Quick quiz: Where do deer go poo? If you said "in the woods, just like bears and the pope," then you gave the same answer I would have given just a few days ago. Though "outside" is quite accurate, a more precise answer would be "in Reston Kid's backyard."
We have been seeing lots of deer in our backyard recently. Mostly, we see a family of five. Every once in a while, we see a sole buck who has a growth hanging from its throat that looks like a pair of really red, irritated testicles the size of billiard balls. We love our deer (growth and all). Being close to nature is one of the big reasons we are in Reston, so seeing them so often makes us quite happy. Plus, we aren't gardeners, so we don't mind that they eat every plant in sight.
Given how often we have been seeing deer, I should have have known what was coming, but I'm kinda slow. When I mowed the yard this weekend, the backyard had deer feces everywhere. Seriously, every square foot had at least one pile. We have had deer in our backyard before, but I don't recall them leaving so many mementos.
I also don't recall seeing so many acorns in our yard, and yes, there seems to be a connection between the two things that litter my lawn so liberally. Deer love to eat acorns, so....
You get the idea. Sorry to go all scatological on you, but it was quite the experience, so I had to share.
Showing posts with label House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label House. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, February 4, 2008
It's Finally Finished
After a while, you can get used to little blemishes. For instance, we had gotten used to having no fake drawer in front of our sink. I actually liked the convenience of not having to open anything when I wanted to toss a grocery bag under the sink, but I knew the convenience had to come to an end someday.
We were surprised when Doug called this morning, but the day had finally come to install the fake drawer (which flips out to hold sponges.) The kitchen renovation is completely done.
Here is the Kitchen Reno Final album at picasa. If you want a day-by-day account of the journey, check out Kitchen Reno Day-by-Day.
The renovation was quite the adventure, but we absolutely love the end result. It fits our lives really well. It's not the biggest or fanciest kitchen around, but it is perfect for us.
The Day
We were surprised when Doug called this morning, but the day had finally come to install the fake drawer (which flips out to hold sponges.) The kitchen renovation is completely done.
Here is the Kitchen Reno Final album at picasa. If you want a day-by-day account of the journey, check out Kitchen Reno Day-by-Day.
The renovation was quite the adventure, but we absolutely love the end result. It fits our lives really well. It's not the biggest or fanciest kitchen around, but it is perfect for us.
The Day
- Workout: medium run
- Music: Dizzy Gillespie/Sonny Rollins/Sonny Stitt
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Study Then Sleep
I just thought about an old post by Ze Frank today. He is a really interesting guy and has some interesting ideas for how to study then sleep.
Many people with whom I went to college tried to stay up late drinking coffee to study for big tests. Then, when it was time for the test, they choked. Why? My brother suggested that the reason was state-dependent learning. When the mind learns, the information is trapped in a brain in a certain state. If the brain is tired or on caffeine or on some other drug, then that information is in a brain in that state. If you don't re-create that state for the test, then you could be in for an ugly surprise.
My strategy (based on my brother's ideas) was to listen to the same album over and over while studying. Picking the album for a semester took some effort. I needed to really like the album because I would be listening to it over and over for the following week or two. There was considerable diversity in my choices. I used Charlie Brown Christmas, Rachmaninoff, Rush, Joe Jackson, and others. Once I picked the album, I would listen to it repeatedly while at home.
When I went into the final, I had all the music (and thus all the knowledge) right there in my mind. No need for an iPod (good thing since they were over a decade from existing) because I had heard the album over and over again and had it resonating in every fiber of my being. I could just summon the music and along with it came the information I needed.
Most people in my family are too smart for these sorts of tricks. They did crazy stuff like keep up with their work all semester, but for me, this sort of thing worked well. Final exams almost always brought my grade up a letter at the end.
Anyway, I know this is probably too late (in some cases many years too late) for most who are reading this post, but I thought I'd share. You never know who might need to take a test of some sort.
