Who's got MAD skills?

To quote Napoleon Dynamite "I don't even have any good skills. You know like, Nunchaku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills...girls only want boyfriends who have great skills".

Oh so true... All girls want a boyfriend with skills. Who will come to our rescue when we flatten the tire on the lawn mower? Or on the car? Our boyfriend of course!

I have a boyfriend with fantastic skills.

He is well connected to many different subjects; with more knowledge of varied applications, technical know-how and practical experience than anyone I've ever met. He could write one of those self help books or do-it-yourself books that the people like me would buy. Hey - look at that, not only is he a great boyfriend, but he is saving me money!

Now, that being said, I should also point out, that my boyfriend knows I am inquisitive. (That's a nice way to say I am nosey.) I like to know things. I ask a lot of questions. And when I am with him, I am subjected to many things I would not normally come across. He is always willing to share any knowledge he has on a subject and does it cheerfully.

By trade, he is a plumber and I love to watch him do this work. It makes me dizzy to walk around in a basement looking up at pipes following them back and forth and knowing where they are on the other side of the room and where they end up...Arrgghh! I can't do it, but I've watched him do it. I've been witness to an entire cold water pipe replacement as well as watching the fabrication of a manifold for a radiant heating system. I've been shown diagram and drawing of how the water works through a water heater. I am impressed that I have this knowledge.

I have learned about insulation. I know how to spread blown insulation in an attic without falling through the floor (although at one point I thought for sure I was in the bedroom below). If you're doing this soon, call me, I'll come help, but only if you've got some cool stuff in your attic for me to look through. I may even decorate a bit with the treasures I find! =D

I have been instructed on how to run various tools and the proper safety. I have successfully trained on how to use a table saw. I have been taught how to fillet a fish. Well, OK, that's not entirely true. We used the table saw on the fish. That was a good time, and is perhaps subject matter for another blog...

I was taught the fine art of brick and mortar masonry when I helped to install a manhole. Very cool project... Most recently, (this weekend) I learned how to arc weld. I suited up in my shirt, and tucked my cuffs into my leather gloves. I put on the welding helmet and tightened it up so it squeezed my head - I got a 2-1/2 minute synopsis on what the basic idea is, because it isn't something you can actually look at unless you have two masks, and we didn't.

This is what I was supposed to accomplish, based on the quick instruction I was given...

I closed the Darth Vader mask and tried to 'strike an arc' by tapping the rod on the metal quickly and repeatedly. The first few times I found this very difficult and I kept getting stuck. I think it's because I was pitched into blackness inside that helmet & I still wasn't sure what I was supposed to see when I actually got the arc going.

After a few tries, I got the arc and now realized that I had to keep moving my hand along the area that was being welded, as well as moving the welding rod closer to the metals. This was hard. Thankfully he is patient. I finished the task of welding 4 casters to a metal frame. He asked me if I enjoyed the project and of course I did...He makes everything fun and I am flattered that he gives of his time and talents to teach me something.

I will be the first one to tell you that there are maybe two sections of all that welding that actually look decent. He said it wouldn't matter, and didn't need to be perfect, because it would hold together. He was kind about the less than stellar job I did. We tested it out and it seems to work OK, we put the wood stove on it and can now wheel it around in the garage. Very nice. Anyone need a cart welded? =o)

Apparently, it's not only girls who want someone with skills...

Overall, this project ranks pretty high for me, because it is something I never would have expected to ever try, much less find out that I'd like.

And you know, to be honest, I kind of felt like dancing when it was all over...

Rock on with your bad self. I am...

H

Beer anyone?

Summer in Maine is fantastic!

If you love black flies, construction and humidity that makes you feel like a bloated sponge, then the extreme Northeast is the place to be! I mean, come on, who doesn't love being overrun by tourists or having that crippling traffic on Rte 1 (just North of Bath) all the way to Rockland and points beyond?

My favorite season is Autumn, and you'd think that by then, the tourists would have all flown the coop and gone home. Leaving us to our crisp walks along the boulevard, apple picking at Thompson's Orchard, and a milder crowd at L.L. Bean. Oh, no. Of course not.

Winter in Maine isn't always easy, thankfully people from everywhere else know that and the only real visitors we have are the die hard skiers or the die hard snomobilers. We also host our trails and mountains to those folks from a ways south of us, who just *think* they're die hard snowmobilers. Those are the ones that are fun to watch. Big gas guzzling trucks, pulling fancy trailers with a couple of brand new sleds. On the way out of state, you see those same guys hauling a fancy trailer full of sled scrap. heh heh heh.

Spring is the equivalent of mud season and the beginning of construction season (known in other states as Summer) here in Maine, and because my birthday is in Spring, I like that season best. Plus the flowers are starting and everyone gets spring fever. And sometimes... that is more fun to watch than the wintry visitors from out of state. Especially from my view onto Congress street from the studio. Since I started at Frank and have been at that window seat, I've seen it all. I promise....

Why do I bring this up now?

Well, says I... Beer.

That's right. Beer is what is making me consider all the seasons of Maine.

No matter what tourist season it is, we have a beer for it. Ahh, beer... For example, tonight for dinner, I decided on a Sam Adams Hefeweizen with a slice of lemon. I chilled the glass, and threw in the lemon slice, poured the beer and was in refreshing adult beverage heaven. I grilled up some chicken and tossed a Caesar salad. Grabbed the marinated olives/cheese/artichokes and some left over Asian noodle salad from the holiday weekend and tied on the feed bag with the kids.

If it were autumn, perhaps a Shipyard Pumpkin Head Ale? If flavored beer isn't your thing, may I recommend a Shipyard Export or a Brown Ale of your choice.

Winter time has me thinking thoughts of Guinness - Ok, actually I have thoughts of Guinness all throughout the year, but find it best in the Winter/Spring. Ahhh. Guinness. There are also many 'winter' ales available.

Spring has me wishing for flowers, and my birthday! Since we're blessed with a great place here in Portland (that I visit religiously every year near my birthday) called The Great Lost Bear I can walk in and order a sampler of beer! Have you ever heard of anything more genius than that? It's great! You pick 5 different kinds of beer to sample...very handy if you can't decide what you want. (Also great if you have commitment issues toward a full 16 or 23oz. that you've never tried.)

Yes, Maine is a great place. If not for our miles of coastline, our gorgeous lakes, rivers and State Parks. Our Ski Areas, our seafood, our laid back and friendly ways, our blueberries, our prime real estate (that is rapidly being purchased by some folks just south of us) and our diverse cultures; people would still be coming here to Maine just to drink our beer.

Can't say as I blame them.

Unless they drink too much beer...
We'll have to visit that another time. My beer awaits.

Rock on with your bad selves,
H