I Changed My Mind...

...I don't like it. I think I'll sand 'em again and re-stain them.

I'm kidding. But Phase 2 is now complete. The worst is over. The third and final phase begins this weekend.

Anyone own a mitre saw?

2000 People Paid To See This

If I died and was reincarnated as a Rock and Roll band, I'd probably look a lot like Tesla.
No crazy outfits, no big hair-dos, no frills. Just plain, simple and straightforward. Boring? Maybe. But hey, at least I'd have killer guitar face, like Frank Hannon here.

I wrote a review of the show after the band rolled through Wichita Sunday night. I won't bore you with a bunch of video, but here are a couple of snippets. Teresa shot the first part and I shot the second. Two things you need to look for: In the beginning, watch for me working the crowd. Towards the end, watch the exchange between me and Mr. Clean, who was kind enough to work security that night.

Buried Treasure

I made mention in the last post of how much stuff was crammed in the kitchen cabinets.

Here's a fair portion of those cabinets. Spread out on the guest room bed.

I knew we had a few items of Le Creuset cookware, a few items I use from time to time. But I had no idea what we had buried back there. I could probably finance the remodel if I pawned this stuff.

Who's sick of hearing about my kitchen now?

Funny How Bob Vila Never Has This Problem

Sawdust.

Of all the messes I've made doing remodeling projects, I've never had to deal with a mess like today. This stuff is awful. There's not a crack or crevice in my kitchen or on my body that wasn't filled with this fine powder.

Good news: I got the cabinet bases sanded.

Bad News: Never realized just how much Junk Teresa and I had in those cabinets.

No Turning Back Now

Maybe you're wondering why there are no doors on my kitchen cabinets.

Phase II of the kitchen remodel job has now begun. Yes, I'm removing the hardware off the doors in this picture. No, I'm not stopping there. The majority of the doors have now been sanded down to bare wood. If I put hinges back on them right now and hung them, it would already be an improvement.

Tomorrow I've got to sand the base structure and that's going to leave an awful mess in the house.

I have 15 days to get this job done.

More Politics as Usual

Hot on the heels of last week's visit from Obama, the two remaining republican candidates rolled into Wichita Friday.

Two airports. Two different sides of towns. Two hours apart. Too much work.

I Can't Win

101 degrees.

I was sick on Friday. Started getting better Saturday. Felt pretty alright Sunday.

But I developed a cough today and started getting a runny nose. Like Friday... it hit me pretty fast. I knew I was in trouble when I could not get warm tonight.

argh! No time for this.

Tangled Up In BLU

Saturday night was the annual membership party for the Wichita Art Museum. Last year it was called Red, this year... you get the picture. Probably the best social event in town you can find. Your $100 ticket gets you five hours of wonderful food, drink, music and art.

It was looking on Friday night, as I sat at home with a 102 degree fever, that I was going to have to sit this one out. Thankfully, I rallied through the day Saturday. Nothing like the thought of watching a hundred bucks go to waste to help you find that extra gear. The bad news... In order to survive the night, I disavowed alcohol. If you saw the selection at this party, you'd know just how tough that was.

The highlight for me though, was the return to Wichita of Bobby Yang and his Unrivaled Players.

Mr. Yang takes your favorite rock and roll hits and transforms them on the violin. It has to be seen to be believed. Watch as they take on Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times." Also, watch Eugene's killer dance moves. Straight outta Canada.



In this video, it's Boston's "More Than A Feeling." This time, Eugene helps out with air guitar duties. He needs to start his own rockin' band.



Anytime you go to a party, and there are waitresses walking around with trays full of sushi, you know you're doing pretty good. I ate more delicious sushi last night than I probably have in my whole life. Tons and tons of great food that never ran out.

A few more scenes:

Stacey and Eugene. We went to the Red party last year and had a great time with them. We've talked about this party all year.

From left: Ben, Samantha, Stacey, Teresa, Eugene and Barb.