Ok, so an update on where we are as of today.
I was chillin in our LAN party IRC channel, and mentioned to one of the gamers that I was gettin ready to rock the garage. He offered to help, so I was like FUCK YES! Well, as we were discussing what needed to be done in the garage, it became 1000 times more involved. Long story short, my garage is 2' higher on the garage door side than it is on the opposite side. And 35 years ago when the house was built, smoking weed must have been legal cuz the dipshits ran 2x6 joists from one side to the other - ON A SLANT! So my buddy tells me "Hell man - my dad and I will mob out there and we'll bang it out in a day." Come to find out, his dad is a journeyman framer, turned Super Intendent <sp?> for some large contracting firm. Dope! Well, I score some materials - 2x6's, 2x4's, drywall screws, etc etc. Today was to be the day.
They showed up at 8:15 or so - truck loaded down w/ ladders, air nailers, saws, and an extra body to help out w/ the work! After assessing the situation (and some pretty obvious 'wtf have I gotten myself into' groaning), we set up shop. With the garage virtually empty, they set up ladders, and started hacking away. As they worked, my buddy Acelefty and I headed to the Depot to pick up some rock - 20 sheets of 1/2" (yeah, I'm a pussy) for the ceiling - $153 (unF)!!! We got back, and the boys had been bustin some ass in here. After working for about 5 1/2 hours, we were just about done. Long story short, we got the 4 existing joists leveled out, and added 6 more, ran nailers for the drywall all around the room, and had 10 furring strips up to compensate for the 2' drop. By the time we got the last piece of wood nailed up, it was painfully apparent that there was NO way in hell we were gonna rock this place up today. I was completely good with it too. Just as we were getting done cleaning up, the wife came thru like a champ with about 40 lbs of taco fixins. A few beers and a dozen or so tacos later, all seemed right with the world. Keith (my buddies dad) said for me to take back the drywall we bought, and that he'd be back in 2 weeks with a truckload of the stuff so we can bang it out....de gratis!
So as it stands now, I have the electrical about 90% done. Still need to install the track lighting, ceiling fan, and 15amp outlet for the margy machine and coffee maker (yeah, I know - but they're both insdustrial models that need MOAR POWAR!). I have to run about 4 more coax leads for future entertainment possibilities. I'm also gonna plumb it up for Cat5e - cuz gigabit is the ONLY way to go for a wired connection. Drywall will happen in a couple of weeks, so I have a little time on the aforementioned tasks. Once the drywall is done, I'm gonna paint, then lay carpet. Moddy's Casino and Grubhouse should be ready to hold it's first game since the remodel
As Keith was leaving, I gave him $300 and his buddy $100. They flat out REFUSED it. WTF? You come here on YOUR day off, bring your buddy, and work your asses off. Unacceptable. Reluctantly they took the cash - but I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Pictures will be posted at a later date, as my camera is all the way in the house - and I'm so fucking tired right now that I can barely hold this beer.
