I keep meaning to get a painting of Samuel's framed and put up in my office so I can show off his work. Since I have neglected that front, here are a few of his recent paintings - some of which are still available for purchase.
I want to hang the big one (third slide) in my office, but it might be a little too big for any of my walls.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Back that thing up!
Yesterday the movers hooked up the two dollies to the steel under my house. This morning they came out and hooked up their truck. Once everything was tight, they "backed" the house up, to position it to be pulled out into the field.
I am hopeful that they will be able to travel the first 100 yards tomorrow, but we'll see how that goes. I took down some more fence today, and a tree will have to come down tomorrow to allow for the initial movement away from the current site. After that, everything should be in line for Saturday.
It looks like the weather is supposed to be sunny and hot on Saturday, so we shouldn't have any snow or hurricanes to delay the move another week.
Here are the two pics I got from today. More to come soon.
On the long neglected music front, I strongly suggest the song "Librarian" by My Morning Jacket. The first time I heard this song, I thought of a beautiful friend of mine who was horrible offended when a man told her that her glasses made her look like a librarian. I thought it was quite a compliment, but I don't think she ever saw it that way! Here is a live video of the song.
BBK
I am hopeful that they will be able to travel the first 100 yards tomorrow, but we'll see how that goes. I took down some more fence today, and a tree will have to come down tomorrow to allow for the initial movement away from the current site. After that, everything should be in line for Saturday.
It looks like the weather is supposed to be sunny and hot on Saturday, so we shouldn't have any snow or hurricanes to delay the move another week.
Here are the two pics I got from today. More to come soon.
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| From House Moving ... |
On the long neglected music front, I strongly suggest the song "Librarian" by My Morning Jacket. The first time I heard this song, I thought of a beautiful friend of mine who was horrible offended when a man told her that her glasses made her look like a librarian. I thought it was quite a compliment, but I don't think she ever saw it that way! Here is a live video of the song.
BBK
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
It finally moves!
So it looks like my house is actually going to get moved this weekend. The phone company, power company, and, most importantly, the mover have all indicated that it is a go. I removed the necessary fences today with the help of Jeremiah and John, so the path is pretty much clear.
From its current location, the house will initial be backed up (with the truck hooked up at the back of the house), and then turned toward its actual route. It will have to pass between two big oaks, and then beside a big hickory. I am hopeful that none of those three trees will have to be cut down, but that we will just have to trim them. The house will then be moved about 100 yards to a knoll across from the office of the rock quarry it will have to pass. This should be done on Thursday or Friday, and will save a lot of time on Saturday if can be done ahead of the big move.
On Saturday, the house will travel down the road and around a curve, about a quarter mile, before crossing into my parents' fields. This will require the assistance of the power and phone companies as the width of the house would cause it to hit the lines where they are now.
Once in the fields, it will climb a small hill to the crest of the most treacherous part of the journey. There is a large hill with a couple options for the descent, but none of them are pretty. Some phone lines will have to be dropped, and power lines raised over the house. Prior the the descent, the rock quarry manager will use the bulldozer to cut smooth paths for the house to descend down the hill. The dozer will then hook on the uphill side of the house, and lower the house down the hill. This should prevent the house from pushing the truck down the hill, or from jack-knifing.
Once the major descent is done, there is another small hill to traverse, a road to cross, another short climb, and then the only other potentially treacherous descent. After traveling along the side of the stream for a short time, the house will then climb the ramp to the foundation.
The truck pulling the house will cross the foundation and then detach from the house. The house will then be rotated on the four dollies supporting it, so that it is centered over the foundation. Once centered, it will be jacked up to about 10 feet in the air, so that I can build the basement walls under it.
That's the plan at least!
I'll keep you posted on the progress over the next few days.
BBK
From its current location, the house will initial be backed up (with the truck hooked up at the back of the house), and then turned toward its actual route. It will have to pass between two big oaks, and then beside a big hickory. I am hopeful that none of those three trees will have to be cut down, but that we will just have to trim them. The house will then be moved about 100 yards to a knoll across from the office of the rock quarry it will have to pass. This should be done on Thursday or Friday, and will save a lot of time on Saturday if can be done ahead of the big move.
On Saturday, the house will travel down the road and around a curve, about a quarter mile, before crossing into my parents' fields. This will require the assistance of the power and phone companies as the width of the house would cause it to hit the lines where they are now.
