Metal Trim

How did we get these great looking metal baseboards?

Here's how.
First, go to an industrial metal warehouse like this one.
Try not to think of all those scary Hollywood movies of Ukrainian mafia and torture, because if it does exist ...
this is probably the place it's all happening at.

Once the metal is purchased, and you have safely exited the premises with all extremities attached, find another abandoned looking building where they actually cut the metal. Mind your step, because there is a bit of a moat around this structure ... so good luck traversing (with all that metal) the wood and metal scraps to get to the door. If the first place didn't scare you just a bit - this one is sure to give you the creeps ... and if anything were to happen here ... we're pretty sure there would be no evidence, or remains, to find.

Great - now we're good to go. Have the metal, got it cut, head back to the store to have the baseboards installed ... just another work errand to check off the list for the day. 

Maybe there are some benefits to a desk job.

AMAZING

While we've had more than a few run-ins and set-backs with construction, permissions, and the firm doing our work ... we've also had lots of second and third opinions on the work that has been completed. And, the really great news is, all those added opinions from engineers, the gas, water, and electrical departments are all very impressed with the quality of construction, piping, and work that has been completed. 

That's all fine and well. It's costing enough, taking long enough, and giving enough grey-hairs and premature wrinkles that it should be done well. 

Saturday another plumber came to do some work. He was truly in awe with all the piping and work that we've put in. His response, similar to too many local responses to mention, was something like:

"Wow, this is a lot of work. You must have been at this for what ... a year-and-a-half? Two years?"

No. Four-plus months, thank you very much. 

But here in lies a major problem ... all the local people are patting themselves on the back for doing so much in such a short period of time, and we are banging our heads against the wall saying "why is this taking so long!" Different perspectives? Maybe. Different expectations? Certainly.

Blending American and Ukrainian building and business techniques requires a bit of finesse and patience that we are trying to cultivate.

Uh-Oh

We could sure use a laundromat right about now.

Construction Quirks

Turns out, there are just different standards for construction in Ukraine than we're used to in America. First, we'll show you some of the poor building choices that we live with in our flat - a flat that was renovated this spring with the intent of being leased to an ex-pat family.

We have a great gas stove - better than our our SF rental - except for the fact that plastic molding was used on the wall behind and the heat has since melted and warped the molding.  Then there are the electrical outlets that occasionally 'pop' off the wall - and the builder actually used cardboard pieces to help stabilize the plugs and keep them in place. Whatever. 

Next, the bathroom. The tub water faucet is about two inches misplaced. How the water runs now actually hits the inner ledge of the tub ... if someone had thought through what they were doing, they would have moved the faucet over a couple of inches so it runs directly into the tub. But, the problem is, construction things are often not thought through. We've found the mentality is, "drill now, patch later." And we'd prefer it to just be right the first time. Finally, the sink leaks constantly - and it's only been used for 3 1/2 months.

Similar issues already plague us at Bubbles - why can you see this bathroom light cord? There is no reason that the hole should be visible. Why is this heater plug exposed two inches into the office? Why didn't they cut it so it ended behind the drywall? Why is the plumbing and piping ABOVE ground on the toilet? Why didn't they take an extra hour and dig down six more inches so the toilet could sit directly on the piping instead of exposing everything? Finally, why did they drill these extra ventilation holes in all the work rooms before they realized that there was a steal beam at one end that would prevent the pipe from going all the way through?

True, none of these issues on their own are earth shattering, and they aren't the reason we're 6 weeks+ behind schedule ... but when you are paying a decent amount for construction time and materials, you'd expect a decent completed job. We guess it's all a part of the crash course in Ukrainian business we're taking - and we're learning to work with it, through it, around it, and beyond it!

When to Wear What?

It's not so much that people in San Francisco don't, or wouldn't, wear these things ... it's just that we're not used to seeing them at 10 in the morning, in a children's park area.

The back of the shirt is a really popular feature these days...

And while we're sure this dress looks great at a cocktail party, it was a bit surprising to see it mid-morning on the ice-rink with the kids.

Of course, if you're not sure you are wearing the right thing - just change! We don't mind.

And to simplify life, the one-piece, romper, or whatever else you like to call it, is a quick grab-and-go option.

No need to coordinate - you just step in and you're ready to go!

Denim Denim Everywhere!

We don't pretend to be fashion savvy, but we have noticed that jean is in this summer. 

We won't comment on each outfit ... but you get the picture.

the cut-out dress

the inner-thigh cut-out

the one-piece

the one-piece

the Boots

Rules of the Road

Rights of Way: Luxury cars over clunkers, newer cars over older cars, faster cars over slower cars.
 
Parking: Anywhere other cars are parked (streets, sidewalks) and you are clear of the tram-by.

    

Linguistic proof parking is a foreign concept - you say it like this "Parking" in your best Ukrainian/ Russian accent.

Seat-belts: It offend the drive if you buckle-up ... and no one seems to mind that the seat-belt reminder dings incessantly.

We'd recommend an SUV rather than a sedan, due to the extensive amount of cobblestone ... it can get pretty bumpy.

Cement Steal-er

To save money, we've opted to be our own general contractor as we build-out what will become the first Bubble's chain Ukrainian laundromat. That means we have a lot of construction supplies, and people to oversee. We are constantly checking dry-wall, tile, cement powder bags, and other supplies to ensure no one is walking off, or selling off, any of our inventory. The workers know they are under a watchful eye.
People often come in from off the street to see what we're doing.

The other day a kind older woman, commonly referred to as a Babushka, wandered in. She seemed genuinely interested and elated at the prospect of a self-serve, full-service laundromat. Then it was back to work, overseeing everyone, as usual.
A few minutes later, we spotted this same Babushka at the far end of the store - she had maneuvered her way around, under, and through the scaffolding. What's more, she seemed to be sweeping. As we approached we noticed she wasn't just helping us clean, she was sweeping cement powder into her purse.
Us: "Can I help you?"
Babushka: "Oh, it's fine, the owner said I could have some of this."
Us: "Really? I'm the owner."

stock photo

Babushka, a little embarrassed, but not apologetic: "Oh, well I only need a kilo or two to fill a hole in my balcony."
We head out of the store together - all indoor construction work stops, and everyone watches to see what will happen.
~Outside~
Us: "You were stealing construction supplies we bought for our store."
Babushka: "It's only a little bit. I didn't think anyone would notice. It's just for a little hole on my balcony."
~Clearly the ethical nature of this situation resonates differently between our two parties~
Us: "Even stealing a little bit is still stealing."
~We part ways. Babushka carries her purse, laden with an extra kilo-plus of cement powder, and shaking our heads in a construction haze of disbelief~

We've concluded a good, ethical general contractor is worth every penny. Perhaps we deserve a raise.