Author: Benjamin Bloom

Categories
Family

Painting a new house

Tawny & I just returned home from a long, but satisfying afternoon painting Kate & Micah’s new house in the North End of Burlington, VT. They’ll tell the whole story at some point, but let’s just say a few weeks ago the house smelled of smoke so badly that it was the only thing you could think about inside. After washing, stripping, refinishing, priming, painting or removing every surface in the house, it’s almost ready to be lived in!

Music played all day - a mix of 60's, 70's, and 80's, mostly.

Cleanup time!
Cleanup time!

Categories
Uncategorized

Squirrels. Why did it have to be squirrels?

When the snow melted, I saw all these little things over my lawn and got curious where they came from.
When the snow melted, I saw all these little things over my lawn and got curious where they came from.
The problem I had was this... a squirrel chewed through my (relatively) new siding and into my attic. Yesterday, I put up the heavy screening you can see, which kept him from getting back in, but didn't stop him from chewing some more and making a hell of a racket last night.
The problem I had was this... a squirrel chewed through my (relatively) new siding and into my attic. Yesterday, I put up the heavy screening you can see, which kept him from getting back in, but didn't stop him from chewing some more and making a hell of a racket last night.
Having solved the blockade issue yesterday, my challenge tonight was to prevent the squirrel from doing any more damage (to the house and to our sanity.) Having used cayenne pepper to keep rabbits out of the garden, I figured it might work on the house, too. These were the contenders.
Having solved the blockade issue yesterday, my challenge tonight was to prevent the squirrel from doing any more damage (to the house and to our sanity.) Having used cayenne pepper to keep rabbits out of the garden, I figured it might work on the house, too. These were the contenders.
The winner. A slight back story. The powders all smelled too sweet and we didn't have cayenne in the house. Tobasco is OK, but didn't seem all that hot. The chili oil is some of the hottest I've ever cooked with, but while my mouth remembers being scalded by it, my nose wasn't impressed. The Dumb Ass Hot Sauce I've had in the house for a while. Why, you ask? Well, because it's so damn hot that I fear using it on many foods. This hot sauce made taco soup so hot that Fluffy wouldn't finish his serving and had to beg for mercy.
The winner. A slight back story. The powders all smelled too sweet and we didn't have cayenne in the house. Tobasco is OK, but didn't seem all that hot. The chili oil is some of the hottest I've ever cooked with, but while my mouth remembers being scalded by it, my nose wasn't impressed. The Dumb Ass Hot Sauce I've had in the house for a while. Why, you ask? Well, because it's so damn hot that I fear using it on many foods. This hot sauce made taco soup so hot that Fluffy wouldn't finish his serving and had to beg for mercy.
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But how to apply it?  Aerosolize it.  If it’s good enough for anthrax, it’s good enough for me.  I found an old spray bottle in the garage; it had previously been used to apply paint stripper, so it was probably laced with all sorts of poisonous chemicals to boot.  Bonus.

Under no circumstances what-so-ever should you test your sprayer in the kitchen.
I drenched the opening as much as I could, spraying into the louvers and onto the screens beneath as well. It should be noted at this point that wearing a mask and goggles is probably a good idea, should you try this yourself. Dumb Ass Hot Sauce really burns the nose & eyes! Definitely apply in a well ventilated area, preferably at arms length or further, standing upwind, and above your target. Don't ask why I make these recommendations. At least I didn't fall off the ladder.
I drenched the opening as much as I could, spraying into the louvers and onto the screens beneath as well. It should be noted at this point that wearing a mask and goggles is probably a good idea, should you try this yourself. Dumb Ass Hot Sauce really burns the nose & eyes! Definitely apply in a well ventilated area, preferably at arms length or further, standing upwind, and above your target. Don't ask why I make these recommendations. At least I didn't fall off the ladder.
I suppose I could have gone after it from the roof...
I suppose I could have gone after it from the roof...
You can't forget to stop and smell the flowers along the way; as long as you don't have allergies. If you rub your eyes at this point, you're pretty much screwed.
You can't forget to stop and smell the flowers along the way; as long as you don't have allergies. If you rub your eyes at this point, you're pretty much screwed.
Categories
Event Photography

Green Mountain Derby Dames vs. Maine Calamity Janes

This past Saturday, the Green Mountain Derby Dames, Vermont’s first flat track roller derby team,  took on the Maine Calamity Janes for a spring showdown. It was a hard fought bout but the Dames emerged victorious. Another entertaining and exciting bout!  I’m already looking forward to the May 22nd.

The Dames, ready to take on the Maine Calamity Janes
The Dames, ready to take on the Maine Calamity Janes

Some people use markers, paint, or stickers; in Vermont, our huge fans cross stitch their support!
Some people use markers, paint, or stickers; in Vermont, our huge fans cross stitch their support!
Smoke her, Barbie!
Smoke her, Barbie!
Denied.
Denied.
This turned into a physical bout with a lot of strong hits.
This turned into a physical bout with a lot of hard hits and bodies on the ground.

Categories
Event Photography

Run Vermont Unplugged Half Marathon on the Burlington Waterfront

The Race Vermont Unplugged Half Marathon starts in Colchester, VT and mostly follows the Burlington Bike Path south to Oakledge Park.  Ending in the South End, runners are treated with views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks across the lake in New York. This year, 550 runners arrived at the start only to be greeted with flakes of snow in the air.  No problem, though; the event website clearly states that severe weather is defined as “more than 5 inches of snow, lightening…” and the race will go on.

Here are a few selected race photographs. The rest are available on SkiPix.com for purchase!

Runners and hand cyclists take off at the start of the Race Vermont Unplugged Half Marathon in Burlington, Vermont
Runners and hand cyclists take off at the start of the Race Vermont Unplugged Half Marathon in Burlington, Vermont
The first hand cyclist approaches Starr Farm Road long ahead of the other competitors
The first hand cyclist approaches Starr Farm Road long ahead of the other competitors
The first runners show up, some smiling, others focused.
The first runners show up, some smiling, others focused.
Some of the Unplugged runners are pranksters or romantics, hamming it up for the photographers along the way.
Some of the Unplugged runners are pranksters or romantics, hamming it up for the photographers along the way.
The marathon continues south along the Burlington Bike Path. With Lake Champlain to their right, runners approach Oakledge Park for a final loop before heading for the finish line.
The marathon continues south along the Burlington Bike Path. With Lake Champlain to their right, runners approach Oakledge Park for a final loop before heading for the finish line.
Some runners are still in groups, but at this point, most folks are just running their own race and show up solo.
Some runners are still in groups, but at this point, most folks are just running their own race and show up solo.
A runner on the Burlington Bike Path, alongside Lake Champlain, during the Race Vermont Unplugged Half Marathon.
A runner on the Burlington Bike Path, alongside Lake Champlain, during the Race Vermont Unplugged Half Marathon.
Some runners come with their own photographer!
Some runners come with their own photographer!
Miles later, our romantics are still in love.
Miles later, our romantics are still in love.
When the sun comes out, you almost forget that Spring mornings in Vermont can start with snow.
When the sun comes out, you almost forget that Spring mornings in Vermont can start with snow.
Categories
Photograph Portraits

Quick portraits for a friend

We had houseguests this weekend. Some of my college friends were up for a weekend of sun, skiing, and catching up. Just before they were about to leave, we ran down to the studio to take a few quick portraits. He wanted some headshots for use on Facebook, Twitter, etc.