You'll never guess what is outside my house. I found it on Saturday morning.
A "no parking" sign. Dated 9/29-9/30. I did not arrange for this sign - my street is getting repaved this week! ARE YOU F*#(ING KIDDING ME??? My move is scheduled for 9/30! I need a 32' truck parked in front of my house! GAAAAAHHHHHHH!
The City of El Cerrito is getting a call bright and early tomorrow morning.
I spent the rest of this weekend packing.
Kent spent all weekend working on the new water heater, but the unions still leak, so in addition to no packing getting done in the Berkeley house, we still have no hot water. Not that I mind showering in my house, but...
I swear to god, if I am frantically dumping out bookshelves in Berkeley on Wednesday morning at 5, I am going to kill someone.
In happier news, both of my for-sale couches are gone, and all the small particleboard shelves I put out front were taken before I even got the trash out. I couldn't move the large particleboard shelves myself, but if the movers can get them by the garage door, I can walk them down the driveway next Sunday - those should go quickly, too.
Aside from that the house is a complete disaster. Most of the closets and shelves have been emptied, but not everything is packed yet. Grrrr.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
why to do scheduled maintenance
Kent and I went out to check a couple of potential reception sites today. We rushed out in the morning with a load of stuff for the new house, then rushed to the first meeting, and during the tour Kent took a call. From the (non-crazy) neighbor, saying that the sump is going like crazy. Since it's not raining, this is not a good thing.
So, with everything else going on, Kent's water heater picked now to suffer a failure. Water was everywhere. A lot. He's gone and picked up a tankless heater (this should be interesting), but in the mean time, we are without hot water. Let this be a lesson to you to check your anodes (? - the sacrificial metal that keeps the corrosion from attacking the tank, anyway).
At least it wasn't that the pressure safety valve failed - that, as we've all seen on Mythbusters, is bad:
On the other hand, this is the perfect opportunity for me to use the new shower at my house! It would be my first time in there, since we haven't lived at my house since the project was done. My mom's used it, though, and she approves.
We filled out a "no parking" application at the SFPD today, and ran into some confusion as to how to pay. We both forgot our checkbooks, but there was a sign which seemed to say personal checks aren't acceptable for moves that are not in-town, anyway. Okay, they take cashier's checks, but we for damn sure had none of those.
Here's the good part: for out-of-town moves, they required cash if you didn't have a cashier's check. However, they didn't want to take cash, since they couldn't make change. WTF seriously?? Perhaps to make up for the water heater leak, luck was on our side and we had cash in the amount $0.01 over the required amount. Form was filed, request was placed, so the moving truck should have a lot of space to park and unload next Wednesday.
I've spent most of the rest of the afternoon playing phone tag with my blue couch buyer (the first one fell through, but the new pick up is scheduled for Sunday), and updating my address on all the accounts I can think of. A couple will have to wait until Monday - I don't want to chance a voicemail system updating some of my insurance, but not all.
Tomorrow is set for meeting with my east bay realtors, and packing all my stuff.
But right now, sushi calls.
So, with everything else going on, Kent's water heater picked now to suffer a failure. Water was everywhere. A lot. He's gone and picked up a tankless heater (this should be interesting), but in the mean time, we are without hot water. Let this be a lesson to you to check your anodes (? - the sacrificial metal that keeps the corrosion from attacking the tank, anyway).
At least it wasn't that the pressure safety valve failed - that, as we've all seen on Mythbusters, is bad:
On the other hand, this is the perfect opportunity for me to use the new shower at my house! It would be my first time in there, since we haven't lived at my house since the project was done. My mom's used it, though, and she approves.
We filled out a "no parking" application at the SFPD today, and ran into some confusion as to how to pay. We both forgot our checkbooks, but there was a sign which seemed to say personal checks aren't acceptable for moves that are not in-town, anyway. Okay, they take cashier's checks, but we for damn sure had none of those.
Here's the good part: for out-of-town moves, they required cash if you didn't have a cashier's check. However, they didn't want to take cash, since they couldn't make change. WTF seriously?? Perhaps to make up for the water heater leak, luck was on our side and we had cash in the amount $0.01 over the required amount. Form was filed, request was placed, so the moving truck should have a lot of space to park and unload next Wednesday.
