The Knees Of A Man Twice My Age

Monday, March 17, 2008

When we built our house a few years ago, there was one space that was supposed to be left unfinished. A spare bathroom in the basement. But instead of leaving it totally unfinished a few, but not all, of the contractors did some work in there.

The drywallers put up walls that were painted but no plumbing was installed. Drains were roughed-in the concrete floor for a shower and toilet but the tiling guy just covered the floor without regard for where the toilet, shower and vanity might eventually go. In other words, in order to finish the bathroom, I have to rip out all the drywall, tear up a bunch of tile, add plumbing and generally undo all the work that shouldn't have been done in the first place.

I mean, it was very nice of them to do us what they thought was a favor. But next time guys? Just do what's on the plans. Mkay?

A while back I tore down most of the drywall and put some plumbing in place for a toilet and vanity. I even managed to get a toilet installed. And it only took me three closet flanges, twelve wax rings and two months to get it done. I'm handy like that.

Now, these many moons later, I've found the motivation to tear up the tile where the shower will be so I can begin framing in the drain pan. So Saturday I made all my measurement and cut an outline through the tile with my circular saw. Then I took my hammer an chisel and started banging away. Even my mom got in the game.

Surprisingly, it went pretty smoothly. Only one small piece of tile outside the lines was broken and it will be easily replaced. Well, almost smoothly. It seems that I'm just too damn old to spend a couple hours on my knees banging away like that. -insert your favorite Elliot Spitzer joke here- Even now, four days later I'm so sore I walk with a limp.

Seriously. Sore. From two hours sitting in exactly one spot hitting a chisel with a hammer. I will never make it to forty.

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