13 November 2006

Yet another house project

We're nearly through re-doing one more room. This is the smallest of the three spaces in the basement, and when we first walked through the house the previous owners had a pot-growing operation in it. Grow lights and a watering system, even. Plus, as Christine can document in pictures (sadly, we never brought ourselves to do so), there was graffiti everywhere.

One, for example, said, that the daughter of the house "was fucking Nick here." Others were racist. It all made me never want to have teenagers.

Although some have suggested continuing the pot farm could have helped pay the mortgage, we decided against that. Instead, it initially became the world's largest walk-in closet for all the crap that didn't go elsewhere. Now, nearly three years later, we're converting it into a multi-use room.

First, storage area -- but with nice shelves to organize stuff rather than piling it up in the floor. Second, work space -- we'll get a little desk/workbench down there eventually. Third, guest room -- at some point we'll move a bed down there. For now, our air mattress will have to suffice when my family visits for Thanksgiving. Chelsea and Sarah, I promise, you'll love it.

As always seems to happen, a couple of things went wrong in the project.

While removing the baseboard heater, I managed to hit a live wire on the metal frame (yes, I was an idiot and left the power on), which created a beautiful shower of sparks and nearly set my pants on fire. Note to self: when frustrated while attempting to remove something, walk away rather than jerk it off the wall.

Also, I was rewiring the switches and plugs Friday morning when I knocked out power to half the house. I tried everything I could think of but had no luck restoring the juice. Many curse words, a consultation with a friend, a call to our electrician and $200 later, a blown circuit breaker and a direct short in the system were repaired.

Now, after Amy got us started on wall repairs and paint, I've done the trim work, a little more electrical and assembled the new shelves. We've done everything but hang the curtains and do whatever we'll do to the floor.

Sorry, no picture. It's not a big enough room to get all in one shot.

Next up, the kitchen. We're in the design phase now. That, however, won't be a homer job. Thankfully.

08 November 2006

Power grab

Wow.

Last week, Amy and I dressed up as Britney and K-Fed for Halloween. This week, Britney files for divorce.

We must use this awesome power for the forces of good. Any suggestions who we crush next?

Please, no matter your political leanings, don't suggest the Republican Party. As I sit here watching MSNBC in the wee hours it's clear the GOP has already crushed itself.