2010: A Pivotal Year

The last several months have been a mad dash, leading up to an intense couple of weeks, nay, hours, nipping at the heels of the great Lodge unveiling. Setting a firm date undoubtedly was the smart thing to do, and I don't think I was too far off with the pacing- it's pretty hard to hit an exact day when you're laying out what's to be done several months prior. But we pulled it off, with no small thanks to Cara and the parents. The transformation was nothing short of a TV renovation series, especially when you factor in family coming into town (and missing flights), food and party planning and execution (pulled-pork has to roast for a day or two before serving and half a dozen cooks makes it all the more difficult) and last minute material pick-ups, like the glass for the framed art over the workbench. Cut Thursday night, picked up Friday and framed and hung minutes before the party Saturday. All the while we toiled moving scrap lumber out to the trailer, sorting for the fire piles, moving bulky TV sets and appliances out and even working-in picking up the '59 (in the rain) after a several year hiatus in storage…and dealing with a loose distributor cap resulting in a stall-out on Hudson Rd near the University ave intersection at 5PM. Cripes.

But the party was a success- Despite receiving less than a dozen RSVP's, we knew we'd have a full house. Don and Carissa came from Indiana as did Cara's father and his wife. An aunt flew in from Boston, grandparents from MN heading for Texas, cousins from Davenport, Micah and Alice from Moline, and a strong showing from local friends and family. The "house warming" gifts were equally as varied (and appreciated) ranging from a platter of gummy to a bottle of Early Times. By my estimation at least 40 people showed and we didn't let the weather get in the way. In fact, it worked out well that there was plenty of interior room to set up lawn chairs inside to escape the cold. Unfortunately, the (extremely heavy) keg was out front; probably could have moved more PBR with it inside. Midway through the eve, the gangway served as an excellent platform for Don who gave a moving toast; a standup guy.

To my surprise, an intrepid group were able to get a wet pile of lumber to burn and by night's end we tried our best to play bocce by fire-light. Around midnight the last guests parted and Cara and I fished out the (half frozen) garden hoses and doused the ashes. It was cold enough that night that we ran the upstairs heat, which worked surprisingly well. We did our best to sleep in but were still exhausted when morning came. Late in the day we had dishes done, floors swept and vacuumed, food packaged up, records put away and the place shut down, but not before more fire dousing and a quick fill of the '59's radiator to assess mechanical damage. In a cruel and ironic twist, the day of lodge completion also marks the beginning of another time and money intensive project due to my own "absent-mindedness".

Nevertheless, this is a very odd time for me. On the construction side, the hardwork is done and I can actually sleep in, or relax in a comfy chair and watch a movie after work, or go out to eat with Cara on a whim without having to schedule it a week in advance. That'll take some adjusting. The place is also livable, but winter is heading this way, and a new set of snow tires won't guaranty passage season-long, so with that comes a new set of decisions to make. The parent's basement is still chock'ful and a storage building is the only practical way out; I'd like a break first (and a chance to actually bank some earnings). I've got a new job starting this month, AND an intense program I'm currently trying to wrap up in my current position. Bottom line, I've just gotta roll with it, be thankful for friends and family, and take some time to enjoy where I'm at.

One Expensive Breakfast

Back at the grind. It was still only a 4-day work week but the difference was playing desk jockey on a Friday, thanks to Labor Day. This resulted in a standard weekend for lodge work, which was about all I could handle. My legs ache and my system could use another, say, 10 or 12 hours of sleep. Since my task list gets blown away and evolves daily, I figured it wise to jot down this weekend's accomplishments before excel wiped them from the face of the earth. Lord knows I couldn't recite half of these from memory….

Friday night, the Blazer was loaded with lengthy trim boards, aluminum extrusions sticking out the tailgate hatch, 125 pounds of black oxide cement coloring and 3 ungainly panes of 1/4" glass. Somehow I managed to the lodge without incident. Ripped down and duped a beltline board, then mitered to size and installed. Knocked off the shoulders and divided a stack of treated deck planks, installed screws (oh yeah, a FF stop after work as well) in the existing decking and unloaded everything as the sun began to fade. A solid 3 hours. Rushed in, cleaned up and headed over to the PL to meet Cam for drinks and pool. The place started with sufficient energy but had cleared out pretty well a couple hours later. That was OK with me, morning would be calling soon enough.

