Being sick saps productivity

I haven't forgotten about this fledgling blog. I've been battling a nasty cold for the past week, and that really reduces my ability to get stuff done around the house.

But I have much to do during the next 10 days, so expect some real updates soon. Stay well out there.

Swimming in my money like Scrooge McDuck

In case you haven't looked directly to your right, or slightly up and to the right, I recently became a first-time homeowner. That means I qualified for the original first-time homeowner federal government tax credit* (not to be confused with the original first-time homeowner perk of a no-interest loan.)

*If you're thinking about buying your first home, and you have the money to do so, get it done QUICKLY. The current tax credit opportunity expires at the end of April.

I don't understand *why* the feds allowed this, but I was able to amend my 2008 return to claim the tax credit, rather than waiting to claim the tax credit on my 2009 taxes, when I actually bought my townhouse. Thus, when I checked my mailbox this week, a lovely four-figure check from the U.S. government had arrived.

I actually did a happy dance when I saw the check (luckily, nobody saw me, so there isn't any video).

Before any of my wonderful blog readers hit me up for free drinks or financial favors, know that I've already deposited the money in my bank account. After all, I do have a down payment to defray.

What would you do with the money? Spend it? Save it? Cash it in for quarters and swim in it like Scrooge McDuck?

Trash vs. recycling

During the last few weeks, I'm proud to say there's been more stuff at the curb in my recycling bin than in my trash can. I'm down to about one kitchen trash bag per week.

The difference came after I reread the City of Raleigh's recycling rules, which reminded me all the junk mail I accumulate can be recycled. In fact, I have another foot-high stack of newspaper, junk mail and old envelopes ready to go out this week, plus some cardboard boxes I should have ditched weeks ago.

Two caveats: I *do* create a lot of trash. But I eat most of my meals at/near work, so most of my trash doesn't come home with me. Also, recycling isn't necessarily the most "green" solution, but at least all of my waste isn't going to the landfill.

Plastic cut

You've gotten a paper cut before, right? Last night, I got a paper cut from PLASTIC.

One of my Christmas gifts was acrylic display cases for some old Hess trucks I have. With the mirrored back piece and clear sides, these cases will really show off the collection nicely.

But as I removed the packing supplies, I sliced my knuckle on a fairly sharp corner. No worries -- I waited for the bleeding to stop and resumed unpacking the cases. The problem came today as I got dressed. Doing that reopened the wound, getting blood everywhere. (Oh, sorry ... hope you're not squeamish)

Here's the upside: I originally intended to mount the cases in a high-traffic hallway. I know now that location won't work: Either I or a houseguest (OK, just me) will invariably make contact with the case. And cleaning blood up just isn't fun. So the display cases will be relocated to another prominent location.

Time for a man cave

You might just argue that a guy with his own place can make his entire home his man cave.* I might just agree with that argument. Nonetheless, I bought a townhouse with this specific floorplan solely to convert my ground-floor bedroom into a man cave. The theme? Card room/game room.

And it's almost time to get started.

The room is being used as storage while I unpack and set up the rest of my house. While I'm still knee-deep in clutter, feel free to share some ideas with me:

Guys, what stuff do you miss most from your bachelor pads?
Ladies, which of his items would NEVER make it into your home?

Let me know, below.

Once I get rolling, check back here often, as there WILL be mishaps as I make my man cave.

(*What's a man cave? See some video examples here. And see some photos here, with a little overlap.)

Here, hold my umbrella

Late last fall, Walmart, Target and other stores put their patio furniture on clearance. I happily obliged, buying some chaise lounges and a big patio umbrella at insanely cheap prices. (Related: This summer's going to be AWESOME!) But my store had sold their entire stock of umbrella stands, which made purchasing an umbrella pointless.

Problem: Quality umbrella stands cost between $25-100. Yes, $100!
(And, yes, I checked prices online.)
Solution: Make my own umbrella stand for less than $20.

I was going to do the whole paint-bucket-and-concrete trick, until a helpful sales associate at Home Depot suggested I use a flowerpot when I couldn't find a neutral-colored (empty) paint bucket.

It turned out to be a great idea, especially after I found a length of PVC pipe that fit snugly in the flowerpot's drain hole. I then used about a third of a bag of sand to weigh the flowerpot down and keep the PVC pipe from shifting. I'm proud of the end result:

The umbrella stand is light enough to bring indoors, which I do during the winter to keep any water that has collected from freezing. (At some point, I'll paint the PVC to better match the flowerpot.)

Total cost, minus paint, was about $18, and I still have sand left over for some future project (or icy walkways).

Mind the gap (kitchen edition)

My (former) apartment had short kitchen cabinets. It wasn't ideal for storing stuff *in* the cabinets, but there was lots of space *above* them, which I used as a makeshift bar and beer-stein display.

My new townhouse has tall kitchen cabinets, which I like better, because all my stuff is stashed like carryon luggage on a crowded flight. But there's a small space (about 12 inches) between the top of the cabinets and my ceiling. It's not large enough to put anything useful up there and it's too high up to use as storage for anything I'd actually need.

The gap never really bothered me, until I saw what my girlfriend did with her above-cabinet area. After I mentioned how it made her kitchen a little more classy, for Christmas, she was nice enough to get me these similar supplies for my cabinet tops.

[pics and more after the break]

My collection of hand soap

If you ever visit my place, be sure to notice my extraordinarily robust collection of hand soap scattered throughout my townhouse.

To attain my extraordinarily robust collection of hand soap, I have travelled to many places. To many hotels, actually.

While there, I steal their soap. Then I use my thumbnail to scratch out any hotel logos etched into the soap.

Now I'm *certain* you're impressed with my extraordinarily robust collection of hand soap.