Time to play Ketchup... wait, I said that wrong.

It's been a bit since my last post. In that time I've been recovering from tooth pain, and had a checkup.  Given the options of a root canal to save the tooth, or have it removed, I chose to remove it.  However, I concede that I cant sit still for long periods of time, so being told I could be numb but awake for the procedure (or two procedures if the teeth cutting doesn't go right), or be put to sleep and get it done, I chose to go to sleep.  With that option, I now have to go to another dentist.  So now I have to wait about 3 weeks for another visit, then the actual procedure.  It sounds like a lot, but luckily my pain medication has made me feel a lot better while I wait.  At least I'm not holding washcloths against my face, constantly swishing water in my mouth, and finally getting some sleep.  In fact, I've been sleeping a lot since taking this medication.  Which is a far cry from being awake 3 straight days in pain.

So while I feel a bit better and wanting to do a bit more, I have been busy this week.  Aside from taking care of other matters, I have worked on a couple projects I've been wanting to do for a while, and also scanned some cards for the Trading Card Database (in addition to verifying teams on the site too).  It has been fun but also a bit aggravating at times too.  For whatever reason, I decided to work on the two big projects right as the NCAA tournament started.  This year I filled out three brackets, but I am more of a proponent of "WATCH FOR THE GAME, NOT FOR THE BRACKET!". Sure you have favorite teams, but most people get lost in how they are doing in the brackets to enjoy the game.  Case in point is that I was upset Yale beat Baylor because it hurt my bracket instead of enjoying the game itself.  I had Baylor make it to the final four this year, and it ruined my bracket, and in turn bummed me out.  I should have taken my own advice and watched for the game, not the bracket.  This year has had some very exciting matchups and despite some lopsided halftime scores, most of the games have been close.  Yesterday I almost gave up on Wichita State when losing 21-2 or whatever it was, but stuck around and the Shockers made it a game.  Same with Yale down by 27 to Duke, I almost turned it because I don't really care for either team.  I didn't and Yale made it a game.  The point is March has exciting basketball, and you should never count teams out before the final buzzer, and yeah, throw the brackets away and enjoy the games.

That isn't why I'm posting today, my post is to show the projects I've finished.  This first one is kind of a "if I screw it up, I can toss it" project.  I had three tables, and really didn't need any and with not a lot of space, I was content on tossing them.  However, I didn't really like what my TV was sitting on, so I thought maybe I could turn three tables into one, and make somewhat of an entertainment center.  If I screwed it up, I could toss it, so I started on Thursday morning.  I did prep work before that though.  I took apart the biggest table first, which I didn't take pictures of beforehand.  Though I did take pics of one of the smaller tables.

I had two of these tables, and didn't have a use for them.  What I decided to do was take the top part off (just the flat surface) and then place the top piece of the large table on top.  I figured it would stretch and since it was one piece, I'd have enough room to set my VHS/DVD recorder and Xbox inside of it.  Right now its on a stand with no room for both.

So I took the top flat surface off, it was pretty easy, just unscrewed like 6 screws from underneath.  At this point I decided to see if the large flat surface I had would fit on top.  Sitting the tables side by side, I realized the larger flat surface was just a bit smaller then where the boxes would be (they held drawers before I did this project).  So I had to choose, should I add a piece of wood to both sides so there wasn't any holes, or do I move one of the boxes over.  I decided that I didn't want a lip and didn't have extra pieces of wood, so I decided to move one of the boxes.

So it took a while but I got one of the boxes moved.  From there it was simply drilling the top board in place.  Simply doesn't compute with me on projects.  I misaligned the holes, and the drill I had was a cordless that had no power.  I had to recharge it every 2 minutes.  In the end I got it done a bit quicker than I thought, but its not a pristine piece of furniture.  However, I like how it turned out despite what could be described as cutting corners.

You can see the right side where I had to move one of the boxes. When I did, I put the pieces back on upside down, so it doesn't match. I can live with that.  If you look close you can see a gap between the two tables in the middle, that upsets me a bit, but I can live with that.  My biggest concerns is the extra holes I drilled, and the fact that even after putting the screws in better spots, the top flat surface still didn't tighten up, so it is just a bit loose.  Don't get me wrong, it still holds great and everything, I just am a bit of a perfectionist and wanted it perfect.

