karl.tsakos.us/blog

The view from the top.

Archive for December, 2007

Published by Karl on 12 Dec 2007

3 Days to go…

Dang, forgot to write an entry for today.

So, spent the day doing some major work that will go unnoticed. I cleaned the refrigerator. Took a long time and was a bit of a pain to do. But in the end, even I don’t recognize it. No really, I can’t find it now. Ha ha, just kidding. But it does look pretty good for a secondhand refrigerator.

I obviously took this opportunity to reorganize the shelves. I was reminded as I did so what I dislike about this fridge; top freezer. It makes it hard to see what is on the upper shelves of the refrigerator. So, I did my best in spacing them so I will be able to see what’s on them.

I also spent the day baking bread. Quite uneventful. I haven’t tasted it, but my loaves came out a lot smaller then I wanted. And because my apartment is cold, I don’t think they rose to where they should have been. But hey, I’m impatient and I wanted to try out the oven. It works and my bread is embarrassingly small. Well, not that bad. Anyhow, it probably has to do with me not adding enough flour. But I will blame everything else. It is my way.

Published by Karl on 11 Dec 2007

The Junkmen Cometh

Okay, they get a shout-out. 1-800-GOT-JUNK lives up to their reputation. Their crews are polite, their trucks clean, they arrive within the timeframe they say they will, and best of all they remove all of your junk.

I live on the third floor of a walkup and have accumulated junk over the last 12-plus years. Old computers and monitors ($10 extra for each monitor), stereo equipment, construction debris, drywall (extra fee for that because it’s denser), 2x4s, and household junk. They take it all without complaining. And for my part, I did what their website said to do; I relaxed and let them go about their business.

Let me start at the beginning. I scheduled them on line for the following day. Their website is clean and easy to navigate. I went back later that day, saw an earlier time was available and rescheduled for then. I wound up calling them in the morning because I misunderstood the time they would arrive, but the person on the other end of the phone had all the details and once he started explaining I basically was in an embarrassed hurry to get off the phone.

The guys called on their way and again when they arrived. I let them in and showed them the junk. They read me their billing structure and what would cost me extra (see above). Then they set about hauling he stuff down the stairs. Now, they said it wasn’t so bad, but it was clear to me they had underestimated my ability to accumulate crap. It took them longer then even I thought it would and they took two breaks in the middle.

At one point another figure appeared in my doorway. It turned out to be my landlord. First time in over a year he had come up stairs. He was curious because of all the noise. A lot of thumping and clanging. I should mention I am located above his place of business. So I certainty understand his concern.

Back to the re-movers. The only stumbling point with them was that it appeared they were trying to leave without the cleanup part of the job which is clearly advertised on the site as part of the work to be done. I asked them about it before taking the last item and they said yes they would clean. They approached me with the bill and again explained the final charges. They both stood there. I started to write the check and they both stood there. I overheard the one gentleman whispering to the other to get the cleaning supplies. He didn’t really go anywhere. So, I gave them the check. They said happy holidays and I said I would see them in a moment when they came back up. It was only when they had started the cleanup that I gave them their tip. I think they knew I was holding out till they came back.

All things said, I think they did a terrific job and I will be using them again as I still have another room to clean out. I would certainty recommend them to anyone with junk removal needs.

Published by Karl on 11 Dec 2007

4 Days to go…

A personal blog by definition is a very self absorbed thing. The fact that a person believes others want to know what is going on in their mundane life is a little egotistical indeed. And I am no different. Look back at what I have said to date. Yeah, I think it’s kind of lame too. Eventually I hope to find my voice and a theme about which I will pontificate. (Read those last sentances, all about me again.)

That being said, it’s only fair that I acknowledge someone else who has been helping me with the big ticket items on this cleanup project. Really, without his help, my back wouldn’t be functioning right now. That person is Dave. You can read more about him at his blog the Subway-Rambler. There you can read all about his self absorbed rants (often more interesting then mine).

So today’s docket includes a pickup from the junk guys who will get a shout-out if they are as good as their advertising. More general cleaning and reorganizing. Maybe a haircut and some shopping. Then I think it’s down to brass tacks to get the floors cleaned and the bathroom revamped. Oh, and a business call for work in the middle of the day. (I said I would be available.)

Perhaps when it is all done you will be treated to some pictures of my pad in it’s new, cleaned, organized state. Maybe.

Published by Karl on 10 Dec 2007

German Apple Pancake

Ugh. I’m stuffed. I think these pancakes are designed for 2 or more people. Two people get large servings. I just ate one by myself. Well I had to, new range and all.
New range

The reason these pancakes are so filling is the face that the recipe starts with three large granny smith apples and then adds more on top of that. I don’t usually eat three apples in two days time, let alone one.
Cooking the apples

The apples are sautéed in butter with brown sugar until golden, and then the batter is added. The whole concoction is then placed in the oven for between 15 and 20 minutes.
German Apple Pancake

When removed from the oven, it is flipped out onto a plate. Serve it topped with maple syrup. You just can’t go wrong with one of these. Well, you can if you’re expecting a buttermilk pancake. These have a hearty eggy flavor regular pancakes don’t have. Not too surprising considering they have 2 eggs in them.

Well anyhow, I think break time is over. I need to get back o work and try to burn some of that rich appley, eggy goodness off.

Published by Karl on 10 Dec 2007

5 Days to go…

Yesterday, I accomplished most of the planned tasks. I finished the books and DVDs this morning.

The new range was just installed. I will be christening it shortly with a german apple pancake. A delicious recipe using both the stove top and the oven so it will put the entire appliance through it’s paces.

I have spent the morning rearranging some more, and cleaning some more. No major rearranging of things yet today. Now I will schedule the men to come to remove junk. That will open up a lot of space in the outer and inner entry way. I will also empty a closet I need to store things but is currently full of, well, junk.

Stay tuned, more to come.

Published by Karl on 09 Dec 2007

6 Days to go…

On today’s docket are:

  • Home repairs
  • Organizin books and DVDs
  • Making way for the range delivery guys
  • Delivering some stuff to my mother

In addition I might:

  • Start preping the bathroom for painting
  • Clean the Kitchen floor
  • Those last items are extra incase I finish everything else.

    It’s going to be a long week.

Published by Karl on 08 Dec 2007

And that’s why…

  • Mistake #1) Agree to host a party. (Okay, not a mistake, but a setup for the next line.)
  • Mistake #2) Blog about it.

Resulting disclaimer ensues:

The party I am hosting is indeed most likely the first I have thrown in 10 years. Throwing parties is not something that comes naturally to me (as with cleaning). When my Rockland friends requested I do, it was with the realization of what lay ahead (see my previous blog entry) that hesitantly I agreed.

My other friends should not feel slighted by me if not invited. The Rockland friends are a close knit group who have been friends since high school. I am honored that I have been adopted by them as one of their own. And as such, I would not feel right changing the structure of a gathering they initiated.

However other friends, rejoice! For a clean and functional apartment means I’m more likely to have others over for gatherings. I can see dinner parties in the future. I have been a free loader for too long, and that has to change. I promise, I will become a good citizen/friend.

This entry is in many ways a response to the first comment (in case anyone else comments [HA!]) to my last blog entry. The biggest thing I am taking from that comment is that I have 3 confirmed blog readers which is one third more then I though I had! Oh, and that my friend (whose home is spotless) likes old electronics too.

“Shaunian,” next time you’re over, remind me to show you my tube tester. No, really, an electronic tube tester. Get your mind out of the gutter.

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