I've always derived a lot of satisfaction from working with my hands.  I was always proud of my projects in shop class.  Though it was frustrating, I felt great after I spent a day putting on our storm door.  I had a great time making our little imperfect stained glass window above our back door.  Well today I finally got around to fixing the futon frame.  A month or so ago I made an abortive attempt at fixing it, but it became clear that the method I was trying wasn't going to work.  So after some advice and a trip to the hardware store I spent a couple hours putting the thing back together.  Aside from the aches of working on the floor in the basement (oh, a shop and a work table would wonderful) it felt pretty good finishing the thing.

Now if I can only figure out a way to be an apprentice to Norm Abram on the New Yankee Workshop.  That would be a dream come true.

Simple pleasure - improvised chili cooking away on the stove
Peace

The Frozen Half Marathon was shortened to a quarter marathon yesterday since it was so cold.  The official race results said the temperature was fifteen below, though the news said it was only about ten below.  Fortunately there was only a light breeze rather than what could have been a dangerous wind.  I was a little hesitant, but had layers on and knew that while I might be a little cold that I'd be alright in the end.

We arrived downtown St. Paul where I picked up the race chip and there were hundreds of people milling about getting ready to run.  I was a little surprised how many people where there considering the temperatures.  After a short warm-up run (I use the term very loosely) and stretch I went out to the starting line. 

The course is an out and back course with a short and steep downhill on the way out.  My first two miles were at about 7 minute/mile pace, which felt pretty good.  It became clear that my legs just weren't warming up though, and it wasn't long before people were passing me left and right.  I was getting drafts up under my fleece and running jacket, so I had a hard time warming up my core.  My legs felt like the gel in one of those big gel bike saddles - squishy and useless.  There was never any question about me running the whole way, but it became apparent quickly that this would be more of an exercise in running through discomfort than racing.  About three miles in (right before the turn-around) my hands magically warmed up.  Then at the turn around, the wind was at my back and I was able to warm up the rest of my body.  The legs still didn't want to do anything but plod along though.

With the wind out of my face, I warmed up enough to take off my mittens.  I used my fingers to unfreeze the lashes at the corners of my eyes, but soon frost developed on the little hairs on the back of my hands.  That felt a little funny.  The last half of the race was not fast and people continued to pass me.  I only passed one person who was walking and one or two people going up the last steep hill before the finish.

It wasn't a bad race, just not a good one.  I'll register for it again some time when the weather is more reasonable and I will be happy to run a full half mary during the Winter Carnival.  After I got back, Sarah showed me the shirt she bought me (a pretty nice race shirt, really).  I warmed up and stretched a little.  Then we went to Scandia Bakery over in Minneapolis for a post-race treat.

Race numbers:
48:13
10.25 k
162/663

I guess I'll have to wait a few months before I finally get to do a half marathon.

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The frame of the futon I bought a few years ago is coming apart.  There are two parts to what make the base of the frame (seat and back, which then fold flat).  The rails on those parts are bowing apart and that is allowing the slats to come out of the little pockets they fit into.  That's no good.  Should be easy to fix, I thought.

My plan was to drill holes and sink screws through the rails into the slats and tighten them up, drawing the slats back into their pockets and correcting the bow of the rails.  It wasn't that easy.  I was able to draw one end of some of the slats into the pockets, but couldn't draw them into the other side.  Now I've got some slat tongues that are a little mangled and rails that are still bowed and in the process, the screw driver bit broke from all the torque I was putting on it and the tip is stuck in one of the screws I was using.  *grumble*   What I need is a work bench and some large cabinet clamps.  After calling around, it appears that places don't rent those clamps.  Fortunately Burnell is coming through town on Thursday, so he'll bring down his clamps for me to use.  That's great.  I was just hoping to finish this project this weekend.  Oh well.

Some day I'll be like Norm Abram and be a New Yankee.  Right?

Simple pleasure - reading Turkish phrases I'll be using
Peace

I was a little crabby already yesterday when I was in the bathroom dealing with a clogged drain and I heard Sarah yelling something frantically from the basement.  I galloped down the stairs to see water raining from the ceiling of the basement.  We had a leak, and not an insubstantial one.  After lots of cleaning up of water mixed with drain cleaner we went upstairs to see a little water running down the walls in a couple places in the kitchen.  Splendid!

So we called a plumber and we decided I would not take a teaching job today so we wouldn't have to pay evening hours for a plumber to come.  The plumber showed up at 8:30 this morning and after about two hours there was no more leak, no more clog, and $450 less in the checking account.

Ouch.

Sometimes I really think a log cabin in the woods without running water and electricity would be pretty nice.  At least it is finally nice outside today.  I think I am going to go for a ride.  I need it.

Simple pleasure - a bright sunny day
Peace