WHINER POOL
I finally lost the Whiner Pool, because I complained about the M-F'ing clips. To be fair, I was learning how to hammer correctly, but using short nails being hammered into a metal bracket whose holes were too small for the nails. And this was all taking place over my head, as I stood on a ladder. Two things I shouldn't do with low blood pressure. I was so bad at it, I never did figure out if I hammer right- or left-handed. Ambidextrously bad.
* * The winners of the Whiner Pool are Peter Loomis, who had "I can't get this to work," and Steve Morrell, who had Tuesday morning on the build. Congratulations on sharing my pain. * *
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| The Roof Crew: Nicky, Rico, and Matt |
The crew continues to excel, although the Hurricane Clips bent us all out of shape, even the master hammerers. We didn't finish the overly-optimistic punch list we had for the day, but I believe we universally agreed that it would be easier just to come and rebuild after a hurricane than it was to make the house safe in hurricanes.
I'M CANADIAN!
I am excited to have become Canadian this morning. I'm in one of Team Canada's tents, but haven't really been acknowledged as Canadian. This morning, in the semi-darkness as we all got ready, I reminded group leader Kathy that we had met in India, and that I was, once again, the stray Canadian who wanted to play with them. She actually remembered that. That doesn't mean she doesn't think it's just as pathetic this time around.
AND I WHINE!
Now that the Whiner Pool has been settled, I can tell you: my knees are killing me, my feet are swollen, I'm pretty light-headed, and it's too F-ing hot. Phew - I've been holding that in.
There's not really a lot to complain about. Even though my regulars aren't here, I've been adopted by the Women's Build crew, so I have fun people to play with. I manage to keep my phone charged and I manage to take lots of pictures. And they sell beer after all so I may not have to break into the rum right away (they sell Pepsi at the bar, and if that's my biggest complaint...).
GARTH BROOKS AND TRISHA YEARWOOD
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| HFHI CEO Jonathan Reckford in front Garth Brooks in the black hat at the side dishes |
When we got back to camp, we had a surprise. I had talked to Chip and Jeff Carter at lunch, and they told me that Garth Brooks would actually perform for us on Wednesday. Two of my friends had lunch with Garth Brooks himself, who had more accurate information. When we got to dinner, we were served our meals by Habitat VIPs, and by Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. They can apparently get us to eat our beans.
After they worked all day, then worked some more to serve us our food, they performed for us. They said they wanted to thank us for just treating them like regular people. If that's true, I'm still waiting for my standing ovation.
This is for the music-lovers... Brooks talked about his influences - he sang a bit of "Carolina On My Mind" before playing "The River," which he says basically rips off a bunch of James Taylor riffs. He explained that an oil boom in Oklahoma in the 1970s brought outsiders to his state, who brought with them music styles he had never heard before. After starting in on "Night Moves," he treated us to "That Summer"' showing the similarity in styles. Then he played one of his own favourites (and one of mine), written about the LA riots in 1991 (Brooks and Yearwood were both in town for an awards show when they started) - "We Shall Be Free."
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| We weren't allowed to take pictures or video once they came out, but this is the stage they performed on, guitars waiting for them. |
Trisha Yearwood joined him on stage, as he explained that in their house, whoever has the most Grammys wears the pants. He pulled at the leg of his jeans: "Trisha leant me these for the build." She began with "She's in Love With the Boy." Brooks said the great part about being married to her is that there is always music handy, except that she won't sing in the house unless you start a fog machine and say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Trisha Yearwood..." She laughed - she apparently has a very quick sense of humour herself. And yes, he really refers to her as Miss Yearwood.
Brooks said the downside to being married to her is that she sometimes cuts songs that he wishes he had cut, which was his introduction to "Walk Away Joe." He started playing, she looked confused. TY: "I don't think that's my key, honey." GB: "I'm not mistaking you for somebody else, I promise." TY: (skeptical look) "What house are you working on tomorrow?" Apparently this kind of back-and-forth goes on with them all day on the build.
As Trisha left the stage, she received a standing ovation. As the applause finally died down, Brooks said, "Yeah, I'm sleeping with her... At home they call me Mr. Yearwood, and I'm OK with that." Brooks then dedicated the last song to his crew, "Friends in Low Places," and seemed absolutely tickled when the audience took over the chorus for him, every note and nuance.
I think what we'll remember most is what they said about why they're here. Yearwood says she loves getting in and helping, even if she doesn't have the skills. "Some of the nails are crooked, but they are on all the houses, so it's OK." Brooks said they really come here for themselves, to enjoy the gift of being able to love, without knowing who it is who is the beneficiary. Aren't they awesome?
Extra-long blog, but the bus is taking forever to get us to the site for Day Three!
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