Living the Dream (Being the Stereotype)
So it was Bank Holiday Weekend this weekend just gone. In days gone by I would have been off with my buddies, down to the coast to play crazy golf, sit on the beach ogling the girls and drink beer. However, things have changed and I am no longer the young, carefree thing I once once. There was a time I would have seen people going DIY crazy on bank holiday weekends and laughed in contempt.
Oh how times have changed.
Now that I am a homeowner I too have the odd, and slightly disquieting urge to wield power tools at every opportunity. I therefore spent a lot of this weekend covered in sawdust with a look of intense concentration on my face. Using my trusty Black and Decker circular saw, jigsaw, drill and screwdriver I managed to construct a set of shelves from scratch. Yup, not a flat-pack in sight, just real wood and a great set of plans (scribbled on the back of a scrap of paper).
Also on the list of items I completed are:
- Put up a shelf in the shed then attach mahoosive padlock to the door
- Transfer all bike and garden related gubbins from the garage to the shed
- Sort out all the other junk in the garage that got dumped there 3 months ago
- Make a rack for the bike rack to live on to keep it out of the way
- Make a step so I can reach the loft hatch
- Put up a rail to hang coats on in the hall cupboard
- Fix the porch where some idiot drove into it (and then drove off)
- Cut up lots of wood under the pretence of making firewood for my Dad when really I wanted to just cut some wood
I am sad. I admit it. However, every time I look at my new, freshly varnished shelves I say to myself “I made this” and feel immensely self-satisfied.
Now, where did I put my pipe and slippers…
Duh! You left them on the new shelf :o)
I can see why you’d want to do DIY stuff on a bank holiday. If all goes to plan you get that satisifed “I made that” feeling. What I can’t understand is why you’d want to go to B&Q and queue up for three hours just to get into the car park. It leaves no time for the actual DIYing bit…
June 1st, 2005 at 4:14 pmAh yes. I cunningly avoided that by making sure I had everything I needed, and several items I didn’t need (kitchen cabinet door hinges anyone?) in advance.
Now I know you appreciate the dark art of DIY, you must come round and feel the quality of my construction some time
June 1st, 2005 at 4:18 pmBuilt in wardrobes are the way forwards. Something in green preferably.
June 1st, 2005 at 4:28 pmhahahahahahaha
Can I place an order for two chairs, one in beech the other a melange of old offcuts, a table made from the nextdoor neighbours decking and a green wardrobe.
June 7th, 2005 at 10:48 amI’ll just go and make all that for you. It’ll cost you £3.28 and a packet of Jelly Babies
June 7th, 2005 at 11:29 amJelly babies???????? What no discount for an old chum???
June 9th, 2005 at 3:04 pmsheeeeesh