I've spent most of the rest of the afternoon playing phone tag with my blue couch buyer (the first one fell through, but the new pick up is scheduled for Sunday), and updating my address on all the accounts I can think of. A couple will have to wait until Monday - I don't want to chance a voicemail system updating some of my insurance, but not all.
Tomorrow is set for meeting with my east bay realtors, and packing all my stuff.
But right now, sushi calls.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Still busy, still alive, bracing for impact
There's a perfect storm of activity brewing out here.
Lynn recently posted about her busy schedule (her wedding is less than 10 days from now), and since we're now officially in a competition to see who has a nervous breakdown first, I thought I'd share what's going on here. Just to make sure the bookmakers get the odds right.
Today, I have to finish getting a presentation together for a very high up manager - the presentation needs to go out tomorrow morning. I'll be spending most of next week (the work time, anyway) prepping to actually present to this man by Friday without tripping all over myself or contradicting what my teammates will be saying. There's also a mentoring kickoff meeting next Thursday that lasts for half the day. I also need to set up some meetings to make sure I will focus on the right things in October. I also have to figure out the best way to get someone off my project who is causing trouble.
I'm in the process of selling off some excess couches, so I have to be home tonight to meet one of those people (last night was all about moving furniture so that couches can get to the front door). I'm also behind on packing. This weekend will be all about realtors and packing, and last minute house projects (like patching up holes from things bolted to walls). I'm hoping that the Mess Royale that is my house right now means that I am further along than I thought - at least it's out of the closets, right? Moving day is next Wednesday, I'm burning a vacation day to shepherd all of that because Kent's on a business trip. I'll have to make sure I have all his lists on what he wants moved and what he doesn't. Also? I need to figure out where the furniture's going to go in the new house. I'm not moving a sofa bed myself in two weeks. If you know anyone in the bay area that may want some particleboard shelves in good condition, point them my way - there's a lot of built ins at the new place so we won't need all we have. Oh, and I need to replace some outlets so that they're all modern and white. Buh-bye, stained almond electronics!
Friday, we have meetings with the wedding planner's assistant to see some potential sites. As soon as we're done with that, we have to stop by the local PD precinct station and get a no parking permit for in front of our house on moving day. $150. Ouch. But, that will probably pay out by not requiring movers (paid by the hour) to carry my furniture an extra half block.
I'm also trying to list out everything I need to do that's connected to the move. It's surprisingly hard to think of who all needs a change of address notification. There's insurance to deal with. Other services to cancel. Services to set up at the new house (I still need to make sure the trash company has the right count for what bins we need). We need to get the good curtains out of Kent's place before he rents. I need to file a new W-4. Totally being bitten to death by ducks.
Oh, and Kent's birthday is this weekend. He's not getting an on-time party, either, but I'm taking him to his favorite Indian restaurant. It's going to be sad moving away from that.
Still, I'm taking heart in the progress being made this week:
Lynn recently posted about her busy schedule (her wedding is less than 10 days from now), and since we're now officially in a competition to see who has a nervous breakdown first, I thought I'd share what's going on here. Just to make sure the bookmakers get the odds right.
Today, I have to finish getting a presentation together for a very high up manager - the presentation needs to go out tomorrow morning. I'll be spending most of next week (the work time, anyway) prepping to actually present to this man by Friday without tripping all over myself or contradicting what my teammates will be saying. There's also a mentoring kickoff meeting next Thursday that lasts for half the day. I also need to set up some meetings to make sure I will focus on the right things in October. I also have to figure out the best way to get someone off my project who is causing trouble.
I'm in the process of selling off some excess couches, so I have to be home tonight to meet one of those people (last night was all about moving furniture so that couches can get to the front door). I'm also behind on packing. This weekend will be all about realtors and packing, and last minute house projects (like patching up holes from things bolted to walls). I'm hoping that the Mess Royale that is my house right now means that I am further along than I thought - at least it's out of the closets, right? Moving day is next Wednesday, I'm burning a vacation day to shepherd all of that because Kent's on a business trip. I'll have to make sure I have all his lists on what he wants moved and what he doesn't. Also? I need to figure out where the furniture's going to go in the new house. I'm not moving a sofa bed myself in two weeks. If you know anyone in the bay area that may want some particleboard shelves in good condition, point them my way - there's a lot of built ins at the new place so we won't need all we have. Oh, and I need to replace some outlets so that they're all modern and white. Buh-bye, stained almond electronics!