The Renovation
Yesterday Herb (the electrician) and Doug (the GC) came back to fix some wiring and paint the siding where the sliding glass door used to be. Today, Doug came back to install the last upper cabinet doors and shelves as well as the last lower cabinet drawers. He is still waiting on the little fake drawer that goes in front of the sink.
The Day
Many people with whom I went to college tried to stay up late drinking coffee to study for big tests. Then, when it was time for the test, they choked. Why? My brother suggested that the reason was state-dependent learning. When the mind learns, the information is trapped in a brain in a certain state. If the brain is tired or on caffeine or on some other drug, then that information is in a brain in that state. If you don't re-create that state for the test, then you could be in for an ugly surprise.
My strategy (based on my brother's ideas) was to listen to the same album over and over while studying. Picking the album for a semester took some effort. I needed to really like the album because I would be listening to it over and over for the following week or two. There was considerable diversity in my choices. I used Charlie Brown Christmas, Rachmaninoff, Rush, Joe Jackson, and others. Once I picked the album, I would listen to it repeatedly while at home.
When I went into the final, I had all the music (and thus all the knowledge) right there in my mind. No need for an iPod (good thing since they were over a decade from existing) because I had heard the album over and over again and had it resonating in every fiber of my being. I could just summon the music and along with it came the information I needed.
Most people in my family are too smart for these sorts of tricks. They did crazy stuff like keep up with their work all semester, but for me, this sort of thing worked well. Final exams almost always brought my grade up a letter at the end.
Anyway, I know this is probably too late (in some cases many years too late) for most who are reading this post, but I thought I'd share. You never know who might need to take a test of some sort.
The Renovation
Yesterday Herb (the electrician) and Doug (the GC) came back to fix some wiring and paint the siding where the sliding glass door used to be. Today, Doug came back to install the last upper cabinet doors and shelves as well as the last lower cabinet drawers. He is still waiting on the little fake drawer that goes in front of the sink.
The Day
- Workout: crunches and push-ups
- Music: Cake
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Disappointed Vicariously
Follow-up to my post about Living Vicariously. Here is my friend's telling of what happened when he went for his blind date with The Entertainer's mom after poker.
"Nothing much happened. We talked. The whole house was awake. The Entertainer was there too. From what I can tell nobody in the house ever sleeps. The Mom was missing four lower front teeth and smelled of cigarettes and bourbon. The Entertainer has blond hair, most likely colored, but The Mom had very black hair and a style that closely resembles Elvis in the 50's. I stayed 45 minutes and got home. That was the evening."
Sometimes reality falls short of the promise. The next time will be different.
The Renovation
The box for the final cabinet arrived. We won't have shelves or doors for it until next week, but at least Doug was able to install the box, the molding and under cabinet lighting. He also hooked up the range, so we are literally cooking with gas.
Tomorrow: No more daily renovation updates. It's going to be a few days before the rest of the cabinet and the last drawers arrive. Doug will be back next week when he has all the stuff he needs to finish up. In the meantime, we have a perfectly functional kitchen.
The Day
"Nothing much happened. We talked. The whole house was awake. The Entertainer was there too. From what I can tell nobody in the house ever sleeps. The Mom was missing four lower front teeth and smelled of cigarettes and bourbon. The Entertainer has blond hair, most likely colored, but The Mom had very black hair and a style that closely resembles Elvis in the 50's. I stayed 45 minutes and got home. That was the evening."
Sometimes reality falls short of the promise. The next time will be different.
The Renovation
The box for the final cabinet arrived. We won't have shelves or doors for it until next week, but at least Doug was able to install the box, the molding and under cabinet lighting. He also hooked up the range, so we are literally cooking with gas.
Tomorrow: No more daily renovation updates. It's going to be a few days before the rest of the cabinet and the last drawers arrive. Doug will be back next week when he has all the stuff he needs to finish up. In the meantime, we have a perfectly functional kitchen.
The Day
- Workout: short run
- Music: The Moody Blues, The Police, Electronic, Gnarls Barkley
Monday, December 10, 2007
Be Careful
When I was a kid, I remember my grandmothers having plastic covers on their furniture and a plastic runner or two on the floor. They wanted to protect their nice chairs, couches, floors, and stairs. Frankly, I suspect that they only pulled that plastic protection out when they knew my cousins and I were coming over to destroy their homes. Most of the time, the home was probably plastic-free.
