Wow, has it really been six months? Sorry about that. But I have lots of photos and news and other fun stuff to make up for my tardiness!
First, a house update. Since you last saw it, I’ve done quite a lot. The kitchen is now almost complete. My bedroom… has a nice (art decoish) bed! (But there’s still a lot to do upstairs). My conservatory is empty! I spent about 10 hours this weekend, dusting, scrubbing (with bleach and rubber gloves!), drilling holes, and doing all sorts of various man-about-the-house type tasks — I hope it shows in the photos (for more photos, hit up Flickr).
But most importantly, my new table arrived! Basically, I don’t fit under normal-sized desks. For the last 15 years or so, I’ve worked from a big slab of wood nailed between two wardrobes. I’ve always wanted a proper table, though — something solid, something that will outlive me and become an heirloom/antique. So… I approached an oak master craftsman and asked him to make me a 7-foot-long monastery-style table. The base is made from few-centuries-old reclaimed French oak, recovered from a chateau that was about to be knocked down. The top is “cat’s paw” (pippy) oak — I don’t think it’s reclaimed, though. The top is made from just three planks! (This doubles the price, or something stupid). It’s finished with some light oil, and bee’s wax — no varnish.
Everyone who sees the table seems compelled to just stop, stare, and… stroke. It feels so good. If you’re in the area, you’re cordially invited to come and stroke it.
I have some new art, too — a huge, 1.5×1.2m painting of the Isle of Wight. It’s on my bedroom wall — a lovely vista to wake up to.
The house is no where near finished, though! (I am fast learning that home improvements are never finished. Even when you think you’re done… you’re never done.) Next up is some painting — finishing the kitchen, and repainting the bulk of the house from oatmeal to white — and then reflooring the living area, probably with some nice light wood (maple, I think). It’s some fairly crappy laminate at the moment. Then I might carpet the conservatory… and I probably need to recarpet upstairs…
In other news, I was promoted! I’m now a Senior Editor — and as I recently turned 28, some would say the emphasis is on senior, but I insist it should be on editor. I don’t have much else to report on the work front. I’ve written/broken a few stories that have made it to national US press and TV, which was pretty cool. It sometimes feels like the job is a bit repetitive, but maybe that’s just the fact that this is my first full-time job. I don’t know if I can do this for 40 years, that’s for sure. At least I have more money than I know what to do with… yay. (I have been thinking about buying a boat…)
I miss travelling, too. When I freelanced, I could go anywhere I wanted, for as long as I wanted. Now… I can’t. I have thought about some kind of crazy scheme, where I rent a house in some weird location (like Thailand) for three months, then go and work from there. Need to actually get the wheels in motion, though.
While we’re on that topic of travel, though, I was in Gran Canaria a couple of weeks ago! And at the end of the month I’m going to Ireland! I actually took some photos in Gran Canaria — the first photos I’ve taken since America, basically. Six months without taking photos. Oops. I think I lost my mojo — maybe that’s the full-time job’s doing…
I’ve been thinking about politics again. Thinking it might be time to start poking around. Just a few fleeting ideas at the moment — nothing concrete. There are definitely a few angles I could take that would lead smoothly into politics, though. Will keep you updated on this one.
Still a bit lonely, too — not as bad as when I was in the US, but I’m still acutely aware of the fact that I’m alone for something like 95% of my waking hours. Again, I’m sure the full-time telecommuted job doesn’t help in this regard. People who work in offices have friendship and companionship made easy!
I think that’s everything. I’m hosting a LAN party next weekend — a bunch of guildmates are descending on my house from all over Europe. This will be the first time I’ve had lots of people over, so I’m a little excited and a lot scared. I have to go and order lots of extra teabags, milk, and toilet rolls — and lots of paper plates and plastic cutlery. Instead of a housewarming, I guess I’m having a LANwarming. Very fitting, for the king of geeks.
Melissa
Jun 10, 2012
I somehow totally missed that you bought a place. Congratulations!
I know I would make that conservatory area into the most epic studio ever, but that is probably less your thing. But it would make a lovely dining and entertaining area. Maybe add a bar to one corner, too? And though I can’t in good conscience recommend getting birds after dealing with ours for this many years, it would make an excellent aviary, too.
