It pays to be handy

Yesterday I finally received the last of my major appliances: a washer, a dryer (don't worry... until now I've been washing my clothes at my parent's house), and a water softener. When I bought these pieces from the salesperson, he asked if I'd like to include installation with my purchase. It was almost $200 to have it done.

I declined.

Was it the money? In part (see below). But it was also a combination of “guy mentality” and home-ownership. Besides, if they're going to delivery it to me and place it about one metre from where it'll sit for the next several years, surely I can do a little plumbing work to install the water softener; and the washer/dryer can't be rocket science. Right?

So, as I said before, yesterday I received these three pieces. Let me give you an update on where the install process is currently: the washer would be installed except that I don't have a socket wrench to release the drum braces (for packing/delivery); the dryer would be done, except that I need eight feet of rigid 4" metal tube and two 90-degree elbows to connect it to the exhaust pipe (and why finish the job if I can't wash my clothes); and the water softener... well, once I start the job I'll have to finish it. Cutting into your main waterline isn't the sort of thing you rush.

Did I make a mistake then? Should I have paid for the install? Heck no. While I've outlined my stumbling blocks above, none of them are major obstacles. I can borrow some tools; the 4" piping is an easy purchase from Home Depot, and the softener... okay, that's a big job. But it's also an adventure, and this may be the key here. Everything about owning a new home is an adventure (except for the paperwork and bills) and being able to take part in something that will quickly become as much a part of the home as, say, your stairs are, is very cool. I want to be able to look at these appliances whenever I'm done there and think, “Hey, I installed these”.

But I did mention the financial aspect of it all as well. We all know my opinion on the local phone company by now, but by not having them install the phone line, I've saved myself about $250; add that to the $200 I'm saving my installing my recent appliances, and I'm up something like $450. When you consider everything that I've spent in the last six weeks getting groceries, setting-up utilities, etc., etc., it might not seem like much, but I'll save a few bucks and savour the reward of doing a little work around the house.

Is this for everyone? No. If you're not into the whole “house repairs” thing, or you're ready to risk being without water in your home for a few days, then yeah - pay some nice person to do the work for you. If I lost you at the top of this entry when I said “socket wrench” then it's probably money well spent. That said, I'd suggest that everyone at least consider it; it's not an adventure without a little excitement. Just remember to read the instructions - cover to cover - before you start anything! They're there for a reason.

See'n the Tower

Yes, the time stamp on the post is correct. It's almost 2am right now. I just returned from the a night out in Toronto. Apart from the almost two hours in Friday night rush hour traffic it took to get there (ugh) it was a good night. But what hit me was the fact that I miss being so close to the city. It's not like I went to a lot of sporting events, or concerts, or whatever down there, but it is just such a great city to visit sometimes. And now it'll be more than just an, “I'm heading into the city” and more of a, “I think that I'll go to Toronto tomorrow... do this and that, and that and this...”

Is it a bad thing? No. I probably do need to spend a good solid day out there wandering about. It's been quite some time since I've really done that when I think about it. But maybe it'll (if even only for a short time) make me get out and explore this new city that I'm living in. What cool little things are here that the locals overlook? Why do people come to visit this region?

Now, with the winter coming, this probably isn't the most productive time for me to be thinking 'get out and explore', but part of being Canadian is surviving the winter and celebrating the changing seasons (I can't imagine living in a place where it was summer all year 'round... okay, maybe in late February I could... but just for a week). I guess what I'm saying is that I shouldn't let the cold season keep me from learning about this region, what it has to offer, and get out and see it. That isn't to say that I won't still plan that Saturday in T.O., but maybe I'll wait until Spring for that.

Are there any attractions or features in your city/region that you've been neglecting?

Damn the (phone) man!

Awhile back you might remember that I was cursing the local phone company because they seem to think that I'm living out in a field in the middle of nowhere. Why it's taken them almost a month to send someone out here to charge me about a billion dollars for what will probably be five minutes of work I'll never understand. Nor will I understand why the closest thing to competition for the phone company doesn't offer local service in this region.

