22 December 2008

Finally!!



It's been over two years, but thanks to the Brilliant Mind of occasional Clearydome visitor Mark Lapid, the Dome finally has a logo befitting the place itself.

Credit, too, to Lapid for the catch phrase, which is excellent two ways--It's accurate, and, also, it's an opportunity for Lapid to make fun of me in perpetuity.

Thank you. Now I can finally move forward with the Clearydome line of Stationery, Thank-you, and other occasion-centric greeting cards! Thanks too, to Sean for the spelling/grammar heads-up!

Gather round




Changed the seating back to this set-up, although...in the "what, this isn't where this goes?" department...I'm not sure if that's where the LoveSac should be left all the time...

21 December 2008

Wow, now theres a chill...



I was glad that I did the outside work (garage and bay window seal up) that I did Saturday, when it was a balmy 35 out. With it being this cold out today on Sunday, it was good to work on some things inside...like more weatherseal around the windows...Now just have to parent-proof the dome for the folks' visit...

Happy Holidays from The Clearydome


Close-up shot of the tree...

Bay window final


Just a shot of the bay window project's result, with the Hardi-plank sealed up by caulk, which was my first time using. Score "wear disposable rubber gloves" as the idea of the century when it comes to first-timing with a caulk gun. It ain't all pretty, as you can see here, but its GOT to be a huge improvement over the way it was. At least this time, unlike with the "Amazing Stuff" foam I used to seal some of the inside of the bay window, I didn't get any on my face unknowingly with the caulk.

Thor-Mod


Used an unused shelf bracket (see detail shot) to prop up the living room light. Even for a short guy like me, I was hitting my head on it pretty frequently. And just think of Thor during his every-other-year visits, with his height and lack of short term memory, he would pretty much hit his head on the light every time.

The Only Dome In Town

That's right, folks--with the Hoosier/RCA Dome being imploded yesterday, that makes the ClearyDome the only dome in town.

Warning, the soundtrack for this clip reflects an easily impressed group.

17 December 2008

Well that explains a little bit




























In the "you have to be kidding me" department, I recently discovered that the area below the bay window was absolutely un-covered and basically opened to the elements (pic far right top). Sure explains a little in terms of why it is always so cold on the tiles in the bay window.

So having studied a little at the K. Krauss school of "Doing it Right," I pulled out the old insulation, put two new layers of insulation in, re-sealed the basement gap vent with close fitting foam and then super-foam gunk (which is insanely sticky, and I managed to get on my cheek and wrist without knowing it. BTW it was 18 degrees out) and then cut two boards of Hardi-plank left over from the garage siding project to cover everything up. It was not to fun a program, lying on the ground and nailing up with just a little bit of room to work. Also, not sure if I mentioned this, but it was 18 degrees out.*

But the results, even though I have yet to do a final seal of caulk and need yet to cover--see previous English Major references--a one inch strip that is in the middle of the two planks that I cut, were pretty much immediately felt.

*also worth mentioning that I did this on a Sunday. The following Sunday was 47 degrees.

Let the sun shine in


This was kind of a weird sight the other day for Indianapolis. Apparently it's the "sun" shining. Interesting look at the new bedroom window.

Coffee table project (update from "FAIL" below)

Decided to upgrade the roller-coffee-table I've had for ages.

Even though it had a built-in incense holder (see burn marks).

So I got foam and some faux-leather. Was shocked to find that I had spray-adheasive in stock to use to stick the foam to the table.

I was not shocked, though, that it didn't come out perfectly, as the corners required a technique that struck me as being very similar to wrapping x-mas gifts. However, in this case, I could not just cut an extra bit of paper to tape to the present to cover whatever I'd missed. So it took several tries to get if not right, at least respectable.

It probably wasn't worth it, but in the meantime a bit of a second life for the thing, which is now also technically also a place to sit. Probably not really a good idea to be burning candles on it, but hey.










FAIL.

First attempt:

Even though I took measurements and actually wrote them down and brought them to the store with me, my true English Major was revealed when I got home and tried to attach the new covering. It came up short because despite all my measurin', I'd forgot to account for the extra 2.5 inches of foam loft I'd be covering.

FAIL.

14 December 2008

Dormer work










The new dormer window is now in and painted. Got to work on the inside--which was a packed-full "closet" slash storage area.