I can’t imagine having that much space. I’m jealous. Stupid DC expensive real estate. [grumblegrumble]
Renee
Jun 11, 2012
Lovely photos! Part of me wants to fill the conservatory with all sorts of plants, the more exotic the better (and lots of orchids!), but I suspect you’re not into those things as much as I am. The light you must get in the conservatory has got to be drool worthy. I have a crush on your conservatory, apparently. The piano looks quite lovely too. (Do you play the piano?) Your hand crafted table looks lovely as well, of course. Oooh, walnut worktop in the kitchen! Pretty! Hah, I think my interest in interior design is a bit… much?
Congrats on the job promotion. Perhaps that extra money can be put aside for some super trip? Spending some time in Thailand certainly sounds enticing. The LAN-house warming sounds like quite a bit of fun too! Sorry to hear about the loneliness. I hope you find some new friends (and maybe even a lady friend?) soon. If it is any comfort, there isn’t much in the romance department in my life either. Probably the reason why I like interior decorating so much. Ah well.
sebastian
Jun 11, 2012
Hey! Thanks, Melissa.
The ‘studio’ idea has cropped up once or twice. If I was married to an artist, that would be a no-brainer
But alas, I am not. At the moment, I don’t really have a personal use for the space. I can do it up nicely, but… I still wouldn’t really use it. I have thought about putting carpet down, putting a sofa in there. Guess I could sit there and read, or something.
Ultimately, yeah, it would be the dining/reception room for a young family or something. Dining table, sofa, TV.
A bar?
I didn’t know people still had those… do I need to get a cocktail waiter, too? Aviary isn’t a bad idea. Bear in mind I’m already deafened by bird song most days — we have a loooot of wild life here.
Real estate is pretty darn expensive around London, too…!
Renee — I’m glad you approve of my interior design choices so far
I definitely need plants! I have … none… right now. Will definitely put some in the conservatory. Orchids would be nice, but I don’t know if I have the right conditions in there — it gets a lot of light, but not a whole lot of direct light (it’s kinda SE-facing).
Hopefully, with our pretty houses, we will lure in a boyfriend/girlfriend!
Renee
Jun 12, 2012
For orchids, find yourself an orchid society (or some other knowledgeable person) and ask them which orchids would grow best in those conditions. After all, the orchid family is the most diverse and widespread of the flowering plants (like seriously, the only place they don’t grow is where nothing even vaguely plantlike grows). If you haven’t guessed, orchids are my favorite flower family (lately I’ve been really loving Ladyslippers, but really there’s so much variety to be captivated by). I’m looking forward to seeing what plants you end up putting in there.
A guy having a well decorated house would impress me. And I’ll cross my fingers (for you at least). The dating pool is… not too encouraging here.
Candace
Jun 14, 2012
Looks great. That table is AMAZING.
MentalSarcasm
Jun 19, 2012
The place looks great, all that hard work is definitely paying off!
Eleni
Jun 24, 2012
Whoa, a post! Time does fly. I was inspired to check your blog today after having a random dream featuring you last night. I’ll let you imagine the details, but the actual dream was probably better. Also remembered that you were a May birthday and I missed it, but that’s ancient news by now. Ancient. Haha. Sorry. Happy very belated birthday.
Anyway, the house looks beautiful! I’d just love to come over and stroke your big, hard table.
Renting a house in some exotic locale would be awesome. As long as the time difference doesn’t mess with your work schedule. I’m glad you seem to be doing well
sebastian
Jul 15, 2012
Hello!
Thanks, Candace, Mental.
Oh, so you had a dream about me too, Eleni?! Maybe it was this post that… inspired my dream about you? Or something along those lines. Thank you, re: birthday. I’m older than you, right? (I’m 28 now… grumble…)
I could pull off anything up to around -8, I think — which covers south east Asia. Definitely a bit risky while I’m the only full-timer working on my site, though. If we had a full-timer on the east coast, or west coast… it would be a lot easier to pull off. I also have some other business ideas that might pin me down in the UK for a bit longer… but more on that at a later date
If you’re ever passing by, please do come by and sit, stroke, and otherwise enjoy my table.
a!k0
Sep 14, 2012
Mr Seb! I love your house!! Well what you have got done so far
It is small yet cozy and looks very comfy! (I am currently stalking your flickr so yeah :P) I love the new kitchen. And you built it all yourself?! 
I should hire you to build a kitchen for my bf lol. I am loving the table too 
I would definitely love to stroke it >:) HAHAHA. And I see you left the conservatory the way it was….you need a game plan for that place. It’s too awesome to not do anything with 
Please keep us updated on your house projects 
Maybe if I need an idea for house deco I might just hit you up 
x0x0