Climb right up
Work has begun on my climbing gym in the garage. Monday nights have been blocked off as "working on the gym nights" it was either that or I was threatening to turf Tom on the street and all of Colin's climbing holds and pre-drilled boards were going to be turned into lawn ornaments. I hate to resort to threats to get work done, but then again - whatever it takes.
However, true to his word Colin showed up to begin dismantling part of my garage. Tom has lucked out by being out of town for work. Although I suspect he would have preferred sweating it out with us rather than being kooped up working at a tradeshow booth and schmoozing potential customers.
We began to pull off the plywood boards that will be replaced by the predrilled boards for the climbing holds. We start on the ceiling boards when some crap starts sliding out, looking suspisciously like squirrel shit. However on closer examination animal scat doesn't have a metallic look to it and there would have to be a hell of alot of squirrels to generate the amount of stuff we were seeing. Bags and bags worth of loose insulation. Falling all over us, the floor, all over everything in my garage, our hair, our eyes, our lungs. At one point we both ran out of the garage, coughing as a cloud of dust followed us out. My neighbour across the alley eyed us dubiously.
Here's hoping this insulation has no cancer-causing agents in it. With the boards off, now the next step will be to get an electrician to move my wiring to the other side of the garage. This may prove to be difficult. Getting a professional to do a small job in the hot Calgary market isn't easy. The good people are busy and if you want to make it worth their while you have to pay. But even if you're willing to pay, in this market, tradesmans are developing a reputation for being late, not showing up, what have you. I'm not trying to slag anyone but ask most people who have had reno's done lately and you will hear a tragic tale of unmet deadlines, cost over runs etc etc. The reality right now is that Calgary is one very busy place for skilled tradesmen, we are at their mercy.
I have no idea how long it will take to get this project completed but I suspect it will take longer than I hope. I've taken photos of the current carnage and am looking forward to chronicling and blogging the work in progress.
Oh - Climbing! Got out to the Ghost on Sunday for my first day of rock climbing. Brian Spear and his buddy Mark and I jumped on one of Brian's routes in the Little Egypt area. A very fun 5.8 multipitch. I had memories of freezing my ass off last June in the Ghost so I dressed accordingly. I had to wonder though why I was rock climbing when I still needed to wear a touque, 3 layers of clothing, gloves and hand warmers! But I was desperate to get out. The mountains were calling and like a faithful servant I had to comply. It was great day . The nice thing is when you have quality climbing partners like Brian there is a good expectation that any friend he brings along on a climb will be quality as well. And true to form Mark is a great guy with a laidback, supportive climbing attitude. Meeting good people will continue to be one of the things that pulls me to the mountain culture.
I hope y'all are getting out there enjoying our chaotic spring weather!
However, true to his word Colin showed up to begin dismantling part of my garage. Tom has lucked out by being out of town for work. Although I suspect he would have preferred sweating it out with us rather than being kooped up working at a tradeshow booth and schmoozing potential customers.
We began to pull off the plywood boards that will be replaced by the predrilled boards for the climbing holds. We start on the ceiling boards when some crap starts sliding out, looking suspisciously like squirrel shit. However on closer examination animal scat doesn't have a metallic look to it and there would have to be a hell of alot of squirrels to generate the amount of stuff we were seeing. Bags and bags worth of loose insulation. Falling all over us, the floor, all over everything in my garage, our hair, our eyes, our lungs. At one point we both ran out of the garage, coughing as a cloud of dust followed us out. My neighbour across the alley eyed us dubiously.
Here's hoping this insulation has no cancer-causing agents in it. With the boards off, now the next step will be to get an electrician to move my wiring to the other side of the garage. This may prove to be difficult. Getting a professional to do a small job in the hot Calgary market isn't easy. The good people are busy and if you want to make it worth their while you have to pay. But even if you're willing to pay, in this market, tradesmans are developing a reputation for being late, not showing up, what have you. I'm not trying to slag anyone but ask most people who have had reno's done lately and you will hear a tragic tale of unmet deadlines, cost over runs etc etc. The reality right now is that Calgary is one very busy place for skilled tradesmen, we are at their mercy.
I have no idea how long it will take to get this project completed but I suspect it will take longer than I hope. I've taken photos of the current carnage and am looking forward to chronicling and blogging the work in progress.
Oh - Climbing! Got out to the Ghost on Sunday for my first day of rock climbing. Brian Spear and his buddy Mark and I jumped on one of Brian's routes in the Little Egypt area. A very fun 5.8 multipitch. I had memories of freezing my ass off last June in the Ghost so I dressed accordingly. I had to wonder though why I was rock climbing when I still needed to wear a touque, 3 layers of clothing, gloves and hand warmers! But I was desperate to get out. The mountains were calling and like a faithful servant I had to comply. It was great day . The nice thing is when you have quality climbing partners like Brian there is a good expectation that any friend he brings along on a climb will be quality as well. And true to form Mark is a great guy with a laidback, supportive climbing attitude. Meeting good people will continue to be one of the things that pulls me to the mountain culture.
I hope y'all are getting out there enjoying our chaotic spring weather!
posted by Lise B at Tuesday, May 09, 2006
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