Jul 16, 2010
Two Things to Think About
I came across 2 different things today that had/have me thinking;
From Cynthia ;
Jul 15, 2010
Welcome to "The Farm"
Good day all! Welcome to my home.
I have affectionally nicknamed the place "The Farm". You will hear me say, come on out to the farm! I do like it here. It's a bit warm in the heat but overall the breezes are great, the air is lovely, lots of natural light, horses everywhere and it's comfortable. I'm very attuned to good and bad feelings and this house has a good feeling. This has been a happy home. It has it's warts - it's old, no range hood, no light over the sink, no real closets, plugs in the wrong place etc etc... but it has character and really feels good.
So enjoy the pics and descriptions. I still have lots to do, you'll note there is little on the walls yet, working on it and the curtains will come with time. The new windows just went in last week so still trying to get a handle on curtains - I want colour and bright! No more dark living for me. Enjoy;
I have affectionally nicknamed the place "The Farm". You will hear me say, come on out to the farm! I do like it here. It's a bit warm in the heat but overall the breezes are great, the air is lovely, lots of natural light, horses everywhere and it's comfortable. I'm very attuned to good and bad feelings and this house has a good feeling. This has been a happy home. It has it's warts - it's old, no range hood, no light over the sink, no real closets, plugs in the wrong place etc etc... but it has character and really feels good.
So enjoy the pics and descriptions. I still have lots to do, you'll note there is little on the walls yet, working on it and the curtains will come with time. The new windows just went in last week so still trying to get a handle on curtains - I want colour and bright! No more dark living for me. Enjoy;
Welcome to The Farm! I rent the top and main floors. Basement is currently unrented, and I hope it stays that way. This way my subwoffer can work overtime. A lovely wrap around deck for relaxing in the evening and watching the sunrise in the morning.
Yard is big enough to store the Canoe and Kayak (to the right). Horse fields behind and to the right. Landlord mows the lawn for me, but I'm trying to get my old mower working and I'll do it myself.
The front room. I found it to be too small for a living room so I sort of made it a "mud room" The front door is to the right. The bench is my working bench and beside it is the entrance to the kitchen. I'm standing next to the stairs that go into the loft. Going to put some nice light curtains in here to give it some colour and maybe extend the bookcases in the future. Lots of light!
My living room. Not very big, it's formerly a bedroom (with a 7' window). One of the girls at work was nice enough to get me the free TV in the corner (thank you Cynthia L!), a futon to the right for snoozing and my stereo gear which is always blasting the XM radio!
The important side of the living room. The computer and command station haha. Lots of light!
Bathroom. This used to be a bedroom that they made into a new bathroom for me. The old pictures (later) show the original. It's bigger then it looks, I'm standing next to the washer/dryer and a shelving unit. Not huge but a nice comfortable size.
The kitchen. A really nice size! Not huge space for storage but more then enough for me. The way to the mud room is to the right (around the white microwave). The shelf doors are a bit wacked, I need to adjust them so they will stay closed, on my list of things to do. New curtains in here in a week or so.
The kitchen from the other side. My Bermuda friends should recognize a few things in this picture ;-) Through the door is a spare bedroom. It's a mess right now with a small deep freeze, a book shelf, filing cabinet and a bed. Kids like it but I need to sort it out at some point. There is also a closet (the former stairs to the basement) in front of the fridge that I use as a pantry. The spare bedroom is also the only room with a closet! haha But the room has no door - was thinking of hanging 60's style beads. Anyone have any? ;-)
Welcome to "The Loft"! To me this upstairs made me fall in love with the place. To the right is a steep staircase coming up. The upstairs is an open L shape (you see in a sec). The floors are old wooden planks. It has so much charm and just feels so good up there. It actually stays fairly cool with the air flow, but I do have an air conditioner for when it gets stupid hot. Still have another dresser to go in for all the sweaters and stuff (in the boxes to the left).
Looking the other way down the loft. Now excuse the mess, still trying to sort this mess out. The boxes on the right are all BOOKS! I need wayyyyy more book shelves. You'll also notice the paddles hahaha, swapping from the kayak to the canoe results in paddles and stuff ending up in the bedroom ;-) As I have no real closets, except for a walk-in downstairs (the former bathroom), all the stuff I don't wear gets hung up here. You'll also note the AC unit is in the window, it's stupid hot today.