I always thought the plastic was a crazy decorative statement. Don't you own things so you can use and enjoy them? If a chair is so uncomfortable that you don't like sitting on it, isn't it not providing the utility for which you own it? What about the noise? Have you ever heard the noises that result when it's summertime and a leg tries to slide on a plastic-covered chair? It's like the sound of a sea star being pulled off a windshield. It is not pretty to see or to hear, and is certainly not comfortable.
So, why do I bring this up? With our kitchen renovation finishing up, I have a new-found respect for the protective quality of plastic. I want to coat our entire new floor in plastic (The Wife joked about it, but I think it's a great idea.) I want to put plastic/rubber feet on everything that comes within a foot of our counters. For a while, every rub, scrape, and ding will drive me nuts. No shoes. No glass. No porcelain. No long nails (finger or toe.)
Does anyone know where I can find big, clear plastic runners? I'm sure this paranoia will pass, but for now I need all the help I can get.
The Renovation
Week 5 is underway. The granite guy came, so the dishwasher is properly affixed to the counter now. The big (and loud) event was the floor. Working in the basement while they installed wood flooring in the kitchen and family room (four feet above my head) was a challenge at times, but I put on the most minimalist, repetitive music I could find and muddled through.
Tomorrow: The last upper cabinet? The last drawers? Gas stove hookup? We'll see.
The Day
I always thought the plastic was a crazy decorative statement. Don't you own things so you can use and enjoy them? If a chair is so uncomfortable that you don't like sitting on it, isn't it not providing the utility for which you own it? What about the noise? Have you ever heard the noises that result when it's summertime and a leg tries to slide on a plastic-covered chair? It's like the sound of a sea star being pulled off a windshield. It is not pretty to see or to hear, and is certainly not comfortable.
So, why do I bring this up? With our kitchen renovation finishing up, I have a new-found respect for the protective quality of plastic. I want to coat our entire new floor in plastic (The Wife joked about it, but I think it's a great idea.) I want to put plastic/rubber feet on everything that comes within a foot of our counters. For a while, every rub, scrape, and ding will drive me nuts. No shoes. No glass. No porcelain. No long nails (finger or toe.)
Does anyone know where I can find big, clear plastic runners? I'm sure this paranoia will pass, but for now I need all the help I can get.
The Renovation
Week 5 is underway. The granite guy came, so the dishwasher is properly affixed to the counter now. The big (and loud) event was the floor. Working in the basement while they installed wood flooring in the kitchen and family room (four feet above my head) was a challenge at times, but I put on the most minimalist, repetitive music I could find and muddled through.
Tomorrow: The last upper cabinet? The last drawers? Gas stove hookup? We'll see.
The Day
- Workout: crunches and push-ups
- Music: Jean-Michel Jarre, Philip Glass, The Polyphonic Spree
Friday, December 7, 2007
The End of Week 4
Let's just skip to the kitchen update:
The Renovation
On the last day of week 4, Doug installed:
This weekend: we will start moving stuff into the cabinets and drawers. figuring out where everything will go is going to be a fun challenge.
Next week: floors, gas range/oven hookup, one more upper cabinet, drawers for one base cabinet, and miscellaneous stuff.
The Day
The Renovation
On the last day of week 4, Doug installed:
- microwave/convection oven
- pulls on the drawers
- light for the pantry
- water line for the refrigerator (thus, fridge water and ice work)
This weekend: we will start moving stuff into the cabinets and drawers. figuring out where everything will go is going to be a fun challenge.
Next week: floors, gas range/oven hookup, one more upper cabinet, drawers for one base cabinet, and miscellaneous stuff.
