You are in "".

Last night Jesse and I hit up the rock gym. Jesse’s has had quite a few wrist issues lately, but continues working hard on a 5.11. I’ve been trying my luck at a few 5.12’s, and it’s going well. I’m excited with my progress.

The newest House of Rock toy, however, has little to do with climbing. Old man Schenk let me take his balancing board back to CT with me. It is super fun.

A balance board is a carefully crafted board that can roll back and forth on a cylinder. You stand on top and try to roll back and forth to hold your balance. Once you master standing, you can start learning surfing stances and cool tricks.

MSPaint representation:

It’s good because…
1. It helps improve your balance for activities like kiteboarding and surfing
2. It’s a mechanism of which mothers everywhere would heartily dissaprove

That’s Jesse rocking the mini-guitar and Jon rocking the small spice containers.

VIDEO!

Last night Jon, Jesse, and I were discussing whether or not we would put up Christmas decorations.

It was decided, yes. Well, at least a Christmas tree with some garlands and some lights.

Then Jon found this, and realized it ’screams’ House of Rock:

http://media.engadget.com/videos/lights.wmv

If only we had the time.

REMINDER:
MSPaint Drawings are due at SIX AM tomorrow morning. so if they aren’t in already, you have only a few hours left!

I just spoke to Jon Abad on the telephone. Upon opening the door to the House of Rock the first word out of his mouth was:

“nunchucks?”

A list originated on Joe Havelick’s site about 6 months ago.

In honor of Jon’s return to the north east, I have revived this list. I encourage all of you to participate in adding your own facts about Jon Abad in the comments section.

(more…)

Another typical night at the House of Rock.

I hope this qualifies as “more funk. less junk”

Last night we invented a darts game. It’s called “12 dozen.” Basically each person playing has to hit a 12 every round, or else they’re out.

Simple enough?

It’s extremely exciting and far more dramatic than you would expect. With each throw those watching shout in disbelief or awe. Yesterday at the end of each game there was excitment to the point of ridiculousness. At one point Jesse was running around humping movie posters.

Full Rules
You have three darts, the first throw is the pitch, the second: the toss, the third: the dagger. If you hit a triple 12, or land all three of your darts in the 12, you have immunity for the next round (two triple 12’s give you two rounds of immunity, three triple 12 you get an insta-win). If you hit two double 12’s in the same turn, you only need two darts in the 12 from that point on to score immunity for the next round. If you don’t hit any 12’s with any of these throws, you’re out (provided you don’t have immunity). And, finally, if you hit two darts in the twelve and then proceed to hit a bullseye, you clench the ‘insta-win’.

Yes, 12 Dozen is a darts game for champions.

The House of Rock is preparing for a Halloween party of sorts. Mark and Jesse have invited over about 30 friends with whom we can all share some good times on Saturday. If you’re curious why you haven’t been invited, it’s because I’m kind of letting this Halloween fall by the wayside. I’m not feeling it this year.

Perhaps over the next day or so I will be inspired and come up with a costume that can stand up to my previous triumphs like Dr. Crayola. Anyway, if you’d like to stop by the HoR Saturday night feel free. e-mail me if you’re interested.

REMINDER: CUPCAKE ARMAGEDDON mspaint drawings are due tonight by midnight!

It’s official. On November 17th, the House of Rock will have a Fifth roommate.

Jon Abad.

Yes, the rumors are true. Jon Abad will be moving into the House of Rock.

In celebration of Jon Abad’s return to the North East, I have made this House of Rock Crest:

Rock music, Rock climbing, Hot Chicks, and Batman fighting Dinosaurs.
We are… The House of Rock.

Jesse and I recently had to replace our boiler. We made sure we got quotes from various furnace installation companies in Connecticut. We finally decided upon Saucier Mechanical Services of Southington CT.

Saucier gave us a quote of $6100.00 for a new medium efficiency natural gas boiler. Jesse and I decided that this was a competitive price, so we went with them. In fact, this was between 600 and 800 dollars cheaper than the next guy.

The installation was scheduled for Tuesday. Jesse stayed home from work to let in Saucier Mechanical at 8am.

Due to a clerical error, Saucier showed up a few hours late.

We called Gary Saucier, and eventually got a hold of him. After speaking to him personally, we learned that he had not known about the late installation problem. He seemed like a genuine sincere worker and offered to reimburse us for the hours Jesse had to spend waiting. The quality of the work received was quite good, the price was competitive, and despite the clerical error that resulted in an extended installation, Gary Saucier proved that he’s good to his word and respectful of his customers.

We are pleased with the outcome, and talking to Gary proved just how much his customers mean to him. If you are planning an installation of a home boiler or furnace in Connecticut, give Gary a call and tell him that you found his company through mike d’s website.