Once in the fields, it will climb a small hill to the crest of the most treacherous part of the journey. There is a large hill with a couple options for the descent, but none of them are pretty. Some phone lines will have to be dropped, and power lines raised over the house. Prior the the descent, the rock quarry manager will use the bulldozer to cut smooth paths for the house to descend down the hill. The dozer will then hook on the uphill side of the house, and lower the house down the hill. This should prevent the house from pushing the truck down the hill, or from jack-knifing.
Once the major descent is done, there is another small hill to traverse, a road to cross, another short climb, and then the only other potentially treacherous descent. After traveling along the side of the stream for a short time, the house will then climb the ramp to the foundation.
The truck pulling the house will cross the foundation and then detach from the house. The house will then be rotated on the four dollies supporting it, so that it is centered over the foundation. Once centered, it will be jacked up to about 10 feet in the air, so that I can build the basement walls under it.
That's the plan at least!
I'll keep you posted on the progress over the next few days.
BBK
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Science vs Math
For anyone who has ever wondered what the difference between math and science is, here is a comic which pretty much sums it up.
Source: http://xkcd.com/435/
Of course, applied mathematicians would be somewhere between physicists and pure mathematicians.
Source: http://xkcd.com/435/
Of course, applied mathematicians would be somewhere between physicists and pure mathematicians.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Frustration
I thought that things were going to get moving in May, and the house did get picked up a little bit more, but I am still waiting for several things to fall into place before I can actually move the house.
Right now I am waiting on further information from the phone company about what they will have to do before I can move the house. The electric company has been super cooperative, and is willing to work with me pretty much whenever I need it. The phone company, on the other hand, is talking about having to bury several hundred feet of wire before I can move the house since the house is too tall to pass under the current lines.
On a brighter note, My Morning Jacket has released their new album, available at many fine music outlets including my favorite online music retailer emusic.com. Check them out at this page featuring their new album "Evil Urges." Check out this video for information about the album and title track.
More information about the house will be forthcoming shortly. But for now I'll go back to waiting for something to happen.
Right now I am waiting on further information from the phone company about what they will have to do before I can move the house. The electric company has been super cooperative, and is willing to work with me pretty much whenever I need it. The phone company, on the other hand, is talking about having to bury several hundred feet of wire before I can move the house since the house is too tall to pass under the current lines.
On a brighter note, My Morning Jacket has released their new album, available at many fine music outlets including my favorite online music retailer emusic.com. Check them out at this page featuring their new album "Evil Urges." Check out this video for information about the album and title track.
More information about the house will be forthcoming shortly. But for now I'll go back to waiting for something to happen.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Black Kids - "I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you"
Ok, this is a video I should have posted a couple months ago, but in case you haven't heard this song, you definitely should check it out. Its a really fun song and a cute video. Enjoy!
Kerli - Walking on Air
Here is the song that I have been digging the most in the past few days.
It's not actually a music video, but its the best I could do right now since the video for this song is not actually out right now.
This song reminds me a little bit of early Nelly Furtado, but with a healthy dose of Tim Burton thrown in for good measure. Kerli is an Estonian pop star who I think is set to take off in the US as well.
For a taste of her other stuff, follow this link to see the video for her song "Love is Dead."
It's not actually a music video, but its the best I could do right now since the video for this song is not actually out right now.
This song reminds me a little bit of early Nelly Furtado, but with a healthy dose of Tim Burton thrown in for good measure. Kerli is an Estonian pop star who I think is set to take off in the US as well.
For a taste of her other stuff, follow this link to see the video for her song "Love is Dead."
Goat Sausage Recipe
For anyone who has ever eaten goat meat, you know that balancing the flavor of the goat with the spices can be difficult task. Depending on the strength of the flavor of the meat, the level of spice must vary.
This recipe works well for moderately strong meat.
Ingredients:
12 lbs meat, well trimmed and close to freezing temperature.
3 tbsp salt
2 tbsp coarse ground black pepper
3 tbsp crushed red pepper
2 tbsp crushed oregano
1 tbsp crushed thyme
2 tbsp crushed fennel seeds
1 tbsp crushed caraway seeds
1 tbsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
15 cloves garlic - coarsely chopped
1 cup olive oil
Directions:
1. Blend dry spices together. I use whole seeds and leaves, and then grind them all together in a coffee grinder. This gives me fresh coarse ground spices that are well mixed. Set aside in bowl.
