Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Moving Forward...

... in space, time, and the bathroom remodel.



Where I last left off, I was California bound, but only for a short time. I have since returned with enough computing power to launch a small, privately financed, space shuttle. Perhaps this is a marketable side business... I do not know... maybe in Russia. But what I do know is that I now have all of my construction tools on hand as well. This is an overwhelming convenience. My life is much happier, and healthy now.

Since returning, I have framed in the shower walls, and installed the mixer. The mixer, is the device which mixes both the hot and cold water together, to an individually perfect blend of hot and cold water. Hence the name, mixer.
The shower head plumbing has also been decided upon, and installed. The big news though, is the water test that we performed yesterday. Turns out, there was one PVC pipe fitting located on the outside wall, for fresh water supply that was not glued. This burst, and the test failed.

Today, the fitting is now glued, and the hot water heater must be electrically connected to truly test the hot and cold function of the aforementioned mixer.

Once all the "inside the wall" stuff can pass inspection, the shower pan can be placed permanently, drain installed, insulation put up, and backerboard screwed in. Backerboard being, that which the tile will adhere to. Then, drywall will go up all around. After that, you may well imagine, we are tangibly close to a real bathroom.

As far as the picture from above, it is just a stock photo of Cape Arago, just a few miles south of town. I included this for the exclusive benefit of you, the occasional observer. Enjoy.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

What Month Is it??

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted. I guess it's not too bad, if compared to my brother's blogs. I think I'm still way ahead on an average post per month basis... assuming the last 8 months are included in the calculation.

Where was I... the loft bathroom. Well, at this point, all the heaviest of heavy duty labor is done. 146 feet of trench dug, all at 1/4" per foot of slope to accommodate the necessary plumbing exit (sewer line, that is, in layman's terms). Since then, all 146 feet of 4" ABS pipe has been placed, glued, and buried, along with all code appropriate cleanout intervals. In short, the loft is now plumbed to the septic. Hypothetically, if you carried your own bucket of water with you, you could take a duke, if you so desired. But I wouldn't recommend the sitting position as comfortable, since the toilet is not actually installed. However, in Japan they do it that way. If we have any Japanese visitors soon, we are ready for business.

So, as for the very now, the honorable Uncle Dan and I have been negotiating shower wall plans. He opinioned that plastic walls would be fine. I have advocated for tile. I think I am winning this debate. We are also divided on the floor material. He believes linoleum is ok. And, yes, the cost savings is significant (whereas costs are comparable with tile shower walls vs. plastic) and installation would also be much quicker and easier with his preferred choice. I may relent, but only if the shower walls can be done the right way, with tile. However... work is about to go on another break. This should only last a week.

This is the deal. I am starting up KB Design, with worldwide headquarters located here in lovely North Bend, Oregon. The KB stands for Kirk and Bryan. Bryan Coleman that is. The week delay is for me to travel back to California to pick up a computer, and some light training with my Uncle Dieter. Then I return to Oregon as soon as possible, and we embark.

This does put the loft bathroom, somewhat on a back burner. NOT off the stove, not chilled and in the freezer, just lowered to a simmer, and set nearer the wall. I will then pick it up on weekends, and when there is time between the new startup work. It does look like I will be busy immediately, so weekends just may be the only time.

IN other news, I sold the Supra. It was burning more oil than I thought was healthy. That, and I really do need a truck. Sports cars are fun, but not practical. Even for a single guy. So, with a favorable tax return, I picked up a Nissan Frontier.

I'm liking it so far.




I think that's it. No poker news. I'm just too burnt on it all. Perhaps when I'm an old rich dude, with nothing to do in my retirement but burn hundred dollar bills. For now, I got a bidniss to run.