Monday, August 9, 2010

a dark day

words cant describe the black cloud that came from the east this past weekend...

Monday, April 26, 2010

augusta?

nope..  just the backyard.  Need to rent a skid steer and start moving dirt to create the green and bunkers out by the trees.  Its about a pitching wedge; yes, I tested it out.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

another thursday

Tonight was one of those nights..  I got back to the ranch and hadn't planned on working on it tonight.  I headed over to a local event right across the road at the golf course.  A little food fest, super cheap, great food, and a decent crowd of people. A great night for it.  After that it was back here...  nothing really planned and no real ambition to get into anything.  So the rest of the night was spent in the back yard just hanging out and watching the sun set.  It was a beautiful thursday night here, phenomenal weather that doesn't get much better. I throw on some music and just chill out and of course you can't help but to think about of a lot of things.  Is an exceptional memory a bad or a good thing? Its great I guess when things you remember things that make you laugh, smile and love.  But when those memories make you laugh, smile, and love... and realize all those things aren't around, you start to wish you couldn't remember. Thursday's always remind me of a voice that I still hear all the time, and today's date reminds me of when something great slipped away. I'm making new memories now, but the problem is I can't remember what I did last thursday or last month, so in my mind it must not have been anywhere close to as good...














footnote:  John Mayer is on.  Neon is the song.  And I just realized a line of the song mentions Peachtree Street.  And he mentions something slipping through his hands.  No joke, I wrote this right before the song started, that is some serious divine intervention there.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

somethings missing

Quite possibly, something cool that took place here at the house could be taken to the next level. Interesting how something so small and basically just an idea gains momentum and keeps growing and growing. Its cool how things you never thought would amount to much turn into something good for not just yourself, but for everyone around you and people you dont even know.  Things are going really good right now, doing some cool stuff, spending time and having fun with great people, and have some great trips coming up.  The house has been good lately for the impromptu grilling and relaxing with the nice weather, but something is definitely missing...   some voids you can't fill, no matter what you try to replace it with












Sunday, April 11, 2010

weekend

well news flash!  I got absolutely nothing accomplished on the house this weekend...  Friday night I went downtown and supported the local arts community, which was an awesome event.  The rest of the weekend was filled with fantastic weather so I was out enjoying it.  And some impromptu grilling of course, putting it to good use.  side note: working on getting the temporary fire pit lined up too!  So maybe this week I will get back on the basement and try and finish up the wiring project.  I have the drill and bit ready to make some more holes to pull wire.  Power tools are fun!   I hope your weekend was good, mine was filled with good family, good friends, and good times.  good times.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

success

After a quick assembly and having to light it with a butane torch the grill is working. So an impromptu party with family and friends took place this evening since the weather was incredible!  Bacon cheddar burgers, cheddar wursts and hot dogs took a maiden voyage...  Some backyard sports and the dogs running around brought some life to this place.  Still have some great friends here as I'm blogging this, its great that this is exactly one of the reasons this place was intended for.  Maybe some some California Chicken topped with Desert Pepper salsa will be the next meal on it, hopefully it will bring something back from the past, it worked well last time to bring people together.  One can hope...


Friday, April 2, 2010

a good friday


Well today is one of those days that are always good to have, the first real warm day of the year. Luckily mine was spent somewhere even warmer.  And even though I was away from the ranch I did (in a round about way) work on something for it.  Since my bro isn't the grillin' type he has given his super duper grill to me!  So I disassembled it and got it ready for the multi-state transport back to the Peachtree. Still figuring out how I'm going to get this in my carry on, so look for a future post on how it works out. This has immediately moved to the top of the 'must do' list.  I definitely enjoyed the 89 degree day and the sunburn I got, finally some pigment so I'm not blinding people.  Gotta run, like I mentioned the other day off to some new adventures. Seems the light painting photos have gathered interest across state lines.  Heading out to an impromptu photo get together to take some pics, meet some new people, and light paint outdoors at night since the weather is awesome!   Hope you had a Good Friday!


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

past or present?

I've heard a million times lately whats in the past is in the past, its done, its over, you can't change it.  That's true to a point, you can't change it, but is it truly over, is it really done and forgotten?  Is the past merely gone and never to return?  I don't believe it, I can't accept that answer.  This house has plenty that was done in the past, hasn't been touched in years, hasn't been thought about. But everyday I see it, I come across the past here all the time.  Decisions that were made years ago are constantly affecting me and what I need to do.  The crazy wiring, the bizarre framing modifications, the smoke stains that kept coming back again and again.  It would have been a heck of a lot easier to get something new and not have to deal with some of the wacky stuff I've seen here, but the satisfaction and the fun of making into something better than new is all part of the experience and its how you learn and grow. And I'm convinced new isn't always better.  I've asked 'why' a few times, I've bashed my knuckles, I've been brought to tears in frustration, but without those things and more there wouldn't be personal satisfaction from making it right, and everyone noticing and learning that a little TLC can transform something into what no one thought it would be. So I am sticking to my guns, the past quite often is just as much the present, no matter what you tell me. Every day I deal with the past, to me, its so close and real.  I can't escape the past, I wake up with it, I see it all day and I go to sleep with it. I love it and sometimes stresses me all at the same time.  It would just be better to me if the good parts of the past could be brought to the present, heck I'll even take some bad parts too and work to make them good.  If you still think of the past that much, you have to ask yourself whats keeping it from being part of the present?  I hold onto the fact that more often than not, something that was great in the past can be restored to something amazing in the present, and be an outstanding example for the future.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

