tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74891014241194713252024-03-13T07:53:18.215-04:00The Lazy PainterI've been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it.
<br>*Stephen Wright*Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-51433538226771417482009-04-21T22:58:00.001-04:002009-04-21T23:03:17.412-04:00Strikes againI've been home the past couple of days getting my parquet repaired. It's always weird to have strangers in my house so I like to keep busy. It wasn't much, but another couple of coats made the bedroom doors shine and with a few touch ups here and there one room is completely done. Onward and upwards.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-47796310985575376822009-02-08T19:30:00.002-05:002009-02-08T19:41:21.742-05:00More to doIt never stops. Partially my fault, per usual, but sometimes there are just things that are completely outside my control. Bert and Shirley sent a couple hundred photos via Michelle that they'd like me to look at and spruce up a bit. I keep forgetting and they keep reminding me, so I'd better take care of it this week. I've also picked up an old writing project from a while ago. It's another one of those unfinished things that has been in the back of my mind for the past couple of years. I have what I think is an interesting story that I'd like to tell, but it's really hard work to take a world that exists in my imagination and present it in a way that would make it fun for people to read. And I think I'm a bit allergic to really hard work. It makes me tired.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-81332189567808433912009-02-02T22:15:00.004-05:002009-02-02T22:24:53.506-05:00ExcusesThe transit strike is over so by next Monday I should be rolling home from work instead of hoofing it. I'm still planning on walking in the morning though. Without all the extra exercise I should be less tired and won't have that excuse for not doing the stuff that should be getting done. No doubt I'll come up with other excuses though. Time will tell. <br /><br />;)Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-34241370206428841152009-01-28T20:42:00.004-05:002009-01-28T21:00:10.865-05:00Wasting timeFor those of you who don't know, OC Transpo has been on strike for the last 50 days. I don't have a car and since then I've mostly been hoofing it. For a lot of reasons not under my control, last week was crazy busy. There was sailing stuff, girls night out at the OLT and ski lessons. Combine that with a lot of walking, cold weather and low iron and you have a recipe for fatigue. Earlier this week I decided to chillax on the weeknight extra curricular activities - at least until this stupid strike is over. It's just too much. Since then I've been extra diligant about eating well, taking vitamins and getting a good nights sleep. Having a lift home a few nights this week was also pretty sweet. Anyway, it's all helping. I'm still tired and probably heading to bed much earlier than I normally would, but I don't have that crazy wiped-out feeling I did last week. All that to say, I haven't done much about my little projects, but have decided, for the next little while, that I'll be the project - taking it easy and wasting some time. Why not?Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-78558069260777499102009-01-26T19:09:00.009-05:002009-01-26T20:12:48.131-05:00Ski lessonsIt's been more than 25 years since strapping on my first pair of skis, but nevertheless Kevin and I signed up for cross country ski lessons last weekend. It was a large group and the first thing we did was audition out on the grid to see in which group we'd be placed. They placed me in the "novice" novice category, while Kev, was a "better than novice" novice. At first I was somewhat chagrined, but it soon became apparent that we were both in the right place. The first night we skied entirely without poles. It's something I never considered, but was very illuminating. Everyone should try it at least once, if not more. Without getting into all the course details, after three days of sloughing away in the bitter cold (and it was bitterly freaking cold), I am a better skiier. To my amazement, there's a lot of technique involved and a lot of drills to help improve balance and form. I can't wait to get out and actually ski, but am also looking forward to practicing the drills and see more improvement. Yay!Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-86719388723997097592009-01-22T09:05:00.000-05:002009-01-22T19:22:27.718-05:00Hmmm...maybe not so lazyI think it's been established so far that I have a lot of difficulty completing tasks. That's pretty much the theme of this stupid blog. The implication is that I'm lazy. And that's okay. It's me who's making the connection. But maybe it's not all laziness. There's this thing called life that gets in the way sometimes. Right now life consists of a lot of walking. Including the fun weekend stuff (skating & skiing) I've been logging about 40 km/week. It's tiring. The job also takes up a lot of my time and of course there's the regular every day living stuff - cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. And now I've got the sailing stuff. I've been spending time the past month studying for my Radio Operator's Certificate (marine). On Tuesday we wrote the VHF exam (and passed - yay!). Now I have to start studying for my Basic Cruising Standard. I'm leaving for the British Virgin Islands in a month so I want to be prepared. <br /><br />And so, maybe I'm not all that lazy, just busy.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-21132383423846199062009-01-18T21:00:00.000-05:002009-01-18T22:06:46.850-05:00Resolutions...It's been a while since the last post and just wanted to let you know that the painting is...not quite finished. Not surprising for those who know me, but as Bert says, that's the way it is. It's almost done - very much like many other projects I've started throughout the years. Really there's just a few doors and touch ups to go. You wouldn't think that it would take too long, but the thing is, I might want to redo the kitchen now. That's the pattern, starting & not quite finishing and then starting something new.<br /><br />This year I have resolved to complete those unfinished projects. There are a few: the knitting thing; the quilting thing; and the painting thing. I can't start any new projects until the old ones are done, and so I'm a bit paralyzed now. Do I finish all three before I start anything new or can I start the painting thing after I finish the current painting thing? What to do?<br /><br />Also, is this blog an unfinished project? Do I have to keep it up? Arrrgh!Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-3026314053262322162008-11-17T22:52:00.000-05:002008-11-17T23:00:19.380-05:00Coming togetherI can see the finish line. We finished the window wall tonight and put the curtains up. There are two more walls to go. I can't wait to see the finished product, so I guess I'll press on. Tomorrow is yoga, so I'll start the last dining room wall on Wednesday and finish on Friday. It'll be nice to get it all done by the end of the weekend. Then there are the doors of course, but I'm not fretting about those.<br /><br />Speaking of doors, Monika thinks I should paint them the same colour as the wall while Michelle disagrees. I think I'm going with Michelle on this one. We'll see how it looks. If I change my mind, I'll have plenty of left over paint.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-54467775597962019682008-11-15T11:56:00.000-05:002008-11-15T12:11:06.802-05:00Slowly but surelyYesterday evening was a très fun Friday night at the Peckford pad. We painted. Again. And by "we" I mean Kevin and ME. Yup. I painted. Again. My house is such a mess. Furniture is away from the walls and everything is askew. There's paint supplies scattererd over the kitchen floor. I'm looking foward to having my apartment back to normal when it's all done. I'm sure it'll seem bigger. But, I don't want to kill myself either. Last weekend we worked so hard and I was tired for days afterwards. <br /><br />Last night, we each did a wall. Kevin's wall was bigger, but I had to prep mine. Got it done in about an hour and a half. This morning while I was cleaning up after breakfast, Kevin did another coat on the small light colured wall. That's done. The dark colour needs another coat, so hopefully we'll get that finished mañana. Then well, just 2 more walls to go and that's it. Of course I still want to prime and paint all the doors, but at least the house will be tidy.<br /><br />Oh yeah, Michelle happens to have an extra gallon of green bathroom paint. If it's the right shade I'm going to use it. Can't guarantee that'll be done by the end of the month, but there's always next year...Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-32394023418283416502008-11-13T22:38:00.001-05:002008-11-13T22:51:59.345-05:00Brush in handIt has been pointed out by a certain "ahem" friend that I, the lazy painter, have yet to do any actual painting for this particular project. It was suggested by said "friend" that the blog is aptly named. Well, duh!! Anyway, that is no longer the case. So there Monika...I mean anonymous "friend". I am pleased to say that I did have both a brush and roller in hand this evening - and not just for cleaning this time. Kevin (the taskmaster) and I got a little further along today. We finished one wall and covered another with a first coat (two more to go). In the process I found out that I am not only a lazy painter, I'm a crappy painter too. Sigh. Stupid paint on the stupid ceiling. D'oh.