What could be more tedious than hearing about other people's dreams? Hearing about their home renovations. Has that ever deterred me? No. This, then, is my old kitchen. I know you all thought it was actually some dreadful serial killer's house, did you not?
It was alarming to encounter my kitchen in this state. The ceiling was gone. There were wires dangling and exposed rafters and lots of exposed brick. I would close my eyes to sleep only to have this image etched on my eyelids. I was so worked up about it all that the only thing I could do on the first night was to shovel cheese and crackers into my mouth like a machine. Swilled down with the occasional gin. My stomach was in knots. There was no turning back now. There is no turning back now.
Of course I catastrophised about the builders fleeing under cover of darkness and leaving it like this forever. An elaborate practical joke withmy house at the centre. In a state of utter decay. There are already vines attempting to open the back door. Spiders are ruling the roost. Yes, there is always one house on every street. One that lets down the team. And, currently, my house is it. Hoorah.
But now I am growing used to it. In fact, it is kind of comforting to know that houses, like humans, are little more than a bag o' bones. All weird and ugly underneath. But kind of lovely at the same time.
Yes, it is a shock, it looks so sordid, but it wasn't and it won't be. I just realised we'll have to paint that sash window. Ugh, I'd rather bite down on a dentist's drill.
Posted by: Bali Hai | February 13, 2010 at 11:31 PM
It does get a lovely light!
Posted by: Lizzy | February 15, 2010 at 09:49 AM
I do believe you are the doppelganger of me, (except taller, blonder, maler, and more Australian). Not only do we have a hatred of wallpaper (AND a tragic willingness to live with said wallpaper until we are leaving the house forever), but we also have the shared experience of a ceilingless and generally devastated kitchen. My kitchen demolition started by accident, cued by a plumber saying "Lady, there's water coming out of your kitchen ceiling fan!"
Let me just promise you that this too shall pass. Or not, and you can just let it degenerate, call it installation art, and sell it to the highest bidder?
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 15, 2010 at 03:07 PM
Lizzie: Thanks! You're right about that! :)
Elizabeth: I love that idea! If it all goes really pear-shaped, I'll start selling tickets!
How scary to have water coming out of your fan! That would make me gasp, but not in a good way..
Posted by: a thousand shades of twilight | February 15, 2010 at 11:13 PM