Looking down the L of the loft. My storage area. All my tools, boxes, camping gear, golf stuff and other odds and ends. I really need to sort this mess out one of these days.
Well, that's pretty much it. The Farm! I also have a small shed out the back of the house. Windows are broke and it needs a good cleaning but good enough to store the few things I don't want in the house. Also mentioned is the walk-in closet downstairs. We took the old bathroom and made it a walk-in and storage. It's also a mess, filled with my wine bottles and my work clothes right now. On my list of things to do ;-)
This was my first look at the house back a few months ago;
Now the living room.
The Kitchen - mud room to the right. The grey stuff is leveling the floor.
The spare Bedroom
The mudroom
Mudroom, looking towards the stairs.
The original bathroom. The hole is where the toilet would sit. NASTY! This is now a walk-in closet.
The loft, before my touches ;-)
The outside before the new windows, painted deck and all the crap laying around.
So whadda think? Most people went running after seeing the original state of the house. But I could see the gem. The landlords - Shirley and Mike did a really good job and bent over backwards to accommodate me. New floors, new windows, new bathroom, new kitchen (mostly), new paint throughout etc etc... The wanted me in the house pretty bad and I don't think they have regretted it. They are amazed how clean everything is and how quiet I am.
The only complaint they have made to me? "Scott we've noticed that you haven't been walking around the farm taking pictures of the horses. You have free access to everything you know." hahaha, I have been meaning to get out and photograph the horses (there are 50 of them on the farm) but I just honestly haven't had the time with everything going on, but going to make a point of it here shortly.
Well I hope you have enjoyed a tour of The Farm. Each of you is welcome to visit at any time. There is always wine and beer available along with interesting chat while sitting on the deck. Still need a BBQ and a few other odds and ends but we're surviving!
May 17, 2010
So Far, So Good
The move went well. No drama and no heart aches. Several guys from the office came by and worked their assess off for 6 hours and loaded the truck and unloaded at the new place. Followed all that up with Beer and cold cuts. Will have to have them over to thank them more properly! And all the folks who have supported me the past few months and those who have given me so much for the new house so that I don't have to spend 2 fortunes to set everything back up.
Spent Saturday setting up the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Sunday while the races were on I managed to configure the living room and sort out all my books, tools and benches. So by the end of the day all I have left now is the spare bedroom, my filing cabinet and the storage area. It's all coming together.
Biggest thing left is the curtains. 14 windows in this place but most are being replaced in the coming days (19th I hope) so don't want to put much of anything up until the new ones are in and I have proper measurements to match the moldings.
Still no internet or phone. The dry loop and DSL is suppose to go in on the 19th as well but have seen no sign of the modem or VOIP box yet. So expect a few more days yet. In the meantime using the Blackberry to surf and catch the news and catch up on e-mail from the office.
But all is well, still a bit surreal living in a new place and being away from my wife, kids and dogs but haven't concentrated on it to much. Keeping busy for now.
Spent Saturday setting up the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Sunday while the races were on I managed to configure the living room and sort out all my books, tools and benches. So by the end of the day all I have left now is the spare bedroom, my filing cabinet and the storage area. It's all coming together.
Biggest thing left is the curtains. 14 windows in this place but most are being replaced in the coming days (19th I hope) so don't want to put much of anything up until the new ones are in and I have proper measurements to match the moldings.
Still no internet or phone. The dry loop and DSL is suppose to go in on the 19th as well but have seen no sign of the modem or VOIP box yet. So expect a few more days yet. In the meantime using the Blackberry to surf and catch the news and catch up on e-mail from the office.
But all is well, still a bit surreal living in a new place and being away from my wife, kids and dogs but haven't concentrated on it to much. Keeping busy for now.
May 15, 2010
Moving Day
Well today is a big day for me and the primary reason that I've been missing off the blog this past few months. It's separation day. A sad day and an exciting day in a strange way.
Back in January, my wife and I decided that there has been something missing from our marriage/lives and that it would be best for me to move on. No fighting, no hassles, no lawyers, just slowly dismantle our marriage of 20+ years and remain the friends that we are instead of becoming an old bitter couple always wondering, "what if".