plugging back in

After some quality time in the basement over the weekend I got a little bit more wired up. Another bank of outlets got wired and connected. I actually have a few lights on switches; novel idea, I think the shop light is getting upset since I'm not spending as much time with it.  Seems like a little progress is being made down there, hopefully I get it wrapped up soon and I can check that off the "that needs fixed sooner than later list".  Thankfully that list is getting shorter.  I can get some of those things done and spend a little more time plugging back into life, spring is almost here, time for some new adventures.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

every night...

at the same time, I make the same wish...

Friday, March 26, 2010

turn the light...














most pictures I've taken or have in my archives are worth a thousand words, some of the ones dearest to my heart more, this one is just worth one.  This is the first switch for some lights downstairs, tonight I picked up some wire to run the other switch leads.  Tomorrow I hope to get some more things knocked out down there, if you are around or need something to do, just come on by and give me a hand.  Don't worry, I'm not getting rid of the 'light painting' studio, I know plenty of people want to come back and get more pictures.  What do you think the switches were for? to turn out the lights, not turn them...  well you get the idea.  Hope you had a good friday!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

spring smoke

The last few nights I've been taking a break from the house work.  Just felt like getting some other things done and nothing done all at the same time.  Last night turned out to be a good break.  It was nice out so I figured the first trip of the year to Swenson's was in order.  After that, I swung by DQ to get a tasty treat (any other night it would have been Ro's). Our wonderful admin assistant at work suggested going there since the youth group from her church got a percentage of the proceeds from the evening sales.  I figured I would go support a good cause, and how could I turn down an excuse for a blizzard.  Luckily they weren't doing it at the Ducati dealership or I might have really had a good night.  Then driving back to the ranch I noticed the neighbors were starting a fire, so I pulled in and helped out. Well, it was more of a smokescreen across the road when I first saw it, but after a little work and a trip over here to get some nice dry wood out of the garage we got the fire going.  Kicked back and enjoyed the nice evening around the fire with some good friends.  Like I mentioned the other night, the best of city life and country life all so close, not a bad deal at all.  Its crazy how most of the things that were talked about and hoped for happening here are coming true...   it would be even sweeter if my best friend was here experiencing them with me...

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

lightning and thunder

Well if you live anywhere near where the house is, last night was the first thunderstorm of 2010. Plenty of crazy lightning and booming thunder went on for quite some time last evening.   Some substantial pouring rain also came down. After helping out a great friend of mine with some computer issues I drove back to the house in the middle of the storm.  The lightning that pierced the clouds was incredible, it was blinding.  I definitely enjoy a good spring thunderstorm, its nice just listening to whats going on.  After I got inside I went to work on some photos for a friend and her boyfriend.  The thunderstorm was a good soundtrack in the background. Thankfully the house held up well, the winter didn't destroy my downspouts so all the water made it away from the house and didn't cause any issues.  It's amazing to me how certain things trigger memories, last night reminded me of good old apartment 5109F.  I remember plenty of spring and summer storms a couple years ago, laying down upstairs with the windows open, relaxing and falling asleep to the sound of the thunderstorm. Those were some great days, after the storm calmed down I couldn't help but to hit play on some JC...  "These are the days I've been missing..."

Sunday, March 21, 2010

new moon

And you thought I was talking about that vampire movie. This weekend my good buddy helped me out with some wiring in the basement, most of which will be featured in a future post.  Part of the changes that were made allowed us to reroute the wiring for the pole light near the curb. This light hasn't been working properly since I arrived here.  Since it was a beautiful day outside we took some time to get the light working. After some trial and error we got everything operating and the old skool globe is back on!  The photocell even still works.  Of course we popped a CFL bulb in for some energy efficiency.  Now when you come down the street you will know to hang a left at the moon!  Adds a little curb appeal to the old place.  The light is on, I've been waiting for you, so come on over.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

