Some projects never end

Do you have any projects that you started with the best of intentions but never completed? We all do, don’t we. I thought I would confess one of my little projects that I keep finding ways not to complete. Keep in mind that this is my project–not something someone else asked of me–so you would think I’d have a vested interest.

When we first moved into our house in January, I spent many hours setting up my man station-also known as the entertainment area. I carefully unpacked all the electronics (television, DVD, receiver, DirecTV boxes, Xbox, CD player, homebrewed PVR, network hubs, speakers), wires (speaker wire, A/V cables, ethernet cables, power cords, surge protecters), and remotes (eight or nine including the all-in-one master). Then it was time to meticulously route cables and connect components while taking a few extra minutes to label things for the future day when the cables inevitably work into a morass of plastic coated copper and terminals. A few weeks later, I would do this wiring all over again when I purchased my new TV. Then, the real work began.

The trip from California had rattled my media computer enough to require a re-install off the operating system and software as well as some reorganization of the hardware inside that I had been neglecting. Next, I need to get a network connection to the entertainment area. Luckily, the previous owners had done some home wiring and run ethernet cables throughout the house. Unluckily, they had neglected two rooms that I found to be critical–the living room and the master bedroom. In fact, I need two network connections in the living room (one for the PVR and one for the Xbox) which is readily addressed by a small 4-port switch. After purchasing some special tools (fiberglass wire-puller, 3/4 inch drill bit, and "old work" outlet housing), I got to work.

The living room was easy to complete, there was plenty of room to work and some wires had already been pulled. We live in a one story house with attic access so pulling wires is as easy as locating the desired wall, drilling a hole in the top plate and sending the wires down to a hole cut in the sheet rock below. This is a cinch for interior walls that contain no insulation such as my living room wall. However, the best spot for a network drop in the bedroom was on an exterior wall. That was not fun. Not only was I thwarted by insulation on multiple attempts to pull my wire fshing rod through the wall, but drilling the hole was a challenge. The location of the hole was so close to the eaves of the house that I had very little room to work. (Keep in mind that I am lying on my stomach across ceiling joists covered in fiberglass insulation). After several hours, multiple trips up the attic ladder and a face full of pink insulation, I did manage to successfully pull my cabling into place.

Everything was wired up and in place except for one last detail–and this is my unfinished project. I have the obligatory 5.1 surround sound speaker package that any self-respecting, male, American consumer between the ages of 18 and 35 feels compelled to own. Not wanting to mar the wall with tacked up wires, I decided the right thing to do was pull speaker wires through attic to the perfect spot on the opposite side of the room where I would hang the speakers with some nifty wall brackets. This project was not nearly as complex as my previous endeavor and in fact I now had all the tools and experience I would need to proceed. Upon locating the desired spot to place the rear left speaker, I discovered a little gift from the previous home owner–a roof leak. We had not noticed this leak during the home inspection because it was in the shadow of the eaves and so near that fireplace that leaking rain water had been running down the wall rather than marring the ceiling with a wet stain.

From here, the project went on hold until after the roof repair. I didn’t want to place any wires where there was an active leak. A lengthy process of repair quotes and aborted repair appointments (due to heavy rain!) extended the repair for a couple of months. Then, the procrastination began. By now, I had my surround speakers sitting on the floor for 4 months. I not longer noticed them, the impetus to complete the project was gone. Excuse after excuse has kept me from completing the job like the fact that we hit the summer months and the attic was 120 F. Anyway, this weekend I took another step toward the completion of this project by buying some new speaker wire. That’s right, this is not a story about finally finishing the project. It’s still not done. But now it is cool outside and I finally have a repaired roof and all my materials and tools assembled. No more excuses. I will finish this project.

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2 Responses to Some projects never end

  1. Janelle Thurman says:

    I’m sure you inherited this procrastination gene from your father, not your mother! I, after all, completed a scrapbook of your life just seven years ago. I’ve still got plenty of time to do one for my other two offspring!

  2. alisa says:

    oh, geez. now i’m all riled up in realizing that i’m still procrastinating on all kinds of video editing i’ve been meaning to do for family oral history projects. i’m such a nerd–my conscience is suffering. perhaps your post will inspire me. 🙂

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