Stripping the room down to the shell which is becoming the upstairs bathroom, pulled a massive pile of wood from the walls. It is pretty cool as the wood that was used to form the concrete slab and basement structure, was repurposed as interior walls beneath the paneling - and there is a lot of it. I am amazed at how much material was able to fit into such a small space and now, it is sitting outside in a mountain next to the house and needs to be moved before the painters arrive.
The cost of getting a skip container for a day or two isn't that expensive, but the cost of disposal is and could run into the thousands that we don't have. So since it is mainly panels, the plan is to cut it up for firewood and take whatever else is left to the tip in a trailer. The problem is, I have nothing to just it with. I tried with the neighbors old circular saw, but it just isn't up for the job - so, Finnish chainsaw massacre it is going to be!
I have to admit, I am relatively inexperienced with power tools and some of them scare me a bit, as while I don't mind dying, dying painfully isn't what I would take given the choice. Since this is likely the only job this chainsaw is going to see, I went with an electric Makita that was on sale, plus my wife's discount on top. The guy said it should suffice and is a pretty decent unit for home use. It is made for cutting up firewood, so, that is what I am going to task it and hopefully, we will have a decent amount of wood to fire the sauna for a while. I am also going to try and find the better pieces of board to store and use for a glasshouse project in the future, because I would like as least some of them to continue on as part of the home.
Back in Australia, I never really had the opportunity to get into the world of powertools and didn't own any kind of drill until a few years ago, when I renovated the first apartment my wife and I bought together. My grandfather was a very, very skilled wood worker and had a shed full of professional workshop machinery, but I was too young to really get to make much with it. I do remember him helping me create a wood puzzle using the band saw, but I must have been around 8 or so. With owning an old house, I am going to have to get over my fears though - slight fear, not phobia.
While electric, I got to feel manly putting the blade on and clicking it all into place, without even needing any other tools. It felt weird, like baking a packet cake, but I am glad the most difficult part was untangling the chain, which is somewhat of a low-level IQ test - which I passed - eventually. So this weekend it is midsummer and with the furlough, I have some days off coming to cut up some wood - sounds like fun. All I am really hoping though is that it will do the job adequately and I can keep all my pieces.
I took these pictures in the living room (as this is the proper place for a chainsaw) in te evening evening light, which means that they are relatively long exposures in order to get some sharpness to the image and cut down on grain. It is much easier when nothing is moving of course. I have really been enjoying the macro lens the last few excursions with it and am looking forward to each moment I have to give it a whirl.
As I have said before, I like the idea of compound actions, for example when I go to the gym (it has been a while) I do large movements that engage multiple muscle groups and I don't focus at all on small muscles, like biceps. When I practice pretty much anything I look to do the same, engage more in the same session, value add. I do this when I take photos, for example it gives me interesting (and importantly for me, my own) images that I can share, as well as they often give me ideas to write from.
Even simple home life has the potential to be great content for the audience, but in my opinion, there has to be some heart init, something personal as well as something that people can connect with. I believe that a lot of the accounts that do well socially are those who put themselves into the content, that live what they write. This doesn't mean to give an account of life like a read of an itinerary though - it has to create a mental image that the audience can connect with - which is why most people don't like reading the report style content, as it doesn't engage them.
When we talk about engagement on Hive we generally look at it from the community side, the comments, votes and shares that generate conversation, but that is sometimes putting the cart in front of the horse. Before that level of engagement happens, the individual has to be engaged first, to connect (positively or negatively) with the content enough that they want to spend more time on it and continue the conversation.
Those who are experienced public speakers will tell you, no matter the size of the audience, speak every word to individuals - and they will literally direct their attention to single members of the group, Especially when they are making a point. By doing this, everyone feels that they are getting a personal delivery, a personal reading.
This is about improving communication transfer, not manipulation and if you have something to say, you want to be able to get it over the various bridges and hurdles that stand in the way. I think that for those who are unsure how to approach their own content development and practice and perhaps get over some of their fears or discomforts (like me with power tools), the easiest way is to work out what engages you and then practice to engage others in a similar way. Follow your own habits and you are 80% of the way to understanding the habits of most others, as there is so much overlap between us, more similar than different when it comes to the way we function. The subject matter is another issue entirely.
I am a hack at many things and pretty decent at a few. In combination, I can cover a fair amount of ground and in the grey areas, rely on the tools to which I have access and power over, to close some gaps. We all have lots of gaps to close in life, identifying them is the first step. Sometimes the tool required is a scalpel, sometimes a chainsaw - to make the choice of which, you have to know the target and the desired result.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
A small, forgotten stash of jewels and old coins behind one of these walls, would go down nicely. I hate paying to dispose of things. Feels like a massive efficiency failure on my part.