As a result I have spent the past few months looking for a new home and slowly packing up my life to move onwards. Well today is the day. Everything is is packed (it's now 6am in the morning and can't sleep) and in a few hours I pickup a U-Haul and move to the new house. I found a lovely little house just 30 minutes north of here that I will be renting. Found it just over a month ago. Located on a horse farm/riding school and I have the main and top floors. It's an older building but the landlord has done numerous renovation to the house for me. New hardwood floors, new bathroom, new kitchen cabinets, counter, sink, light fixtures etc etc... New windows are scheduled to go in next week. The new house has 14 windows and bags of natural light and cross breezes. The upstairs is a completely open loft and will be a wonderful huge bedroom. Downstairs the kitchen is by far the biggest room. Also have a spare bedroom and I have changed a 2nd bedroom into a small living room. What should be the living room is just way to small for me and will become a large mud/sun room. And the old bathroom will become a large walk-in closet. Not enough room for all the accumulated stuff of the past 25 years of being out in the world, but we'll make it through.
The sad part of the day is that today my marriage of 20 years comes to an end. I still love Cathy but not to the extent that I should for me to call her wife. We were best of friends for many years before we married way back in 1989 and I hope that we will continue to be friends. We have two excellent children so neither of us will ever say that our marriage was a waste. By far more good came from it then any bad.
The exciting part is the unknown future ahead. A new home, new friends and a new outlook on life. Going to rediscover my passion for photography and the outdoors. And maybe someday find that part of my relationship that has been missing. Only time will tell. But I should be blogging more for those few devote followers that I have out there ;-)
A few pics of the new home!
The outside and the loft. Will post more after I'm moved in and have internet to show all the wonderful renovations that were done.
Back in January, my wife and I decided that there has been something missing from our marriage/lives and that it would be best for me to move on. No fighting, no hassles, no lawyers, just slowly dismantle our marriage of 20+ years and remain the friends that we are instead of becoming an old bitter couple always wondering, "what if".
As a result I have spent the past few months looking for a new home and slowly packing up my life to move onwards. Well today is the day. Everything is is packed (it's now 6am in the morning and can't sleep) and in a few hours I pickup a U-Haul and move to the new house. I found a lovely little house just 30 minutes north of here that I will be renting. Found it just over a month ago. Located on a horse farm/riding school and I have the main and top floors. It's an older building but the landlord has done numerous renovation to the house for me. New hardwood floors, new bathroom, new kitchen cabinets, counter, sink, light fixtures etc etc... New windows are scheduled to go in next week. The new house has 14 windows and bags of natural light and cross breezes. The upstairs is a completely open loft and will be a wonderful huge bedroom. Downstairs the kitchen is by far the biggest room. Also have a spare bedroom and I have changed a 2nd bedroom into a small living room. What should be the living room is just way to small for me and will become a large mud/sun room. And the old bathroom will become a large walk-in closet. Not enough room for all the accumulated stuff of the past 25 years of being out in the world, but we'll make it through.
The sad part of the day is that today my marriage of 20 years comes to an end. I still love Cathy but not to the extent that I should for me to call her wife. We were best of friends for many years before we married way back in 1989 and I hope that we will continue to be friends. We have two excellent children so neither of us will ever say that our marriage was a waste. By far more good came from it then any bad.
The exciting part is the unknown future ahead. A new home, new friends and a new outlook on life. Going to rediscover my passion for photography and the outdoors. And maybe someday find that part of my relationship that has been missing. Only time will tell. But I should be blogging more for those few devote followers that I have out there ;-)
A few pics of the new home!
The outside and the loft. Will post more after I'm moved in and have internet to show all the wonderful renovations that were done.
Mar 15, 2010
1930's Bermuda
One of my favourite slideshows. Amazing how many images still contain places I recognize after all these years.
Mar 14, 2010
F1 and IndyCar Returns Part 2
Well I screwed that one up ;-)
The F1 race was as boring a sin. No passing or drama. All the cars made 1 pit stop and that was the end of it. Already the call is out that the rules need to be changed immediately. Have to say I agree. The tires are to durable and we need a few more stops.
And the Indy Car race from Brazil was a pleasant surprise. A scary/terrible accident to start the race (thus rolling double file starts need to be banned and switched to a standing start) but fortunately no one was injured. Although rain shortened and a red flag in the middle we seen some different cars near the front, some good passing and a very entertaining race. Well done. Penske still won but it wasn't handed to him. Fingers crossed that we have a decent season to watch.