location location location

One of the great things about this house is the lot.  especially when the weather is nice, like it has been recently.  In the middle of town its like you are in the country. You have all the amenities of pseudo city life surrounding you, yet the quiet and serenity of being miles outside of town. This is an incredible neighborhood for sure, and the mornings and evenings here are great.  You can hear birds chirping, see deer and another animals up close, and see the sunlight pass through the trees and dapple the yard.  Its also a great place to walk; inside the neighborhood there isn't much traffic and if you want, you can walk to get food or ice cream on a nice evening, pretty good deal.  I can imagine the barbecue's here with family and friends for sure.  I was just talking with a great friend tonight about the house and life right now, and definitely one of the positives is this location.  It is a location everyone agrees that doesn't get much better. If you haven't experienced it come on by, I'd be glad if you were here.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

breaker breaker

After gutting the basement I really haven't updated things associated with that whole process.  Many little things had to be done to get everything out properly.  One of those things was some wiring.  To make things easy during the demo process I just shut off all the circuit breakers to the lights and outlets in the basement and started going postal on the wiring.  I cut the wiring at all the outlets and lights, then started pulling the wiring back to the panel.  From there just cut the majority of the leads since the panel was pretty accurate with everything. Since I will be rewiring everything in a much simpler way this was the easiest way to get everything out, meanwhile saving as much wiring as possible.  After the fact I ended up with three completely empty circuit breakers and two breakers with leads that only have one light on each.  I can basically get some lights up and outlets in and properly divide them and not overload anything. It worked out really well.  Side Note: I did actually almost get electrocuted.  One of the leads didn't appear as if it was wired to anything, well I cut it, nothing happened.  After investigating why a light was out in the area where my well is, my buddy and I realized that there was a GFI outlet beside the panel installed in between the lead and the circuit breaker, and well... when I cut the lead it immediately threw the GFI protection and shut the power.  Otherwise I would have been zapped.   Don't you wish life had a circuit breaker...  When things get crazy and go wrong or you make a mistake the breaker just flips, everything pauses, and you can just flip the switch and its all back to the way you want in pretty much an instant.  

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

some things are worth the wait...

I don't mean to completely veer off course...  Well yes I do, I can't help it.  This is just way cooler than the boring post I had worked up....    after months and months of waiting it is soooo close...

Monday, March 1, 2010

marching on...

It’s been a little while since I posted any updates. Mostly because I haven’t changed too much stuff around the house lately, and the stuff I have changed I need to take some pictures of, so I'll have to veer off a little on this post. I’ve been pretty busy with life before, and since, my last post. The end of January and February was a busy month with other things. So busy in fact I just realized its March 1st. I feel kind of bad I haven’t spent too much time on the house, mostly the time spent here has been getting furniture set up and starting to get some art hung up. I need to get some more art made, so hopefully I can start getting that going and post it on my other blog. But I haven’t made too many other changes, for a few reasons, just time in general being the biggest. Been trying to enjoy life outside of here a little bit since I made a big push around the house previously. Another reason, is a little creative fun has turned into something a lot bigger. What started as me and some good buddies experimenting with photos has really taken off and got a lot of people interested. So much so, we had a big event, even with a giant snowstorm. Now it’s gotten so popular we have our own fan page on the bookface. If you want, you can head over there and see what we are doing. It’s taken up some of my time, but well worth it since its really getting a lot of people together for good times. Plus it enabled me to put the house to use for one of its original intentions, getting family and friends together. I remember talking about it many times when the search for a house was on, how friends and family could come over and enjoy each others company. How that would be a really important part of the house, and how much it would mean. This was the first time it has happened, and it really was a great moment in time...


http://www.facebook.com/digitaltherapy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1-uRMVIbro

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

shore it up

Just when I started typing this post the parallel of what it talks about and life in general came to mind.  Underneath part of the floor (the bathroom in particular) someone else proceeded to hack away the support to make space for some piping. They basically took the support and cut it in half, leaving what was left hanging there to hold the weight of the house above unsupported.  So I had to get a jack post and push back up the sagging joist into the correct position. This was done over a couple weeks, in small increments, just to make sure I didn't stress everything all at once.  After it was in the correct position, I installed a new double header spanning from the joists on each side, then attached the cut joist.  I used some joist hangers to make sure there was a secure connection between everything.  I don't have any pictures of the hack job, I forgot to take one before tearing the old stuff out.  But you can see in the images how the new header fits in, the support post has been removed and now the floor isn't sagging!

If only it was this easy to fix life after it's been cut in half, it takes quite a bit more time and effort, but you definitely need good support during that time to get things back somewhere close to level.




