Friday, we have meetings with the wedding planner's assistant to see some potential sites. As soon as we're done with that, we have to stop by the local PD precinct station and get a no parking permit for in front of our house on moving day. $150. Ouch. But, that will probably pay out by not requiring movers (paid by the hour) to carry my furniture an extra half block.
I'm also trying to list out everything I need to do that's connected to the move. It's surprisingly hard to think of who all needs a change of address notification. There's insurance to deal with. Other services to cancel. Services to set up at the new house (I still need to make sure the trash company has the right count for what bins we need). We need to get the good curtains out of Kent's place before he rents. I need to file a new W-4. Totally being bitten to death by ducks.
Oh, and Kent's birthday is this weekend. He's not getting an on-time party, either, but I'm taking him to his favorite Indian restaurant. It's going to be sad moving away from that.
Still, I'm taking heart in the progress being made this week:
- house is re-keyed
- people are returning my calls
- one couch is already gone and the other is going tonight (and there are two people in line for it if the first falls through)
- the back bedroom is painted and looks good, if a little more neutral than I'd have chosen (and it was done in 2 days! That's what hiring a pro will do for you)
- the front door is painted and it is now RED. Wow.
- the house is looking great - I wish it looked this good when I lived there, but mustn't focus on that...
- my abs are making a reappearance. I credit all the heavy lifting, along with not enough time to eat.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
time to switch gears
Another busy day, with a short update!
It turns out that the mystery key really was the master key for Kent's truck. Yes! I packed up his truck with all the boxes of books I had, along with other boxes that were ready to go, and took them to SF this morning.
With the detour on the Bay Bridge, traffic was slow even at 9:00 on a Sunday morning (very unusual), but only backed up to the toll plaza. When I drove back to the East Bay at 1:00, traffic was backed all the way back up into El Cerrito (about 5 miles of backup before the toll plaza). Nutty. An article on SFgate says that crossing the bridge is taking 60% longer than before, due to slowing for the new S-curves. Taking transit to work is sounding better all the time.
Anyway I digress. As luck would have it, the garage door opener I got from the realtor didn't work. I had to pull a U and find a street space, to go into the house and hunt around for another opener. Then, I discovered that about half the time when I try to close the garage door, it hits the bottom, thinks that something is in the way, and re-opens. SIGH. Something needs to be adjusted.
I spent about half an hour schlepping boxes of books up the stairs and thank goodness they were relatively little boxes. I had about 10 of them, and I was sweating like I was in a circuit class by the time they were all in the family room. I emptied all but one, putting the books into built in shelves, and taking the empty boxes back to the truck.
I started measuring rooms to see where furniture will go, when the locksmith showed up. I got all the locks re-keyed, with the added bonus that the deadbolt key is a "skeleton key" which also opens the doorknob lock - but we also have a "do not duplicate" key also that opens the doorknob only. That way we can leave a lockbox out if a contractor has to come in, but if someone copies the doorknob key, they won't be able to use it on the deadbolts. Ah, security subterfuges.
A couple of presents with cards were in the house. I opened the cards but am holding off on the present from our Realtors (mysterious and heavy). One, obviously, was from our realtor. A bottle of wine was also there with a card - it was from a designer that had been renting the house, welcoming us to it and asking us to contact him if we want ideas for things to do to the house. We'll check his website - he left a couple of business cards. Ideas never hurt, and it's better to have a direction for a whole-house plan before starting anything. That way, what you do can be in line with the plan and reduce re-work down the road.
I had a late lunch, dozed off, then painted the new half round baseboards. Then came home.
Moving day will be Sept 30 - I should have called yesterday to confirm, we lost the 29th by only an hour. Now I just need to confirm with my boss that it's OK to be gone most of the 30th.
I need a shower. I smell like I've been doing heavy lifting. :P And then, I have to switch my brain to focus on work issues, at least during the day.
It turns out that the mystery key really was the master key for Kent's truck. Yes! I packed up his truck with all the boxes of books I had, along with other boxes that were ready to go, and took them to SF this morning.
