Today I got up stupid early in the morning and drove out to the desert so I could climb around on a big steel structure and remove some big heavy probes. Considering I spend much of my time running around the office beating people over the head, it was a pleasant change.
The people who asked me to do this had no idea what they were getting themselves in to. We finished up a few hours early and the only comment I received was "Wow . . . you are so mello in the office . . . I had no idea you had that sort of destructive capability." (see Makes Me Happy in the side bar)
OK, so the new flat (since so many people are curious) . . . I am moving in to a studio a few blocks from my office. I will be selling off all but one of my cars and commuting to work on a skateboard. The place is not large but it should work well for me . . . after a small bit of modification. This is where being friends with the owner and having our rough vision of the place comes in handy.
The first order of business is going to be the removal of two windows that look out in to the backyard and replacing them with a single, outward opening French door. This should effectively open up the space and make it much brighter inside.
After the door has gone in, I will be building a loft for my bed to raise it about 5ft up. Sleeping area up top, entertainment area below. The rest of the space is going to be dedicated to a custom aquarium that I am currently having built. (more on that later)
Since a sofa is not really something I would be willing to move around depending on if I would be watching a movie or my aquarium . . . and I have no desire to scrape up the beautiful slate floors . . . I am have decided to get a few "Love Sac's" for lounging on. If you have never seen these things, think giant beanbag chair (as in 5 to 8 feet in diameter) but made out of microsuede with squishy foam inside. (Heehee, I said squishy . . . I like that word) I have sat in one of these things on every trip I have made to Philadelphia in the last two years and have fallen alseep in it on every occasion. It happens to be an omni-diretional sitting apparatus that would need minimal movement for both aquarium and movie watching.
Since I am an absolute aquarium geek, I have to throw some details out there about it. The tank is a custom build - 6ft long, 2.5ft high and 1.5ft wide (approx. 150 gallons). I will be moving over the few fish I have but the main focus is on my coral. This is only the 'display' tank for a system that will be made up of many other purpose-built tanks. I have not determined what the total volume will be yet, but I anticipate it being over 300 gallons. Almost every component of the system is my own design - tank, lighting, filtration, stand, etc. I am really looking forward to completing the project . . . and the tank should be ready on Thursday.
Other things I will be focusing on include cleaning up and reseeding the yard, rescuing/transplanting my roses from my current place, planting a new herb garden, and setting up an outdoor kitchen. I have yet to find a bistro table I am happy with, but all things with time.
I have been exploring my grill options. Since it will be serving as my primary cooking area (and I love to cook) it is probably going to be from the upper end of the spectrum, if not a professional grade. I am not as concerned with size as I am with temperature control, durability (read stainless steel) and having adequate side burners. Of course, buying such an item while moving in to the Fall should lend itself to some lovely sales.
There are a few other details that I am still sorting out, but I probably have enough on my plate to keep me busy for the short term. I am sure a few vacation days will be taken during the French door install, since it will need to be done first thing and followed by painting, construction of the loft, construction/wiring of the aquarium stand and hood, etc, etc. And I still need to decide what color to paint the walls!
The people who asked me to do this had no idea what they were getting themselves in to. We finished up a few hours early and the only comment I received was "Wow . . . you are so mello in the office . . . I had no idea you had that sort of destructive capability." (see Makes Me Happy in the side bar)
OK, so the new flat (since so many people are curious) . . . I am moving in to a studio a few blocks from my office. I will be selling off all but one of my cars and commuting to work on a skateboard. The place is not large but it should work well for me . . . after a small bit of modification. This is where being friends with the owner and having our rough vision of the place comes in handy.
The first order of business is going to be the removal of two windows that look out in to the backyard and replacing them with a single, outward opening French door. This should effectively open up the space and make it much brighter inside.
After the door has gone in, I will be building a loft for my bed to raise it about 5ft up. Sleeping area up top, entertainment area below. The rest of the space is going to be dedicated to a custom aquarium that I am currently having built. (more on that later)
Since a sofa is not really something I would be willing to move around depending on if I would be watching a movie or my aquarium . . . and I have no desire to scrape up the beautiful slate floors . . . I am have decided to get a few "Love Sac's" for lounging on. If you have never seen these things, think giant beanbag chair (as in 5 to 8 feet in diameter) but made out of microsuede with squishy foam inside. (Heehee, I said squishy . . . I like that word) I have sat in one of these things on every trip I have made to Philadelphia in the last two years and have fallen alseep in it on every occasion. It happens to be an omni-diretional sitting apparatus that would need minimal movement for both aquarium and movie watching.
Since I am an absolute aquarium geek, I have to throw some details out there about it. The tank is a custom build - 6ft long, 2.5ft high and 1.5ft wide (approx. 150 gallons). I will be moving over the few fish I have but the main focus is on my coral. This is only the 'display' tank for a system that will be made up of many other purpose-built tanks. I have not determined what the total volume will be yet, but I anticipate it being over 300 gallons. Almost every component of the system is my own design - tank, lighting, filtration, stand, etc. I am really looking forward to completing the project . . . and the tank should be ready on Thursday.
Other things I will be focusing on include cleaning up and reseeding the yard, rescuing/transplanting my roses from my current place, planting a new herb garden, and setting up an outdoor kitchen. I have yet to find a bistro table I am happy with, but all things with time.
I have been exploring my grill options. Since it will be serving as my primary cooking area (and I love to cook) it is probably going to be from the upper end of the spectrum, if not a professional grade. I am not as concerned with size as I am with temperature control, durability (read stainless steel) and having adequate side burners. Of course, buying such an item while moving in to the Fall should lend itself to some lovely sales.
There are a few other details that I am still sorting out, but I probably have enough on my plate to keep me busy for the short term. I am sure a few vacation days will be taken during the French door install, since it will need to be done first thing and followed by painting, construction of the loft, construction/wiring of the aquarium stand and hood, etc, etc. And I still need to decide what color to paint the walls!
VIEW 27 of 27 COMMENTS
tarragon:
I suppose an update is out of the question? 
sillyzebra:
are you gonna get a shark ????? 