Watching baseball and fixing stuff

I broke down and bought the post-season package on MLB.com. I may be without cable, but there will be baseball. I wonder if I can order a team package to catch all the Sox games next season...

One of the things I've tried to focus on over the past seven months has been repairing things. The argument could be made that one of the things I found attractive about the apartment was the potential for repair for the place. There was so much that could be done, and the repair to the apartment would be comparable to the repair to myself.

I also took on a few other repair projects. I picked up two bicycles from the Geneseo transfer station to repair. I picked up a Deco-style vanity that needed veneer work from a curb. I had a 1994 Mercedes station wagon that, with some work, could probably be a show piece again. And I bought a 12-string guitar that needed bridge repair - something I always saw listed as "leave to trusted professionals".

Initially I threw myself into the apartment, painting most of the rooms, and transforming the place. I hesitated on the bedroom for a variety of reasons (don't mind the color, isn't necessary, brings scary finality to things), and also considered the various other projects, along with updates to Gymboree.

But as far as fixing stuff, the time has come to start shedding some dead weight. Time to make some decisions about what will and won't get fixed, and moving on.

I shed one bicycle around June, and the other one went to the curb this weekend. I rode it once. If I get the urge in the spring, I can buy a new one. It's gone.

I will never get the impulse to re-veneer the 20's vanity. It's on the curb right now. Hopefully will be picked up soon by someone else.

Mercedes - gone, and back to Geneseo. Father-in-law says it is salvageable and could be sold - the bearings, contrary to my belief, are fine. Whine is something else. I like my new Civic - have to remind myself that it is an improvement and was a necessary cord to cut.

This leaves the only two projects left as the 12-string and the bedroom. I peeled the bridge off the 12-string, and re-attached it with wood glue after some sanding this evening. I'll pick up strings and pegs tomorrow afternoon and we'll see how it goes. With any luck, I'll have a functional 12-string I can post pics of.

And the bedroom. I've found with the removal of the vanity, it is now a room screaming for a makeover. We'll see how it all works out. There is a small bit to patch, and then large sections (okay, the whole room) that need to be primed and painted. Which hopefully will be gotten to sometime very soon. Next couple of weeks, if nothing else.

And that's about it from here. More ruminations later, with any luck. And maybe even more focused writing.

Taking the time

My friend Eric has started a new blog called "How to Be a Better Man" after watching The Social Network. The focus is on the reinvention of his life - taking stock with the "what have you done lately" deal.

I understand where he's coming from. I've been living on my own for the last seven months, and getting used to the change of finding my own motivation and what makes me tick. An evaluation of my own place in the world.

And I've made some changes. Two jobs, including a return to the career of librarian. New car. Updates to apartment to make it a comfortable living space. Taking the time to pick up guitar again. Trying to figure out how to best be a "weekend warrior" Dad.

Right now I'm sitting in the corner chair that Sam uses for a bed when he's over, and listening to "Exile on Main St." My landlord invited me over to watch NASCAR this afternoon, and I'll go over for a little bit. Also have to install a new computer at Gymboree so Jess can actually do work there.

Today is one of those great fall days where it feels great to be alive. I'm just basking in the quiet, having gone out and smoked a cigar while sitting next to the creek. Not bad at all.