I have a feeling that until this whole concept settles in my mind a little further, I'm going to have lots to say about the new "project" and events surrounding it. It's funny how, upon making that transition from prospective homeowner to, as the legalese puts it, The Purchaser one's very thoughts and patterns of concern suddenly swing into more "constructive" matters.
For example, I spent my lunch break at the hardware store a few blocks away from my office. Suddenly rows upon rows of finishing supplies are interesting and consuming. I never would have thought I could be vagely concerned with looking at paint cards or arborite samples -- but suddenly, given the choice between Best Buy and rows of DVDs -- or Home Depot and countertop finishes -- well, I plead no-contest. It's a shoe-in for the home-renovating, because apparently it's where I've decided to spend my money for (at least) the next twenty-five years. It's also dull to everyone but Karin and I.
And that could be a problem.
Another (boring) example is brought up the issue of framing. When we were still scoping and plotting, Dad had mentioned that apparently sixteen inch on center framing was better than twenty-four inch on center framing. Initally, I had no idea what he was even talking about. You mean I have to know how many two-by-fours are in my WALLS! Simply put: Hallelujah for Google. While I'm sure there are things that are not fully explainable via the internet, I did find a number of quote-interesting-unquote resources touting not-only the environmental efficiency of using less lumber in one's house, but also a number of references to energy efficiency, load-bearing strength, wall-thickness, and drywall crack-resistence in relation to the newer standard. It's absolutely amazing how one can use a fifteen minute break to dig up completely esoteric information and bore one's website audience. I almost never would have thought it possible.
Again, it could be a potential problem.
One -- perhaps interesting -- thought did cross my mind: It was that the house requires a good name. And a logo. Maybe even a theme song. Well -- okay -- maybe just a good name. I tried explaining this to Karin (who, consequently, thoroughly enjoys the work of one LM Montgomery) that Anne of Green Gables would have just been Anne, The Red Haired Brat Who Lives in That Green-Trimmed Farmhouse at the End of the Lane if her house didn't have a good name. I mean, names and such are important stuff. Imagine how much more impressive it would sound to say "I'm spending the holidays at One-Whippet Manor" rather than telling people "I'm doing Christmas at my parent's house." It's degrees more impressive. To me, at least.
And that could be a problem, also.
So to avoid any confusion in the future: yes, there will be substantial house-talk here. It's unavoidable. It's "the project." It's how we're spending the next six months of our life. It's a BIG thing. Big. Just tell me to shut up if I get annoying.
October 7, 2004 after 3PM
| house
, meta
, weird
| this is more
