Skyline IV-----Remodel

Monday, December 31, 2007

I wasn't planning a remodel. It just got too cold in the winter. Several Januaries ago, we moved into a little house in Oregon that let the cold right in. Of course we didn't realize this until we'd moved in, because with the furnace on, the living room was scorching hot and you'd never guess that 20 feet away and around the corner, you could freeze your hands if you stood still long enough. A little investigation revealed there was no insulation in the walls, which we soon stripped to the 2x4's with the intention of simply adding insulation and then closing the walls back up. But as long as you're in there, you might as well do something about that old electrical wiring or the plumbing that puts the kitchen sink right next to the bathroom door. I mean, really? Kitchen sink at the bathroom door? I'm a simple man. At least, I think I am. I've been told I'm complicated, but usually it's a woman telling me that, which is only fair since I find women to be quite complicated themselves. That's a whole different story. I'm not here to talk about women. It's quiet in here tonight. I'm alone on the 6th floor, and over the dim lights I hear fresh water running into my sister's aquarium. I love fish. Not really. But I like looking at them. I went snorkeling in Cozumel, Mexico last week with some people from 3rd and 4th. Good times. Got some awesome (I mean 'innovative') pictures for my walls. They're certainly not bare, my walls. Didn't get any pictures of fish, though. I touched one. I don't know if he thought I was a fish too, but he came right up and touched my hand! I'm not here to talk about fish either. I'm really just stalling for time... It's a little nerve-wracking having you here on this floor. It's easier to tour other floors where we party or work or invest or learn, but this is where I live. If you don't like the colors here, or you think the artwork should be different, I might take it personally. I might feel rejected. If you think the 6th floor isn't good enough, that's a little closer to home. It is home. This is where I wake up. At the end of the day, whether I've danced with strangers or eaten curry lamb and channa with the biologicals, this is where I lay my head. Funny how it seems easier to visit someone else's soul than invite them into your own. But I'm not gonna preach right now. Several Januaries ago, I met this guy from 7th who completely remodeled my floor. I don't take it so personally anymore if you don't like the floor-plan, 'cause I didn't build this one. The one from before with no insulation and the crumbly walls, that was my work.   This new thing is out of my hands. It's ok with me if it's not your style. For some reason it's a lot easier for me to say, "well my designer chose that," or"you know, that color had to grow on me too. He picked it and I just went with it." If it really bugs you and you want to head back to the lobby, I'll walk you to the elevator, or you can talk to the guy upstairs. If, on the other hand, you want to see more, come in, take your shoes off, get comfortable. I'm pretty good with hot chocolate, or tea if you prefer… Listen, I don't even know half of what's in here. I keep finding cool things my designer put in. And the remodel is still in progress. Must be a remodel rule or something—these things take forever. On top of that, I had no idea how huge this place is! There's some weird space-time deal in here that tweaks me every now and then. Every time I think I've seen it, there's a whole new chamber I didn't even know about—could be a little tiny closet, could be a vast, green field. It's like magic, really. Take the red wall in the entry where you left your shoes. (Nice shoes, by the way.) Technically that wall's not red, that's called 'mercy.' These designers and their fancy names. Looks like red to me. You wanna see something trippy? If you get dirt on that wall or mess it up or anything, it'll be new tomorrow morning. Regenerative paint. I swear. New every morning. Try it, get some mud on there. I have no idea how it works. You can come back tomorrow and check it out. Heck, you can stay over if you like to make sure I don't repaint it myself. You should have seen that room before it was mercy. I'm talking about some dirty walls, you know?   Right after the makeover, I used to put dirt on there just to test it out, to see if it really would clean itself up every morning.  I don't try to get it dirty anymore. I just know it works, plus there's way cooler stuff further in, and I don't need to prove it anymore. I try to keep it clean as much as I can, but it's the mudroom, what can I say? Oregonians know about the mudroom. You know what else is weird? How my mudroom's in Oregon and my living room's in Los Angeles. Like I said, 6th floor's a trip. I'll make some tea.  What would you like? Peach Ginger for me. Kristi from 3rdgot it for my birthday.