The Boilover

I found this over the weekend, it’s actually something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’ll make my own someday…

Despite working in real estate, I actually went to school for botany (science nerd alert). Every now and again I get the chance to play in the dirt like the good ‘ol days…

As much love as I have for the city, I would go crazy if I couldn’t escape to nature every now and again. Mountain biking, disc golf, just a walk through the woods–I need to get away here and there. Some days that just doesn’t happen, and that’s where a little greenery in the city can help soften the hard lines and times of the concrete jungle. The pictures here are from the model unit in the Gateway building, where I was tasked with putting together some plant material to liven up the roof deck. Every morning I’m afforded the luxury of walking over to water the planters, and I have to be honest, it’s a very relaxing way to start my day. It takes me back to my college days of wandering the rows of the greenhouse watering and pruning (and I didn’t even work there, I just did it for fun). It’s a reminder that despite everything going on around us, there can be a simple existence involving nothing more than sun, water, soil and some photosynthesis (although remembering cell bio, there is nothing simple about it =).

And let’s not forget, soil bacteria can make you happy!

4 is an interesting number when it comes to Race St.

It’s the number of bottles of water/gatorade I go through on an average work day.

It’s the number of electric meters that divide up the space.

It’s also the number of toilet connections on the 1st floor! I haven’t done much research into the history of the building, but going by all the sanitary lines I would guess it was most recently a shit factory.

1 line is actually back near the garage in a little room no one would really want to spend any time in, and it’s been covered for some time (though it could be used again). The other three sit in the former retail space, one of which is in an actual bathroom (original tin ceiling in there, tile floor and walls, etc) while the other two are in makeshift bathrooms that were built in a very hasty manner. Only one of these currently had a toilet set on it.

The good bathroom......I said tile, I didn't say pretty

The tin ceiling

The tiled bathroom is tucked in the back corner of the space, but if you flushed that toilet water came out the underside (ewwww). So before I ripped out the one in the middle of the space (literally, terrible spot) I needed to reset the rear toilet.

With the toilet off it was readily apparent the wax ring was destroyed, so I cleaned the floor, bought a new ring, and somehow reset the thing by myself…I imagine it’s way easier with two people….

With that set I was able to cut the other sanitary lines out and remove the other toilet from up front.

Progress….it can be a shitty thing….

I have a lot of close and dear friends that live up in Columbus. I know they’re good friends because they constantly harass me to move up there. While I enjoy their company and visiting their city, I’m much more partial to Cincinnati, and the local geography is a big part of it.

You see, we have one thing Columbus does not that is pretty irrefutable….hills. Not only are they great for running and biking, but they provide some pretty stellar views.

Someone call Duke and get that transformer out of there

Come July 4th those hills can give you a wide angled scene of dozens of fireworks shows, the likes of which I’ve only experienced on the top of a 34 story building in Chicago.

It will also give you a view of the fire that started across town (remember kids, booze and fireworks don’t mix well [actually they do, except that one time...])

If you live tucked into a hillside with a view of the basin, you are required to have a telescope. I looked into the one sitting on the top floor of our hosts’ house to find it aimed perfectly down Main St.

This is the point where I need a better camera, or at least a tripod. But I think you’ll get the idea.

As cool as fireworks are, it’s not really a party until someone brings out the sparklers.

A little puppy love also added to a great time.

Guard dog that knows what's really valuable...beer

To our hosts that evening, thank you very much, I know I had a blast, and everyone else sure looked like they were having fun as well! In fact I’m pretty sure the right phrase was on display in your house….

That’s bumper sticker material, but I’m not in my car that much. It’s more like the shirt I should wear out on weekend nights.

I remember being 15, on my bike, tooling around in the driveway for hours.

Wheelies, endos, bunny hops, hell just practicing track stands….

I’m a bit older now, and I don’t confine myself to the driveway anymore…instead I just pick spots in the city to play around.

Don’t get me wrong, I love going out and socializing, and bars can be fun on a weekend night….

….but I’m just as happy on two wheels.