Saturday and things were clicking along, the only hiccup being running short on conduit in the afternoon and making a trip to Waverly for supplies. I finished the side deck in the AM doing my best to match each plank to the countours of the ones prior. A cloudless sky with a light breeze, the sun really handed me a beating. Completed the work by cutting out the outline with the circsaw and lengthy guides a little after noon. Cara joined later in the day and as evening rolled around, she put some coals on the grill while I worked on getting the porcelain lights installed inside above the garage doors. In between, drilled through beams and added screws for center uplift prevention, got out the rustoleum and pan and rolled more red on the new sections of steel railing, and installed strip lights and wiring in the kitchen cab. That night, burgers, twice baked potatoes, and the soft glow from the new interior (and now functional) exterior overhang lights.

In classic fashion, I'm finding that I spend Sunday making up incomplete Saturday tasks, and losing the one big Sunday task until, well, sometime later.

Sunday Summary:

Drilled and fished romex up through kitchen wall from cabinet to false ceiling, wired in.

Shellaced finish board for top-of-stairs install (2 coats with sanding).

Install security closet magnetic latches.

Build light fixture for over-bed.

Surveyed and set pins for driveway cement pad.

Started work on bathroom pocket door-track and handle.

Took measurements for clerestory boards.

Cut/countersink/attached aluminum rail over shear wall with Cara's assistance.

Installed precarious glass panes over wall, shimmed up and adjusted "just-so".

Measured for pane #1 and took all the glass back down.

But, I really can't complain. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and things are getting finished up. Cement work kicks off this week and I've got one more big order of steel tubing to put in prior to Friday. In just a couple weeks we'll have our hands full not only "finishing" the construction but trying to decorate AND manage the details of the shindig. Who am I kidding? A couple weeks is NOW.

A Fistful of Yen

Another 4 day weekend, this one pausing just long enough before throwing me back into the work-week. Sleep doesn't come any easier at the lodge so far but hopefully that'll change once the glass partition is installed over the upstairs dividing wall. Another slew of work accomplished, though I suffered a late start Thursday night after leaving work later than usual and making stops for supplies and groceries at Target. Friday it was more of the same with a run to Menards for lumber for the side deck mid-afternoon and a return to tearing apart the kitchen floating soffit, rebuilding with freshly cut and painted perf steel. Also installed a choice faucet upstairs and had all but one piece of the drainwork in. Spent the night at the apt as Saturday I would not be lodge-bound.

In fact, I spent Saturday clearing out the parent's garage, all the while wondering just where in blazes half this stuff was going to go. I pared down the automotive stuff pretty good but was left with box after box full of vacuum tubes. A legitimate plea for Cold Storage II could be heard (mostly from me). Made a mad-dash to the apartment late in the afternoon to change and was off with Cara and company for a wedding reception at Hartman Reserve. This did much to resolve my grumbling attitiude from shuffling through krep in the hot afternoon sun on little sleep to the point that, at night's end despite being exhausted, we were still able to work in a Mad Men viewing.

Sunday I was out the door early, grabbed some caffeine and got to work on the side deck, squaring up boards and working the angles. Cara joined me later in the afternoon and helped as I hand mixed cement and set the deck posts. I've gotta hand it to her, she did a bang-up job of cleaning up the mess in the kitchen, too. As the sun-set, I fired up the Weber and tossed on some italian sausage, taking in a picturesque Iowa evening with a cold one in-hand and the AM playing. After dinner, I built the next soffit light fixture before joining her on the deck, her with a novel, me with my latest copy of Dwell.

If only sleep came as easily as the work. Monday I got a start on attaching the cross braces and perimeter to the newly set posts and knew we were going to be one board short. Cara returned from running errands later in the day with another pressure treated 2x6 which I promptly worked in. I ripped down the planks into 2.5" strips and then we set about loading wheel barrow after wheel barrow with fill-in dirt to dump at the side entrance to help with drainage. Then the weed-block cloth and rocks. Finally, cleanup and home to decompress.

