buy, browsed the elec aisle to see what might catch my eye, visited the flooring dept to see what VCT they carried as really that's the whole reason I went in (note: they carry none) and picked up a "special order return" coil of formica that, at 20 bucks, seemed like I could put to use on a long workbench. In fact, the color was "stop light red". The woman in the kitchen dept assisted in looking up the contents of the order on her terminal. Two 4x8 sheets of the stuff were ordered by accident, and here they were wrapped up with factory twine (and one chipped).

Of course when I went to check out, that being the lone item in my cart, the cashier said they'd have to charge 20 bucks a sheet. Forty bucks on impulse formica seemed a tad steep and I was still surprised they'd price them individually, if they would only sell them "as ordered", but whatever. So I said I'd take ONE. Another woman in a blue smock, temper a'flarin', exclaimed they would only sell them together! (so why price them individually?) OK, I said, and took the giant coil out of the cart, set it down, and walked out. Good luck trying to move 64 sq.ft of stop-light-red laminate, Lowes. 

Moved on to Home Depot and the experience was pain-free (for once). Still odd how they had 20+registers when the store originally opened but culled them down to 2 self-checks and 2 manned registers....going so far as to rip out ALL THE OTHERS (including the jeffries tubes!)

And like clockwork, Menards was packed. Now everyone knows I'm a Menards whore, but that has little bearing on why half a dozen checkouts are always hoppin' when I visit. Picked up the drop-ceiling mat'ls, a gross of galvanized fittings of all types, seethed in the electrical aisle, and finally bought a box of VCT (that's heavier than a magnavox).

What's all this VCT business? I need to make up my mind on patterns and colors in both the kitchen and washer/rec area. Whole lotta' square feet to consider...and some of the colors I plan on using are discontinued (but I've found sources). Actually, I've been all-around town sleuthing color codes from sample chips to figure it all out. And the ideas for patterns, oye. Anyway....

Just cracked open the first beer of the week, enjoying some pepper jack and club cracker knockoffs, and generally relaxing for the first time in a long while. The box store trifecta and a lack of sleep really kicked my ass. Did I mention Ben and Don assisted in moving 12 washers, dryers and an avocado range this week from "the basement" to the lodge? Or that tech support at work has screwed over my computer deployment repeatedly this week? Course I can't complain about the weather.

Time for another Schlitz!

Monday's entry...today!

As it turned out, my plans of Friday afternoon (early) escape were thwarted when the workload kicked up (and I learned a coworker would be out all next week, leaving me to hold the bag). It was 3:35 when I finally got a breather and realized that the transfer station closes at 4. No way I could make it back to the apt, hitch up the trailer, do something about the flat tire (tandem axles), and make it down there. Plus it's the city. You think anyone was going to stick around till 4 on a beautiful Friday afternoon? I didn't count on it.

So…I toiled a while longer, stopped of for some spray paint and hardware, headed home to change, and spent the evening at the lodge working on the clerestory soffits. This involved further plywood cutting, edge painting, alignment on the roof and lots of pilot holes, leaving only a 4' section for Saturday. Turned out to be a gorgous evening, but by the time the sun was starting to set, I was beat. Managed some interior work as well and called it a night.

Things were simply all-around grand, so after a power-shower I fired up the 3-disc set of Seven Years in Tibet (Cara opted out after disc 1, having to work the next morning, but enjoyed it none-the-less) and had a few beverages and relaxed for once. Never saw the movie before but enjoyed it for what it was. Got to bed shortly after midnight and sweltered in the heat. A HUGE storm rolled through shortly before the bars were getting out. This wouldn't have been an issue except for the thunderclap that woke me wide-up and set me forth to running around closing windows and watching trees shake san-andreas-fault style. Also: the power went out wiping out Cara's alarm and killing the much needed fan. Drunk college kids without A/C and finding themselves tossed out into the rain from the local establishments find other things to do at 2AM. Like pull out the slip-n-slide. LOUDLY. T'was not my favorite moment of the evening, and I lied awake contemplating ways to seek my half-grogg'd revenge (and concern about the french drain taking on potential bucket-fulls of mud). At least the heat helped take my mind off the noise. Still worth it? Yes. 