All that said, I've decided to attempt to wire the inside of my house by myself. Why not let them? That service isn't included in aforementioned billion dollar charge... realistically, it would cost me over $250 to have all five of my phone lines connected by the phone company. So, today I went out to get some face plates for the wall; next I have to figure out how to connect the incoming line (from outside my place) to the lines installed by the builder within my walls. So far, my search for the splitter used at my parent's house has yielded nothing. But I have not given up hope. And really, even if it took me three weeks to find the correct parts, I'd still be happy that I didn't have to pay the phone company to do it for me.

Yes. I'm still bitter with them. And if they're listening out there- I'll be changing my local service provider the first chance I get. Screw you.

<Ahem.>

In other news, I had a few more friends drop around to see the place this weekend. While I didn't have much to show (still not too much furniture to speak of), I hope they had a good visit. Next time I'll feed you even if you say “No”... my cooking can't be that bad, can it?

And speaking of cooking, I guess I should go make my lunch for tomorrow before I get to sleep. To everyone who is following along: I will try to do my best to keep posting, but work has been insane for me right now and between that and “new house stuff” that I'm still trying to sort out, the schedule around here might be a little erratic for another week or so. Thanks for staying with me!

Have a good week everyone. Remember: Monday is already over. It can only get better from here... or at least closer to the weekend.

Snow glad to be home

I had all of last week off to move. My dreams of having a few days off to relax and catch-up on some personal projects were just that: dreams. So, like it or not, I went back to work today. The drive is much longer than me previous trek, however, I'm already used to the trip from all my efforts moving so it wasn't too bad. Getting up in the morning about an hour earlier than previous... that wasn't as easy to deal with.

In addition to getting up earlier, I am also getting home later and will no doubt have to start getting to bed a little earlier. If you don't already know this about me, I'm not a big fan of the “early bedtime”. Bit of a nightowl you might say.

Just about two-thirds of the way home, it hit. It started slowly at first... it could have been rain... but it wasn't.



Yes, I know that I'm in a bit of a snowbelt out here, and I remember getting snow a little earlier than my parents while I was here at school, but... November 8th? The tv tells me that the temperature around here will creep back into the low-teens by mid-week, but I'm admittedly still a little shocked at the accumulation (however small) that I found waiting for me here tonight!

Any how, just thought that you might enjoy an outside shot of my place now that it's (more or less) complete. All the same, I should go make dinner, do some work, a little clean-up 'round here, and - as mentioned - try to get to sleep at a reasonable time tonight. Sounds like a full night to me!

One week anniversary

I can't believe that I've already been here a full week. Or maybe I just can't believe that I have to be awake again in six hours to go back to work.

Let me give credit to anyone who manages to move over a weekend... really, in anything less than a week. I don't know how you did/do it. With everything that I have had to change, plus all the little things that I've had to run out and get, it's been a really crazy week. In fairness, because I (a.) didn't use a moving company or rent a moving van; (b.) am moving about an hour away from my previous place; and (c.) have moved into a new place of my own without much more than my computer, tv, and bed, I have been fighting an uphill battle. Being a new neighbourhood doesn't help either (having them replace your entire kitchen counter - while very nice - is a bit of a disruption!).

So, what have I been doing this week? In short, I've been getting used to the area; seen a few friends; made a trip or two back to my parent's place to get a few things; been around here cleaning up and sorting out everything; bought (and built) shelves to hold some of my stuff; met some of the neighbours; got my address changed on a million things; and made countless trips to stores everywhere for just about everything... and I have another list of things I need started already. However, I have managed to get everything to a point where I can manage quite well. Even had 'the guys' over last night for some Axis & Allies and a game of Risk, not to mention a little xBox (preparation for this Tuesday's release of Halo 2). But I digress.

At this hour I really must head to bed. While I'd hoped to write every day this past week about what I'd accomplished and what I wanted to do the next day, it obviously didn't happen. I know that a lot of your are hoping to see photos of the place, and while I've found my camera post-move, I haven't taken five minutes to snap any photos... hopefully by mid-week I'll have a shot of my kitchen on-line (and a story/opinion about getting black appliances and countertops: look great; show everything).

Thanks to everyone who has mentioned that they've been following along with my blog. I didn't know if anyone would have bothered to keep up, but it's really great to hear that some people are enjoying it. If you have any suggestions about what you'd like to see here, or have questions about the move, please post them in the comments section and I'll do my best to accommodate.

Have a good night and a great week everyone! I'll do my best to write again soon.