how much more expert do ya want?

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Ever the wise-ass, and having a hard time taking seriously any serious taking voice of authority, my recent chance encounter with a member of the local fourth estate was one of the more enjoyable random moments that's taken place recently. Probably suspecting that I was a barely compliant participant, my interviewer kept the session short. Probably best, in the long run. After all, they're looking for entertaining sound bites, not memorable wisdom. I was rather incredulous that I was being requested to voice my thoughts about the topic of snow shovels. I mean, really. This passes for journalism? Where can I get one of these jobs?

It goes to show that there is next to no chance of being "discovered" in a big box store. This is the reason I patronize my local hardware store, in this case being Martin Hardware, in Charlottesville. You never know quite what sort of an encounter will take place there. But you can be pretty certain that you'll get the item that you need.

"it's only a shed"

So we were told. I can hardly wait until the painter gets done with this baby!

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For those who care about the process: there are approximately 30 cuts per section of two square panels. Two of us spent at least a day to get all the way around this thing with all the x-es. (It looked better without them.)

The other notable condition about this structure is the material(s) that comprises the outer layer: Hardi-Plank siding in 4 x 10 sheets, and Azek polyvinyl chloride trim in various sizes. Both materials are intended to last forever. This intent appears to have been achieved. The problem is the waste. Azek is fairly obnoxious stuff to work with - we didn't become carpenters in order to be plumbers, which is what it feels like now that we're building with PVC - and the sawdust will eventually get into the ground and the water system to everyone's detriment. PVC is made from guess what? Imported petroleum, of course. Wikipedia says worldwide production is expected to reach 40 million tons by 2016. The off cuts go to the landfill, and will eventually decay, breaking into small particles that will leach into the water system. One hundred years from now, they're not going to appreciate our desire for "convenient longevity."

But it appears to fit right in with the "Post Modern Condition" of the original structure, which I originally wrote about here, when we started this project.

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post modern condition?

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This is my addition to Mauro Thon Giudici's category - also satisfying a co-worker's request for images of the current work site. Despite it's publication in the April 1986 issue of Architectural Digest, this small dwelling's appearance is one much debated amongst all who visit during this phase of reconstruction - surely the first that has ever been done to this house. Say what you will about its design, all workers are agreed upon the lack of a touch with reality exhibited by the architects. We're convinced that designers should be forced to live with the results of their labors. This one has an appalling lack of practiical detail concerning the roof. After twenty plus years, there is an unusual amount of rot in the sheathing. Not throughout, but certainly in large areas that should not have had any problems if it had been designed and built correctly the first time.

The wilderness could stand to be cut back some to permit the house to exist.