The Day
- Workout: dumbbells, dips, crunches
- Music: Aaron Copland, Jack Johnson, Propellerheads, Public Image Ltd.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Out With the Old Floor and Reaction to the Pediatrician
The old hardwood floors are out. I feel for the guy who hauled them out of here in his truck. He probably thought it would be an easy job, but certainly carrying it all out to the truck was not easy. Still, I'm glad it's all gone.
Speaking of getting rid of wood, another tree fell in our backyard. This one is way at the back of the yard and is nowhere near the house. Still, we probably should get it taken care of. We really don't need another expense right now. In May, a 90-foot tree fell directly toward our house. Luckily, its base was about 90 feet away from the house, so the tips of its highest branches ended up lying on our back patio without causing any damage. Still, getting it chopped up cost money.
Darn trees.
Finally, several friends have reacted strongly to my post from yesterday. Some want me to tell someone at Pediatrics@Night about the doctor. Others wish I had quoted my resume to the guy. Most are simply aghast.
Frankly, I'm a cynic. I assume that most people have a plethora of prejudices. My strategy for fighting them is to live my life my way. I'm not going to try to beat anyone over the head with the stupidity of their ideas. If I had tried to explain to the doctor the idiocy of his ideas, I would probably have sounded pompous and would certainly have not changed his mind. All I can do is be who I am. If I'm lucky, I can have some small influence on a few people just by being me. This might seem like a cop-out, but it is who I am.
Many men and women (including my parents and grandparents) fought long and hard for me to be able to have the freedom and opportunity to live my life my way. I try to honor their efforts by living a life that is not constrained by other people's opinions about who I should be.
The Day
Speaking of getting rid of wood, another tree fell in our backyard. This one is way at the back of the yard and is nowhere near the house. Still, we probably should get it taken care of. We really don't need another expense right now. In May, a 90-foot tree fell directly toward our house. Luckily, its base was about 90 feet away from the house, so the tips of its highest branches ended up lying on our back patio without causing any damage. Still, getting it chopped up cost money.
Darn trees.
Finally, several friends have reacted strongly to my post from yesterday. Some want me to tell someone at Pediatrics@Night about the doctor. Others wish I had quoted my resume to the guy. Most are simply aghast.
Frankly, I'm a cynic. I assume that most people have a plethora of prejudices. My strategy for fighting them is to live my life my way. I'm not going to try to beat anyone over the head with the stupidity of their ideas. If I had tried to explain to the doctor the idiocy of his ideas, I would probably have sounded pompous and would certainly have not changed his mind. All I can do is be who I am. If I'm lucky, I can have some small influence on a few people just by being me. This might seem like a cop-out, but it is who I am.
Many men and women (including my parents and grandparents) fought long and hard for me to be able to have the freedom and opportunity to live my life my way. I try to honor their efforts by living a life that is not constrained by other people's opinions about who I should be.
The Day
- Workout: crunches and push-ups
- Music: The Cars, The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo, Vince Guaraldi, Steely Dan
Sunday, December 2, 2007
A Pile of Wood and Color Blindness
Pete and Stinky (more on the latter's nickname some other time) came over today and helped rip up the old hardwood floors. We now have a mountain of wood and nails in our living room and a similar one in the dining room.
The Wife has found someone who will come by tomorrow and haul away the piles. Once that is done, we can clean up and be another step closer to being ready. This week should see the last cabinets installed, as well as the sink, appliances, and the granite. Basically, we should have a pretty functional kitchen at the end of this week and will just have little stuff and the floors left for the following week. We can hope the plan comes together.
On a different topic: I have crazy people all around me. Family, friends, and co-workers all provide a rich supply of situations, quotes, stories, etc. that could fill this blog quite often. Though this sort of thing would be quite amusing, I am not comfortable telling these stories in such a public forum. You won't read about the wacky divorces, the crazy kids, or my dysfunctional company on these pages. You never know who will read this. If you know me, then you know you have probably done, said, heard, or seen something you'd rather not read here. Don't worry. You won't. The only stories I will put here are ones I don't mind the subject reading before coming to my house for chili.
