[This post is basically a pointless ramble. You’ve been warned.]
I’m not a misanthrope.
The point is I wish the best for people but need plenty of solitude. I’m happiest if everyone’s pleasant and fulfilling lives have nothing to do with me. This is why I do weird shit like start a post with “I’m not a misanthrope”.
Anyway, the house has been under construction lately and it’s driving me nuts. The dog and I are both grumpy about it. The dog growls; “There are people within the allowed perimeter, totally uncool man! Bearded one, please chase them away.”
I growl back; “I agree, they’re in restricted territory. But I want the kitchen floor repaired. We must endure!”
Mrs. Curmudgeon is a voice of reason. “Why are you and the dog both growling?”
I can’t help my grumpy attitude. I chafe under the intrusion even though I rationally know it’s necessary. In fact I like our contractor. He’s a nice guy. He does a fair job. The last thing he needs is me pacing back and forth glaring at him like I’m some kind of barely controlled serial killer.
The good news is I think he’s aware that I know I’m the nutjob. I tell him I’m pleased. Even if my body language says “I want to toss you off a cliff” my actual words are “good job on the molding”. He seems to get it.
But still, I’m a wreck. Too many people are being too people-ly on my property! (And that’s in addition to the FedEx dude who had driving issues and flaked out spinning his wheels on my lawn!)
I’m not a shut-in. I’m perfectly happy wandering the earth. (Indeed I was bummed out when I cancelled planned motorcycle wandering this summer for health reason.) But I can cover a lot of ground and still maintain a people-limited situation. I miss that.
What’s the word for a guy who would happily travel a thousand miles amid humans but his ultimate destination is some deserted canyon rim somewhere? I feel like society puts a negative connotation on “loner”; which isn’t fair. “Solitude” is not “lonely”.
Anyway, I’ve had my house torn up all week and then there was a blizzard and a cold snap. All this has been a bit much. I spent as much time as I could hunkered down in my workshop (with the dog at my side) but the overall vibe has me pretty jittery.
I wish I was healthy enough to be camping in a snowdrift somewhere. It feels like I should be ice fishing or something.
Ah well, at least it’s Christmas-time. I very much like Christmas. Speaking of which, I’ve caught up with all my Christmas orders but am still happily 3d printing “not due by Christmas” objects. (I’m definitely open for business at https://adaptivecurmudgeon.com/sawhorses/. Feel free to order!)
Also Christmas this year is particularly sweet. I’m pleased to not be dead. Also it’s grand that I didn’t piss off Mrs. Curmudgeon during my illness, or drive us bankrupt. Beyond that I made a very fine anticipatory move in fixing up my shop. Last week a few mornings were down to -20f and I had crowds in the house, yet I could escape to my shop and peacefully percolate coffee on Betsy. What more could a guy want?
Tomorrow is Monday. The contractor is coming back. I plan on bailing out for the workshop asap. I’ll take the dog with me. I may pre-stage my percolator ready to go. Maybe a frying pan and some eggs too. Just to ease my morning.
Wish me luck.
AC
Every man needs a refuge, where he can be away from people and with a few comforts and conveniences at hand. A comfortable chair, dog and a good book would be perfect in the shop.
Without a refuge, men tend to get cranky, short-tempered and irritable. Therefore it is obviously in everybody’s interests to allow a man this form of escape and relaxation.
Doing a remodel while the owners continue to live in their house is stressful for the carpenter also. Trying to keep the mess under control. Don’t even get me started about the dust. When the weather is cooperative you can cut your material outside, during a blizzard forget about it! There are always the delicate bathroom arrangements. Try to gut it out. It will run it’s course and you won’t fall through the kitchen floor.
Sawhorse jigs package arrived. They are more substantial than I anticipated. Thank you
Differ
Contractors are well aware of the necessary chaos created when they have work to do. Unless he or his subs are doing substandard work, a couple of ‘attaboys’ helps him stay focused on finishing the work. Plus if ‘unknown discoveries of future mayhem’ are uncovered (Hey Bro – we found termites here and here) by him, he may be able to work them out and/or repair before they become emergencies or at least let you know about them.
I remember those interior remodel years. The fine construction dust that gets EVERYWHERE. The pounding or sound of air compressor cycling on – off all damn day. It wears on a person.