week #6

[mellowtigger]

Today completes my first "big boy" week, on my own the whole time doing the job expected of me. Luckily, it was mostly slow, so I was able to type up stuff in between calls. I didn't get too rushed until today. I still don't know how accurate I'm being, but I am feeling more comfortable at the controls, so to speak. I just wish my stomach would stop clenching when I think about the job after work hours.

A head honcho had to send an email addressing worries about budget shortfalls and potential layoffs. *sigh*

I went ahead after work and spent a few hours painting primer on my front steps. I scraped by hand a few more points, but mostly it was as I photographed it yesterday. It was hot for Minneapolis at 33C/91F, but nothing like what Texas and old Mexico are experiencing right now.

I thought it went okay until I finally finished painting. Then I realized that whatever solvent it takes to wash away oil-based paint/primer, I didn't have any. So my paintbrush, hands, and clothes are still messy. *sigh*

I still need to buy a dark blue paint to put over the primer layer. I'm definitely thinking this job would be better done by somebody with the proper experience and tools. I may have to ask somebody for a quote to see how much it would cost to pay them to do all of the house trim.

Comments

[scrottie]

Minnesota summers as I remember them are often muggy. But yeah. Hard to complain.

Funny how head honchos trying to allay fears has about zero credibility.

Doing a lot of epoxy etc work, kinda came to the conclusion that it isn't worth it trying to clean brushes. If you have nice art brushes, that may be a different story. Otherwise, the solvents are worse than not re-using the brush. Have boxes of $1 single use brushes. And old dedicated clothes for painting and epoxy. But also ruined a favorite shirt a long time ago when a temp job sent me to clean printing press plates so can understand just wanting to be able to get stuff out of your clothes if you don't have a painter's suit.

Disagree on experience and tools. Slapping a fresh coat of paint on as needed is 90% of it. People often don't do that out of fear that it won't be good enough or that there's some magic involved. Professional painters will rush the job a lot more than you will. Sometimes it's educational to watch commercial outfits do it once as a kind of point of reference but if anything that should dispel the magic. If you buy the top tier paint and you primed like you did, your version will probably come out better.

As with everything, love is the secret ingredient. Giving the house a little love is all there is.

[mellowtigger]

Thanks for this encouragement. I'll continue with my own efforts for now, I think. :)

P.S. I walked to the store and bought 2 cans of dark blue paint. It took a while for the helpful paint guy to mix them. On the way back home, I passed a guy older than me who asked if I was painting indoors or out. I said outside, and he shook his head and said "Whew". It'll be slightly hotter today than yesterday, and I'm already sweating just from walking outdoors. I'll wait until tomorrow morning to paint the steps, when I can do it in the shade. I noticed on the way home that almost every house that looks better than mine has metal trim instead of bare wood/paint. Maybe that's the better long term solution that requires money. For now... I paint.

[kathmandu]

Congratulations on making it through the week!

Painting sounds like a good physical activity to take your mind off the job.