Well, hooray, I got something done today that's been coming for a while. Even though the outhouse isn't quite done yet (needs more paint, stairs, and a doorknob), I finally finished running a data line out to it from the house. This isn't something I've done a whole lot of, pulling wire through conduit, so I was surprised to learn there are new tricks o' the trade.

So, to begin with, you have some 1 1/2" PVC conduit buried under ground, in our case, about 100 feet of it or so. The way it used to be, you poke a slim strip of flexible steel called a fishing tape through the conduit. This sounds easy, or maybe it doesn't, but, either way, it isn't. It's like trying to jam a fishing pole through a crazy straw (for the purposes of this simile, please remember to increase the length of both the fishing pole and the crazy straw to 100 feet or so). In case this literary jem proves too weighty to be easily digestible, suffice it to say, it's hard.

But, thanks to Friendly Neighbor Martin (those of you in the Bay Area may not know what is this "Friendly Neighbor" of which I speak. Fear not, speak to me after class), I was better equipped for the battle. What were my weapons, you ask? Well, first, this, which is just a bucket of strong nylon line. In fact, 6500 feet of 210-lb test line. Should be enough. I briefly considered tying one end to the doorknob (not the outhouse doorknow, of course, since we've already established it doesn't exist) and running 1.23 miles down the road with the bucket in my hand and a really stupid look on my face. But after experiencing the tedium of jamming just a foot or so of the stuff back in the little hole in the lid of the bucket, I decided it wasn't worth it.

Next, you tie one of these to the end of the cord and stuff it in one end of the conduit. Fade to the other end of the conduit, in the attic of the house. Affix one end of this to the end of the conduit with this. Turn on the shop vac and wait for your little plastic line to merrily zip through the conduit to its greedy maw. And, more or less, plus or minus, give or take, that's pretty much kinda what happened.

Next, using this again, affix the end of the polyline to the end of the cable you want pulled through the conduit, and tape it up to within one slim baby's eyelash of permanent. Oh, yeah, turn off the shop vac. Run back down to the outhouse and start pulling. A neutral but mildly interested party is required on the uphill side to feed cable into the conduit as you pull it through from the other end (for your pleasure, the lovely and talented Susie Altman will be playing this role this evening). And stuff the line back in the bucket as you go. Which is really boring. Really.

And, again, more or less, give or take, plus or minus, that's what happened. Yes, I could include the part where I pulled the line hard enough when it got hung up that it came free from the cable and I had to repeat most of the process again. But that would just make me look stupid and probably bore you. And I'm just thinking of Aunt Marilyn, our most dedicated reader.
- posted by Colin @ 7:13 PM

 
Well, it is official. Winter is over!! Aren't you glad? We braved it out like the hearty farm folk that we are, and have been justly rewarded. Today was absolutely gorgeous! I think it was in the high 60s...maybe we even touched 70 for a moment or so, I'm not sure. I had to take a trail ride to celebrate! It was my first trail ride at the mine since before Xmas.

I think I posted this earlier this year, but I had Miles's hind shoes pulled on Xmas Eve. I did this for a couple reasons - one, I thought it would prevent him from sliding around so much when it is muddy; two, I thought it would decrease the likelyhood of him pulling shoes; three, I felt like his hind feet weren't balanced as I wanted them to be. I tried to pull his shoes (all four of them) when we first moved up here, but he just couldn't handle it, he was too sore. He's a little tender without his hind shoes, but not nearly as bad as the previous time I tried this.

Because of this tenderfootedness I was a little worried about how he'd handle the trail ride, since there are some rocky parts. There were areas where he was tentative, but overall I was really pleased! On the way home, he marched back on the trail like a champ...and of course it did help that we were headed back to the trailer. At least it worked to my advantage, for once!

Ok, so I lied. Winter is not over. In fact, it is supposed to start raining again on Friday. Which means no trail riding again for probably a week or so. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

Colin and I painted our bedroom over the weekend. Spiced Vinegar was the name of the paint, I think. I really like it! It compliments the two paintings that we have. I also ordered two small mirrors from Crate and Barrel to put above the table lamps on the wall behind our bed. I think our room finally looks pretty nice! Now we just need a plant, I think... Colin took a picture - maybe he'll share it here.

Work is good. I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of all the nuances and details that my job requires.

Little Man of Great Ferocitude is biting me right now, so I think it is time to go...
- posted by Susan @ 6:02 PM

 
I promised an update on outside stuff and we finally got a day off from the rain, so I snagged some photos while that bright scary light was still in the sky. I can't remember if we mentioned that we seeded two of our pastures.

the strip	before	after and after
the small pasture	before	after

And here's an update on the outhouse (it's not really an outhouse, it contains the pump for the irrigation system, but that's what a neighbor called it and it stuck, so to speak). My goal is to get it completed in less than a year after it started, sigh. Time is running out.

But I still have time for a little skiing now and then. Notice how the Almighty Itself seems to have cast Its blessing upon my outing. Woohoo!
- posted by Colin @ 6:33 PM

 
I know I've been awful about keeping the blog updated, but I have a good excuse: I'm really really lazy. Wow! That felt really good. Now, on to business.

I tried my poor hand at sushi on New Year's Eve. Susie was very polite about the outcome, but it's clear I need more practice. The champagne helped the sushi-like product go down a little easier.

Christmas was very nice and mellow. Presents were enjoyed by all. Of course, we always try to squeeze in a little family time.

We went to a neighbor's house for Christmas Eve dinner. Sometimes, as a Pisces, I get a little out of whack, but Susie, a Libra, is always there to provide balance. Our hosts, BT & ET, put out a great spread. Their daughter, Debbie (I think), was up from the Bay Area; she was very pleasant. Also attending were Boris and his friend Natasha (ok, her name wasn't really Natasha, but I don't remember what it was) were also present. Here we are, no doubt discussing politics, which was a fertile field for discouse that evening, to be sure. And, for whatever reason, here's a shot of Nikki's butt.

Our family has grown yet again. Please allow me to introduce Piccolo, or Pico, for short. We got him at the animal shelter where we foolishly volunteer our time. So far, we have brought home three cats and one dog. I'm sure we're not done yet.

Speaking of pound kittens, here's an update on our fierce little kitten. First, he likes praying mantises. And he also likes lizards. Sometimes, when I'm trying to work, he's a little distracting. But the rewards are immense :-)

I promise more updates on outside stuff this weekend.
- posted by Colin @ 7:06 PM