The longest stretch (and Colorado soon!)

7/16/19:

(Above: The freshly fastened above-shower galvalume as well as the newly installed lengthy pane to the left of the shower.)

Building Summary: In yesterday’s final note, I mentioned fastening in the above-shower Galvalume and possibly cutting / fastening in the lengthy piece of paneling to the shower’s left (northern) side. Both of these tasks were accomplished this morning – the latter in a way that was more or less unconventional and that will be described in the second portion (commentary) below.

Also mentioned in yesterday’s final note was my departing for Colorado Springs which has already occurred. As a matter of fact, I’m presently writing the summary for this entry at the Gainesville International Airport.

(7/17/19 2:00 AM Update: Short summary dictated to phone while waiting for tow truck in the rental car parking lot.)
Gainesville flight came in late, but I got an aisle all to myself for that first flight. Landed in fort Worth 30 minutes before next flight takeoff, but I was on the opposite side of the airport so I was actually pretty close to not making it. I did though, and and I had the added benefit of no layover… Just enough time to use the rest room and board the next plane. That flight was jam-packed, it took 20 minutes to get off the runway, and it took another 20 minutes to load off the plane because there was a medical emergency on board. My brother met me afterward at the baggage claim, and we commenced to add me to his rental vehicle’s insurance. This was mere minutes before we were leaving the parking lot, and some people smashed into the freshly-insured vehicles backside as we we’re crossing one of the lanes. Damaged the car enough that we had to have it towed… The back wheel was quite askew, but both my brother and I and the others were all fine. Now we are about to pick up another rental car after waiting an hour and a half for the tow truck man to move our previous car 100 yards. And so I say: it can only get better from here!

Commentary (written on 7/16/19): As noted above, I was able to finish fastening in the above-shower Galvalume curve as well as install the left-side’s lengthy piece, and for that latter sheet, it was quite the exercise to fit it in place. First, I had to create a (near) perfect edge, using the nibbler. This consisted of lining the intended lengthy piece up along the factory-cut edge of a plywood sheet, clamping it in place, and then nibbling along its entire length while keeping the base portion of that tool directly against the wood.

The result was satisfactory, so my next task was to create notches in the metal where it was to overlap the shower stall’s plastic portions. To test, I had to press the galvalume firmly – very firmly – into the corner while ensuring that the notches were lined up. It was a rigorous test, and it was a success; the notches lined up almost perfectly and the resultant curve was quite congruous with the others present within Jacobhouse’s bathroom.

There was just one problem. It wasn’t fastened in. I had the drill and the rivet gun near at hand, but I did not have the rivets themselves; they were all the way across the room on the bathroom shelf. What ensued was a stretch. I attempted to reach those rivets unaided but it was no avail, so I next attempted it using the rivet gun to extend my reach by about 8 inches. That was enough to pull the little box toward the edge, but I did not want to simply pull the container off and spill those fasteners all over the place.

So, I stood there or a few moments, contemplating what to do next and desperately hoping that it would be one of those times where Padre was simply arrive at an opportune time (it has happened before!). When that did not happen, I performed another stretch. I thought I had given it all my last go around, but this time I realized my full physical potential, holding the galvalume in place with my knee while bending over left and backwards until I had that box of rivets in my grasp.

Suffice it to say, the lengthy piece of galvalume is now in place, and it looks excellent. I think I’ll always remember that stretch, though, when I look at it. 

Final Note: Aside from venturing to one of Colorado Springs many grocery stores and cooking up something delicious for lunch or dinner, I have not a clue what I shall be doing. That is a good thing.