On the other hand, strangers are fair game:
The Boy has an ear infection. He was really pathetic on Saturday as he just curled up and fell asleep in a tiny waiting room chair at Pediatrics@night. The Wife and I both knew he had an ear infection, but needed to get a doctor to prescribe the drugs that would make it all better. Anyway, The four of us went to the office and I accompanied TB into the examining room with the doctor. After the physical check, the doctor was entering data into his computer. He seemed like a nice, normal suburban guy. Nothing unusual about him. As TB napped with his head on my lap, the doctor asked me "What do you do? Are you a basketball player?"
Pete and Stinky: You two can stop laughing now. Anyone who has seen me actually play basketball knows that I stink. I am better at snow- and water-skiing than I am at basketball. Heck, I'm probably better at badminton, water polo, and perhaps ice hockey than I am at basketball. I stink. Why would he ask me this question, even in jest (as it certainly was?)
Later, he made the comment that his son wants to be a football or basketball player, but sadly, "He doesn't have a chance. I'm a geek. I mean, if he had some black in him, he'd have a chance, but no."
Why do I mention this? Many people I know insist that race is no longer an issue and that it's all about socio-economic class. They often say that they are color-blind. My point is that few people are truly color-blind and those who aren't are not just rednecks or old folks or in any other pigeon hole you'd like to put them in. Obviously there is nothing malicious about the doctor's comments, but what else is in there? I'm clearly athletically gifted as a result of my race (again, Pete and Stinky can stop laughing any time now), but does my race also make me less intelligent or more lazy?
Race is still an issue. I tend to fall on the Bill Cosby or Jason Whitlock side of these issues rather than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton's side, but the issue is still relevant. Now to go wake up TB so we can practice our jump shots. We both have an image to live up to.
The Day
The Wife has found someone who will come by tomorrow and haul away the piles. Once that is done, we can clean up and be another step closer to being ready. This week should see the last cabinets installed, as well as the sink, appliances, and the granite. Basically, we should have a pretty functional kitchen at the end of this week and will just have little stuff and the floors left for the following week. We can hope the plan comes together.
On a different topic: I have crazy people all around me. Family, friends, and co-workers all provide a rich supply of situations, quotes, stories, etc. that could fill this blog quite often. Though this sort of thing would be quite amusing, I am not comfortable telling these stories in such a public forum. You won't read about the wacky divorces, the crazy kids, or my dysfunctional company on these pages. You never know who will read this. If you know me, then you know you have probably done, said, heard, or seen something you'd rather not read here. Don't worry. You won't. The only stories I will put here are ones I don't mind the subject reading before coming to my house for chili.
On the other hand, strangers are fair game:
The Boy has an ear infection. He was really pathetic on Saturday as he just curled up and fell asleep in a tiny waiting room chair at Pediatrics@night. The Wife and I both knew he had an ear infection, but needed to get a doctor to prescribe the drugs that would make it all better. Anyway, The four of us went to the office and I accompanied TB into the examining room with the doctor. After the physical check, the doctor was entering data into his computer. He seemed like a nice, normal suburban guy. Nothing unusual about him. As TB napped with his head on my lap, the doctor asked me "What do you do? Are you a basketball player?"
Pete and Stinky: You two can stop laughing now. Anyone who has seen me actually play basketball knows that I stink. I am better at snow- and water-skiing than I am at basketball. Heck, I'm probably better at badminton, water polo, and perhaps ice hockey than I am at basketball. I stink. Why would he ask me this question, even in jest (as it certainly was?)
Later, he made the comment that his son wants to be a football or basketball player, but sadly, "He doesn't have a chance. I'm a geek. I mean, if he had some black in him, he'd have a chance, but no."
Why do I mention this? Many people I know insist that race is no longer an issue and that it's all about socio-economic class. They often say that they are color-blind. My point is that few people are truly color-blind and those who aren't are not just rednecks or old folks or in any other pigeon hole you'd like to put them in. Obviously there is nothing malicious about the doctor's comments, but what else is in there? I'm clearly athletically gifted as a result of my race (again, Pete and Stinky can stop laughing any time now), but does my race also make me less intelligent or more lazy?