With the detour on the Bay Bridge, traffic was slow even at 9:00 on a Sunday morning (very unusual), but only backed up to the toll plaza. When I drove back to the East Bay at 1:00, traffic was backed all the way back up into El Cerrito (about 5 miles of backup before the toll plaza). Nutty. An article on SFgate says that crossing the bridge is taking 60% longer than before, due to slowing for the new S-curves. Taking transit to work is sounding better all the time.
Anyway I digress. As luck would have it, the garage door opener I got from the realtor didn't work. I had to pull a U and find a street space, to go into the house and hunt around for another opener. Then, I discovered that about half the time when I try to close the garage door, it hits the bottom, thinks that something is in the way, and re-opens. SIGH. Something needs to be adjusted.
I spent about half an hour schlepping boxes of books up the stairs and thank goodness they were relatively little boxes. I had about 10 of them, and I was sweating like I was in a circuit class by the time they were all in the family room. I emptied all but one, putting the books into built in shelves, and taking the empty boxes back to the truck.
I started measuring rooms to see where furniture will go, when the locksmith showed up. I got all the locks re-keyed, with the added bonus that the deadbolt key is a "skeleton key" which also opens the doorknob lock - but we also have a "do not duplicate" key also that opens the doorknob only. That way we can leave a lockbox out if a contractor has to come in, but if someone copies the doorknob key, they won't be able to use it on the deadbolts. Ah, security subterfuges.
A couple of presents with cards were in the house. I opened the cards but am holding off on the present from our Realtors (mysterious and heavy). One, obviously, was from our realtor. A bottle of wine was also there with a card - it was from a designer that had been renting the house, welcoming us to it and asking us to contact him if we want ideas for things to do to the house. We'll check his website - he left a couple of business cards. Ideas never hurt, and it's better to have a direction for a whole-house plan before starting anything. That way, what you do can be in line with the plan and reduce re-work down the road.
I had a late lunch, dozed off, then painted the new half round baseboards. Then came home.
Moving day will be Sept 30 - I should have called yesterday to confirm, we lost the 29th by only an hour. Now I just need to confirm with my boss that it's OK to be gone most of the 30th.
I need a shower. I smell like I've been doing heavy lifting. :P And then, I have to switch my brain to focus on work issues, at least during the day.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Busy Dee
I'm feeling tired but a little better today. Kirk came over and helped me put up not only the trim around the door to the back yard, but ALL the missing half round baseboard trim in the house! SCORE! I spent the rest of the day priming patches, applying painter's caulk (and am glad Kent is in Vegas because I got tired of caulk jokes before he has), priming new trim, and mooshing wood putty into door and window frames.
Again, it pains me to see the house looking so nice and polished, since I won't get to enjoy it myself. I guess I'll have to start projects sooner in the new house to enjoy them properly. But not immediately (a renovation moratorium is still in effect).
Tomorrow will also be busy (surprise...). I plan to get up early, test this mystery key to see if it is really the master key for Kent's truck, load up Kent's truck with boxes of books and maybe some art, go to SF, and dump out the book boxes and have the house re-keyed. After that, I will go back to my house and paint all the new half round trim, finish up any patches in the back bedroom, do some touch up painting, and if I'm feeling sprightly will either pack up the kitchen, or take down the bolted wall art and start patching those holes up.
I'll be working long hours this week, and house stuff in the evenings. However, since we're moving on the 29th, not the 26th, that gives us two whole weekend days to finish packing.
Mom and Dad called today - to set everyone's mind at rest, I do not literally bleed from the ears when I get really stressed out. It's a (kind of) joke we use at work. The eyeball joke is worse... but I digress. I just need to stop thinking about everything that needs doing, and just focus on one thing at a time to keep from feeling so overwhelmed.
Also, Kent called from Vegas. Apparently UW won a long shot game today and he and other alumni are beside themselves. My helpful response: "Meh."
Again, it pains me to see the house looking so nice and polished, since I won't get to enjoy it myself. I guess I'll have to start projects sooner in the new house to enjoy them properly. But not immediately (a renovation moratorium is still in effect).