Saturday, though, was a grand time. Managed to get air in the trailer tire, hauled the load of (now soggy) drywall scrap to the transfer station, waited in line, weighed-in, and backed the load into the building. Not that I had any real alternatives, but wet sheetrock weighs a lot more than dry-sheetrock. The city charges by the pound. I unloaded 720 pounds of nasty, busted-up, mildewy sheetrock with my bare hands. Then gladly paid a 20 for the privilege to do so . On the other hand the weather was gorgeous and I spent the day at the lodge tackling a slew of items on the punch list. Everything from finishing the soffit, to electrical, to painting, to even mudding and taping the kitchen drywall. Even had one of those end-of-day, "that's so cool", moments that require you to sit down and soak it in. Home -> The Library -> Inevitable collapse on bed. Awoken at 4:50AM by a knock on the door and the strong suspicion the neighbor across the hall was now in the attic above us. Cripes. While he was snooping up there I should've gone across the hall to his place (door left wide open) and messed with his head. But I had more pressing issues. Like sleep.

Which was needed for Sunday's onslaught of manual labor. Though I talked the parent's and Cara into lending a hand. Brought the riding mower out there to tackle a couple acres of impressive weeds (only mild success). While Cara and my mom scooped rock from the french drain to sift and wash at the hydrant. Meanwhile, I was doing the shovel work, scalping back the earth along the drain bed to keep the next uber-storm from washing any dirt into the rock. Not the easiest work in the world, especially when I hit clay. In between that, I knocked out some construction work too, and assisted in running loads of rock and dirt to and fro. Eventually, the sun and labor had taken its toll on us all, and after umpteen runs of dirt-filled buckets and barrows, and shoveling from everyone, we called it a day. Redemption courtesy Four Queens and Godfather's.

Post Panther Pondering

(written Friday, posted Sunday night)

Friday, and I'm bobbing in a sea of…disconnectedness? No, that's not right. Let's say vegging and knocking out piecemeal work. Bright eyed and bushy tailed though, despite Thursday night Panther action. My personal plan was to take Friday night off for PAW (but still run the trailer full of drywall scrap to the transfer station after work so I wouldn't fee like a total bum). However, I blipped on the fact that Ben and Cam were making a weekend run to MN Friday post-work, so…why not tonight (Thur)?  This meant I could still work in a few hours out at the lodge Thursday AND slave away on a VERY humid, 90F Friday with scattered t-storms. Being it's Friday AM, we'll see how it pans out.

Yes, the Panther. This was my first visit after the smoking ban went into effect. (Warning! Rant!) I'm not a smoker, but I can understand the satisfaction not only in drawing in a lung-full of the stuff but also of being at the ready with the well-worn lighter, the favorite brand of smokes and the comforting action of drawing a nail from the pack and striking the flame. It can't be far from the tactile-satisfaction-ballpark of cleaning a rifle (assembling the rods, opening a glass bottle of Hoppes, sliding open the chamber) or running a column adding machine (each key locking down with a satisfying, yet not over-the-top CLICK. Pulling back the lever and "feeling" the momentum of the drive gear taking the driven ones along for the ride. Etc. etc.).

First thing I noticed when I pulled up was a little red No Smoking sign on the door. "Oh, that's right."  Took a seat and noticed how clean and clear my vision was. Then I took in a nose-full. It was pure corporate cubicle. How years of nicotene stench disappeared so quickly, I have no idea. But it didn't smell like a bar at all, which to me, was quite unnerving. It's like a hospital without the antiseptic smell of the halls, or a horse stable with the manure. Neither are real pleasant smells, but to me they're part of the experience. Like the smell of fresh-cut lawn clippings with a hint of gasoline. I don't go to bars just for beer and pool, if that were all it was I'd put a want ad in the swapsheet for a pool table. I go for the stained berber, the mal-hung beer signs, the condensation on the glasses, the stools that remind you never to grab them from under the seat to scoot up to the bar because there might as well be grooves from a 100,000 other filthy hands that've done the same thing (and yet I do it every time). And of course the other sights, smells (the chemically infused popcorn popping in the background, for one), and the bad picks on the jukebox.

All in all, it's a swell deal for the bartenders who practically live in these places, but I can't help but feel like part of the experience is being homogenized, as is so many other "things that are bad". These aren't daycare facilities after all; we're there pickling our livers. 

Beck and his Technicolor Asshat

What a great vacation, just the ticket for my day after day corporate+construction obligations.  Not only was the weather beautiful, the fireworks great and the traditions kept alive, most importantly all the bs back at home was put on the backburner. That is until we returned to Iowa and were greeted by a thunderstorm of biblical proportions.

As is my style we took the old highways up north through the towns that were once fed by the lifeblood of the blacktop. Diners and cafes, old gas stations, quaint downtowns, etc. Found a wonderful county park area a mile off Old hiway 10 for a picnic on the way up. Snapped lots of Kodachrome slides, too. Even managed to restock the Hamm's supply and, show of shows! find the much talked about original recipe Schlitz! 

