Post: #1276

I was out on the verandah having a smoke when the Google street view car drove by, so I gave it the double bird.

Post: #1277

I took the motorcycle I've been rebuilding for the last two months out on its first test ride. Even managed to get the wheels off the ground a few times.

Post: #1278

Update for a prior post: I shaved at the Y at the communal sinks today. Once again the older guy/portly belly/towel wrapped around mid section/Barbasol using crowd was out in full force.

Post: #1279

Changed out all the spark plugs on my car for the first time. Saved myself about $175 worth of labor

Post: #1280

delete

Post: #1281

Not tonight but, cooked up two types of wild game that my friend and I caught along with a juicy steak and veggies. Talked about competition, hunting, and laughed at women and the world. A meal that at a restaurant would've cost us 50 to 100 dollars each but which we spent nothing on but fuel/time and gained us experiences and knowledge that will last us a lifetime and be passed on to the next generation. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Post: #1282

Yesterday I had something weird happen in the gym... I was nearing the end of my workout so I was working my core, 3rd set of planks... I was feeling strong, first two sets I did for 3 minutes, which the second was easier than the first, so I thought I'd try for 4 minutes on the last set. I knew it'd be hard, so I cleared my mind to, as they say, "go to my happy place." Got into position and set the timer and closed my eyes, listening to a tune and focusing solely on that. Figured I'd look at the timer when it started to get difficult. I zoned out completely.

Then, after a while, I started thinking someone was watching me (not uncommon for me, being all hyper-vigilant). I let the thought run its course, told myself I was at the gym and I was safe, tried to focus on the song... The same intrusive thought came again, so I suppressed it again. Then a third time it came and I started to also notice my abs becoming uncomfortable and my body starting to quiver. Then my mind really started racing like mad and I became very, physically, uncomfortable. I opened my eyes and the people who were working out next to me had all stopped and were friggin' watching me. I thought, "Wtf is this?" Then I looked at the timer on my phone:

8:33.12

Post: #1283

Going to help a guy with his remodel later, mostly finish some rough carpentry stuff. I went and helped him on Sunday, so this is just continuing the work. Nice to get some productive labor in after working at a desk job all day.
- Pull up 3/4 hardwood top floor from what will be the utility room. Then pull up parts of the sub-floor (also 3/4 hardwood) and replace with 3/4 osb for new (not busted up) sub-floor.
- Tear out old window and reinforce the part of the window that would become wall. Me and him jacked up the 2nd floor joists in one room that wasn't properly supported by a header on an exterior wall. Jammed in an LVL header to support the joist and provide frame for new window (the window we'd removed). The joist still drooped, so he went and bought a couple 2x6s we'll double up to span the room tonight.
- Will probably help him run a bunch of electrical and install new windows.

I'm just starting to get into helping guys remodel for some extra scratch. I'm quickly realizing what I've always known. In the remodel/contracting business, simply showing up on time and keeping moving (you know, working) can make extra cash. I'm already providing hours beyond what I make, but it'll come around. My longer term plan (possibly happening in the next few weeks) is to start bidding out my own work.

Either way, I'm getting experience with remodels and learning some things (even if it's simply not being afraid of remod projects).

Keep moving, keep moving, keep moving.

Post: #1284

Started a fire in a fireplace using the top down method. The winds outside were howling at 20-30 MPH. Didn't need or use newspaper to get the chimney flow up and out.