So I pulled that all out and am working on upgrading the dormer area.

Pulled up the carpet and took out a goofy shelving set-up (dropping a shelf directly on my toe. note to self, if you have a hammer, also wear shoes). Probably going to pull the heating duct out of here as well and need to work on some floor covering as well...

Another CL addition


Thanks to Craigslist once again for this pick-up. Ikea dressers that match my bed, half the bucks had I bought them new. Woo hoo welcome to bargainville!

Meet Moe*


The newest bar in Broad Ripple had a great opening weekend. It's in my kitchen. Thanks K-Man!

(*Syzslak)

Garage rally


Took advantage of some modestly warmer weather to upgrade the garage back to "two-car" status...also added some shelving as part of the effort

10 December 2008

Anyone know??



Check out this (groovy) wood burning stove. I want one for the dome. Anyone know what its called, where to get it? etc?

I really mean it this time...









I've been saying that it's the "last round" of raking for some time, but then I remembered that I also have a back yard.

So a couple of weeks back, I got the blower and rake out and really cleared the whole back yard out, getting the final round of leaves onto the sidewalk.

But then, I realized I was out of leaf bags, and I'd guess the game was on or some other distraction and then the next thing you know, it's snowing with a pile of leaves, not to mention all my hoses, underneath in the back yard.

So yesterday's thaw-from 18 degrees this weekend to nearly 50 for a day of rain yesterday-I took advantage and cleared the wet (this is fun!) leaves out of the back yard. The more work I do around the house, the more sense it makes that my folks were such avid procreators. More kids to do the raking.

Storage...


Got an old chest from an unlikely source, and then added some structure-fortifying on the inside before using it to do a little de-cluttering. Although skeptics in the house might just call it "hiding" stuff....

07 December 2008

Night lights

Happy Holidays...not taking the Clark Griswold approach, just lit up the dormer for now.

Also turned off the spotlights for now and hopefully get some more x-mas lights up on the porch level...

06 December 2008

Dresser, to go...


When I moved to Indy, I decided that the best way to deal with moving a dresser full of clothes was to merely tape the thing up, move it West,and then, voila, when I got to my new place, all I'd have to do would be to remove the tape and I'd be good to go. No unpacking and removing drawers, no figuring a place to put the displaced clothes. Just put the packed dresser on the cart--it was heavy--and on its way.

Unfortunately, the only snag in the program was the use of cheap packing tape to secure it. It didn't all come right off...so several years later, I've finally got around to replacing the thing...

Next round...(UPDATE...)


Another round of snow here, although still not really a big one. Good thing I finally got the hose disconnected from the house, and raked the back lawn, just in time for some snow.

Started work on the x-mas lights, too. I'd take a picture, but it's noon, so that's not going to be the best time to get that shot, no?

Update on Indiana snow-drivers...

http://www.indystar.com/article/20081206/LOCAL18/81206002

“Less than a quarter inch of snow and we’ve had probably 40 crashes,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Fred Warren, stationed at the Indianapolis post, at about 10 a.m. today. “Our response time to crises now is probably half and hour to 45 minutes.”

(From... )

02 December 2008

Snowed-in Dome


Those of you looking forward to a full-on snowed-in Dome are going to have to wait just a bit yet, alas, as the promised "1 to 3 inches" looked more like a lot of white nothing.

What is it with Indiana forecasters? They get awfully excited about the most modest possibility of snowfall. Especially when you look around and see that even when it does come....it's still so flat here there's nothing to do but get in a wreck on the way to work, it would seem.

I really need to fix or take down that blind. It didn't get installed right post-painting.

No more racing stripe...


Mostly because I thought, "what better room to paint than the one that has a dart board, a pool table, a big plant, and a drum set in it?" I greatly expanded-through the full room--the previously existing "racing stripe" for the front room. Even using primer like a responsible adult, it took several coats. At least I got to use the pool table to stand on for parts.

Adventures in wiring



A new light for the stairway (on the right with the multiple lights)...The third new lighting fixture installed by the Dome's team of part-time electricians.

Window final, w/paint...

Window done














Being able to open a window doesn't seem like such a luxury until you find yourself in a situation where you've caulked the windows shut since they are so pervious to the wind. Pervious isn't actually a word, but you'd think that it would be a good nominee for the opposite of impervious, no?

In any case, the new window is in, and open-able...