Not as much got done this weekend as I had hoped, but I can't really complain. The effort was there and the time wasn't pissed away by excuses or sleeping in. Come end of this week, the "big stuff" list should be halved. I'll be working right down to the wire, certainly, but without plausable milestones and end dates, all you're really talking about is a hobby. I may not remember exactly what a hobby is, but I’m pretty sure this isn't it.

The Lost Weekends

The "out of my hands" work is underway now with the brick progressing nicely. If all goes according to plan, the final wash will take place tomorrow and we'll be set for caulking and fixture install. Next the cement contractor can start the driveway pad job. Meanwhile, I can begin boring on the east side to sink timbers to support the side deck approach.

Inside, things are moving about as well as can be expected. Fixtures getting built, panels going on. Staining and painting to do. A mad rush for sure. That being as it may, Cara and I had wanted to see Inglourious Basterds and were talked into joining Ben and Cam Friday night. Afterwards, Ben cut out for a more exciting venue leaving the 3 of us to hold our own. PBR and cut-throat followed and we were home a little after 12. Not too shabby for some old folks.

After several days of mulling I've arrived at the following conclusions:

What I liked about the film:

Attention to details.

95% perfect casting.

Tarantino's ability to keep you second guessing with every twist.

What I disliked:

Wooden dialogue.

Length- Once or twice I found myself thinking, "get on with it". 10-20 minutes could have been trimmed.

Inconsistent pacing (and not in a good way)

Character development.

I make these conclusions based on some preconceptions going in. I was expecting Dirty Dozen-Guns of Navarone setup and action coupled with Tarantino's penchant for violence, in-depth character development and his general ability to take even a lackluster setup and somehow manage to crank the knob to 11. Even though a good attempt is made at showing the comraderie and backgrounds of the basterds early on, there was nothing that really stuck with me through the film to cause me to really give a fig about any one in particular. As far as I'm concerned, Hans Landa is the only one that ever delivers on who he really is and isn't just cashing the check. He may be an outright weasel and just plain ful'o hate, but wanting him dead is no less powerful an emotion than wanting any one good guy to live.

As a showcase of skill, talent and expert cinematagraphy, the film doesn't dissapoint, and on those merits I'd consider seeing it again, but I found it terribly difficult to cling to anything the way films such as NCfOM or There Will be Blood, so easily offered up. Even Tarantino's "Death Proof " had me immersed.

Disc #35

Wednesday was a real mess, and I mean that in the best way possible. Time flew by at work, and I finally got to relish in those situations I miss at the factory, where the sky is falling, things aren't working, choreographing discussions and rework, etc. etc. A huge downpour came through around 3 and I decided I'd meet a couple Moline folks at a local fab shop at 3:30. Conveniently, alarms and lights sounded for a hazardous gas evacuation leaving a full building of people to wonder if this was just a test, for real, or bumbling security. Now, imagine 3 floors of people, many that have decided this is as fine a time as any to shut their computers off and head home, trying to get through a single turnstile-type door. Why security didn't open the adjacent man door and hit the release so the turnstile would default open, I have no idea. To add insult, security then thought this would be a good time to perform a "bag check" because nothing speeds an evacuation like holding up the line to root through purses and lunchboxes. Several hundred people had turned around by this point and were heading back and word was spreading of a false-alarm, which caused others to peel off the "leaving" line and head back. The hallway was packed wall to wall. Meanwhile, the rain continued to pour. Learned later on it was not a false alarm. Eh.

Thursday, another quick day punctuated by a visit from Don and a viewing of The Junkman with Cam and Ben. An impressive film in the 70's weak-plot and smash-em-up genre. Released in '82. The next morning I slept in until 9 or 10 and generally took a breather; had been a while. Spent the afternoon at the lodge and got quite a lot done, enough to justify taking Ben up on his offer of the PL later that night. Standard fare, different clientele. And oh, the pickled eggs. So good.

The beautiful weather on Saturday was too good to pass up so when Cara got home from work around noon I roped her into doing some heavy lifting. Together we got the canoe up on the Blazer, and with paddles and vests stowed, we were off for Waverly. It was a gorgeous day for a canoe ride down the Cedar but the trip down to the C-57 access may have been a little overzealous. Underway around 2PM, and with little river current, we eventually made it…5 hours later! The sun had practically set as we drove the VW back north to fetch the Blazer, stopping for groceries on the way. Knowing we wouldn't be able to repeat the feat of getting that 18' monstrosity on top of the Chevy, upon return to the lodge we hitched up the trailer and went back for the canoe. Now around 10 we were ready for a shower and a hot meal! A good night for sleeping, if not too chilly.

