My co-conspiritor, Rob

My brother is in town this week and we’ve found ourselves at my house sans roommates. Such an opportunity is not to be missed– rare are the times when one can decorate regardless of other’s tastes– or lack thereof, especially in regards to U2 paraphernalia.

Bikes, complements of Davis.

We first took it upon ourselves to rid the entryway of an excess of bikes. Instead of screaming HEALTH, they oddly scream “Batch Pad, Minus 10,” clearly unacceptable. We’ve hung them like bats in the belfry in a corner of the dining area. They now scream “Sweet Batch Pad with Super Cool Single Guy(s)… plus 15!”

Not to be spent so easily, we installed a programmable thermostat so I can effortlessly keep the house cold all the time– not just when I’m at home! This one has biometric recognition so only I can program it. Haha.

Beneath the bikes lay 6 months of dust, and our fashionable carpet hadn’t been cared for since Dan cleaned it at Ferne Gully. I took it upon myself to provide a decent vacuum cleaner for the house. This one works without a bag. Upon vacuuming my room, the container was completely full of dust and debris. I’ll drink to a healthier life without dust!

Coffee tree from Tom Kilpatrick, now flourishing in Charlottesville

Not a shabby way to spend a Friday night. Granted, not the best way either, but the end result is amazing. The den is now livable and the rest of the house awaits the same conquering. What will become of this house now that people might actually want to live here?

When we completed the cleaning/decoration, we watched Public Enemies. Depp did wonderfully as usual, but the flick left one feeling, well, that crime just doesn’t pay. A definite change from the usual Italian Job style shoot ‘em up where the bad guys are the thieves stealing from the thieves, and the original owners are happily left out altogether.

“Books and Shoes”

I packed my bags

and accidently put my books

and shoes into one duffel.

I worried that the shoes might dirty

the books, but it seemed right

for books tell you where to go

and shoes take you there.