| A day in the life of a plasterer |
Jul 4, 2008 1:50 pm
191 Views | Part 2
Monday, Monday
My alarm will nearly wake the dead. Monday it almost had to. We normally start at seven sometimes six am but today we are meeting to drive out of town at 5am. I pull myself out of the Cave and throw on some pants to let the three fuzzies out. Arrrgh I hate waking up in the dark. Freaking daylight savings time. It's not natural to go to sleep when it's light and wake up when it's dark.
Start the hot water for my yummy chocolate cappuccino. Open my breakfast pepsi, down a headache tablet, (did I mention I tried a few brandies to make me go to sleep Sunday night?) Took my vitamins and made my coffee and let the kids in.
Sat down and contemplated my first cigarette of the day. Yeah, yeah I know. Finally woke up enough to put on my work clothes and make my "lunch". My bosses don't take breaks so lunch consists of a pepsi and three bottles of water and a bag of peanuts I can eat on the run.
Got to the meeting place at 4:50 and everyone else was thirty minutes late. Arrrgh! Wish I'd thought of that. We make it to the job site at 6. A huge house nestled up in the foothills near the mountains. But not close enough to stay any cooler. It's 6 am and already 65 degrees. I know it's going to get toasty today.
One boss says, "lets try to stay in the shade all day".
Cool! I agree. Except that the shady side of the building includes a forty by thirty foot ceiling to be stuccoed. If you want to know how it feels to stucco a ceiling, just try pushing a hammer against a ceiling for a couple of hours. And imagine cement falling back in your face while you're doing it.
To make matters worse, this particular job will involve a very thin acrylic finish and the base coat needs to be perfect. We do this by rubbing a neoprene float over and over the base coat just after it sets. Remember the movie The Karate Kid? It's kinda like "Wax on wax off". The wing gets a little tired.
I wore a pedometer once 'cause I was curious about how many miles I put on in a day. On a typical building, I walk about eight miles a day back and forth from the mud board to the wall, up and down on the scaffold, and toting stuff around the building. On this house it was probably double that. No wonder one never sees a fat plasterer.
Didn't make it to a hundred degrees. Only ninety eight. We caught a break. | |
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6 Comments | |
| A day in the life of a plasterer |
Jul 1, 2008 7:49 pm
Mood: roasted, 308 Views | Did ya ever wonder what a day in the life of a plasterer is like? Of course you haven't. Being the public minded person I am, I'm gonna tell you anyway.
Cause and effect.
We worked Saturday from 7am till about noon. Which gave me time to come home and take a nap so I could enjoy my Saturday night. I like to stay up late and not worry about alarm clocks... or basically anything grown up.
Unfortunately I am also rock solid and dependable. This is a tuff combination. So I control it. Most of the time I am very conservative but sometimes I let T have his head, in a manner of speaking.
I did that Saturday night. Stayed up really late (or early) and then slept late Sunday morning. Which meant I wasn't sleepy until late Sunday night. And we started at 5am Monday. Sooo I worked a nine hour day, without a break, in 98 degree heat on three and a half hours of sleep.
Cause and effect.
Stucco, in case you don't know, is an exterior siding made by combining sand, water and cement and applied either with a machine or by hand. We do it by hand which is the conventional method in our area. By "hand" means scooping the stucco or "mud" onto a 15 by 15 inch flat piece of metal with a handle called a "hoc" and transferring it to a 5 inch by 12 inch trowel and smearing it over "chicken wire" basically.
In an average day between four of us, we will smear about fifteen tons of mud on a house by hand. In addition to building and moving heavy scaffold. It's a hard job but keeps a guy in pretty good shape. When I was young I used to tell people they didn't want to mess with a plasterer. We punch walls for a living.
Next up...
Monday, Monday | |
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4 Comments | |
| The Saturday Camelot Chronicle oops |
Jun 29, 2008 7:21 pm
Mood: Culinary, 380 Views |  | It was Short weekend on accounta working Saturday. James likes to cook several meals and stick em in the freezer for the week so he's in the kitchen. He said I could do the editorial this week. As long as I read everything aloud as I type it.
And no cheating. I plan on peaking before you post.
We've been battling grasshoppers this weekend. Little tiny suckers. I wanted to just RAID!! the heck outta them but Mr Greenjames is worried about killing bees and butterflies and spiders.
When he was planning to buy flowers this Spring I said...
"Go plastic. No watering, No feeding. No bugs."
And no scent and no change and no manna and no...