Thursday, February 4, 2010

related break - new

Well I totally forgot to update the TV situation.  Per my last post about the TV I explained that I was supposed to get a credit for the broken panel.  I did get a credit and I did get a new TV.  Since I got a substantial credit I went ahead and threw in a few bucks and upgraded to some new technology.  I'm not going to say what I have, I don't want you coming by in the middle of the night and taking it home for yourself.  haha... It is Energy Star compliant of course, it uses far less energy than a conventional tv or even the panels they have made over the last few years. So that is really cool, can feel a little better when its on that I'm not wasting a ton of resources.  I am truly blessed that God has given me the means to get such a nice TV.  I don't really watch too much all by myself, I feel like I should be doing something else more productive with my talents, but I'll kick back once in awhile and catch up on things that I've DVR'd (Top Gear on BBC America, head to your DVR right now, funniest show on TV!).   I mostly got the nice TV for when family and friends are over so they can enjoy their time here; if you have a nicer TV than them, your odds of them coming back are much greater. :-)   If you haven't come over and enjoyed some HD goodness you should, the superbowl should look pretty sweet on it.  I'll be here tuning in, so come on by.

Monday, February 1, 2010

primer over paint over paint over paint

Well it's been awhile since I used a paint brush or roller; since I had nothing better to do I thought I would paint.  Just kidding, I'm actually kind of tired of painting.  Due to the excessive smoking that took place in the master bedroom by the previous owners I noticed an issue.  There was a wallpaper border in that room.  After removing it and sanding and priming that area there was a discrepancy in the color of the wall.  The white primer on the border area was substantially whiter than the wall area, even though I had already painted the wall white. hmmmm.  Well after painting it again it still wasn't white. Then I realized the yellowish hue probably was from the smoke, and it kept leeching through the latex paint.  Even latex Kilz wouldn't kill it.  I had to resort to the same oil base primer that was used on the border area.  Not very eco-friendly but there really was no choice in the matter.  The entire room needed primed, again, to cover up the yellowish tint. Oil based primer does not smell very good, as you may know. After some toxic fume inhalation burning my last few brain cells, its done now!  Time to get the latex paint out again and go over the primer.  I think I've lost a couple inches in this room from all the paint. :-)   Good times, good times!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

off the hook

Where do you hang your hat?  Or maybe your coat?  Well inside the door usually. Especially if you are just running right back out. So after removing the old hooks inside the back door the search was on for some new hooks.  Well I remembered seeing some sweet ones at Ikea the last time I was there.  My buddy was heading over so I had him pick me some up. Which I just remembered I never paid him for, I'll be doing that tomorrow.  The entry was repainted, just left the existing board for the time being so I didn't create a bigger project by removing it.  I finally got around to laying out the hooks and getting them mounted.  They are really pretty interesting, they look like a metal box on the wall, but then magically open to create a hook.  Really interesting design, nice and modern in appearance.  Next time you come by feel free to hang your coat, scarf, or hat on one.  Check out the pics after the jump!


Saturday, January 23, 2010

closed door

Well its been a little while since I've dropped something on you. I've been busy with other stuff and haven't made the time to give you some updates.  That's on me, so I thought tonight I'd get you something to nibble on. Like the front window I was procrastinating on the front door. Luckily my brother taped it all off for me.  I finally got around to giving it a couple coats of paint.  Then today I just got all the tape off and cleaned it up.  Looks a heck of a lot better than the mustard seed color it once was. I'll have to do something about the hardware but that is for another day.  It's funny how the door means so much. Probably somewhere inside I was holding back from changing it, its one of the few things that is exactly the same as day one inside here.  So much is different around here, but its all still the same. Some things you can't just cover up, no matter how hard you try.























Tuesday, January 12, 2010

knob

So I have been a bit of a knob and haven't been posting enough.  I do feel bad about that, here I was saying I was going to keep up and haven't.  I know that's not cool and not fair to you if you are checking in. I've been busy with planning another creative outlet, shot some photos for one of my best friends wedding, and helping out some family with making some art, so my time has been tight since my last post.  I do have some things to get up on the blog, this week I will squeeze a few in. I might need the weekend off but will be hitting some stuff next week as time permits.  I'll share this little snippet with you. I painted a built in cabinet that was in the dining area, it was brown wood and the color just made it obtuse with its position in the room, so I whited it out.  Looks a lot better, much less distracting to the windows and the space.  The cabinet needed some new pulls so I actually came across these ones at the big box store, they fit my style so I tried them out.  They actually look really good, they are small and serve the purpose. They are brushed aluminum to match all the door hardware. Can't beat them for the few bucks they were!


Wednesday, January 6, 2010

the first replacement

Well I'm back with a post!  Woot Woot.  I know its about time.  With the Christmas Season and doing a lot of photography stuff I've slacked on posts.  I do apologize if you've been looking for new posts.  I have done some things around the house so I will be updating as best I can.  Well one of my previous posts detailed the laundry bar / workout bar. Apparently I used it too much.  The bar was bent and the hooks were bending to the point of breaking.  Its for laundry only now.  So my good buddy hooked me up with a sweet setup.  Machined mounts and a stronger bar!  I am in business.  Back to sculpting my guns.