Sunday, then, taking up the slack. First order of business involved opening the garage doors and cutting/gluing/nailing rubber strips to the lower edges to keep rain out and prevent wicking. Easier said than done as the residential grade rollers are leaving something to be desired. The big question, what to do with all this construction krep? Patched a little water damage in the kitchen, smoothed wall gouges in the bathroom that were to be covered by tile, but not anymore. Took inventory of materials req'd to finish the beltlines. Marked and drilled out the C-channels for the soffit lights to discover the lamp holders have no fasteners with them. Had a lunch of dessicated pizza rolls. Finished the day by getting most of the upper cabinet components cut to size and ready for final assembly Monday. Home for a shower, wine and a viewing of a recent Amazon purchase. Totally wiped.

Red Skelton was Right

A strange week for sure. In the classic style, I'll start with Thursday. Not that I can really recall what happened Thursday, but I'm sure long hours at the lodge were involved. I may have picked up the tempered glass for the shower doors, mid-day. Or Friday. Anyway, this week is different, but I'll get to that. Friday night I was beat and ready to cut loose, or hang loose, or hang ten, or something like that. But decided that I really needed to finish the bulk of the remaining tile job now that I actually had tile. I ended up running right up until the clock was out, went straight to the apt, showered quickly and headed down to meet Ben at the PL. Cam was a no-show but Cara dropped in after work and the three of us ordered up PBR's. I can't say Ben nor I picked up a pool cue the entire night, but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves (though they really need a decent alternative to Select on draw).

Sat AM, up and at 'em. Pulled myself together in clean, though grubby appearing construction clothes, and strolled down to the PL to collect my car. Grabbed a bite on the way and gave the iPod a run. Saturday I worked like a mule knowing I'd be staying over night. Stopped at the parents in the afternoon to collect more large items to drag out to the lodge. They followed in their vehicle to lend a hand with tasks they knew they could assist with. Dad and I loaded the trailer with all the sumac I had cut down earlier this year while my mom finished up the last bit of mowing. We also put up fencing around our two trees and dragged the massive dead branches I had cut down from the ash tree over to the burn pile. Then it was interior time - finishing the sisal. They took off and I finished the shower tile and cleaned up. But….sundown was no longer a physiological calling that the day's work was done and I didn't mind pressing onward. So, I grouted the place, and warmed up the oven. The wind began to pick up around 9 as I tried to enjoy a very thin, tasteless pizza on the front deck. The overnight is a blur of tossing, turning, wondering what time the storms were going to blow through, opening windows, closing windows, searching out earplugs, wandering in the dark, etc. etc. When the morning came there was no "sleeping in". Not with umpteen windows and zero curtains.

Sunday was a long smear of tasks punctuated by an aggravating run to Menards for a can of laminate contact cement, but at least it gave me a chance to return the myriad excess items I've had in the wings for a while now. Called it a day around 6 with quite a bit of work behind me. Ready for a reprieve, I fired up the French Connection on LD; neither of us had seen it before.

Monday, on the road to the quad cities. A long day of testing and driving. Made extremely good time on the way back and found myself in CF around 7:30. Alas, blew right by the I-80 Truck Stop. Bed was calling but the conscious refused me to even consider that after an aggregate of 5 hours behind the wheel accomplishing little. Went for a walk with Cara to calm the nerves.

Tuesday, continued need of recharging reared its ugly head, but we tackled the invites and laundry (all Cara) after work. By that time I was in no shape for construction work despite having changed. An hour of daylight left at the most. Tonight'll really sock it to me, but I have to make up for yesterday's list.

Onward, ho!

"Built Fun Tough"

Thursday was car day. The weather was pretty decent and I was ready for a post-work change of pace. It's been a long time since I can recall dressing "casually" right after work. I ran a few errands, dropped off the recycling and kicked things off by washing the '85 Coupe; noting the ravages of mother nature, and cruising her out to the country for pictures. I bought this car a few years back as a "project" with a slipping trans but great paint and interior. Changing interests and new responsibilities caused her to sit far too long, in the rain, snow and summer's heat. Another season outside wouldn't be right. I'll list her this week with a modest reserve.