Tomorrow will also be busy (surprise...). I plan to get up early, test this mystery key to see if it is really the master key for Kent's truck, load up Kent's truck with boxes of books and maybe some art, go to SF, and dump out the book boxes and have the house re-keyed. After that, I will go back to my house and paint all the new half round trim, finish up any patches in the back bedroom, do some touch up painting, and if I'm feeling sprightly will either pack up the kitchen, or take down the bolted wall art and start patching those holes up.
I'll be working long hours this week, and house stuff in the evenings. However, since we're moving on the 29th, not the 26th, that gives us two whole weekend days to finish packing.
Mom and Dad called today - to set everyone's mind at rest, I do not literally bleed from the ears when I get really stressed out. It's a (kind of) joke we use at work. The eyeball joke is worse... but I digress. I just need to stop thinking about everything that needs doing, and just focus on one thing at a time to keep from feeling so overwhelmed.
Also, Kent called from Vegas. Apparently UW won a long shot game today and he and other alumni are beside themselves. My helpful response: "Meh."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Could you check my ears? Thanks.
Yeah, I think I'm finally losing it.
I woke up pretty early this morning (after nightmares similar to Japanese horror movies where some spooky kid just appears in front of you and before you can say "WTF?" is SUDDENLY COMING AT YOU IN WAYS NOT ALLOWED IN NATURE), with big plans to go to my house and work on plastering and packing and maybe going to the city and calling the locksmith.
Then I spent most of the day in a stupor, not doing much of anything. So now I not only still have most everything to do, I'm angry with myself for wasting so much time.
I managed to get a few things done today:
1) call mover for quote (will have to move on a weekday though)
2) call locksmith for appointment to re-key locks on new house (Sunday)
3) pick up half round trim to replace all the missing trim in the house
4) pack all small boxes with books. I ran out of boxes before books so plan to take some of them with me on Sunday, dump them out, and bring them home.
5) touch up plastering in the back bedroom (I hope this is the last coat I need, I'm terrible at this)
I did not, however:
1) prime the finished patches in the back bedroom
2) start packing up the kitchen
3) prime the new half round trim
4) unbolt bookcases and wall art from the wall and patch the holes
5) collapse weeping on the floor (although that was close to getting done)
Kent is in Vegas for a double bachelor party this weekend (not his), so I'm trying not to resent it too much that a lot of the new house responsibilities are falling on me. It's working out OK so far, although I wish I had an extra key to his truck for moving those books.
The next two weeks are going to suck hard. A big pre-read presentation deck is due next Friday. We are seeing at least 3 potential wedding spots next Friday in the middle of the day. I think we'll be moving stuff on the 29th, and since Kent will be out of town, guess who'll be handling that? We've got a presentation for a very high ranking manager on Oct 2, so I'm worried about taking time on the 29th, but it has to get done sooner than later so I can get my house on the market. Even if I am not physically presenting on the 2nd, we always work frantically until the last minute on these things.
I would be tempted to drink more if I didn't think it could lead to making me even more stressed out (or letting all the repressed crap come out). SIGH.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed that I won't start bleeding from my ears.
I woke up pretty early this morning (after nightmares similar to Japanese horror movies where some spooky kid just appears in front of you and before you can say "WTF?" is SUDDENLY COMING AT YOU IN WAYS NOT ALLOWED IN NATURE), with big plans to go to my house and work on plastering and packing and maybe going to the city and calling the locksmith.
Then I spent most of the day in a stupor, not doing much of anything. So now I not only still have most everything to do, I'm angry with myself for wasting so much time.
I managed to get a few things done today:
1) call mover for quote (will have to move on a weekday though)
2) call locksmith for appointment to re-key locks on new house (Sunday)
3) pick up half round trim to replace all the missing trim in the house
4) pack all small boxes with books. I ran out of boxes before books so plan to take some of them with me on Sunday, dump them out, and bring them home.
5) touch up plastering in the back bedroom (I hope this is the last coat I need, I'm terrible at this)
I did not, however:
1) prime the finished patches in the back bedroom
2) start packing up the kitchen
3) prime the new half round trim
4) unbolt bookcases and wall art from the wall and patch the holes
5) collapse weeping on the floor (although that was close to getting done)
Kent is in Vegas for a double bachelor party this weekend (not his), so I'm trying not to resent it too much that a lot of the new house responsibilities are falling on me. It's working out OK so far, although I wish I had an extra key to his truck for moving those books.
