Sunday, August 31, 2008
I DARE You Not To Be Moved By This
The video was nominated for Best Video of the Year at the VMA's and by all accounts from the powers that be at MTV, no one could understand why it didn't win- even with all that, it wasn't even in the rotation. But, genius is genius.
Just like most of the gifts Johnny left us, the beauty is in the simplicity.
There Are Things Both Seen And Unseen, And In Between Are The Doors
BEFOREHave you ever tried to install a pre-hung exterior door?
GOOD LORD!
To be honest, in theory it’s really not that difficult, in actuality it’s a job where, if all goes well, should take just under a half an hour...
…if all goes well.
If there’s one thing that makes me smart, it’s that I know that I’m not very smart. Therefore I take a lead from Abraham Lincoln and surround myself with people who know things that I don’t- and that’s a LOT of people.
So, I asked a friend of mine’s husband, who is a contractor, to give me a hand. For that, I am the newest member of MENSA.
The extraction of the old door was actually kinda fun. To do so you really need a reciprocating saw, which I didn’t have but boy oh boy was this a good excuse to get one, which I did and its a beast. A reciprocating saw (or recip saw as the cool guys call it) is one of those tools that once you buy one, you wonder how you ever got along without it (much like my air compressor- is there anything that thing can’t do?). Anyway, it’s a fun feeling to blast through old wood and nails when deconstructing your own house.
When installing the new door we ran into some issues that forced us to flanagle a circular saw to cut the rough opening about an inch around the sides and top (and again needed the recip to finsh the cuts), but this and other things were all stuff he had seen a million times before and knew how to handle- and THAT’S why you team up with experience.
Once the opening was clear, the new door just kinda slid right in, I ran a good bead of caulk across the bottom to keep out vermits, and shimmed it in just a few places, but it was mostly plum and level from the start. A few 10d, galvanized finish nails and a couple of drywall screws later and ‘wall-ah’ it was in.
Put two coats of paint on with a brush then finished with one coat via a 3 inch roller. I used the same exterior paint that I used for my house trim a few months back so the color matched perfectly. Then I just slapped on the doorknobs (which you need an equal amount of calm and patients for) and it was all done.
So- in summation, a few hints.
- When buying a new door, make sure your swing direction and size is correct. I was spooked to death that I miss-measured and would just be screwed. But most doors are a standard 34” or the more popular 36”.
- There are one or two screws or nails that hold the door shut for protection during shipping. TAKE THESE OUT. The door will not open while these are in and if you’ve already installed it while they are still secure, well then you either have to take the whole thing out or cut away at the frame with the recip saw. I know this because a guy at work, who knows what he’s doing, wasn’t paying attention and did this. Now that will lead me to my next hint-
- Do not drink while installing a door. You gotta get this just right. A poorly hung door is a pain in the butt for as long as you use it, so put the Blatz down for an hour or so. You can pop one open after to celebrate.
- Get help. I think I explained this one well enough.
- Don’t be cheap. This was difficult for me, because it goes against my very nature. But, if it’s an exterior door it usually can be quite a focal point on your entire house. Therefore, spend a couple of extra bucks and make sure you get one that you really like. I think you’ll be glad you did.
AFTER
Monday, August 25, 2008
Like I've Always Said, When You Can't Think Of Anything To Post, Just Throw Up A Cool Music Performance From YouTube
...And One More
Crackbook Just Sounds Funnier
Here's a great parody, Crackbooker's will get it all to well.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Random Olympian I'm In Love With This Week...
Sunday, August 17, 2008
And Now The Nature Segment Of Our Program
and they sure as heck ain't afraid to feed right next to me- while I'm grilling none the less. In addition they fight each other like something out of a zombie movie. For such little guys, they only weigh about as much as three grapes, they just have an amazing set of (metaphorical) balls. I was talking to the previous owner of my house and she told me that she used to own a red cell-phone and it normal for them to go after it while she was talking. I guess they got little man's syndrome or something.Anyway, I see them all the time here, just another thing I love about my neighborhood.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Again With The Vollyball??
Sunday, August 10, 2008
...As I Was Saying.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Google Knows What Side Their Bread Is Buttered On
Yup. They know what's good for 'em.
Opening Ceremonies- A Review (as if you asked)
None the less, once every four years I get seriously giddy over the Olympic ceremonies. By their nature, the Olympic ceremonies are the penultimate of wow factors. It’s a celebration with the financial backing of one of the highest GDP’s in the world- and it didn’t let down.
I’m not gonna lie, I was a little uneasy watching how perfect and flawless it went off. I had this little poke in the back of my head telling me “of course the performers are spot on, if they’re not- well, its ‘re-education’ time.” Make no mistakes about it, although we will be inundated with the notion of this being China’s “coming out party” that the country is still a fascist foothold of deplorable violations of our fellow man. I couldn’t help but to wonder if for every performer there was a “People’s Observer” looking for the slightest quirk.
So, here we go.
First off, I KNOW I’M WATCHIN N.B.C.!!! How on Earth can I not know that? It’s not like they don’t shove it down our throat every chance they get. None the less, when I’m watching a scene as awe inspiring as this-
I have to deal with a peacock logo in the upper, right corner of my screen. Thank God they had the good sense and restraint to not have a scrolling banner at the bottom telling me the latest news on Brent Favre. Knuckleheads. I dig Bob Costas, always have. Even Matt Lauer did a pretty good job. I can’t recall the name of the China expert with them (I could look it up, but I, well- I just don’t want to) but it was a great idea to have him there as well. As good as Bob and Matt were, any attempt to tell us of the history of China (being portrayed in the ceremony) would have seemed, and in actuality been, contrived. It just flowed better. There’s no doubt that Bob is the aire apparent to the great Jim McKay, and I got no problem with that at all. He’s intelligent, well spoken, and pretty damn funny.
But what about the ceremony Kirk? Com’on we’re dyin’ here!
Well, frankly it was stunning. For the first time in a loooong time, I’m kinda speechless. They pulled it off wonderfully. From the eye dropping technology of the world’s largest L.C.D. screen (oh, freaking my!) to the simplicity of children singing, to one of the coolest torch lightings ever-
... as well as amazing new advances to in Beadazzeler technology-
All in all, a great thing to see. Now, on to the sport. The first day contains cycling- they must have known I was reporting. Well done Olympic organizing committee, keep RadioFree happy.
Dancing
YouTube has some pretty ignorant stuff, there's no doubt. Outside of the Green Party's National Convention, a bigger waste of time has yet to be created. None the less, every once in a while something comes along that is worth every second of your time.
Let this load a while, and watch the WHOLE THING. Its really great.
Sometimes, our world ain't so bad.
...As I Was Saying.
