The Move.

Found in the side yard rubble.

Unimaginable as it may seem, I finally moved into my own house, a place I have referred to as a filthy hovel for years.  Over an 8 week period - April through May, I made a concentrated push to get the most important tasks done that would allow for a minimal, man-cave-ish existence.

As it started coming together I began contemplating what living in a space really means to me.  These were a new category of thoughts. In the past I was usually in survival land. What did I need to do to keep the place from blowing up or falling down? These new thoughts - and decisions, are not any easier. And, I'm continually processing and thinking about this.  But I realized that I wanted to re-think everything.  What do I really need and want, and how do I realize it in physical form that roughly balances aesthetics, function, value and quality?

Some realizations:

1. Aesthetics matter. I want to look at things that appeal to me somehow - everywhere.
2. Color is fun.  I like it.
3. I don't need a bedroom. 
4. I want to be delighted and surprised.
5. I want the right combination of clutter and un-clutter, simplicity and complexity.
6. I love things that grow.
7. I'm grateful for what I have.

My new bathroom with guitar towel racks.

It Works (mostly)! Low Tech Solar Water Heater.

The hovel is without a real water heater, so I rigged up a solar water warmer with black tubing on the roof.

Good enough for washing dishes, and an interesting shower experience! When I get the real - energy sucking - water heater I want, I'll use this loop to preheat water going into the tank.

All Work

And no play, will make the old hovel a home some day. 

I hope. 

Waiting On Parts

Before I get a real water heater, I'm rigging up a solar variety - a very simple one - using a black hose on the roof. Of course this is nothing new. It's done all over the world and makes such sense. Why wouldn't you want to cut pollution and save money by letting the sun heat, or pre-heat your water?

But, I didn't have all the parts I needed. They should be here mid-week and I should have some warmth by next weekend. The first phase is a test. 200 feet of 1/4 inch black irrigation pipe just laying up on the roof. Fed through cold water pressure, it shoots up through the roof, loops through the coil, back down through the roof and straight into the hot water line.  Other tinkering will include trying different lengths and diameter of piping, and placement of the coil including inside a glazed insulated box. 

Later on when I obtain the right electric water heater, I'll use the loop to pre-heat water. 

My New Water Heater

Happens to be of the solar variety.  Gonna hook it up myself.

Another Man Cave Meal

Grrrr...

First Meal

Paleo diet - beef and veggies.

Behold, the Plywood Kitchen.

Small steps forward and back, along with help from friends (thanks so much Lorne and Chris!) and here I am. My kitchen is forming and so close to being usable - in a man cave sense. Just finished the floor. I should have cold water working in the sink today, with warm/hot water from passive solar working by end of next week. Then I'll move on to putting up pantries and figuring out what to do with these plywood counter tops.  Next, maybe some painting and cabinet doors.

34 days to move-in.

Kitchen floor. Done. Almost.

Today, I vow to finish laying down my new kitchen floor! It's taken me about a week. More pics to follow.

The Man Cave Kitchen, Part 1

In order to move into The Hovel, I must have some kind of working kitchen. While I could simply eat out every day, assuming I actually wished to prepare any food at home, I suppose I could get by with a sink, a hot plate, and a camping cooler (been there).

But I actually do want to have a real kitchen because I like to eat and I want to continue evolving my cooking skills. On top of that, the kitchen at the hovel happens to be the nicest room in the house.

So, what are the essential qualities a man cave-ish kitchen should have?

Well,

1. fridge
2. stove 
3. sink
4. places to put kitchen things - cabinets/pantry
5. surface area to work
6. easily cleanable
7. cheap

But there's more.  For me, it must go beyond spartan utilitarianism. It has to also be an interesting, somehow pleasing space to be in.

Put all those together, you're gonna get my kitchen.