The next two weeks are going to suck hard. A big pre-read presentation deck is due next Friday. We are seeing at least 3 potential wedding spots next Friday in the middle of the day. I think we'll be moving stuff on the 29th, and since Kent will be out of town, guess who'll be handling that? We've got a presentation for a very high ranking manager on Oct 2, so I'm worried about taking time on the 29th, but it has to get done sooner than later so I can get my house on the market. Even if I am not physically presenting on the 2nd, we always work frantically until the last minute on these things.
I would be tempted to drink more if I didn't think it could lead to making me even more stressed out (or letting all the repressed crap come out). SIGH.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed that I won't start bleeding from my ears.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Geek, Cubed.
The big installation at Burning Man this year was a giant Rubik's cube way out in the open playa (the Groovik's Cube). It takes 3 people to play, and I don't remember all the solve tricks I knew in 7th grade, so I didn't try it out.
We watched, and I have some video of my own, but every time we watched the teams were a LONG way from solving it. We wondered what happened when it was solved, but the designer Kent talked to wasn't telling.
Now we know! http://tinyurl.com/r3w773
We watched, and I have some video of my own, but every time we watched the teams were a LONG way from solving it. We wondered what happened when it was solved, but the designer Kent talked to wasn't telling.
Now we know! http://tinyurl.com/r3w773
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sleep? For the weak!
Oh boy, it's really hitting the fan now, kids! I get the keys to the new house tomorrow (we signed closing docs on Friday and did a walk through on Sunday - too bad they ripped up the attached stair runner, but oh well!). I need to remember to call utilities etc tomorrow too to get set up, also to give something to the realtor to show that we've taken possession of the house.
I am still simultaneously trying to prepare my house for market. I spent about an hour and a half there tonight after work, sanding down the latest layer of drywall compound and wiping the dust off (plaster dust in the eyes burns like holy water). I also got some bids today for painting the last room (it will take a pro 2 days to do that room, as opposed to my normal 2 weeks for a room that size), and cleaning up the joint. I also got a preliminary list of things that the realtors want to keep in the house for staging. There are some things not mentioned, so I'll have to double check on those. In at least two cases, not leaving a bookcase will be a bit of a problem, since they are bolted to the wall (more wall repair, yay). Sadly, I think I will have to take down my art. Too arty for the general public, I guess. And I need to pull all junk from the garage into the back yard for the haulers.
So now comes the fun of renovation, packing (lord help us, not packing! I've lived there for 8 years accumulating stuff!), making all arrangements for a move (it will cost $176/day for a permit to block off a space in front of the house for a truck and they need more than 3 days notice - oh and we have to get the permit in person)... make that two moves. One for the stuff I have to get out before staging, one for the stuff I'll have to move when the staging is finished. One of those will have all of Kent's stuff, too. Luckily that second batch should be lighter, but bulky. And another $176/day for the space reservation. Sigh. At least my friends will be happy to hear we're hiring movers this time. I already threatened death if I'm made to move that cal king bed frame myself, again. We'll also have to pay the movers extra to bring an antique icebox (heavy) down a flight of stairs.
What else... oh, Kent is aiming for an early grave by asking me where I want individual items to be put in the new house. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Need to focus on other things right now, hon!!!
Oh yeah, and I'm back at work now. Our work team spent a couple of hours today painting at the Bay Area Rescue Mission. It was a huge room, but I think as much paint ended up on the floor (and some coworkers) as ended up on the ceiling and walls. I wasn't happy with the final product (I would never have left it like that in my own house), but was told that we were done and that another team would be doing the touch ups.
We had a great thunderstorm last weekend, followed by some pretty heavy rain. Lots of leaves were knocked down, marking the start of the Crazy Leaf Lady fall season. She's back with her little dogshit piles of leaves dotted around the property. Shame she has nothing else to do all day. At least the security camera is working again, so if anything amusing turns up, I'll post it.
Oh, and speaking of dogshit - either the bag in my trash left as a present last week didn't get tipped out, or the SAME PERSON left another present for me. GRRRRRRR.
