Feb 28 2008
A Project In Every Room
Long ago and far away in another world, when Jason and I first moved in together, in our search for rental digs (very very hard to find in Santa Cruz, CA), we settled on a place that I considered to be “cute and funky” and Jason, with his lifetime of experience in building trades, considered to be a just-barely-avoiding-condemnation deathtrap. But it was affordable, had a view of the water, and was a short walk from the beach. So we went for it.
I should have known that that would be the beginning of a theme in our life together. The theme of “A Project In Every Room”.
In our land house, we lived with a project ongoing in every room for the entire time we were there. New drywall in the half-bath, new flooring throughout (ripped to the subfloor), new paint, new doors, new tile, new plumbing, new electrical… and of course, a project would get started, and something would come up, then another project would demand attention, then another something would come up… and before you know it, it took six months to get the place ready for market, because of all the loose ends to be neatly tied up.
So here we are, in the boat. See it coming?
But here’s the cool thing about boats, instead of houses. In houses, all that construction is a pain. It’s a nuisance. It’s something guests look at and turn up their noses over. But in a boat? It’s the steady state of things. Everything is always being maintained, or repaired, or upgraded. Go to any gather of hardcore boaters, and you will hear discussions about what they need to do, have done, or are doing. And what’s supercool is that everyone cares. Everyone listens, everyone shares tips, product names, tools, advice. You invite other boaters over, they specifically ask to see your projects, and next thing you know, you’re getting quizzed on your fiberglassing skills and the operating hours of the local hazardous waste disposal facility (at this marina, people actually collect each other’s stuff for the dropoff if they’re going to do a run. How cool is that?).
It’s a wonderful easing of my mind, to realize that all the projects underway are actually a selling point, rather than simply outward signs of mayhem. It’s a clear indicator that, while yes, things break, that things could always be better, and that within this environment, you’re encouraged and supported in reaching for that better state with the labor of your own two hands.
Reminds me of a coworker who referred to his house as his “three bedroom hobby”.