Yeah yeah, go slice some garlic. Anyway, almost all of the flowers he bought and has been so steady watering are green sticks poking outta the ground, 'cause the weedhoppers chewed up all the leaves. Heh, heh.
Anyhow... Gotta brutal work week ahead in 100 degree temps and a different material then we usually put on. It's an acrylic based stuff that looks great, last a loooong time and is a pain in the T!! back to apply. Gonna be a fun week.
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A message from Joanie
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The word cancer means to many imminent death. For me, it has been a teacher on the path of living. All of us have only the moment in which we find ourselves -- and in this moment, life is filled with all the riches that one could ever desire-- if we simply relax and awaken to the awareness that there is no lack and no separation. We are the ocean beneath the waves -- the waves are only the surface of the ocean --- looking deeper, looking inside, we find a calm and peace. This then is our true essence and it is eternal.
In peace and love,
Joan
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Recipe
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Gingerbread cookies with chocolate
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup molasses
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
white sugar
Combine butter or margarine, molasses, and unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Heat until chocolate melts. Stir until smooth. Sift together flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, and salt. Stir in
melted chocolate mixture and milk. Mix well. Chill until firm. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Yield: 3 Dozen Cookies
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Jokes (More bugs! heh,heh)
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Every night, Frank would go down to the liquor store, get a six pack, bring it home, and drink it while he watched TV. One night, as he finished his last beer, the doorbell rang.
He stumbled to the door and found a six-foot cockroach standing there. The bug grabbed him by the collar and threw him across the room, then left.
The next night, after he finished his 4th beer, the doorbell rang. He walked slowly to the door and found the same six-foot cockroach standing there. The big bug punched him in the stomach, then left.
The next night, after he finished his 1st beer, the doorbell rang again. The same six-foot cockroach was standing there. This time he was kneed in the groin and hit behind the ear as he doubled over in pain. Then the big bug left.
The fourth night Frank didn't drink at all. The doorbell rang. The cockroach was standing there. The bug beat the snot out of Frank and left him in a heap on the living room floor.
The following day, Frank went to see his doctor. He explained events of the preceding four nights. "What can I do?" he pleaded. "Not much" the doctor replied. "There's just a nasty bug going around."
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Ask T The alter ego with the answers
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A lady in Kansas writes....
"Dear T. As a devoted horticulturist, I thought you would enjoy hearing this.
After years of paying outlandish water bills in the Summer trying to keep my
flowers from wilting..."
T...
"And constantly weeding and battling insects..."
Stop it T, you're making that up.
"I decided to cover my back yard and all my flower beds in concrete and install a nice artificial lawn and plastic flowers in a realistic looking synthetic soil.
Since then I am amazed at how much more time I have for enjoying life and visiting the great pubs on Union avenue..."
Sigh. Click Add and come help me do the dishes |
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5 Comments | |
| Party Report Card |
Jun 23, 2008 11:33 am
Mood: Aby Normal, 763 Views | From my perspective
Over all attendance- B+ A few didn't come, one couple went home shortly after arriving due to illness (they hadn't eaten my chili yet so I'm innocent) But Nearly everyone I most desired to see were there
Science- B+ The table fountain I brought looked good but a couple of fountains in it didn't work and it leaked a tad on the table which I don't think was level.
My nephew's music equipment functioned great and he did a great job of selection.
Cooking- A- All of my green Chili with Pork was eaten and the pan scraped clean so it must have been well received. My first ever attempted veggie lasagna was only half gone but my Brother in law wanted to take the rest home.
The ribs were very good but I thought the turkey drumsticks were a little underdone.
Mathematics- B+ We weren't sure how many were going to be there and set up too many tables so the gathering was scattered out a little too much. There was a lot of extra food but better too much then not enough.
We finally found enough candles to place on all the tables.
Joanie and Kel were the only single women (Ari has a beau) there over 14. Kel rebuffed my advances so I had to flirt with Charlie. And he hadn't shaved.
Music- B My nephew picked a lot of good songs but I would have interlaced a few more Celtic type tunes. My fault, as he loves that kind of music but I didn't get with him before the party. The part that drops the grade down was that he played the Macerana (I hate that song) by request and YMCA by the Village People. Arrrgh!
I had requested Play Me by Neil Diamond as it was kinda Joanie's and my song from the old days. Unfortunately I felt compelled to ask her to dance which is not my strong suit. It kinda surprised her as in our 25 year marriage we had danced only once or maybe twice. (We disagree on the figure)
What's that? Oh it was unfortunate 'cause we were the only two on the floor and it made my Fonzie like dancing skills even more evident.