I'm sure there's more but I'm a little tired and the synapses are firing randomly. Most of the burning man gear is clean (except for the tarps), and I have pictures downloaded. Just need some time to filter and post them. Movies too.
And so then I zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I am still simultaneously trying to prepare my house for market. I spent about an hour and a half there tonight after work, sanding down the latest layer of drywall compound and wiping the dust off (plaster dust in the eyes burns like holy water). I also got some bids today for painting the last room (it will take a pro 2 days to do that room, as opposed to my normal 2 weeks for a room that size), and cleaning up the joint. I also got a preliminary list of things that the realtors want to keep in the house for staging. There are some things not mentioned, so I'll have to double check on those. In at least two cases, not leaving a bookcase will be a bit of a problem, since they are bolted to the wall (more wall repair, yay). Sadly, I think I will have to take down my art. Too arty for the general public, I guess. And I need to pull all junk from the garage into the back yard for the haulers.
So now comes the fun of renovation, packing (lord help us, not packing! I've lived there for 8 years accumulating stuff!), making all arrangements for a move (it will cost $176/day for a permit to block off a space in front of the house for a truck and they need more than 3 days notice - oh and we have to get the permit in person)... make that two moves. One for the stuff I have to get out before staging, one for the stuff I'll have to move when the staging is finished. One of those will have all of Kent's stuff, too. Luckily that second batch should be lighter, but bulky. And another $176/day for the space reservation. Sigh. At least my friends will be happy to hear we're hiring movers this time. I already threatened death if I'm made to move that cal king bed frame myself, again. We'll also have to pay the movers extra to bring an antique icebox (heavy) down a flight of stairs.
What else... oh, Kent is aiming for an early grave by asking me where I want individual items to be put in the new house. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Need to focus on other things right now, hon!!!
Oh yeah, and I'm back at work now. Our work team spent a couple of hours today painting at the Bay Area Rescue Mission. It was a huge room, but I think as much paint ended up on the floor (and some coworkers) as ended up on the ceiling and walls. I wasn't happy with the final product (I would never have left it like that in my own house), but was told that we were done and that another team would be doing the touch ups.
We had a great thunderstorm last weekend, followed by some pretty heavy rain. Lots of leaves were knocked down, marking the start of the Crazy Leaf Lady fall season. She's back with her little dogshit piles of leaves dotted around the property. Shame she has nothing else to do all day. At least the security camera is working again, so if anything amusing turns up, I'll post it.
Oh, and speaking of dogshit - either the bag in my trash left as a present last week didn't get tipped out, or the SAME PERSON left another present for me. GRRRRRRR.
I'm sure there's more but I'm a little tired and the synapses are firing randomly. Most of the burning man gear is clean (except for the tarps), and I have pictures downloaded. Just need some time to filter and post them. Movies too.
And so then I zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Open letter to people walking dogs
Dear dog walker,
While it is admirable that you do not leave your dog's crap on someone's parking strip, it is very poor form to leave a bag of it in my empty trash can on trash day. If the can still has trash in it, like before 6 am, have at it, but if it's empty, Einstein, that means your dog's crap will be fermenting in my garage for a week. In summer.
You think the plastic keeps all the smell in? Fantastic, take it to your house. You'll be protected, right? WRONG.
Don't be a lazy asshat. Be a responsible pet owner and take your dog's crap home to ferment it in your own garage.
Sincerely,
Miss Interpretation
While it is admirable that you do not leave your dog's crap on someone's parking strip, it is very poor form to leave a bag of it in my empty trash can on trash day. If the can still has trash in it, like before 6 am, have at it, but if it's empty, Einstein, that means your dog's crap will be fermenting in my garage for a week. In summer.
You think the plastic keeps all the smell in? Fantastic, take it to your house. You'll be protected, right? WRONG.
Don't be a lazy asshat. Be a responsible pet owner and take your dog's crap home to ferment it in your own garage.
Sincerely,
Miss Interpretation
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Yes, I am 40. Dude.
No time for trouble on the day of, cool as the date is! (aside from a smidge too much pinot noir) Watch for reports later. If I can break away from the house stuff this weekend, there will be cocktails, and the deferred party (TBD) will be a good one. Patience, my sweet. Patience.