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-85391286610218959622008-11-11T19:43:00.001-05:002009-01-26T20:13:25.899-05:00A very good startWell, I'm happy to report that much progress has been made. I took a personal day yesterday and had today off. Originally I was going to try and get some stuff done those days, but then the very best boyfriend in the world (yes that's Kevin) offered to take Monday and Tuesday off to help me. I didn't say no.<br /><br />The past couple of days I've been washing walls, removing wallpaper and taping. Meanwhile, Kevin has been painting. We started on Saturday afternoon. While I prepped the hallway, Kev primed the bedroom. Afterwards, upon his suggestion, we decided not to prime the rest of the house. That night, since the bedroom was all stinky, we slept in my brand new sofa bed. Definitely. Not. Comfortable. <br /><br />On Sunday, he got the bedroom done (2 coats) while I prepped the living room. Unfortunately that involved removing wallpaper. It was a pain in the ass. I have vowed never to use wallpaper and not to move into a house that is full of wallpaper. That's a vow that everyone should take! Anyway, when Kevin finished the last coat early in the evening, we cleaned up and got the heck outta dodge. We met John at the pump and had an early night of it. <br /><br />Monday morning, I had a Tui-na massage at the York Street Spa. It was so relaxing Afterwards, I was told to drink lots of water and rest up. Fat chance. We headed back to the 'burbs for more painting. While Kev got 2 coats in the hallway ('till 10:00 that night), I got the rest of the gunk off the formerly wall-papered wall and taped the living/dining room area.<br /><br />Today before breakfast, Kev did the second coat of paint in the formerly wall papered wall and then we headed off to the Remembrance Day ceremonies. If we hadn't of gone, most of the work would be done, but I like to go. It's important to me. Afterwards I decided to take a day off and we just did a bunch of chillaxin'.<br /><br />Thurdsay he's coming over to get more done. What a guy!Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-69044921304142329812008-11-03T20:30:00.000-05:002008-11-03T20:46:23.550-05:00The lazy bloggerApparently there are actually one or two people that read this thing, so here's an update: not a lot got done. I am the lazy painter after all, and so it seems a lazy blogger. Could it be that I'm just plain lazy? Probably. Right now I'm taking a little break. Last week, while wiping down the walls, I noticed a bunch of flaws that need to be fixed. That's what I'm doing right now. Patching. Fixing flaws. I was going to do it last night, but I was tired. Oh and Kev has my putty knife. It's very easy to find excuses not to do something unpleasant. I can even usually manage to make them sound vaguely plausible as well. It's one of my natural talents.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-38177339591400264952008-10-29T18:47:00.000-04:002008-10-30T20:58:01.382-04:00The road to hell...I really hoping to get some stuff done last night, but <a href="http://www.thetravellingreflexologist.com">Margaret</a> came at seven and after that Kev popped by for a bit. It was a relaxing, lazy night. Gotta have those every once a while.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-27385252776125915402008-10-29T18:31:00.000-04:002008-10-29T18:47:31.492-04:00Baby StepsHmmm. I, er, ummm tidied up last night. It doesn't seem like much, but hey, it was a late start and it took some time to take my bike down to storage. There was laundry to be done which brought me into the kitchen where the sink was full of dirty dishes. You see how it goes. Anyway, the bedroom (and the pad) is now tidy. I have prepped to do the prep.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7489101424119471325.post-21188192603628808882008-10-28T19:12:00.000-04:002008-10-28T20:00:27.493-04:00In the beginningMonika laughed when I told her that I was going to paint my apartment. When I told her I would blog about the experience, she laughed again and openly doubted there would be more than one posting.<br /><br />You see, while I love the idea of fresh new colours on the wall, I'm not so keen on doing the actual work. It wouldn't be so bad if the job only involved painting, but apparently there's a lot of prep work involved: cleaning, patching, taping, priming, etc. I'm tired just thinking about it.<br /><br />I was originally going to start last night, but decided instead to spend some quality time breaking in the new chesterfield. I did, however do some "research", so the night wasn't entirely wasted. Tonight I was supposed to go to yoga, but unfortunately there's a freaking blizzard outside. Crap. Maybe I'll have to get started after all.Robertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07453163386670423669noreply@blogger.com0