Hanging Beams

"What are those steel toed slippers? Yeah! They must have their safety slippers on!"

We probably came a little ill prepared for this job. However in defense, we are pretty good at working in slippers (flip-flops). I haven't worn any shoes other than slippers since I've gotten here and for the most part no shirt either. No shirt no shoes no problem. 

After pouring a small concrete slab in the morning, Andy, Gio, and I went over to a friend'a house to help hang their rafter beams on their second story extension. Our friend Princess (a nickname given by Gio) and her husband have a house on five acres over looking a river surrounded by old tarot fields. Coconut trees sporadically dot the old tarot fields that are surrounded by the lurking canopies of the dense jungle. It's a tranquil place that is only interrupted by the bleats of their goats. 

In the heat of the day we began to work. Gio hating the sun hides under his hat and long sleeve shirt as we got directions for the task at hand. Among the stack of building materials were four thirty foot beams. Our task was to get them from the ground to where they belonged three stories up.

Setting the beams three stories up. 

On the second story we use a come along and guide ropes to lift each beam individually. As the beams are cranked up the side of the house, the beams are just feet away from the old house and one mistake could do thousands of dollars in damage. It was a slow task as we tried to keep the beams from swinging like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. Beads of sweat dripped down my body not from the heat but from the stress of moving the beams.

As we got the beams hoisted to the second story, we then picked them up to bolt them into the third story. I was more than thankful that we got the beams into place without anything going wrong. Even if a slipper or two slipped off. 

Leaving the job site. 

Wax on, Wax Off

With the continuous drone of the palm sander in the background mixed in with the happy beats of reggae music, I can't help but think of the Karate Kid.

"Wax on, wax off. Up, down. Up, down. Smooth motion."

Since the surf hasn't been good the last couple of days I've been putting in some time working. I've needed the time away from the ocean anyways. The reef has been like a cheese grater to my body and spending more time in the salt water prolongs the healing process. 

First broken board :(

The reef always wins. 

Currently I'm helping to build a place that is in the stages of having the interior painted and finished. It's no more than 100 square feet with a bedroom, deck, and bar overlooking the vast amount of jungle. It's a sweet little zone and I'm always intrigued on how Gio ties in things that people are going to throw away. For example he will take old fencing and make shelves, fishing net for trellises, bathtubs for delicate ponds, or left over tile for mosaic designs. He has taken reduce, reuse, and recycle to heart.

What we lose in fuel efficiency we gain in packing efficincy. Recycled roofing used for fences. 

It's a work in progress. 

Already moving furniture in. The end is in sight. 

View of the jungle from the bedroom. 

The kitchen. 

While I've done a little painting before, it has been a great experience learning how to roll paint on smooth without any shadows or drips. My sensei I guess you would say is a man by the name of Andy who apprenticed in landscape architecture and building design. He has been building homes for thirty years and has done it all over the world - from Europe to Indo. To have his guidance is pretty awesome. 

Between talking about how to create environmental homes and living a healthier life style, he often comes and checks my work to critique it. He then gives me a couple of pointers and lets me get back to work. The best part is that even if I do it right the first time, I still get to paint it again for a second, third, and fourth coat.

Practice. Practice. Practice. "Wax on, wax off. Up, down. Up, down."