The F1 race was as boring a sin. No passing or drama. All the cars made 1 pit stop and that was the end of it. Already the call is out that the rules need to be changed immediately. Have to say I agree. The tires are to durable and we need a few more stops.
And the Indy Car race from Brazil was a pleasant surprise. A scary/terrible accident to start the race (thus rolling double file starts need to be banned and switched to a standing start) but fortunately no one was injured. Although rain shortened and a red flag in the middle we seen some different cars near the front, some good passing and a very entertaining race. Well done. Penske still won but it wasn't handed to him. Fingers crossed that we have a decent season to watch.
F1 and IndyCar Returns
Woot! One of my favourite days of the year. After a month of having to endure watching NASCARs running around in circles we get to see some real racing. F1 out of Bahrain, which I'm watching while writing this and IndyCar this afternoon out of Brazil.
The F1 season is shaping up to be an exciting year with as many as 4 really competitive teams and a few dark horses in the crowd. Up to 26 cars back on the grid. New rules that include no refueling, for an F1 car to do a race on 1 tank of fuel made for some really interesting engineering in the cars. And I'm no Shumacher fan but having him back in the field in a non-Ferrari car is just fun. So the potential is there.
I remain hopefully optimistic about the IndyCar season but that series has been hanging by a thread. Only 2 top teams, full of pay drivers and a piece of shit car. It just kills me that so many excellent drivers are sitting on the sidelines (Paul Tracy, Andrew Ranger and Graham Rahal to name a few) while shit drivers get seats cause they have money. The car count is low (around 20), TV package in the states is terrible and the 10 year old cars are looking aged and slow. It was looking promising that the first race would be at a new venue on the streets of Sao Paulo Brazil but then they had to delay qualifying due to the straight away being to slick causing the cars to do 180's on the straight aways? Apparently the track is concrete and the surface is to slick even for a low powered (compare to the old champ cars), high downforce Indy Car. They were going to grind the surface over night and retry qualifying before the race. Not a good start to the season. But I see a Penske Ganassi dominated field again this year - sigh.
I have enjoyed some of the early sports car racing (Grand-Am, Rolex etc) this year. It's actually been fun to watch and might replace IndyCar on my "must watch" list. Now that would be sad.
Raining here today and it's effecting my Satellite dish so the face is getting all glitchy - NOOOOOOOOO, argh, first race of the year and I get "searching for Satellite Signal" - not fair!!!!
Sorry there haven't been any new pictures of late. Spring is here but all the good weather has been during the week days, weekend weather is shit. Might have to give up on landscapes and switch to wildlife. Anyone got around 11k for a good 2.8F lens with 600mm zoom?
The F1 season is shaping up to be an exciting year with as many as 4 really competitive teams and a few dark horses in the crowd. Up to 26 cars back on the grid. New rules that include no refueling, for an F1 car to do a race on 1 tank of fuel made for some really interesting engineering in the cars. And I'm no Shumacher fan but having him back in the field in a non-Ferrari car is just fun. So the potential is there.
I remain hopefully optimistic about the IndyCar season but that series has been hanging by a thread. Only 2 top teams, full of pay drivers and a piece of shit car. It just kills me that so many excellent drivers are sitting on the sidelines (Paul Tracy, Andrew Ranger and Graham Rahal to name a few) while shit drivers get seats cause they have money. The car count is low (around 20), TV package in the states is terrible and the 10 year old cars are looking aged and slow. It was looking promising that the first race would be at a new venue on the streets of Sao Paulo Brazil but then they had to delay qualifying due to the straight away being to slick causing the cars to do 180's on the straight aways? Apparently the track is concrete and the surface is to slick even for a low powered (compare to the old champ cars), high downforce Indy Car. They were going to grind the surface over night and retry qualifying before the race. Not a good start to the season. But I see a Penske Ganassi dominated field again this year - sigh.
I have enjoyed some of the early sports car racing (Grand-Am, Rolex etc) this year. It's actually been fun to watch and might replace IndyCar on my "must watch" list. Now that would be sad.
Raining here today and it's effecting my Satellite dish so the face is getting all glitchy - NOOOOOOOOO, argh, first race of the year and I get "searching for Satellite Signal" - not fair!!!!
Sorry there haven't been any new pictures of late. Spring is here but all the good weather has been during the week days, weekend weather is shit. Might have to give up on landscapes and switch to wildlife. Anyone got around 11k for a good 2.8F lens with 600mm zoom?
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