Just look at those nearly 12 x 12 ceramic squares lying side by side across that bare concrete kitchen floor. We tend to find ourselves knee-deep in mortar, grout and ceramic scraps every few years or so. First, we replaced the urine-scented carpet in, not one, but two bathrooms after we said goodbye to the triplets. Then, we replaced the thin, stain-attracting veil of linoleum across our front entryway after starbucks and i divorced. Now, we're in the midst of tackling our greatest home tiling project to date: the kitchen/dining room/laundry room floor.
'So, what's the occasion?' you might ask.
Well sir and/or madam, a couple of years ago, i turned down a 'job'. Then, a few months ago, i interviewed for a re-imagined version of the aforementioned 'job'. Then, a few weeks ago, after much dreaming, i was not offered said 'job'. Boo-hoo.
On the srsly tip though, 'twas a bummer royale to be certain. Yet here we are, weeks later, ripping up our floor in bare feet whilst the godfather of soul's impassioned voice encourages us to 'make it funky' and declare with great clamor how proud we are to be black. Say what you will about mister dynamite; the man knows how to motivate even the laziest of white boys.
Perhaps this is just a project that is years overdue. Perhaps the laying of these particular ceramic squares was saving itself to distract us from the disappointment during another season of uncertainty. Whatever it is, we are running out of flooring to rip up and replace. After this epic struggle between mortar and space, it may be time to move on... either to a new home or to a new way of distracting ourselves.