Race is still an issue. I tend to fall on the Bill Cosby or Jason Whitlock side of these issues rather than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton's side, but the issue is still relevant. Now to go wake up TB so we can practice our jump shots. We both have an image to live up to.
The Day
- Workout: long (about 5 mile) run
- Music: Beastie Boys
Friday, November 30, 2007
Finishing Week 3
The kitchen has most of its trim and it looks like we are on schedule for the painters next week. Hopefully the last base cabinet will be in before the granite. As long as that timing works out and Herb (the electrician) is able to finish up, we should have nearly all but the floors done by the end of next week. Appliances arrive Tuesday so they should be here and ready for Herb to hook stuff up and for Doug to figure out the vent for the hood. Flooring should happen week after next, so it looks like I have two weekends to rip up the old flooring. I will be helping a friend of mine move this weekend, so he will return the favor by helping with floor removal on Sunday. If all goes well, we will have the old hardwood floors up by the end of this weekend.
The last renovation update for this week is in the week 3 web album.
The Day
The last renovation update for this week is in the week 3 web album.
The Day
- Workout: crunches, push-ups, dumbells
- Music: Sierra Leone's Refuge All-Stars
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Drywall Finishing, Cabinets Starting, Granite Chosen
Cabinets are being hung by the kitchen with care in hopes that the granite soon will be there.
Drywall is done and cabinets have begun. We also picked out our slabs of granite. The granite is greyish and blueish and has a few shiny flecks in it.
The Day
Drywall is done and cabinets have begun. We also picked out our slabs of granite. The granite is greyish and blueish and has a few shiny flecks in it.
The Day
- Workout: crunches and push-ups
- Music: Vince Guaraldi and Bola Sete, The Stone Roses, Big Audio Dynamite
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Drywall!
When I came back from my "run" this morning (I have to use quotes on that when I move as slowly as I did today. Honestly, I can still feel the pain from my 5k run on Saturday, so I am not pushing it), I was happy to see a county pickup in the driveway. Inspection went smoothly, so they started hanging drywall. Frankly, our GC was pretty chummy with the inspector, but I am hopeful (and pretty certain) that this is not a bad sign.
Cabinets should start tomorrow, but the big news for me is that it looks like I am going to have to pull up our old hardwood floors so we can save a bunch of money. This is going to be backbreaking work, but at least I have my youth. Wait. No, I don't. I'm a decrepit, old man. This is going to hurt for weeks, but I will save over a grand.
Time to get the ice packs ready.
The Day
Cabinets should start tomorrow, but the big news for me is that it looks like I am going to have to pull up our old hardwood floors so we can save a bunch of money. This is going to be backbreaking work, but at least I have my youth. Wait. No, I don't. I'm a decrepit, old man. This is going to hurt for weeks, but I will save over a grand.
Time to get the ice packs ready.
The Day
- Workout: nice, slow 3.5 mile "run" to Steeplechase
- Music: War, Wayne Shorter, William Shatner, Yes, XTC
Monday, November 19, 2007
A New Week, A New Renovation Album
So, when the stillness of a beautiful Fall morning in Reston was shattered by the hammer, circular saw, and drill, I knew the renovation week had started.
Last week was awesome. Stuff got torn up, and few things are as fun to watch as controlled devastation. This week has started off more subtly. Today, they did a bunch of work on wiring and got the pantry framed in. The bigger event was that Habitat for Humanity showed up and hauled away the old cabinets and the old freezer. It was really great to see that stuff go away and at the same time help someone out. Our new cabinets will begin showing up in the garage this week.
The inspector comes tomorrow to make sure we are up to code. As long as all goes well, drywall work will begin tomorrow right after the inspection. We need to pick out a slab of granite (maybe tomorrow) and make the call on flooring.
My brother and his wife and daughter will be with us this week. Entertaining in the construction zone and makeshift kitchen should be fun. It will be good to see the Brooklyn, Chicago, New Haven, and Cambridge crowds.
