Binkomonster!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaangez.

Turn and face the strange chaaanges...eh. Yes, Mr. Bowie certainly got that one right. Funny how those lyrics seem to stand and persevere through time. Anyhoo. Changes of all kinds at the Binkomonster homestead. The short of it?
1. Our CTO is now off and searching actively for his next big adventure having been removed of his shackles to 'tha man'.
2. The Veepee passed the 10 month mark in office. And is marking the occasion by growing more teeth. Yes, up to 4 now. And he knows how to use them. 
3. We are updating the VeePees office with a new and more streamlined workspace. Which of course is going to take 16 weeks to get here because we've chosen something from (where else?) Italy. Sigh. As they say, good things come to those who wait. And as Inigo said (in the Princess Bride) "I hate waiting".
The long of it?
The LG washer and dryer FINALLY got replaced. And LG? Let us tell you something collectively. Your products STINK. Actually, they do worse than that. But we don't want to offend our more sensitive readers. From the dryer that left black 'skid marks' on our nice sheets, to the mold in the washer that would NEVER GO AWAY (yep, tried clorox, tilex, everything toxic you could possibly think of), your products just... ugh. Words fail us, and the heartburn takes over.  The plan was to replace the existing crud with a Miele set, but unfortunately, Miele still thinks the economy is going well and people have 3000sq ft mansions to be able to accomodate side-by-side appliances. Newsflash? Smaller is better, and it is becoming more the norm now. Stackables Miele, stackables. Hence, we were then faced with having to with the Electrolux Wavetouch. Which is now installed and setup correctly. For good. The bad news? The leak we had been living with got much worse. Causing small floods in the Binkomonster building (not good). So that had to be repaired (along with the not so good install job done by the delivery service). Well, after waaaaaay too much moolah. Its all fixed. Valves replaced. New box junction. New pipes. Floor cleaned. Wall taped up. And most importantly? No leak, and a washer that functions with no mold, and a dryer that doesnt leave mysterious stains on our clothing or bedding. That part feels very good. The other part (what it took to get there), does not. One weekend of strong cocktails should help us get over it. In the meantime, the flurry of activity for 'tha other man' (the one holding the shackles to the CTO's wrists) is starting to subside, but another roller coaster push is coming. So time to grab a nap, get the busy paperwork stuff done, and prepare for that next wave. All we want this weekend? (Which will mark the first Mother's Day for our CTO) Sleep. Sleep and a good breakfast. And maybe some time on the beach.

The Complete Rewiring of the Castle

It is turning out to be an insane week. One that we had known was coming, but it doesn't reduce the hand-wringing any. The new bathroom fan has been installed and the ceiling painted/plastered. The chandelier is up and shining away. Today? Our old Ikea Billy cabinets and flower frosted glass doors are being ever so carefully carted away, to be replaced by our new Poliform storage/sliding glass door homage to beautiful Italian design. Yippee. Really. And tomorrow, the Bose installer people come. To rip holes in the ceilings and walls so that we can mount the surround sound and hide every irritating and visible wire. Mess. From top to bottom. Our painter/wall and hole repairer will be hot on the heels of the said-speaker installers to start patching/sanding and priming... and then Saturday will be the 'big paint'. Ceiling, living room wall and door, and bedroom. More mess. Wish we had an army of house-elves ready with vacuum, mop and rags ready, but unfortunately, the cleaning staff = CTO and CEO respectively. But like anything, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is just a little farther than we'd like. Only two more major renovations to go. The entryway storage system (January), and hardwood floors in the study (also January/February). And then? Then apart from the CEO's bathroom (for which we've just given up on timeline), we're DONE! Nothing to do but sit around and admire the surroundings and keep them all nice and tidy. We've even remodeled the offices of our 4 furry staff members. No longer is the landing space on our 2nd floor going to be tied up with a tiered scratching post/cubby. Nope. Got some Cat Habitat squares mounted (looking great) for exercising those claws. And on the 3rd floor we've replaced their lookout tower with a much more elegant design. 4 levels. Natural birch wood. Scratching surfaces and a cubby to hide in. Nervousness all around at the changes, but pictures are coming (we promise). After all the dust has settled and been vacuumed away.

Monday is here. And we Miss Shag!

 

What a weekend. That man in the picture? Yah, that would be *Shag*. Also known as Josh Agle. The artist whose work adorns the walls of the Binko-castle. And funny enough, that picture you see over his right shoulder [The Discerning Guests]? Yah, that's now hanging in the Binkomonster Dining Room.  Big and multiple *YIPPEE's*. Major things afoot at the Bink-Shack this week. Our CEO is gearing up to install hardwood floors on level 2. This is the quiet before the storm of getting dirty, dusty, and into disarray.  Our patio has been redone for the umpteenth time. But we now have a comfy couch, comfy blankets, custom lighting, ipod player, heater, candles, herb garden, and trees/jungle all in one planter. And underneath our collective feet, an incredibly comfy wool rug from IKEA that should stand up to the 4 seasons of SF. Oh and did we tell you about the new weather station? Wind speed, 3 day forecast, humidity, UV index, 24 hour weather updates.... (as you slap your collective hands to your foreheads... yes, we like to geek out the castle, and we believe in not only great cocktails, but the perfect environs within which to kick back).  Oh and lest we forget,  tonight's episode is being blogged on said patio and brought to you by Treana wine. It is helping to put out the fires of the green curry dish we are about to pour down our gullets. (Hot! Hot! Hot!) Ahem.  We digress from the task of relaying our adventures these past few weeks. This weekend was mostly a blur because of Mr. Agle's visit to the SF area. What we do remember is that he was incredibly gracious and mild mannered (but then a Superhero of his ilk would be right?) And we drowned our sorrows at not being able to purchase anything at said show (because EVERYTHING was already sold) by doing some Ebay'ing and Craigslist-sleuthing.  Which then turned up a wonderful opportunity to snag some more Shag. Heh. Most of it is up on the walls. But there are two pieces awaiting framing, and we've got that on our to-do list prior to the week ending. Otherwise it's been a blur of Maker Faire, a visit up to Auberge in Napa, a date to see the latest installment of the Pirates movie, and most importantly, a visit to Crushpad to see our wine go INTO THE BOTTLES.  Yes, the hordes are massing in anticipation as our lovely elixir enters the final stages of completion. Just the labels left to affix, and then.. well... (hiccup).. then I guess, it is us vs 25 cases. Place your bets now.