9/1/19
(Above: The concrete countertop within Jacobhouse.)
Building Summary: Today I started off by unloading various container/studio/office paraphernalia* from the big white pickup into the Master Blend freezer room, and then while still parked there, I loaded on the linoleum plank tiles for Jacobhouse. I next commenced to deliver those planks to Jacobhouse. However, before unloading them, I decided to neaten the whole place up, a process that consisted of: consolidating building materials and tools, placing those materials and tools beneath the bed, sweeping the floor, and using a magnet to pick up every metal sliver remaining from the nibbler days ( result shown right). Padre helped me finish off the morning by unloading tile into Jacobhouse onto the foot of my future bed.
(8:15 PM update): This afternoon, Padre prompted me to procure a Wag and Primo so we could move the concrete countertops into Jacobhouse. I did so, and shortly after, the trial commenced. It actually wasn’t that difficult. As a matter of fact, the most difficult portion was unsticking the primary countertop from the plywood board on which it sat**. The move that followed took a bit of physical effort, but was for the most part simple. We loaded up the countertops onto the big white pickup and then we drove them out to Jacobhouse. The next and second-hardest part came when we needed to get the countertop through the front door. Padre and I had to grapple our way around the slab (more in TIL), but we managed to get through and then grasp the frame at its center as Primo and Wag followed with heavier counter-piece. Soon, we were all lifting it up onto the readied frame, and moments later, the countertop was in place. The subcounter followed and like its larger ‘sibling’ fit perfectly onto its frame.
TIL: Home Depot’s Quickset masonry concrete is very durable. At one point, Padre and I had to grab the countertop by one far end (the east) while Wag and Primo held it by the other far end (the west). This meant that there was a hefty amount of strain on the 3.25″ section that surrounded the sink; the entire counter weighed almost 300 pounds, after all. Fortunately, it all held – a testament to the movers’ care and to a superior building material.
Commentary: Padre was the one to originally suggest moving the countertop today, and my initial response was a ‘no’. When Padre asked me ‘why?‘, my answer was placed under the guise of wanting to go home and put together tonight’s sausage spices / dinner roll dough. It was a truthful guise, but it did not account for the primary reason: my reluctance to move the heavy slab of concrete due to the fear of it crumbling and my bearing witness to its demise. On realizing this – that part of the ‘no’ was based in procrastination rather than productivity – I decided to initiate the process, calling Wag and fetching Primo from his nearby home.
I’m glad I did. The task of moving the countertop was made much more possible with the presence of four people, and now that it is in place, I am that (holding my arms outspread) much closer to living in Jacobhouse. All that is really required now for comfortable livability is the installation of the floor and the importing of furniture for the bedroom, office, and kitchen (most of which I already have). The transition from worksite to house is drawing nigh.
In addition to the impending momentous transformation, I have been thinking on a concept over the past few days that I will soon include in one of these posts. It isn’t so much related to Jacobhouse as it is to my dream of finding Walden, but seeing as this day is growing late, I will only hint at what is in mind: “_______” two days each month.
Final Note: Tomorrow I intend to fasten in some blocking around the interior edge of the sink orifice via clamps and glue. This will allow the sink to rest much more sturdily in its opening (right now, it can already rest in that opening, but one corner has a gap that I will have to end up covering somehow). I will also be cleaning up the barrel/plywood table on which I crafted / sealed the countertop, and perhaps there will be time spent on planning Jacobhouse’s flooring.
*There are presently at least two other container projects occurring alongside Jacobhouse.
**Apparently the sealant had glued the counter to my plywood work-surface.