3/15/05 Ok so I treated myself :
I deserve it.
Fall 2004
Holy Smokes Batman:
12/19/03 The basement Megaproject is complete enough for me to give myself a nice Christmas present: Rest and Recuperation. This was a year to end all years. But persistence won out and I've verified that I am good. I can take on the big tasks (without any help) and win.
6/3/2003 I think that says it all...One main beam, five pieces. The degree-of-difficulty for the remainder of this Megaproject is all downhill from here to the end of the work year (Veteran's Day). Here's how the new beam was anchored:
1/21/2003
Well the 2003 Megaproject has commenced: 17 years of accumulated basement junk out to the curb to start it off. I should be done by Christmas 2003 and then the real partying begins (if I survive the terrors that lie ahead).
12/9/2002
The Sunporch overhaul is completed and the porch is set up for Christmas. Now its on to the planning stage for the basement overhaul & organization (this winter's project). Busy busy! I love this house. Keep Manhattan just gimme that countryside.
UPDATE 4/12/02:
...........Mostly done with this thing: and just in time for the nicer weather as planned so I won't be stuck inside feeling guilty about not being outside. I'm 100% done with the dog work.....what remains can be done at my leisure because its Happy Homeowner level stuff. I'm not gonna worry about the carpeting until maybe Fall. I've changed my ideas on that. I guess I should start doing my taxes though. It is Friday afternoon and have got 3 days. Luckily my patented data organization scheme makes gathering for the form a snap. It's just that I'd rather crash on the couch and zombie watching TV after what I've gone through in the living room than fill in the stupid little blanks. Uncle Sam is gonna get a pile this year unfortunately let me tell you. The next project is the Sun Porch....it took a beating even though I sealed it off from the living room. Luckily when I did that one when I first moved in it was done fairly thoroughly so it only needs a painting/cleaning: No scraping or plastering to wear out my lilly White Collar hands. In fact I'll need better weather since theres 8 Venetian blinds I've got to wash and I'll do them outside on the work table. Exciting stuff huh? But I wouldn't trade it for anyone else's life. Homey is looking up. I'm not afraid to come back to it at the end of the day like in the bad old days when I couldn't do anything to maintain it. Home SWEET Home!
So the winter project is in full swing: a refurb of the living room...Rework miles of molding and trim. I'll finally be rid of that crappy latex paint job which looks like it was painted with a tree branch, install molding at the ceiling line, paint the ceiling, replace the wallpaper, new tile in front of the fireplace and then new carpeting, up the stairs and in the second floor hallway. ("Its about time he spent some money!") Yeah it's way overdue. But what color do I go for! Here we go with the agonizing again. Completion'll likely be mid-but probably more likely the end of March. I really do love playing around with the house. There is something to be said for (balanced) materialism....but I vow never to accept that "Beamer" mentality. Ugh. He who dies with the most toys: got it all wrong.
The car is fixed...saved tons by troubleshooting it myself. All symptoms said I was due for a new transmission but the problem turned out to be with an ignition component which didn't fail unless it was under load. At idle it'd be fine but I'd drive it and accelerate then get really bad performance: just like a transmission problem. Tough to diagnose these kind. I envisioned myself shelling out fifteen hundred beans for a new transaxel to Joe the mechanic and all it needed was a $38 part. Hoo-ha!
2001 turned out to be a very productive year: two major projects and the car repair plus major organization in the house. And I didn't get started until July 3rd! Looks like old Jimbo is back on track: "back in the New York groove". Toot will be even better. "The future's so bright I gotta wear shades." Life has been great lately.
Lets roll.
So wadda you expect from a QuickCam? Anyway...so much for anonymity.
The driveway is the latest adventure rather than the backyard. I figured its got more bang for the buck curbappeal-wise. I figure I'll be done by July 21st if I keep at it after work. I've already experienced several re-engineerings since I started this past Wednesday but I'll just chalk that up to being a novice. It should make the property look a whole lot softer though....hate that blacktop and concrete look. It also gives me the excuse to buy some new tools....and take some time off from work & enjoy life. I went with a small red gravel and Belgian Block look even though everyone tells me of the hassles that will bring. Nice! Its my home so I'm making the call.
UPDATE....Its in and functional. Just about 5 hours more to go and then some cleanup. Stood back and looked at it and the first impression was "Wow". I love it. Heres a preview.....
In Jim's life there is a new fantasy almost every day: I'm outlining the stuff & methods it would take to replace my wood main beam in the cellar with steel (7.5 inches x 5.5 inches x 19.5 feet). Can I do it? Stay tuned. The schedule would be two years out. By then I should have all the angles figured out. Ego says I can but the reality is it's a major - and critical - undertaking for which I should call the man. But then again I should have called him for the roof and chimney and that worked ok. It doesn't hurt though doing the planning and having the dream. Whew! what an accomplishment that would be. I would then retire from this game...how could I top that?
Still alive and kicking but into other (more productive) things. In fact, theres nothing to report at all. Spring stuff at home is gonna take precedence. Being a homeowner/operator will be fun again after the sabbatical for the leg. Backyard landscaping is probably going to be the first challenge. Ain't it interesting how things change? Was thinking about a trip to Fredonia and that area to visit bro but other things are more important. Gotta focus Traxie! Bye-bye.
Yup, I can do just about anything and can prove it.
Been meaning to post this for awhile. No issues, just thought it seemed kinda appropriate. JRT
Crunch! .....UPDATED 7.5.2000
My third wish...(that's not me....I'm still waiting. But I do believe.)
Click hear Wav of the week
How I Spent My Summer Vacation or....The New Adventures of Joe Surf.....UPDATED 11.12.99
I guess my Performer is worth something...and I was going to sell it for $25 !
Coming soon to a terminal near you...the grandfolks' wedding picture. It's significant in that it's the only picture we have of him and I looked very much like him at that age. I just have to access a scanner. For now you'll have to settle for The Crow (whom I also resemble ha-ha).
....................Heres a rough cut - it needs more bits but you'll get the idea 'til then
My theme song (Sorry for the quality...I think Edison recorded it)
"Here's Jimmy" (All play and no work makes Jim a dull man,
All play and no work makes Jim a dull man,....)
I like the song
Easter 1956
Joe Surf
Good times...Jim on the road.
What Great writing! This is my favorite short story. He just pulls you in right at the start with his description of Ligeia . It is very difficult to read with its references to very obscure mythological characters but if you can read around them [assuming you don't recognize them] its worth it. It's a work which should be read by candle on Halloween; Its just steeped in gothic stuff. But more than that it is a story of such intense love that it could [deleted because I don't want to give away the ending - don't read ahead ]. Be cognizant throughout that the writer is setting up the story and even divulges the ending early on [don't worry, when you re-read it for the umpteenth time you'll spot that]. Not bad for a 165 year old work eh? Yes a classic. JT