Stepping into the Empty Space

OK, so between our benefit, Halloween and my desire to see EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF ENTOURAGE EVER FILMED, I have not been writing about progress at the new space, and there has been amazing, astonishing progress. So, here's a quick recap of what happening in our build out:

Week 3-4

This week was mainly about pouring the new concrete for the floor. The final amount, which had been quoted at $21,000 ended up being about $19,000 of which $4,000 was already budgeted so it could have been worse. When the space was clear, the concrete truck came, a sight that delighted my four year old daughter although the noise scared her a little. You pay for the materials, but you also pay for the truck hourly, and given the subcontractor's desire to limit the truck's time, I assume that portion is non-trivial. The truck poured concrete into the bobcat, which then drove it into place and dumped it. The concrete was then shovelled into place by one team, followed by two other guys who specialialized in smoothing it out. I asked if I could write my name in it, and the GC got a pained look and whispered, "wait till these guys leave." They work really hard to smooth it out perfectly, and then some asshole comes along with a sharp stick. Fair enough.

Good food, fine drink and elves

Our annual bbq was this weekend and was a blast. In addition to some truly fantastic food and drink donated by Cooper's and Joey's Brickhouse (if you haven't eaten with our new neighbors, you should make plans immediately), we had a truly hysterical presentation by two of our former performers from The Santaland Diaries. Mitchell Fain and Lance Baker recounting bits from their years of performing our little sketch.