Posts by David Haywood
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Hopefully the first in a series of instalments of the spin-off blog we have all been waiting for: Pubic Address.
It was only my eagle eyes that prevented us from registering www.pubicaddressbooks.com -- and, of course, I'm sorry that we didn't now.
And I must say, Jolisa, that this post rather raises the bar for your claim as the biggest hedonist on Public Address. I think the next stage is upping the ante with a new byline "Busytown: Jolisa Gracewood drinks, chews tobacco, blasphemes, and wears make-up."
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Very nice writing, Sally. I laughed and then felt slightly depressed when I remembered the sorts of things one ends up doing as a teenager. Not that, in my case, of course, quite the opposite. Perhaps I should stop writing at this point.
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Ross Mason wrote:
Now about that grey water collection sytem you were going to set up?
Just investigating the possibility of diverting the grey water away from the sewerage system, and into the bush at the back of our section. That might save us from having to move out for a few days...
The Clivus Multrum?
That's such an annoying story -- you have my sympathy! I've heard several similar stories when it comes to composting toilets.
Reminds me of when I looked at installing solar water heating in 19-mumble-mumble: the local power board said that they would apply a surcharge to our electricity bill on the basis that we wouldn't use as much if our hot water was heated by solar. Devastating logic.
P.S. The hammer has had a lot of use already, I de-mortared about 200 bricks yesterday.
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Maybe Gerry has put some pressure on the council.
We've just this afternoon received a letter telling us that there's a problem with the sewer on our street, and that we're not allowed to use it. In other words: no lavatory, showers, washing, or anything else that puts water down our drains.
This could present a problem for Saturday.
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Joe Wiley: very glad to hear that you're in the arms of your whanau (but hopefully we can extract you on Saturday?).
Kris V: extremely sorry to hear about your house -- if you feel like popping in on Saturday we'd love to see you (but understand that you may prefer to spend your birthday elsewhere).
Ross Mason: superb idea! We should get Emma to christen our celebrations by smashing a champagne bottle with the hammer, "God bless this party, and all who sail in her..."
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Joe Wylie wrote:
... having spent the previous 3 nights here.
If anything else unexpected happens then just pop down the road to us, Joe. We have a spare room (recently declared earthquake-safe) with your name on it.
We'd be delighted to put you up for as long as it takes -- and, of course, Bob would be delighted to converse about Tove Jansson with you at great (not to say excessive) length.
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Ross Mason wrote:
I think I might have to put in a claim for a Kitkat from the Courier. It looks like either one was eaten or all 3 did not get there!
Hang up your phone call to the courier, Ross! I confess that a Kitkat was eaten at the letterbox -- it was that sort of morning. We felt much better immediately it was gobbled down, even though it slightly spoilt the photograph.
A string is a very fine idea; the new hammer will be equipped with string of the highest quality, I assure you.
You were going to repile anyway weren't you David.
I wish I was. One of the things I loved about the house was how straight it still was after 100 years. Whenever I was using my builder's level I would lay it along the floor just for kicks, and feel good about the foundations.
Happy memories...
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I was just inspecting my house foundations (and feeling a little glum) when this parcel was delivered by courier from PA reader Ross Mason.
It contained a hammer to replace the one that I'd dropped down the chimney, multi-grips (which Ross had telepathically ascertained that I'd broken yesterday when failing to fix my leaking HWC), some duct tape (I've used all of mine), a tube of No More Gaps for humorous effect, and some delicious Kit-Kat bars with instructions to take a break (I immediately did so).
The hammer was, in fact, much better than the one I'd dropped down the chimney (it features fancy anti-vibration technology) and I only now regret that I didn't inform Ross that I'd dropped my bench-saw and table-router down the chimney as well.
Further thanks to everyone for all your kind emails (which I'm slowly working through replying). What a nice bunch you all are -- especially Ross, of course! A very big 'thank you, dude' to him!
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giovanni tiso wrote:
Where have I heard this name before, David?
Yes, I now feel very guilty for all the jokes I've made about Darfield, and now admit that it is a beautiful place -- almost a Venice of the Southern Hemisphere (there is a certain similarity in the smell; and one can easily imagine the Darfield water-race as a network of picturesque canals).
Deborah wrote:
I want that book too. Also the piano in the illustration. You'll let us know when we can order it?
Will do. And, yes, it is a very fine piano. I think I'll ask Peter to knock me up one as well...
Feel rather cheery this morning -- just off to chainsaw down a tree that's fallen against our garage. It's hard to feel sad when you're wielding a chainsaw, I've always found.
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Judi Lapsley Miller wrote:
Consider this a pre-order!
I should've mentioned: all profits donated to a great cause (rebuilding an earthquake damaged house in Avonside, and earthquake-proofing Peter Adamson's house in Wellington).