Jesse plays with a hula string doll.
(with sound)
(may take a minute or two to load)

We did quite a bit of work in the Garage of Disco last night. The rock wall is very near completion, only requiring a few big falling mats and a bunch more holds for variety. We’re feeling very accomplished however, because we got rid of all the trash. AND, we did it cheaply. A neighbor of ours is moving and had a dumpster. We paid him 20 bucks and dumped the whole lot of trash out of the garage. Mind you, there was a LOT of trash. We still have some wood and tool organization that needs to be done, but with about 2 hours work we could easily have two full car bays available for usage. This is KEY as we get closer to the ominous winter and the ominous September House of Rock party.

we’ve been working hard on the rock wall, here’s a shot of Sander’s Torso and my legs and arm high in the rafters trying to secure the left angled wall.

We continued our work in the Garage of Disco last night. soon I hope to have a special entry detailing the processes that we’ve gone through in order to turn our garage into a more exciting place.

The question came up:
What could we do to the House of Rock that would make the place even cooler than it already is?

Jesse suggested a jacuzzi, but those things are killer expensive. The perfect idea would be something we could build ourselves. Do any of the faithful mikedidonato.com readers have a suggestion?

Sander’s on night shift for the next few days 6pm-6am. And mikeG is right on, we’re trying to catch up on July. Ahh well, such is life in the corporate world. As a result, I get to drive the company van for the next few days. Booya!

in other news, we continue to work on The Garage of Disco. This past Monday we tore down the rest of the area where we will soon build a climbing wall. It’s been good to have Sander around, being that he’s an electrical engineer. Granted most of the stuff we’re doing is simple wiring, but it’s handy to have an expert in the house.

As you can see, the corner is really beginning to take shape.

Once the climbing wall is done, and the trash is out of the garage, perhaps then we will have a mammoth house party. you can be sure to expect plenty of Rock. And plenty of Disco.

Our garage has two bays and a dirt floor. It’s walls are mostly unfinished and there’s a truck load of old truck parts littering the floor. There’s a shop area and a concrete section of floor for car work. Really? it’s not a bad garage. With a little shag carpet and some serious funk music it’d be a stellar hang out spot. And that is why we have deemed it The Garage of Disco.

last night we cleaned The Garage of Disco. What a ridiculously mammoth task! We got quite a bit done. Mainly, piling all the trash into one particular location. Even still, we are that much closer to having a fully working garage of which we can be proud.

The House of Rock has a Fridge. And it is a monster.

Just when there’s a lull in the conversation, or when someone makes an unfunny comment… the Fridge growls. It’s unlike any sound that you would ever expect from a refrigerator. It’s much more like the sound you would expect from a vicious beast.

There are some things that you should just KNOW. Things like: don’t use regular dish detergent in the dishwasher

it’s just not smart.

It’s cleaning week at the House of Rock. I have been working steady to fix up my room and the common rooms of the house. I’m excited to report that Sander will be joining us as roommate #4 within the next two weeks! He may not be staying with us permanently, but we’re still stoked. As a result, we’re moving the music room into the living room so that he’ll have a decently sized place to rest his bones.

Really though, not much else is going on.

Pictures are worth 1000 words… i don’t have the paint skillz so this will do for now.

Kurt’s interpretation:

Sander’s guess:

Ben’s image of mike d:

Mike D Loves His Steel Drum So Much He Married It

What do you think mike looks like with a steel drum?

This weekend the House of Rock truly rocked. We had a bunch of visitors including Jesse’s bass-tastic cousin Tyler, his girlfriend Karen, Kurt and Shauna, and both H.C. Alicia and my sister Alicia. We went climbing on Friday and Saturday and my sister did quite well. Her confidence was impressive and she has some funky flute playing muscles in her hands that I’m sure helped her hold on to the walls.

As one would expect, we made an extra large pot of beans for the guests.

Karen had to skip out on the beans because she was a vegetarian, and our beans contained bacon, ground beef, and pork fat. her loss.

mike d’s complaining:
My right buttocks and right calf hurt.
My left hamstring and quad hurt.

But I still plan on going rock climbing tonight.

HoR news:
This weekend is a HUGE weekend at the House of Rock. We’re going to be doing some heavy housework. So if you have no plans and you’d like to experience true labor, please stop by.

“I think there might be some beef in my hair.”

Last night was an excellent evening. In addition to completing yet ANOTHER 5.11 on the rock walls, I created a Crockpot chicken masterpiece. And with the help of Mark, our dinner was well rounded and filling with sides of veggies and rice.

As we were all filing up stairs into our respective sleeping chambers we exchanged in the following conversation.

Jesse: hey mark, do you mind if I use the bathroom?
Mark: nope. i’m all set.
Jesse: Mike, do you need the bathroom?
mike d: you can go first.
Jesse: YES! TAKE THAT MIKE D! TAKE THAT!
::begins jumping wildly::
Mark and I go into our bedrooms. I call Jill.

Jesse runs into my bedroom whipping a towel around his head.
Jesse: I RULE! I RULE!
Jesse disappears.

Jesse reappears dancing provocatively with his towel
Jesse: I AM AWESOME! I AM AWESO– oh man. I just farted on my towel.
Jesse leaves dejectedly.

And thus ends another evening at the House of Rock.