When the cat is away, the mouse will do lots and lots of errands!!!

After being a dad for 18 months now, I've had a completely new experience: the house to myself! Lisa and Soren went to Seattle to visit friends for the better part of a week. Which means that while they are lazing around eating cupcakes and walking by something called "The Ocean," I'll be here all alone. Can you believe it? Leaving me to preside over the opulent Fairfax Palace?

Hmmm-- a week of Bachelorhood... You might think i'm running amok, sleeping in, drinking lots of beer, taking lots of naps, watching movies, playing video games, going out with friends. That's what a renewed bachelor would do, right? WRONG!!!

Before Lisa left, I made a massive To-Do list, including all the chores i would try to do in their absence! I don't take much solace in sitting around being boring. I'd rather work. I am an Earth Horse, after all, and a Capricorn to boot. Translation: I LOVE to work. Quiet, persistent, constant work. Love it.

Observe:

Here is the first version of my list.
Note that this doesn't exactly cover homework, which is a whole different "To Do" list.

#9) Laundry.
Washing my newly-found jacket, sweatshirt, and shirts! Also finishing up diapers and clothes.
Fold fold fold.

#8) Mirror and timer.
Installing the mirror so as to make our entryway more welcoming (Excellent advice, Martha Stewart).
Note also the new timer hooked up to the red lamp. Automatically turns it on before piano lessons and off before Soren's bedtime.
Oh yes.

#7) Emptied Kitty Litter.
Just kidding. Cleaned out the compost.
We keep our compost in here. You fancy compost bins can go jump in a lake.

#6) Super glue frenzy.
Glued broken colander. Glued broken 1/3 cup measuring cup.
Given my severe aversion to super glue, this is a huge feat.
Seriously, if someone ever captured me to try to pry American secrets out of me, all they'd have to do is super glue my fingers together. I'd start crying like a baby.
I HATE super glue.

#5) Organized tools.
Relocated some orphan tools. Organized our tool shelf some. Hooked up our latent land line phone.

#4) Taped off exposed asbestos.
I am supremely proud of myself for this! Wore a handkerchief over my mouth (probably not as good as a respirator...) and tore short strips of duct tape. It took me much longer than Ithought, but it is good knowing that asbestos is no longer lurking about, ready to be inhaled.

#3) Fixed heater noise.
Fixed a "ghost in the machine" transformer hum in our heater.
Again, totally excited about this. When Lisa and I sit at our table, we would hear an obnoxious humming note as we tried to sit and enjoy our dessert. To a pair of musicians, this is tantamount to Chinese water torture.
Hum solved. BAM!!!

#2) Bottled up homemade Kombucha.
Not an "errand" per se, but I am extremely proud and excited to taste my first batch of home-brewed Kombucha! I know, right... I'm completely becoming a hippie. I now brew cultured tea in my pantry. I have a jar with a weird mushroom thing floating in it. Next will be stewed monkey heads.
Soren, this is my apology in advance: Sorry I am so weird.

*Not shown: Clean up kitchen, and wash 2 sets of dishes.

#1) Turn in long-overdue Japanese homework.
I am not even close to being done on this, but it was a good step in the right direction.

and....

#)x Surprise errand.
Did something for Lisa that I can't post here in case she's checking this!! Hee hee. Let's just say that when she comes back from Seattle, she will have a surprise awaiting her. A GOOD surprise.

Mwa hah hah!!! And the tasks continue...

On the agenda for tomorrow:
1) Japanese homework.
2) Visit Cincinnati Zen Center with Jason.
3) Art History homework.
4) Clean bathrooms.
5) Install new caulk in upstairs bathroom.
6) Plant bulbs in front yard.
7) Mow lawn/rake leaves.
8) Make Mexican wedding cookies for Art History clan.
9) Host Art History clan and study for Quiz.
10) Read about home buying.
11) Grade papers for Visual Fundamentals.
12) Record more music.
13) Read Contemporary Art assignments.
14) Feel lonesome...