Citizenship A++ Everyone was beautiful and many actually wore Celtic attire.
Uhm, the host waited too long to look and couldn't find anything. He also woosed out on the opening speech he had planned but I don't take away from the grade 'cause of extra credit gained for...
Kel and Ari. I was tempted to write something snarky about them as I read some of their comments about me... (sucks rocks, indeed) but they made my weekend by being here.
Joanie's brother and sister sitting at the same table after not speaking for twenty years was heart warming.
My Sister's teen aged son and my Nieces teen aged son fascinated by the music equipment (and not playing some gory video game) and Joe teaching them how to use it was excellent.
The look on Joanie's face after the party as she thanked me (with a special thanks for not giving my speech and embarrassing her) was worth the effort alone.
Soooo things are back to dull and normal. I'm looking forward to catching up in Blogdom | |
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19 Comments | |
| The Saturday Camelot Chronicle |
Jun 21, 2008 2:59 pm
824 Views | Showtime.
Did I dot all the "T_s" and cross all the "I_s"
OOPS
Uh oh....
One more hour and it's off to set things up at the Hall for the party.
Will every one who was invited show up?
Will Kel spill more coffee on herself?
Will Ari fall into the river and drift downstream to Kansas?
Will James have a nervous breakdown from having to address the gathering?
Will Pueblo recover?
Will T take over at the wrong time and get me banished from my family?
Join us next time for the answers to these and many other questions.
Same Bat time
Same Bat channel | |
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12 Comments | |
| Countdown to the Party |
Jun 16, 2008 5:22 am
Mood: sore, 1041 Views | T minus six and counting till the party.
I've been busy cleaning up Camelot so as not to embarrass myself when Kel and her mystery guests see it. I hadn't done any deep cleaning in about a month and the nearby prairie is always trying to reclaim and reshape my home. Between the dust and the weeds and the grasshoppers and the hair from my Fuzzy four leggeds it's been a chore. Nearly done with that and ready to devote my attention to the details of the party.
To tell the truth I'm a little nervous. I've had parties for this amount of people before but not since my college days. In those days all I had to do was turn the stereo up louder, send someone to the liquor store and roll the passed out drunk from last night's party off the bathtub chair. Gee I wonder why I didn't graduate or why I have limited recollection of those days?
This time I have people coming in from at least three states (depending on where Kels mystery guests are from) and there will be no alcohol at the party. Hmmm... may have to adjourn to Camelot after the festivities to celebrate in a more conventional manner.
This time there will be legitimate food, not a couple of big bags of chips and a container of cheap dip.
This time there will be dancing and no surprises finding some couple doing the horizontal mambo on my waterbed.
This time there should be no mad scramble to hide illegal substances if a police cruiser pulls up in front of the party. The only questionable green substance will be my four alarm green chili. | |
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12 Comments | |
| The Saturday Camelot Chronicle |
Jun 14, 2008 7:59 am
Mood: Busy, 1085 Views | It's alive, it is alive!
Hi there. Yep, I'm still breathin'. Altho one might question if someone had died at Camelot. There are blood stains everywhere, including on my two page "to do list". At 5 o'clock in the morning yesterday my Fuzzies decided to get into a major scrap with each other. While laying on the ground trying to hold one dog with my feet and another in each hand I took quite a beating.
Managed to hobble to work and my boss took one look at me and sent me home. My left hand is mostly out of action so it would have been a chore holding onto a hoc anyway.
Part of my "to do list" included planting some more flowers so I decided not to waste the time and went to a local greenhouse. Ha ha I didn't notice that a couple of my wounds had started seeping again until I saw how the clerk was looking at me. Nothing like having blood running down your arm to promote respect from a cashier. I probably could have walked out without paying. Never heard so many "yes sirs" in my life.
Have you ever tried to dig a hole with only one hand?
Anyway.... I've been busy, busy. Getting ready for the party next Saturday and trying to get Camelot cleaned up from a nasty hailstorm last week. No real damage but a lot of branches and leaves lying about. Still need to sweep up some of the putt putt golf course. Have you ever tried to sweep with only one hand?
Here is the invitation to the party. If you're in the neighborhood next Saturday, stop by.
Hmmm speaking of the putt putt course, I need to redo the sand traps. Have you ever tried to push a wheelbarrow of sand with only one hand?
I'll try to get caught up with my FF watched list next week.
Busy, busy.
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The Summer Solstice. The Druids celebrated this day as the wedding of Heaven and Earth.
