Geeking Out

It's a beautiful 60-degree Saturday afternoon, and while I *should* be outside, the computer lured me into a spreadsheet session. If you've ever worked with me, you know I love Microsoft (cough) Excel. I love the grid, the sortability and the calculations that spreadsheets add to any project—from a website launch plan to moving across the country.

This week, the theme has been "geeking out." You've fallen victim to it: you get so caught up in the details that suddenly making plans for a leisurely Sunday drive becomes a table full of maps, guidebooks and some reading to have along for the ride. First, on Thursday our architect Jennifer and a friendly, Tuba-playing structural engineer named Jeff stood in our hallway and pondered load-bearing calculations. The practically finished each other's sentences and shook measuring devices to make a point. They happily discovered that our little project won't require anything major, just a lateral beam to spread the load, located in a new wall we're building. This might make a little more sense if we share the plans someday.

Then, today, we headed over to the Parr Lumber to learn more about windows. We had a straightforward conversation with their sales guy who laid out the pros and cons and printed up a handy quote sheet. I was inspired to come home and peruse brochures, pick faucets and clean up our own little spreadsheet.

I like geek time.

P.S. Mom, I know my room was a mess growing up (and it still might be if it weren't for Mr. Ben, Tina). If it helps, I think this geek thing is more about obsession than, um, neatness. :-)