Note: I have decided to keep a separate album for each week of the renovation, so this (the second) week's pics are here in the Kitchen Reno Week 2 album. Once the renovation is finished, I will combine them into one trimmed down album, but for now I will upload a bunch of photos each day.
The Day:
Last week was awesome. Stuff got torn up, and few things are as fun to watch as controlled devastation. This week has started off more subtly. Today, they did a bunch of work on wiring and got the pantry framed in. The bigger event was that Habitat for Humanity showed up and hauled away the old cabinets and the old freezer. It was really great to see that stuff go away and at the same time help someone out. Our new cabinets will begin showing up in the garage this week.
The inspector comes tomorrow to make sure we are up to code. As long as all goes well, drywall work will begin tomorrow right after the inspection. We need to pick out a slab of granite (maybe tomorrow) and make the call on flooring.
My brother and his wife and daughter will be with us this week. Entertaining in the construction zone and makeshift kitchen should be fun. It will be good to see the Brooklyn, Chicago, New Haven, and Cambridge crowds.
Note: I have decided to keep a separate album for each week of the renovation, so this (the second) week's pics are here in the Kitchen Reno Week 2 album. Once the renovation is finished, I will combine them into one trimmed down album, but for now I will upload a bunch of photos each day.
The Day:
- Workout: dumbells, crunches, dips
- Music: The Beatles, Brian Eno, Saint-Saens, Miles Davis
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Raking on the Edge of the Desert
When most people think about yard work, they probably imagine manicuring a neat lawn or raking leaves into a nice, neat pile.
These people have never seen a house in the older parts of Reston. Controlling your yard in this area is like trying to control a small sandbox that is in the middle of a desert. I filled six bags of leaves from the front yard, then turned my attention out back. With the help of a leaf blower and ample work with the rake, I made a massive leaf pile. You could hide a mid-size car in there. I'm kinda afraid to let my son jump into the pile because he might not find his way out. He's a nice kid and we'd hate to lose him.
By the end of the week, the yard will look like I never touched it, so I better take a picture of it now or the moment will be gone forever.
The Day
These people have never seen a house in the older parts of Reston. Controlling your yard in this area is like trying to control a small sandbox that is in the middle of a desert. I filled six bags of leaves from the front yard, then turned my attention out back. With the help of a leaf blower and ample work with the rake, I made a massive leaf pile. You could hide a mid-size car in there. I'm kinda afraid to let my son jump into the pile because he might not find his way out. He's a nice kid and we'd hate to lose him.
By the end of the week, the yard will look like I never touched it, so I better take a picture of it now or the moment will be gone forever.
The Day
- Workout: raking and blowing leaves, lawn mowing; ice skating with Jack at Town Center
- Music: Gorillaz
Friday, November 16, 2007
Gun Control vs. Sleep
I'm generally a pretty conservative guy in terms of wanting the government to stay out of my life. The ACLU usually has it right in my book. I don't want the government supporting religion or suppressing free speech or otherwise taking upon itself to tell us what to do.
On the other hand, I don't think that semi-automatic assault rifles and armor piercing ammo should be available. I know this is a bit of a conflict, but so be it. Hunting rifles are fine. Target shooting is fine. AK-47's and glocks are dangerous.
Why does this come up? I like to sleep. Actually, one of my favorite pastimes before kids was to wake up at 8:00 on a weekend, then roll over and head back to sleep. Just because I could. Then kids came along and they have been our alarm clocks for the past 6.5 years. Until now. What wakes me up every morning just a little after 6:00? A woodpecker pecking on the lovely wood siding right behind our bedroom. I appreciate that he wants food and shelter, but that's what we have zillions of trees for. This isn't an area that has been clear-cut. We have scads of trees, but this woodpecker wants my house instead. I am ready to buy a shotgun and start looking up woodpecker recipes. Woodpecker and dumplings? Woodpecker pot pie? I'm ready to give them a try.
Anyway, the NRA is still pretty evil, but I want one of those evil folks to come by my house one morning and help me do some selective reduction of the woodpecker population. I'll even invite the sharpshooter over for some dumplings or pot pie.
