Old house new

Next week we will be moving house, but due to the potential issues with getting materials, we are trying to organize as much as we possibly can as early as possible. This is far from easy, as it requires getting contractors in, which is a bit of a challenge currently.

Today though, we had a guy walk through with us (we arranged with the ex-owners who have almost moved completely) and had a look at what we are planning on doing, and what is actually possible. We are on a shoestring budget, so compromises will have to be made.

There is a lot to do and therefore, many compromises.

I took this picture of @smallsteps on the basement stairs. The basement is currently cold, but we are planning on heating it if we possibly can. We have to change the entire heating system and that gives us the chance to put in floor heating in a few areas quite "easily", which doesn't necessarily mean cheaply. But, with the loan stipulation meaning we need to get it above a certain evaluation in a short period of time, it is likely we will do our best to get it done - as it will immediately add value to the home.

Speaking of the loan, due to extraordinary circumstances, we might be able to extend the short time frame we have so that we can get a little bit more time. If we can stretch it into 2021, it will mean that we may be able to push some of the work to next year and take advantage of tax breaks. While not a huge amount, every little bit means something.

As I walked through the near empty house, I was visualizing what it could be given the time and materials, meaning also the resources to do it well. I am still hopeful that crypto will be able to help out in this in some way, but I do not pin my hopes on this, as this is much more lottery than investment at this point. However, it would be nice to be able to have all my sweat turned into parts of my home and be able to walk through and hodl something tangible.

As I have said before, because I have never used any of my digital earnings in the real world, a lot of this is unreal for me. It has to become real one day though, otherwise the investment side of it becomes irrelevant, as investments have to have practical value with what they return. There is not much more practical than building a roof over the head of one's family.

I am really looking forward to getting in there and started, but currently there are just so many things going on that it does seem a little daunting. Yesterday, I did a 17 hour work day plus writing and there will be very little foreseeable letup to come and then, there is the added pressure of being largely house-bound and working with makeshift equipment and processes to get normal tasks accomplished.

What I am glad about though, is that while the tasks are daunting in their size, small actions will lead onto the large and eventually, we will have built our home through what might be one of the most turbulent global conditions for a very long time. While I hope it isn't the case, I think things are going to get worse before they improve and subsequently, a lot of people are going to suffer, some of whom have never suffered before. People act poorly under pressure, be prepared.

For now though, I am appreciative that I have the ability to "self-medicate" through my writing in order to relieve some of the pressures of the daily grind and give me the energy to move forward. I commented today that personal essay writing should be a part of the education system, as I believe that the process of refection would add enormous value to people's lives. I find it interesting how some people seem to focus only on the negatives of experience and then wonder why they feel bad so often. Perhaps thy should spend a little more time on the solution side of the equation.

That takes skill and work though - two things that people seem unwilling to invest into and choose easy instead. Upcoming life isn't going to be easy, and it will be harder for those who have been taking it easy until now. Hopefully, this latest crush will give people something to reflect upon, but I predict that it will be mostly met with the search for someone and something to blame.

Like normal.

Taraz
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