2. Cut meat into 1" cubes, removing all gristle and fat.
3. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.
4. Pass meat mixture slowly through meat grinder with coarse plate, making sure that spices and oil coat meat well.
5. This sausage can now be formed into patties and frozen, or can be ground more finely and packed into casings. I generally pass it through the coarse plate again and bulk package in packages of 2 lbs.
For a little less kick, use 1 1/2 tbsp red pepper.
Enjoy!
BBK
This recipe works well for moderately strong meat.
Ingredients:
12 lbs meat, well trimmed and close to freezing temperature.
3 tbsp salt
2 tbsp coarse ground black pepper
3 tbsp crushed red pepper
2 tbsp crushed oregano
1 tbsp crushed thyme
2 tbsp crushed fennel seeds
1 tbsp crushed caraway seeds
1 tbsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
15 cloves garlic - coarsely chopped
1 cup olive oil
Directions:
1. Blend dry spices together. I use whole seeds and leaves, and then grind them all together in a coffee grinder. This gives me fresh coarse ground spices that are well mixed. Set aside in bowl.
2. Cut meat into 1" cubes, removing all gristle and fat.
3. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.
4. Pass meat mixture slowly through meat grinder with coarse plate, making sure that spices and oil coat meat well.
5. This sausage can now be formed into patties and frozen, or can be ground more finely and packed into casings. I generally pass it through the coarse plate again and bulk package in packages of 2 lbs.
For a little less kick, use 1 1/2 tbsp red pepper.
Enjoy!
BBK
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Back at it
What a long semester! Although I have mixed feelings after every semester, I am definitely glad to be done with school this semester. The house has sat nearly untouched since December, but I am hopeful that it will be moved in the next couple weeks.
The first priority is getting the hay up from the fields where the house will cross. This year the hay is in the best shape I have ever seen it, and we have already cut about half of all the hay we will cut this year. The baling will start today and will continue tomorrow.
I have a little more work to do to get the slab ready for the house to be placed on it. The ramp has to be smoothed out, and a couple poplars have to come down. I'll get some pictures up soon to illustrate the changes since I last posted.
I'll try to avoid these long absences in the future - as more gets done, I'll be excited to share, rather than depressed about having nothing to share and frustrated by the lack of progress!
-BBK
The first priority is getting the hay up from the fields where the house will cross. This year the hay is in the best shape I have ever seen it, and we have already cut about half of all the hay we will cut this year. The baling will start today and will continue tomorrow.
I have a little more work to do to get the slab ready for the house to be placed on it. The ramp has to be smoothed out, and a couple poplars have to come down. I'll get some pictures up soon to illustrate the changes since I last posted.
I'll try to avoid these long absences in the future - as more gets done, I'll be excited to share, rather than depressed about having nothing to share and frustrated by the lack of progress!
-BBK
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Vampire Weekend
No, I did not get bitten by a vampire, nor am I going to a costume party this weekend. Instead, this is plug for a band that I have been listening to. I think I've mentioned these guys before, but I wanted to mention them again as their first full length album will be coming out a week from Tuesday.
Vampire Weekend is four guys from Brooklyn who play a beautiful mix of indie rock and African rhythms. For a taste of their style, check out this video to the song that I have been whistling for the past couple months. Enjoy.
How's the house coming? The concrete seems to be setting up well. It is in the teens here, so I don't plan on doing a whole lot with the house today. If things go well, the house could be moved in two weeks, though. I'll update you again soon.
I'm also hoping to get some more of Samuel's work posted here soon, too.
Still, BBK
Vampire Weekend is four guys from Brooklyn who play a beautiful mix of indie rock and African rhythms. For a taste of their style, check out this video to the song that I have been whistling for the past couple months. Enjoy.
How's the house coming? The concrete seems to be setting up well. It is in the teens here, so I don't plan on doing a whole lot with the house today. If things go well, the house could be moved in two weeks, though. I'll update you again soon.
I'm also hoping to get some more of Samuel's work posted here soon, too.
Still, BBK
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The BIG pour
After weeks of work and a couple of setbacks, the footers and the slab have been poured. The finished product is amazing, and I have no doubt that it will hold up when the house eventually comes rolling across it and is jacked up in the air.
As I've mentioned before, I had to pour my footers above ground due to the amount of rock that would have had to be dug out otherwise. I opted to pour the slab at the same time to strengthen the pour since my house will be jacked up on the site once it is moved.
