08__The hours that don't count

When trying something new, there's bound to be setbacks. These moments challenge you to stop, rethink, and modify your approach - simultaneously rejecting your (now) incorrect assumptions while adapting to get the end result.

I like problem solving. When you get there, it's worth it. But it's the hours of uncertainty (when it just might fail) that get overlooked.

Today this happened twice.

Problem 1
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A scanner purchased for $3.99 (and you thought this was important! HA!) from Goodwill turns on but jams as it scans. I admit that I know not one thing about how one of these works, but it's the transparency of the surface that lured me in. "What do you mean it's stuck, you can see the parts turning!"



Notice the handyman's trusted assistant, Mr. Blue Ribbon.



So inside there's motors and plastic gears and rubber bands and circuitry. Many times I paused, thinking you don't have a clue what these are, why are you doing this? Maybe it was that I just paid for a broken scanner and was determined to redeem said questionable judgment, or maybe that I saw tiny screws all over the place and thought that you know how those work - give it a shot. So carefully, I removed one piece at a time, testing after each, and 9 out of 10 times it failed. An hour later, thinking then that it was even more busted than when I started, I had removed and replaced all the moving parts - and who knows why - but it works.

I got so giddy, I scanned my mousepad.



Thank you, Goodwill for the chance to test my total lack of electronical knowledge and succeed where I should have failed. And now for the irony...

Problem 2
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A recently purchased circular saw $49.99 (significantly more substantial) was supposed to save me time in the dresser project I have in construction. I read the manual, it shows me a pitifully vague diagram that says loosen the lever to adjust the depth of cut. Keep in mind that now we're in my area of expertise. I deal with these parts all the time, should take seconds, right?

But the lever is stuck. There's a bolt with threading that I think I have to adjust. It's entrenched in a crevice of the machine. I try for two hours to loosen a piece I can't reach. Somehow it's the one size wrench I don't have. This is beyond frustrating. I use clamps to try and just jam the lever down.

I get so fed up and annoyed at this new purchase that I decide it's not worth it and it's going back. That's when I realize the lever goes up. It goes up. I spent hours jamming this thing down, and it goes up. The scanner made me feel smart and the saw made me feel stupid.

I should join the Geek Squad. I'll need thicker glasses... with tape.

07__When something you thought was finished surprises you...

Just this week two projects that I had wrapped up on my end months ago have surprised me with how well they're turning out.

In architecture news, we've just submitted a revision set for the roof deck of my old neighbor's house in DC. When this project is completed in the coming months it will be the strongest testimonial I have to date towards my own design aesthetic. The Deckers were ideal clients, allowing me to approach the project with a blank slate, developing ideas together, and respecting my knowledge in the trade. Six months later the construction will soon begin. Check out a preliminary design rendering!



My last week in DC I spent many many hours building a set of bookshelves to wrap around the ceiling of John's room. It was really challenging to form fit them to walls that weren't so square (they were too hip to be square) but the finished product looked pretty good. Here's a photo of when I was done with them:



I just saw the photos of them painted, and wow - I'm impressed. John put a geometric pattern that is quirky and yet totally fitting for a room already featuring a Dr. Seuss pole. Check out these images, it came a long way.







Updates to follow soon with photos of the workshop I've recently finished setting up in the basement - plus the most involved project I've built to date (as far as the joints go) should be finished this week. Our apartment will have furniture soon!