Summer 07 Update

Alright, when I'm in a blogging rut, I usually make some sort of quasi-annual list of stuff that has been going on. I believe they usually come around this time of year as there is a fair amount going on and then I do one around February since absolutely nothing goes on around then. Without further redo, here's some thoughts, happenings, future references, etc.
  • Summer 07 has been really, really, really good for me. Summer 06 I did not care as much for as there was a lot of weird stuff going on. '06 contained New Job, Loss of roommates, buttloads of side work, engagement, no summer events, etc. Munnnndane. '07 is pretty happening and we are taking advantage of every part of it.
  • Duluth was a great "Second Honeymoon". I wish we had stayed up there four days instead of three. We took it for what it was, however, and really enjoyed it. Watched enormous tugs come in under the raising bridge, Swam (more waded as it was intensely cold) in beautiful lake superior, ate a ton, shopped, watched a sunrise, laughed and enjoyed each other's company.
  • Landscaping is still going on. I still need to take out some rock and we are waiting for a few loads of dirt to fill the sides of the house with.
  • Wood trim and painting is also a never-ending project at our place. This year, it seems I lack the panache to get the jobs done. The weeks go by so awfully fast, it's ridiculous.
  • Sidework is coming in at a perfect pace. Just enough to get me a little extra cash on the side. I don't need sidework only to survive like I did the last few years, which is a great feeling. I'll display my most recent works once they are complete.
  • Jacinda is still the best person to have ever entered my life.
  • I think Mafesta finally bit the bullet.
  • Fav. Bands are He Is Legend, Drive-By Truckers, Black Keys, Weezer.
  • I am still into Coffee, Pictures, Nintendo DS, Smash Bros, Cooking, Gardening, Internetz and Walking.

So there it be. The Summer of 2007 events list.

 

Tags: Archive_Blogger, Duluth, Jacinda, Landscaping, Mafesta, Music, Nick, Painting, Sidework, Summer



Take One For Me

Out with my wife taking pics with our Holga and Lubitel medium format cameras:



Take One For Me



For more summery-photo fun, check out my Flickr set: Part VII: Summer Fun
 

Tags: Archive_Blogger, Holga, Jacinda, Martial Arts, Minnesota, Nick, Pictures, Summer



Landscaping, Roofing, Busch Lights

My Memorial Day Weekend was a blast! Earlier last week, my Father-in-Law suggested getting some roofing done at my place, and while we were at it, start ripping up the landscaping. Early Saturday morning, we started working on the roof and besides a few minor things, managed to wrap that up by Sunday evening. No more leaks in the kitchen! w00t! It's a great feeling to know that is accomplished.

Also, over the last week, we have been removing a lot of the crappy landscaping rocks and the busted up walk-way on the side of the house. Since I moved in, water would pool up against our home. It wasn't bad enough to leak into the basement, but it's probably best to tackle it before it becomes an issue. Once we are done removing all this stone, we are going to lay some nice bricks down and put some wood chips around instead. In the end, I'm hoping that it will look nicer. It should. It does in my brain, anyways.

I also started setting up a trellis in the back so you can't see our gross looking shed (and neighbors in back) as easily. Down the line we are hoping to have some nice viney plants on those.

After 12 hour days, it was a real treat to kick back and grill with some friends in the evening. Waking up was brutal, however, as I am a Programmer (not used to physical labor!!) and don't get sore too often. It was a great feeling. Also HUGE thanks to Dick! I am able, I just lack initiative when I don't know how to do something. He really helped me out with the whole process of roof and landscape.

I'll get some pictures of the processes this evening, I hope. I didn't take as many as I would have liked, and I'm definitely lacking pictures of what it looked like before the process, so you'll just have to trust me that it is going to look better!

Tags: Archive_Blogger, diy, Home Improvement, House, Jacinda, Nick, Summer