Next was cleanup of the '76. A quick cruise proved she was anxious for the road, but impending rain sent her to the garage for the night. I went home, cleaned up, and got some sleep.

Most of the office was out Friday and those that were there bailed out after lunch. Despite that, my dad's AM retirement "roast" was a success. I helped myself to the coffee and breakfast pizza and enjoyed the speeches, photos and backstories. Nowhere else was it so apparent how many people were lamenting my his leaving and appreciative of all his efforts over the years. The afternoon ended fairly somberly but work picked up around 3.

I managed a couple hours at the lodge then came in for drinks at the PL. My "Glass Tower" was especially minty, but enjoyable, nonetheless. Pool and music were pretty decent, too.

How to almost miss a wedding:

First stop Saturday morning was at the transfer station to unload a bunch of scrap metal from the trailer. From there, Cara and I hit up the art store on the parkade to see what cardstock and envelopes they offered; didn't find exactly what we wanted. Then to the parents. Cara got a load of laundry going, meanwhile I loaded the riding mower into the trailer. We headed out a half our later and put in an hour or two at the lodge in prep for Saturday night. This meant building the platform for the bed using 3/4 plywood that I had freed up the night before while Cara wiped down jalousie panes and took them upstairs. The temps were rising and the spotty rain earlier in the day only added to the humidity factor. Keeping our eyes on the clock, we finished our tasks and headed back to the parents to swap laundry and get the '76 out. Then to the apt to cleanup, pulling ourselves together in the stifling heat and getting to the church a quarter 'til; meeting Ben as he strode down the front walk.

The Dave and Rebecca wedding went off without a hitch. The heat and humidity were oppressive, but being use to donning a sweat-soaked t-shirt on a ladder 16' up in lodge-internal, where the summer's sun has superheated the surrounding air while the cement below radiates waves of moisture, it wasn't _that_bad. A quick ceremony and we were headed for the Rotary. I got the distinct vibe the group of us were "the outsiders" at the event. Whatever the case, the A/C was blowing and the diet Mountain Dew was working overtime to keep my head off the table. Around sundown we took our leave for Andrea's parents' place.

The selection of games was seriously lacking from the last visit and it was apparent the heat of the day had taken its toll on everyone. But once Trivial Pursuit was out there was renewed energy in the room. Ben and Robert put up a good fight and between Cam, Micah and I we were able to slug through some oddball questions. What we couldn't figure out was how to play, or even the name, of a game that involves the phase "the deal has been made". I seem to recall a lot of ear-tugging and nose-tapping that went along with that one. Anyhow, it was past 1 when the shindig broke up and we parted under a clear night sky with a fairly full moon.

A quick walk down the RR tracks from the Rotary and a jaunt through tall grass and weeds in the moonlight lead us to the Lodge. The heat of the day had dissipated and a shower really hit the spot before bed. The next morning, light was streaming in the windows, but it wasn't long before the mists came. Then rain, thunder, lightning and a black sky. I turned on the '48 television and consulted the charts for KWWL's transmitter location. We got a picture of the radar pattern showing a big time storm (with digital TV the pics buffer and when the signal drops, they freeze). But without a good signal we had no audio at all. Terrific. Got a call from the parents that things were going to be getting bad quickly. We closed up shop and ventured out into the storm, moving along the tracks as fast as we could to get the '76 home before the hail storm. We made it, but a friend's place near Eldora was hit pretty hard by the storm system with strong winds, half dollar size hail and lots of tree damage.

There'd be no picker work or lawn mowing the rest of the day. We went back with the truck and worked another six and a half hours with Ben showing around 1 just in time for another storm system. We loaded up a couple Maytags as the skies opened up. Once again, I was drenched. Did manage to change the blade and fix the mower, ripped some stock for the workbench, cleaned tile and even grouted a good portion of the bathroom. Cara cleared the area under the stairs with the shop vac and proceeded to vac the downstairs, and I mean, the whole downstairs!

Already beat, we closed things up around 6:30 and headed in to get our laundry and grab a bite. Home by 8 and ready for the sack. That's a weekend.