Monday 29 March 2010

Pic of the Week: 29 Mar - 4 Apr

Wisteria, Bath

Wisteria in Bath


We spent our first anniversary in Bath. The flowers were blooming and it was beautiful. I took this picture of wisteria on the Royal Crescent. It was my least successful ColorSplashing attempt, especially in print, but I didn't want to leave it out of the calendar.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Saturday 27 March 2010

bathroom :: bulgy bath

We have a bathtub...


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Presenting the 'bulgy bath', extra spacious on one end for better relaxing and easier showering.


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(Why did they leave it full of water? We have no idea.)


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The builder questioned our desire to have the tap on the exposed edge, but we feel it will give easier access if we ever have plumbing trouble and need to get in there again. Of course, I fully expect to bash my knee or ankle on it when getting in/out, but that would be likely no matter where we put it. I'm just clumsy that way.


Next step: we're not exactly sure. Neither of us were home when the builders left this afternoon, and they didn't leave a note telling us when they'll return. The floorers are coming on Wed/Thurs so we have some peace and quiet for a few days. Unfortunately, still no flushing toilet!

Friday 26 March 2010

bathroom :: destruction

Before creation comes destruction...


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They started by taking out the bathtub, sink and toilet cistern. As you can see, the tiles pulled off quite a bit of plasterboard with them. They plan to tile directly over the existing tiles on the long edge of the bathtub. Whatever works...!


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Nice glimpse of evening sky through the window. The lack of flushing toilet scares me a bit - this is such a male way to leave the place overnight. At least I can fall back on training from travels through Egypt (no paper gets flushed) and Bali/Thailand/Philippines (often no flush at all). I just have to resist the urge to drink anything and I'll be fine!


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This side of the bathroom has not changed much. I'm happy to see that they're tidy with their tools. Actually, aside from a certain bluntness and failure to give us much notice about scheduling, I'm fairly confident in their ability to do a good job.


And I'm glad that we haven't quit the gym... Need that membership card in order to shower for the next week!

Thursday 25 March 2010

bathroom :: before

This was our bathroom as of 8 AM this morning:


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The grey bathtub, sink, and toilet with non-matching wooden toilet seat and panelling


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The broken electric shower that served as the catalyst for our remodel


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The tiles I have always hated, with grout that can't be cleaned for love or money


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Homer Soap-on-a-Rope. I have started to think of him as The Bathroom Sentinel; he has lived in this flat longer than I have. He nearly lost a foot a while ago when someone - gasp! - used him to wash their hands. D'OH. I have threatened to throw him out so many times that I don't think I could do it now, even if I wanted to. Somehow, he belongs here. At least for one more day...


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Our washing machine and drying rack. Every now and then I miss having a tumble dryer, but this is perfectly sufficient most of the time.


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Hideous floor: half carpet, half lino, all of it ugly. This, if nothing else, I won't miss.


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Who needs storage when you can pile things on top of the toilet?


And so it begins. The builder is coming tomorrow morning to begin the so-called 'removal' before putting in our new bathroom. Coming soon: the bulgy bath ... pretty new floor ... modern toilet, sink, and taps ... a working shower ... tiles ... storage space ... Stay tuned!

Monday 22 March 2010

Pic of the Week: 22-28 March

Sculpture, Paris


This week's photo is from our trip to Paris in June 2006. This is one of a series of sculptures that make up the Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Georges Pompidou.


Click on the picture to see a larger version on flickr.

Monday 15 March 2010

Pic of the Week: 15-21 March

3D Glasses


Bro & Sis, Monterey


Top pic of lilsis in 3D glasses at Pixar's UP last June. Her hair is great for ColorSplashing.


Bottom pic of lilsis and bro in Monterey, taken in Feb 2007.


Click on the photos to see larger versions on flickr.

Monday 8 March 2010

Pic of the Week: 8-14 March

Cupcake in Central Park, New York

Cupcake in Central Park, New York


This cupcake was photographed - and eaten - in Central Park shortly after our wedding.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Monday 1 March 2010

Pic of the Week: 1-7 March

Accordion Player in Vienna

Accordion Player in Karlsplatz, Vienna


Moulin Rouge, Paris

Moulin Rouge, Paris


I put these photos together because I thought they fit thematically as well as color-wise. We walked past the famous Moulin Rouge on our trip to Paris in June 2006, and we saw the accordion player in Vienna last November.


Click on the photos to see larger versions on flickr.


Last but not least, happy birthday to my sister-in-law!