Rembrandt is Alive

Our side of the wall has now been decorated. The teen group was in and took over the project of making it more visual. They culled the poster collection, then made some of their own, all book related. Much giggling, use of foam letters, permanent markers and related graphics. They're a good group and did a lovely job. Related, one of my images of yesterday involved two crew members raising like Raphael cherubs - loose the wings, add hard hats - in the window alcove. They were re-enforcing the supports but because they were mostly hidden by the wall looked like they were benignly observing the earthbound populace as it went about its convoluted day.

Walls and Neighbours

A wall suggests privacy but someone who's had a temporary structure installed knows it's an illusion. Ours is suppose to prevent the public from wandering through the construction site - check; reduce dust and odours - if so, I'm glad we're not experiencing the full dose of pollutions; and reduce sound - a firm negative. That said, it's interesting to discover that dead air is an anathema even when machines are running. The construction crew's taste in music is eclectic and leads one to contemplate how it's chosen. Democracy is alive in the workplace I guess. Goodness only knows what they think of the sounds that leach to their side. Some of those story hours [the meeting room has been co opted for storage] must raise eyebrows.

Moving machines

Well, the wall is up and there is great grief among the under six set. All the windows have been covered so we can't see the big machines any longer. The picture window used to be a popular place with small people, mostly boys but some girls as well, who wanted to watch the construction vehicles. We had back hoes, diggers, cranes, never - alas - a pile driver, cement trucks, load delivery trucks, fork lifts and miscellaneous small on-site moving equipment. Now we have a gray sheet-rock barricade which has its own charms.

Nobody said it would be easy

And you thought remobelling a kitchen was difficult. We've had men dropping from the ceiling, washrooms unoperable and, gasp, no access to the coffee machine but yesterday the wall came down. About an hour before this happened, it was discovered that the temporary wall would bisect my desk. Gives new meaning to divided attention.