The Day
On the other hand, I don't think that semi-automatic assault rifles and armor piercing ammo should be available. I know this is a bit of a conflict, but so be it. Hunting rifles are fine. Target shooting is fine. AK-47's and glocks are dangerous.
Why does this come up? I like to sleep. Actually, one of my favorite pastimes before kids was to wake up at 8:00 on a weekend, then roll over and head back to sleep. Just because I could. Then kids came along and they have been our alarm clocks for the past 6.5 years. Until now. What wakes me up every morning just a little after 6:00? A woodpecker pecking on the lovely wood siding right behind our bedroom. I appreciate that he wants food and shelter, but that's what we have zillions of trees for. This isn't an area that has been clear-cut. We have scads of trees, but this woodpecker wants my house instead. I am ready to buy a shotgun and start looking up woodpecker recipes. Woodpecker and dumplings? Woodpecker pot pie? I'm ready to give them a try.
Anyway, the NRA is still pretty evil, but I want one of those evil folks to come by my house one morning and help me do some selective reduction of the woodpecker population. I'll even invite the sharpshooter over for some dumplings or pot pie.
The Day
- Workout: 3 x (dumbells(curls, shoulders, chest) + 100 crunches + 12 dips)
- Music: WFMU, Cloud Cult, Dee-Lite, Led Zeppelin
- Photos: Day 5 of the renovation
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Scary Renovation Stories, Part 1
On the first day of renovation, the GC and the electrician were joined by some muscle who helped with the demolition. Since that first day, it's been a two-man show. I like hearing them work stuff out together and it gives me great comfort. One person is bound to miss stuff. Two are more likely to work stuff out well (geeks in the audience might think about Extreme Programming as an example of this).
Anyway, the scary part is when they find messed up stuff (which is often.) They have found:
It almost makes the 6:55 a.m. wake-up call (courtesy of a reciprocating saw in the dining room) worth it.
The Day
Anyway, the scary part is when they find messed up stuff (which is often.) They have found:
- Junction boxes that are wired in an unsafe manner.
- Live wires tied in to boxes and just hanging behind drywall (so a nail driven into the drywall could have found an exciting surprise.)
- Outlets that had fires behind them years ago.
- A big, fat electrical cable that goes nowhere and was cut off abruptly with a saw.
It almost makes the 6:55 a.m. wake-up call (courtesy of a reciprocating saw in the dining room) worth it.
The Day
- Workout: interval running (30 sec. hard run/30 sec. jog for about 2.7 miles) here is the map
- Music: Carl Orff, The The, Sublime, Beastie Boys, English Beat
- Photos: Day 4 of the renovation
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Kitchen Renovation Begins
Well, we have finally decided to renovate our kitchen. The old one was small, ugly, and not well laid-out.
Problems we had with the old kitchen:
Anyway, here are the pics of the project. I have been pretty good so far about uploading updates every day.
Problems we had with the old kitchen:
- The crazy former owner blocked off the family room, so he had to put in a sliding glass door where a window used to be so he would have access to the deck. He was a nut. He also had walled off the dining room, but that's another story altogether.
- From a single spot in the kitchen, you could see 7 different flooring surfaces.
- The space in the kitchen was very cramped and there was no good place to eat in the kitchen (thanks to the slider)
- Everything was old and hideous.
- We really wanted a second oven as well as a fridge that didn't stick out into the room.
- Not enough storage or light.
- Gutting the entire room.
- Moving the opening from the corner to centering it on the Dining Room wall.
- Moving the Dining Room wall over a foot (toward the kitchen) to make enough room to walk through from the rest of the house to the new pocket doors into the kitchen.
- Putting in a small pantry.
- Replacing the slider with a window, extending the counter down under the window and adding a peninsula that will extend from under the new window.
- Adding Maple cabinets and new floors.
- New counter-depth fridge and moved other appliances.
- Marble counters.
- Recessed lighting.
Anyway, here are the pics of the project. I have been pretty good so far about uploading updates every day.
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