The pictures tell most of the story.
Big thanks to my dad for all his help, Uncle Tom for taking so much time to help, John Abbott for mucking so much mud and shoveling so much gravel and Ed Murphy for tying steel and forming up.
Jinks' Concrete finished the pour with Lambcon supplying the concrete.
Hopefully we will get a hard freeze in a few weeks and can move the house. Right now I am looking forward to taking a break for a couple days and regrouping.
The semester has started well, and I have 5 great classes. I am looking forward to trying out a few new ideas and learning more about being an effective teacher.
Listening to: The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
As I've mentioned before, I had to pour my footers above ground due to the amount of rock that would have had to be dug out otherwise. I opted to pour the slab at the same time to strengthen the pour since my house will be jacked up on the site once it is moved.
The pictures tell most of the story.
Big thanks to my dad for all his help, Uncle Tom for taking so much time to help, John Abbott for mucking so much mud and shoveling so much gravel and Ed Murphy for tying steel and forming up.
Jinks' Concrete finished the pour with Lambcon supplying the concrete.
Hopefully we will get a hard freeze in a few weeks and can move the house. Right now I am looking forward to taking a break for a couple days and regrouping.
The semester has started well, and I have 5 great classes. I am looking forward to trying out a few new ideas and learning more about being an effective teacher.
Listening to: The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Good Aches
Quick post here. I worked almost nonstop today from 7 am until 12 am (midnight, that is) getting ready for the pour. Shoveled a lot of gravel, had great help from Dad, Uncle Tom and Samuel (who braved the temperatures on this 70 degree January day even though he is horribly sick). The inspector is coming out tomorrow, hopefully in the afternoon, and as long as everything is kosher we'll pour Friday morning.
Tommy and Mike were back out again today to finish the ramp and make it ready for concrete trucks.
Once again I did not get any pics up, mainly because it is so late now and tomorrow is my first day back to school for the semester. They will be coming soon, hopefully some before the pour so you can see how much gravel we have shoveled.
Somehow amidst all this work I found time to relax for a little bit to have dinner with the family and watch a movie with a friend, so instead of music you get a movie recommendation.
Movie recommendation: Air Guitar Nation - A documentary of the first annual U.S. Air Guitar Championships. C-Diddy Rocks! Rent it NOW on DVD or VHS from your local Blockbuster store.
Still, BBK.
Tommy and Mike were back out again today to finish the ramp and make it ready for concrete trucks.
Once again I did not get any pics up, mainly because it is so late now and tomorrow is my first day back to school for the semester. They will be coming soon, hopefully some before the pour so you can see how much gravel we have shoveled.
Somehow amidst all this work I found time to relax for a little bit to have dinner with the family and watch a movie with a friend, so instead of music you get a movie recommendation.
Movie recommendation: Air Guitar Nation - A documentary of the first annual U.S. Air Guitar Championships. C-Diddy Rocks! Rent it NOW on DVD or VHS from your local Blockbuster store.
Still, BBK.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
(Not) Digging the footers
After a month of relative inactivity on the house, and a very unproductive Christmas break, digging finally started on the footers yesterday. Tommy very carefully laid out the outline of the house and found the level for the bottom of the footers. After a little discussion about the depth of the footers and how the concrete would be poured Tommy pulled his backhoe into place and began removing dirt for the footers. After a couple scoops Mike checked the level of rocks that Tommy had hit in the bottom of the ditch and unfortunately they were not deep enough to allow the footers to be poured underground.
After a little deliberation I decided to forego burying the footer and form up on top of the ground instead. As long as the inspector will approve it I will be pouring the footer and slab all at the same time. I began forming up today and will seek the inspector's approval tomorrow. I expect to have everything formed up by the end of the day Monday and have a crew come out and do the pour later in the week.
I'll try to post some more pictures tomorrow of what I'm doing with this.
Right now I'm listening to: "Five Years Time" by Noah and the Whale
After a little deliberation I decided to forego burying the footer and form up on top of the ground instead. As long as the inspector will approve it I will be pouring the footer and slab all at the same time. I began forming up today and will seek the inspector's approval tomorrow. I expect to have everything formed up by the end of the day Monday and have a crew come out and do the pour later in the week.
I'll try to post some more pictures tomorrow of what I'm doing with this.
Right now I'm listening to: "Five Years Time" by Noah and the Whale
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