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Jun. 3rd, 2014 05:57 pmSoon the digging of my dc basement will begin. I asked, and am invited to, dig with them. I was warned that many fit people have tried to do the work and dropped out after 30 minutes. This would not surprise me - I’m athletic, but not used to that type of work. One key lesson in the gym, or life, is while there is some crossover “You’re only good doing at what you do.” I’m just a weekend warrior who does a few neat tricks, but these guys do physical work all day every day. Really ramping up the difficulty? I’m used to living in air conditioning - exercising too. I’ll be digging in hot humid weather, in pants, and not used to it. This may suck! Remind me I can bail; remind me to pace myself and watch how they work.
I really shouldn't from a financial perspective - no money will come off my bill, I think, and at best, I’ll be successful staying out of the way. Even if money came off my bill and I could do it 8 hours, I highly suspect my salary is different than guys digging the dirt. On the plus side, if there is a cave-in and collapse, I’ll be smothered in my own residence for other diggers to recover (or pave over). Seems fitting somehow.
Why? Stubborn pride with curiosity - can I do it; does my gym time translate to useful work or can I just do pony tricks? Also stubborn pride with curiosity - I want to be able to say, for life, that I helped do the work. So far it's true - I put holes in walls, I tore down panels/walls, I broke things (sometimes on purpose). Better I try digging dirt because my idiocy is less consequential than if I tried plumbing, carpentry...I’m curious to see what the process is like. Plus, if we dig up any sacks of gold or bones, I want to be there. Or just fossilized poop.
My goal really is just not to be a douche, which means being quiet. Don’t try to prove yourself, try to do a good job, and take direction - don’t be an obnoxious or arrogant owner. Don’t pretend you’re one of the crew either - nobody doesn’t know who and what you are. Just listen, work hard, and shut up. Oh, smile and don’t get mad. If you get mad, humbly throw in the towel, shake hands, and go home. Respect; show it in word and in actions.
LETS GET NAKED...WALL
I’ve given in - I want the fucking brick wall naked. I definitely want to at least try to do the exposed brick wall. It’s even already finished. My compromise with myself to get it done is to frame the area in such a way that if it’s a disaster a) it’s in the living room, so it won’t keep anyone up at night, and b) it can be insulated and covered if need be. I have a junction box slated to be put there so it should not be that crazy big a section either.
Visiting the property today I saw they not only replaced the bad joists in the bathroom areas, but made them stronger than the originals by adding additional between-joist supports (big'uns too - not 2x4s). I pointed out the cracked joist (just a knot in the wood, no real issue) and he noted they plan to add side-support to that one - makes sense to me. I continue to be happy!
Some day I'll live there, right? It seems like such a foreign idea.
I really shouldn't from a financial perspective - no money will come off my bill, I think, and at best, I’ll be successful staying out of the way. Even if money came off my bill and I could do it 8 hours, I highly suspect my salary is different than guys digging the dirt. On the plus side, if there is a cave-in and collapse, I’ll be smothered in my own residence for other diggers to recover (or pave over). Seems fitting somehow.
Why? Stubborn pride with curiosity - can I do it; does my gym time translate to useful work or can I just do pony tricks? Also stubborn pride with curiosity - I want to be able to say, for life, that I helped do the work. So far it's true - I put holes in walls, I tore down panels/walls, I broke things (sometimes on purpose). Better I try digging dirt because my idiocy is less consequential than if I tried plumbing, carpentry...I’m curious to see what the process is like. Plus, if we dig up any sacks of gold or bones, I want to be there. Or just fossilized poop.
My goal really is just not to be a douche, which means being quiet. Don’t try to prove yourself, try to do a good job, and take direction - don’t be an obnoxious or arrogant owner. Don’t pretend you’re one of the crew either - nobody doesn’t know who and what you are. Just listen, work hard, and shut up. Oh, smile and don’t get mad. If you get mad, humbly throw in the towel, shake hands, and go home. Respect; show it in word and in actions.
LETS GET NAKED...WALL
I’ve given in - I want the fucking brick wall naked. I definitely want to at least try to do the exposed brick wall. It’s even already finished. My compromise with myself to get it done is to frame the area in such a way that if it’s a disaster a) it’s in the living room, so it won’t keep anyone up at night, and b) it can be insulated and covered if need be. I have a junction box slated to be put there so it should not be that crazy big a section either.
Visiting the property today I saw they not only replaced the bad joists in the bathroom areas, but made them stronger than the originals by adding additional between-joist supports (big'uns too - not 2x4s). I pointed out the cracked joist (just a knot in the wood, no real issue) and he noted they plan to add side-support to that one - makes sense to me. I continue to be happy!
Some day I'll live there, right? It seems like such a foreign idea.