The Celts and Slavs celebrated with dancing and bonfires to increase the Suns energy.
Today the Summer Solstice is symbolic of the beginning of the season for fun in the Sun.
You are cordially summoned to a gathering of friends
As we welcome the first day of Summer.
The theme, a Renaissance flair.
T'will be feasting and fellowship and merriment
Dancing and perhaps a surprise
Dress casual, or Celtic, if you dare
Date: June 21st, 2008
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: The River's Edge (A banquet hall)
Standard members can contact me for free so if you're interested, drop me a line. | |
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4 Comments | |
| The Saturday Camelot Chronicle |
May 31, 2008 10:23 am
Mood: Thoughtful, 1793 Views |  | Been a busy week and haven't had time to blog or visit. Gonna try to rectify that this weekend. hopefully. Busy making plans for The Summer Solstice party on the 21st of this month. There's going to be a Celtic/Renaissance theme and again if you have the means, inclination and time to attend you are more then welcome. I have purchased Standard Contacts so everyone should be able to write me here at FF for details.
In the meantime.... Let's do some exercises in Quantum Mechanics. The dictionary defines Quantum Mechanics as the study of mechanical systems whose dimensions are close to or below the atomic scale, such as molecules, atoms, electrons, protons and other subatomic particles. A definition I prefer is, "Quantum Physics is the physics of possibilities."
Experiments show us that when the human brain is hooked up to a scanning device and the subject is shown something physical, certain areas of the brain show increased activity. But when the subject closes their eyes and imagines that physical object, the same areas of the brain react. To the brain, there is no difference between what it sees and what it remembers. This opens up a lot of interesting questions, at least to this very curious person.
First exercise. Positive thinking can tend to be just a mask for one to conceal doubt. One must strive to eliminate all doubt to achieve what they desire.
Assuming you are able to sit and stand. Start this exercise by sitting. Place both feet on the floor and will yourself to stand up. What do you suppose is going to happen? You stood up right?
Was this because you wished to stand or wanted to stand? No, it was because you knew you would stand. You've done it before and had no doubts you could do it again. It's all about confidence.
When one wishes they could find the right job or the love of their life or anything for that matter, there is doubt. I do this as well. We are taught all our lives that there are some things we just cannot have. The truth is, You can achieve anything you know you can.
Confidence is the key.
Everything we do and say is the expression of our beliefs about the world. Finding the underlying beliefs can lead to insights and understanding. As you go through the day, try to identify some of the assumptions that inform your own and others’ actions. Be sure to include people you find objectionable. Ask yourself what this person would have to believe in order to do, say, or be that way. It's kind of like walking a mile in their moccasins.
Expand your inquiry to include the assumptions held by other cultures and nations. What would China, Sudan, the United States, Israel, or Palestine, for example, have to believe in order to behave the way they are behaving? Identifying Your World view to get a better picture of your own world view, try filling in the blanks of the following statements: _________created the world. I am on Earth because___________. My purpose in being here is to__________. If I succeed, _____________happens. If I fail, ____________ happens. The good and bad things that happen on Earth are the consequence(s) of__________. It is important for me to________ nature. It is important for me to_________ other people. It is important for me to_________the force that created the world.
If you are interested in Quantum Mechanics, a very interesting movie is "What the Bleep Do We Know?"
Next up, we're going to create World Peace. |
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11 Comments | |
| Back to funny stuff |
May 26, 2008 4:06 pm
1999 Views | WHAT A CHILD SEES..........
NUDITY
I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat...
"Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt!
HONESTY
My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'd dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw it in the garbage. Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran to my bathroom and came out with my toothbrush. He held it up and said with a charming little smile, "We better throw this one out too then, 'cause it fell in the toilet a few days ago.
OPINIONS
On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother.
The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents."
KETCHUP
A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the jar.
During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. "It's the minister, Mommy," the child said to her mother.
Then she added, "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."
MORE NUDITY
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room... When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter haven't you ever seen a little boy before?"
ELDERLY
While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4- year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. The various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs, unfailingly intrigued her.
One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass.
As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"
DRESS-UP
A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit."
"And why not, darling?"
"You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning."
DEATH
While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt.
Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased.
The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his Father always said:
"Glory be unto the Faaaather, and unto the Sonnn .. and into the hole he goes."
SCHOOL
A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!"
BIBLE
A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible.
He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found", the boy called out.
"What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered...
"I think it's Adam's underwear!" | |
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18 Comments | |
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