just sayin'

This photo is really bland and unclear....but what it symbolizes isn't! It's our first stage west coast trip plan. Nothing is set in stone yet, but let's just say we're getting excited!!!

Renaissance man?

So, some of you may be aware but for those who are not, I have taken leave from full time teaching (after 2 years) to pursue the art of cabinetry. I know what some of you are thinking. What the f*&^* are you doing? (sorry mum and dad) Full time job, health care, pension, paid vacations, rewarding career, role model, making a difference, etc, etc... All true but what kind of man are you if you can't work your wood! Here's a peak at my latest solid wood creations.

Red Oak, Arts and Crafts, Nesting tables, 11" x 24"x 24"

Check out those slats!

Red Oak, Shaker, Leg and Rail, 24"x 36" 24"

Cherry, Ash & Red Oak, Top

Tapered legs where done on table saw with a jig.

Check out that joinery!

Haunch Mortise and Tenon.

And my favourite!

Look at that figure. I believe it's referred to as burl figure.

Ultimately, my plan is not to abandon teaching. Instead, I would like to add woodworking as a teachable, convince some visionary, like me, woodworking (shop) along with other trades belong in public high schools in Montreal and create a program that offers kids a more rounded education.

Winter Build

I know what you're all thinking. "What a hipster!" Agreed. I am the first to admit that I am very easily influenced by the latest trends affecting the urban youth. However, it is my business to keep abreast of the latest trends affecting todays teens.

That being said, I will argue that the single speed or fixed gear is the essence of the bike. It is the minimalists mode of transport, which as you all know and can clearly see in the pictures of my apartment is my essence.

Anyways, enough excuses. I am very proud of this project. I, with my own two hands, and a lot of help from Marissa and Mackenzie at Bikurious www.bikuriousmontreal.com, built over the cold winter months in Montreal.

For those gear heads here are some specs: Soma Rush 59", Soma straight blade track fork, Some Hellyer track crank, Mavic Pro hubs, Velocity Deep V 32 hole rims, Mavic Pro seat post, Sella Italia seat, Nito stem, etc.

How's that for a sales pitch Raffi?

We forgot the balconies...

Here is some of our garden Nick!

The back, so big! Notice our new charcoal bbq. Andy bought it a jacket.

We're hoping to dig into the ground right in front of the fence and plant some sunflowers. If you look across the street, an avid gardener named Theo has a shovel we can borrow, and maybe some extra top soil too. You can also see the energetic neighborhood kids playing together in the alley.

From the front, you can see Theo here too. Or rather he can see us, and is often waving, yelling advice, which I pretend to hear.

Arug. It was planted on Easter. Such a beautiful weekend.

This one is for all those lovehaters out there on the subject of my cleanliness. I know you guys say you love my bulging drawers, and I am glad, because I think I have proven that I will never change. Andy wouldn't let me clean up my stuff because he "wanted his sympathizers." So he found them. and I probably wouldn't have cleaned up and then we wouldn't get to look at my messy drawers or our nice floors. This picture is for my sympathizers, the barefoot Martin women, How am I supposed to survive a summer in a kitchen connected to my garden that has a white floor?

Who wants a caesar? (btw, such a hard word for me to spell).

Bienvenue a la Wi(t)ch Factory.