Having said all that, I really like how it turned out.  Sure I should have centered it, but with the extra space on the right side, I can put my router for my computer, and as seen some blank discs.  The center still holds both the Xbox and the VHS/DVD recorder without moving them each time, and the top still has plenty of room to hold other things besides the TV.  It has space underneath as well, so that is also a plus.  It sits just a bit lower than I wanted, but to be fair, what the TV used to be on had some height adjusters underneath, so it sets the same height as that would have normally.  I could put the adjusters under this, but I only have 4 and would like to put them under all 8 legs for optimal support.

As you can see, it doesn't look professional, but I like it nonetheless.  I thought about painting it, or even touching it up in spots, but my mom said she likes it this way.  Combined with the fact I had no paint on hand, this is the finished product.  If for whatever reason, I wanted to move the Xbox or Recorder, there is still space to slide them over too.  Now I need to decide what to put next to the TV with all the extra space.

So I did that all on Thursday.  On Friday I decided to work on another project.  This was another one I have wanted to do for a while, but wanted to paint and again, I had no paint.  I did finally get some sandpaper, so I figured at worst I could sand it, and paint it later.

I've had an old dart board that I was going to toss.  In fact, I did toss the dart board, but the cabinet it was held in, I thought would be a great DIY project.  I always want to turn stuff into something else, and do some DIY stuff but never do.  I wish I was more motivated in my younger days to do more DIY stuff, then I would be more motivated now.  However, I did complete this project.

I sanded it down how I wanted it first.  I had already took the doors off and all the hinges and magnetic pieces.  Next all I had to do was drill a couple boards on it then I was done.  My drill still didn't hold power so it took forever.  That was fine since it gave me some ideas.  First the board pieces I had in mind were too big, so since I had time, I looked around and found a couple smaller pieces that worked better.  Then I didn't like the backing so I took it off and flipped it (the inside felt like pegboard, and the backside was smooth, I wanted the smooth side inside).  If I didn't flip that, it would be done a lot sooner, but oh well.  Finally I got the holes drilled and the back screwed back on.  This didn't take as long as the table, but again, if I was more dedicated and took my time, it would have come out a lot better.

Here is what I made.

I've wanted a display for a few of my cards for a while, so I finally made one.  The bottom left corner you cane see the box is slightly cut.  When I was using the larger pieces at first, I tried to cut them down, and in the process I cut part of the box.  Really just the surface, but you can still tell.  Also on the bottom you only see four cards unlike the five in the other rows.  The bottom left when I put the back back on, started to mess up, so a piece of the bottom now sticks out (thanks to the screw I put in it).  If I had nails I would have hammered it in, but I didn't.  If I was patient, I could have waited to go and get my staple gun, but I didn't.  So this is the finished product.  It still holds 14, which is good enough.  Another downside is I can't hang it because the nuts holding the boards in place are too long, so until I find smaller ones, it will have to sit somewhere.

Now you can see where the screw went through in the bottom.  As I said, I still like it, but if get some other stuff done, then have the time and find some better wood, I will make a new one from scratch.  Its something I've always wanted to make anyways, so I think it could be fun.  For now, I will probably rotate what cards I have on display, but for testing it out, I just put some of my better Royals cards.  Mostly autographs, but depending on the mood, it could be anything from now on.  It could also come in handy when showing off Listia wins.  In fact, if I do make a new one from scratch, this might be used just to display newest additions to my collection or to take photos.

So with no place to hang it, I needed a good spot to set it for now.  I think I solved that problem the day before.

It seems to work just right for now.  The TV is off center now, but it won't be permanent, so for now it will do.  So two projects done in two days, and I'm pretty happy.  If I had more ideas, I would do more projects.  As for now, I only have one more project on the horizon and I'm keeping it semi-secret for now.  All I'll say is it involves sports cards.  If I get it done how I want it, it will turn out great and will be my favorite.  Even if it turns out semi good, I'll still be happy.  It will likely take a bit to do it though since the weather is getting nicer and I still have other stuff to do in addition to getting my teeth worked on.  Plus all bets will be off once baseball season begins, which is fast approaching.  Sure Spring Training started, but once Opening Day hits, that will be my focus.

Thanks for reading, and its great to be blogging again.  I know I am way behind pace of last year, so that goal likely won't be met, but in a few weeks I might give an update on my goals, and I think I've finished a couple, so things are looking great.  Have a great weekend, and if your team is still in the NCAA tourney, I wish them the best.  If your team is out, WATCH FOR THE GAME, NOT FOR THE BRACKET!