Transitions [s]

I bought the Sealy cal king that Costco stocks. It's comfy, it's big, it needs a frame.



I cleared off most of the master balcony, though I'm not quite sure what to do with the shelving that's in pretty good shape - albeit pink trimmed. The foosball table is going out there, I think that'll be the place to be come summer.



Heather's departure has freed up prime real estate for a study. My fantasmical workshop of killer apps and photography is now situated between the media room and the garage. I don't really need the upstairs anymore.



I'm rolling right into a second playthrough of Mass Effect 2. The first run was a bit hasty so I could use the finish bonuses for the second, real effort.

• I could almost see Master Chief in the final cutscene. It's a proper second-of-three, plotwise.
  
• ME1's music was better. The sequel's isn't bad, but it's not quite as distinct nor complementary of the action.
  
• ME2 consists of more shorter, more numerous missions. The finale is about the length of an average ME1 chapter. It's nice to know doing just one more won't keep you up until three. It also cuts down on the monotony of each dungeon.
  
• The galactic news bits still inform and entertain, but they don't match the awesomeness of the first since Mass Effect switched anchors. Using the Beyond Good and Evil voice actor for the first one was so clutch.

Touches of civility [s]

The rest of the blinds went up in a few short minutes - the difference being that they mounted inside a sill. That left enough time to put a few base boards down. I threw a few videos up for comparison.




They're not too far from the, er 'simulation'.

Today:
>>>> why is he jsamo?
>>>> he's suppose to be tsamo@...

>>> I think maybe he used to go by
>>> James back in high school. 'Ty' is a
>>> pretty silly name, so it makes sense.

>> don't make me go on the rant about
>> how some dumbass probably thought
>> that, upon seeing my name, ty is not
>> a real name and thus used my middle
>> initial. [friend]. well thanks a lot uno,
>> looks like i ranted anyway.
>> since we're on this subject, how come
>> you're not uno.d.ritchie@... isn't
>> there like some precedent for false
>> identification here? and the "d" is
>> for dumberson.

> haha ! dumberson.. haha!


I framed my door.


Upstairs west bedroom.




Upstairs south bedroom with a couple base boards.

With carpet [s]

Master bedroom.


Upstairs south bedroom.

Renovation limbo [s]

Another day, another few photos. The kitchen is now cleaned up, real renovations (cabinetry, counters, sink, etc.) are planned for a later date. But tonight was the first real meal thanks to finally having a selection of appliances. That would be chicken and waffles, delish.


The kitchen at purchase.


Behind the wallpaper, cabinet fronts, and appliances.


Hours of scrubbing and paint prep later.


The cabinets still need to go on, but all the major organs are there. It's aesthetically barren but produces food and cold beverages so I'm not going to complain.


The living room prior to today's texturing.


The master bedroom is a low priority now that it's painted.

House quandary I [i]

This is the first of what will be many design quandaries.

Skylights are great things. They have a functional purpose of lighting dark rooms for free. They look good in the same way a moon roof looks good on a car - it's nice to see sky above you. Also they can add variation to a monotonous ceiling.

I've noticed that single skylights fulfill the function very well - especially when positioned high above. Installing three or more in close proximity looks very good as they provide a windowlike view of the world above. Two adjacent fixtures is kind of no man's land. (See images).

I have four skylights, approximately 2'x4'. They are clear, fixed, uv proof, and well insulated. I have three candidate locations for them.

1. Master bedroom. It is on the north side and has little in the way of natural lighting. So from the practical perspective the room would benefit greatly from extra light. Its orientation means there would be no annoying direct sunlight and I'd work out a shade mechanism for when I want dark. The adjacent master bathroom would benefit as much as the bedroom. The ceiling is large and vaulted so it could accommodate any number of skylights without any tunnels through an attic.
2. Living room. It's in the same situation as the master bedroom, lightwise. The entryway and dining room would snag a worthwhile amount of ambient light from any source placed here. More people would enjoy skylights placed here, however the living room doesn't need to be very bright. Then again, to have a cascade of sky above the couch would be pretty cool.
3. Kitchen. The recessed lighting for the kitchen sits a couple feet below the west roof. It would support a single fixture that would complement the windows very well. This would be a highly functional installation.

Update:
I think I'm set on a strategy. The lighting provided to the bathroom and kitchen is irreplaceable so I'm definitely going there. If ever there were a place to pair skylights it'd be at the 5'x5' square above the master bathroom, shown below. The living room will benefit from the extra light source and if views of the sky appeal in the near future, perhaps I'll add a larger piece.

Here are some mindblowingly photorealistic renderings of what it would look like if San Diego had clouds and you were hallucinating.


The skylight will become an excellent light source for the otherwise dark living room. The placement is based on the rule of thirds and avoiding the overhanging eave on the near side.


Two skylights here looks good and provides ample light for the sink area. If it works out I'd like to remove part or all of the adjacent wall such that the shower area is no longer a cave.

Jessica brings up a solid consideration. I'll have to see how dirty the glass gets. They'll be easily reached by hose, but I'll arrange ready roof access should cleaning be required.

I also picked up two solar tubes, having seen them in some MB lofts this weekend. They'll be perfect to replace the existing recessed hallway and second bathroom lights.