I hope I didn't miss the bag of jewels in the walls or ceiling so far... lost forever behind tiles now - or in the pocket of the tradies :D
I feel the same, like I am not clever enough to work out what to do with resources - so just dice them.
Tell me about the piles lol I find it uprising as well how much rubbish fits in the house and once installed it does not seem to take up the space :)
I've already dispatched a few containers (luckily we have a program that allows for cheaper disposal of construction junk if you are renovating a living house) ant there is another pile of wood in my backyard that needs to be disposed.
It's also mainly wood, but it makes hell for cutting as it has a lot of nails in it. And i can not use it for firewood as it has been previously painted :)
And power tools.... i am also scared of tools that make loud noises, they scream danger lol
I wonder if there is something similar here - will have to check.
The nails are an issue for sure. Most of this is untreated, but the painted stuff will have to be taken away eventually.
Perhaps it is better to have the loud sounds :D
You should, especially if you are increasing energy efficiency with the renovation. There are so many different programs you'd be surprised, but for some reason they are quite hidden to find. Like good content on Hive. There is a lot but discovery is not user friendly lol
Watch the bounce and keep your tip beyond what you are cutting. That will keep it from kicking back which gets your bits in danger. And adjust the chain before it 'really' needs it and you won't have to repeat the IQ test that has been prepared under power. Don't ask how I know these things...
Engagement is the back and forth with posts and comments, but engaged seems more to me like 'current' and 'present' when we do so. One is what we do and one is what we are (or are not).
Speaking of engaging, I'm looking forward to starting my trip this Friday. I've been sorting photos off and on through the lock down and I have a serious new appreciation for the power of them. I actually look forward to doing travel posts again. Rumor has it that Yosemite might be open for day use just about the time I am driving by. One of my favorite places, I really hope so.
You are correct that the living room is the proper place for the chainsaw. I have overhauled carburetors in the kitchen sink. Conveniently sized and shaped...
I think that I am going to have a few practice swings with it, before I go full Friday the 13th Jason. :)
I think that this is an important distinction. I see a lot of people engaging, that aren't really present, but they seem to think that making a comment is enough and no one will notice their lack of genuine interest.
Damn it! This is what I should have been doing! :D
I think that in the moment we take the photo we do not necessarily understand the importance of it to us. Later when we can reflect, the information it stores becomes apparent. I have never been to the States, but I hear that Yosemite is great - one of the benefits of large countries is the range of nature.
You sound like my brothers. :)
You need to be careful and not nervous when you handle that baby my friend.
I would feel better if you asked a friend that worked with one to show you first.
But of course, if you are like me you won't and you are probably going to give it a go yourself.
Wear safety goggles and in your case gloves and a very thick coverall.
Once you get the hang of it you can cut like me in a jeans and a T shirt :)
"Even simple home life has the potential to be great content for the audience, but in my opinion, there has to be some heart in it, something personal as well as something that people can connect with".
There you go and I like this.
To write from the heart means that one avoids the rubbish stuck in the sub-conscience. Most times we think we know how others think and feel and we write from "the outside in" instead of the "inside out". I have no better way to put this, but whenever one writes from the "inside out" many would identify with one's experiences due to the "overlap" that you are talking about!
But of course, if you are like me you won't and you are probably going to give it a go yourself.
I will start easy - a small ice sculpture or something :D
I have goggles and gloves, not sure about the coveralls though
This is an old post that looks a little into this
https://steemit.com/anhouraday/@tarazkp/pwcm7-write-from-the-heart-write-into-the-heart
Hahaha, prepare for ice splinters boet!
At least I won't need tweezers :)
😀😄😁😆😉
LoL
Have you been taking lessons from @ammonite? :D
That's not a sand castle, this is a sand castle...
Haha yeah. Start small, really small first!! :D
!ENGAGE 20
Thank you kindly!
ENGAGEtokens.Thank you @misterengagement and @tarazkp for the gift.
#PoSh
Sadly or otherwise, there also has to be some storytelling skills if you're not already interested in the person XD
We still don't have a chainsaw and with that one child in the house I prefer if stayed that way. I'm already uncomfortable with the fact we have a drill but we need the drill XD How have you been going with yours, getting through the firewood?
I think when there is heart, the story is interesting. I have listened to some immensely boring topics told be people who are otherwise boring themselves, but they love what they are telling - which makes it interesting :)
Haven't had a chance to try it yet - so far it just sits there scarily in the lounge room waiting.
Acquiring new skills. Chainsaw skills are good. I fancied the idea of trying chainsaw sculpting in wood some years ago. I worked with wood, it is a great material! Good luck!