Dude Shack Update

The NFL season is approaching and for the first time in years the Dude Shack is ready to go early.  I have done a major cleaning which has included four dump runs, the fourth being this morning.  Every single box, container and shelf has been inspected, cleaned and reorganized.  My rule of thumb for items is simple, unless it is valuable or a family item, if I have not needed it or used it in the last year, out it went.  Ruthlesss but if I died now, the place would be easy to clean out.

As I am finishing up, there are few items left on my list that need to be accomplished but in reality the season could start today and we would be ok.  All six TVs have been tested.  Three of the four satellites boxes are working great, the fourth will need to be replaced.

All the tasks that I wish to complete are in motion.

  • The new electrical wiring will be finished by Tuesday.
  • I have Comcast coming next week to work on the static issue with channel 3 (FOX) and 5 (CBS).
  • The new roof will be put on mid-September, so we should not have any leaks this year.
  • The bar needs to be restocked.
  • I need to string out the new christmas lights.
  • The final pictures need to be hung.
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College…. pic from my role model

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Casa on Sept 1, 2010

Sept 1, 2010

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Dogs days of summer

The last day of August is ending as I stare in disbelief that another summer is coming to an end.  What happened to summer?

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Dude Shack Doors

The Dude Shack doors, both the big main ones and the non-existent side door, needed work.  This is not surprising as the building was built back in 1925 and since we have owned it the past sixteen plus years, no repairs and little upkeep have been done.  Now since I still think that we will be knocking down the building in the next few years, any and all repairs have to be cost effective, or in Cinna’s words; cheap.

The main doors needed work, especially on the right side which was sagging and the wood was in bad shape.  Also it should be noted that neither of the doors is a true square due to years of people “working” on them.  So I had Tony Armor of the kitchen remodel fame out to see what could be done.  Basically he replaced the bottom hinge which was in real bad shape and skinned the back of the garage door with plywood which gave the door additional strength.  Then he rehung the door so it can shut easily.  While the gaps are not equal, the doors now open and shut easily.   Total cost was $200.  After Tony’s work, I painted both of them.  The outside is the traditional white, but inside the doors are Cottage Red; the same red we used on our windows.  Total cost of paint was $0!

Dude Shack Main Doors - August 2010

Now the side door is a completely different story.  When we orginally bought the house, the side door was on the side.  Except it started to fall apart after a few years and was completely removed around 1999.  Since then, no door.

Ever since I “reopened” the Dude Shack back in 2003, I have been thinking about getting a door but just had not gotten around to doing it for various reasons.  Finally last year, after sitting through a few cold windy NFL Sundays inside the Shack, I vowed that I would install a door.

Dude Shack Side Door - August 2010

I found an old door which was in bad shape.  I cleaned it.  I sanded it.  I painted it.  And now it has been installed and actually closes nicely and can be locked.  :)   Total cost including paint (free), hinges and locks was $22.

So the Dude Shack doors are now in the best shape they have ever been and the total cost was only $222.

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Cleaning Out Junk

Over the last two weeks, I have slowly and methodically cleaning out “junk” from the Dude Shack.  Out when old doors, speakers, Christmas lights, clothing, wood and more.  Over forty boxes have been explored and divided into junk, keeper items and not sure.  I have had three dump runs and most likely need one more.

What was once important, now is not.  What was a much needed possession, now has been discarded.  Items that were kept for some long forgotten project have now been tossed.

So how did I get so much junk?

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Dude Shack Update

My original plan to change the layout of the TVs in the Dude Shack hit one small snag.  Actually one big snag.  It turns out the glare from the sun coming through the door would be bad on the TVs.  So the TVs stay where they be for now.

But things are changing inside the Dude Shack.

  • I have pulled out three dump loads of crap and old wood. The amount of stuff I had in the small building is amazing.  What is even more amazing is how much crap I still have.
  • I have found an old door that will be perfect for the entrance that has not had a door in over 10 years.  The door currently has two coats of  newpaint on it, and will get two more tomorrow before being installed.
  • Tony will be contracted to work on one of the big doors so that it stops sagging.  This project should start next week.
  • I have installed new racks and shelving so now Cinna can find things.
  • I am installing some new light systems.

Kick off is September 11th!

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San Jose Airport Terminal C demolition

Terminal C

I just read that San Jose Airport Terminal C demolition has begun.  Terminal C was the original San Jose airport for me.  It was old and crowded and needed to be replaced, which it has by Terminal A and now B.

I must have flown out of that terminal over 100 times in my life.  Four memories stand out.

  • Summer 1970: Flying home from visit with the Grandma and Grandpa Schilling when I was 8 years old.  The “very pretty” flight attendant on PSA held my hand when she walked me into the terminal to meet my parents.  PSA for me was the “it” airline.  Air Cal was for the non-cool.
  • December 1980: Arriving at the airport during my freshmen year in college and hoping for a ride because I had missed my scheduled flight to San Francisco.  I had just sat down at a pay phone when I heard my father’s voice:  “Hello stupid.”
  • April 1994:  Balls and Beers Tour – Baseball weekend with the boys down to San Diego and Los Angeles.  On our flight back, one of the not so amused first class passengers was not happy with a drunk brother Dave.
  • January 1995:  Sitting in the waiting area with my boss waiting for a night flight from San Jose to Las Vegas so I could attend CES when I saw my father waiting for the same flight.  He was off to do some work for one of the hotels.  We even stayed at the same hotel but never saw each other once we got to Las Vegas.

PSA at San Jose

More info from Wiki:

This terminal was built in 1965. Instead of using jetways (elevated tunnels that connect planes to the terminal), Terminal C mostly used airstairs, but most airlines, including Alaska Airlines[31] and SkyWest Airlines, used turboway ramps. Terminal C will be torn down for construction of a temporary parking lot in 2010. In preparation for construction of Terminal B, the north end of Terminal C, previously home to gates C14–C16 and home to Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Frontier Airlines, was closed for demolition in December 2007. The remaining portion of the terminal was reconfigured, including the addition of a new, larger consolidated security checkpoint. In February 2008, the north end of Terminal C was torn down to start the new construction of Terminal B.[32]

In December 2009, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, and JetBlue Airways moved to new or reconstructed gates in Terminal A, as the area within Terminal C containing the three airlines’ gates was demolished. Other airlines currently operating within Terminal C remained in the terminal until Terminal B and the North Concourse opened in June 2010.

The Terminal C baggage claim was closed for demolition on February 2, 2010. This allowed for completion of the airport’s new roadways. The terminal was officially closed on June 30, 2010.

Terminal C featured a wall mural, children’s play area and access to outdoor observation decks. The lobby held a food court and restroom facilties.

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