Cara's bday being on the 4th I surprised her with a day-trip up to Itasca State Park. She got to walk across the source of the Mississippi, I talked her into climbing the ranger's tower,  and we both enjoying winding our way along the beautiful forest roadway. Plus a picnic of course.

As with all things, the trip came to an end and we returned Monday with my grandparent's chrome "Douglas-Built" 1949 table and some small gems I found at the antique stores. Found a different route back that avoided 94 all-together (not going through that traffic again) and saw lots of neat roadside things people just don't have the time for these days. 

'Course Tuesday is done with and while everyone else took the day off from work, like the fool I am, I returned. Smile engaged but brain on autopilot. Better than the grim face I normally walk around with (which I just know is dependent on the amount of sleep I can manage) George Costanza had some good advice for the workplace: walk around looking angry!

As to Beck and his Asshat....Just took a stroll with Cara past Mojo's Pizza House. Buck slices on Tuesdays. The girl at the window served us up a pair, then asked for $5. I countered with 'aren't these a dollar tonight?' (signaling to the sign above their ovens) and was met with "that's the bar special".  "Really?" (as if she would somehow have a different answer by me rephrasing the question). "Yeah". 

Well fine. Two slices of Beck's greasy pizza or a Sub City Sub. I know what I'll choose next time. Incidentally, the whole pizza is $7.50. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

The Home Stretch

Wednesday night and I can see the finish line in sight. The past few days have been a blur. In fact, the last couple weeks have been balls to the wall exhaustion in all areas. Monday I ended up getting the cedar board I needed over my lunch break and finishing up the activities that night that were slated for Saturday (when we ran out of time). Basically, I got the place ready for the glass block install (I've never mortared gloss block before). In between coats of paint on those cedar boards (after shaping with the table saw and mitering them to fit) I was installing 4x8 sheets of finished colored pegboard along the north wall interior. Wasn't sure if I could handle it myself and get it dead accurate level but it really turned out nice. And of course climbing around on the roof working on an end soffit that would normally be too cumbersome for one person. I was also troubleshooting the Blazer, seeing as I had previously had an slight off-idle stutter under load which wasn't a big deal until I replaced the cat converter Sunday and got things breathing nicely. Unplugging the EGR solved it, but also sets a Service Soon light. I figured I might as well replace that. Trouble is, I learned there are a myriad of numbers depending on application, GVWR, geographical location, etc. Tuesday I went to the parts store over lunch and they had NONE at the bargain of $115 bucks. Called all around in the afternoon- prices and availability were all over the map. Finally had enough and drove over to the east side for some logan avenue action after work. They had one type in stock and sho' nuff my OEM number matched. 

Drove back over to the apt, changed, went to the lodge and tried my hand at the glass block, nailing in stops, taking measurements, mixing the mortar and taping up drop clothes. In the end, I was really happy with how it all turned out. Not an easy job either, being a single row without access to both sides simultaneously, nor being able to "stack" them like bricks.  Cleaned up, drove to the parents and proceeded to install a new temp gauge sending unit and yanked the old EGR. (note: hot coolant everywhere!) While letting that engine cool before attempting my other antics I was also gathering stuff for "the big trip". Long story short, the new EGR valve required staking a washer into a recess to set the orifice size for my application. I had just taken my punch set to the lodge the day before. $%#^

Staked with what I had and reassembled. Got home around 9:30 or 10 (I think..?). 

Which brings me to today.... that whole finish line deal.

Work ran a little longer than normal, but I escaped.

Walmart does not carry cedar colored caulk. Fine.

Did the grocery shopping at Fareway. Check.

Contents in parents fridge, started gathering more trip "stuff" & changed.

To the lodge! To mow a VERY overgrown weedy backyard.

.....and mask and caulk around the new block window to keep out any rain while I'm away.

Wet down the blocks while I was there since I noticed stress cracks (grrrrr).

Leave it to me to not trust my cheezy staking. EGR BACK OUT for a proper stake. Gasket seemed to hold (yessss).  

Back to parents for shower, finish gathering stuff. Leave.

Return minutes later to get groceries left in fridge.

Wait in line for stupid girl who would not move her car from the gas pump so the rest of us could fuel up.

$2 wash for the Blazer (final result was worthy of a buck at most)

Paid bills, cleaned the percolator, picked up apt, washed the dishes and now I can start packing.

Huzzzahh!