I ended up shopping today for work-related things (meaning, definitely the un-fun variety) and doing one thing that I never expected to do, which was to buy 100 yards of burlap. Strangely enough, it was for a concrete pour we're doing tomorrow. The client wanted something unique for a finish for the patio we were pouring a week ago, but he didn't want a "stamped" design, nothing that specific. Just some texture in the concrete to keep it from being too slick, since this was for a patio adjacent to a pool area. Carl had the idea to overlay burlap on it -- you put it on there when the concrete is floated out, but still wet. You "float" out the burlap (i.e., you run a bullfloat over it and essentially press the burlap slightly down into the concrete), then wait a little while, then pull the burlap off before the concrete hardens so much that it won't come off. It turned out quite pretty, and it's going to be gorgeous when it's stained later. The client was so happy, he decided he wanted all of the other concrete (the area around the pool, a big walkway, and another patio area) all done the same. The pour is scheduled for in the morning, so I was buying 100 yards of the stuff today. The people at the material store weren't exactly sure I wasn't going out and smoking the stuff, given the expressions they gave me as I put bolt after bolt of burlap up on the table to be measured.
Next, I got to visit with ever-wonderful Otto as he was traveling through Baton Rouge this afternoon on his way to New Orleans. It's so terrific to see him -- it's been something like three years, I think. (Otto doesn't update often on that blog I just linked to, but his writing is stellar -- you should bookmark it and check it out.) We talked a lot about kids and locations / living expenses, and photos, because Otto is a terrific photographer, and before he left, he showed me his new digital SLR Canon, which I totally lusted after and tried not to drool too much, but wow, that made me want one. I know Tamar just got the Rebel too, and man, I want one a digital SLR with a fierceness. Unfortunately, they are not giving them away and I have other things I have to do before I splurge, but maybe by Christmas. (sigh, yearn yearn yearn)
Posted by toni at July 25, 2004 11:49 PM