Like talking about a no hitter in the 7th inning, I wasn?t going to say anything for fear of jinxing myself. But it?s too funny not too.
About 2 months ago I sent in a couple of questions to <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tvprograms/asktoh" target=_blank>Ask This Old House,</a> a television show in its second season based on the popular <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/" target=_blank>This Old House</a> series. The show basically answers home improvement questions by going to people?s houses and doing the work with them. It?s a pretty cool show because the segments are short and practical, like me when I go clothes shopping. One of the questions I sent in was about my kitchen door not being able to open all the way because the stupid nook for the fridge is not deep enough and the door hits the fridge as you open it. It?s annoying as hell and so far, there was nothing I could do about it. At least nothing with my current skill set or willingness to pay someone. So I wrote in asking what to do.
Last week I received a call from Chris Dick, producer for Ask This Old House. He said they were interested in my problem, or ?challenge?, as they say in our overly sensitive world. So we talked on the phone for a bit, I showed him pictures on my web site, and then sent him some more pictures via email.
I was pretty jazzed. My life, as exciting as it is, rarely crosses into the world of national television. To get a call from a producer, not to mention entertaining the thought of being on a show, was cool. So I sent him the pictures and waited.
This evening I walked into the kitchen, through the door in question, and Patti was talking to her friend on the phone. She got off the phone and mentioned that Chris Dick called while I was out and was coming by the following morning and is interested in doing a segment on our kitchen door. Not only was he coming by, but he was coming by with <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tvprograms/asktoh/bios/article/0,16528,420219,00.html" target=_blank>Tom Silva, </a>the general contractor that is one of the stars, or hosts, or whatever you want to call him, of the show.
For some this would be like Ben Harper coming by to play the guitar or like T Mac coming by to play hoops. For me, a home improvement fan by necessity, it was even better. I like This Old House, and I like Ask This Old House.
So tomorrow morning Tom, or as I call him Tommy, Silva and Chris are coming by. I put out my copies of This Old House magazine, worked on my spiel, and will see them tomorrow at 9:30. I?ll let you know how it goes.
<b><u>Update at 2:30PM, Tue Apr6:</u></b>
Tommy (Tom Silva), one of the hosts and subject matter experts, and Chris Dick, the show?s producer, were scheduled to come by this morning at 9:30. While waiting for them, I kind of felt like it was prom night and I was waiting for my date. The only thing missing was my prom dress. Our friend Danielle came by at 9:30 to get Patti and Emily (they were going to the Children?s Museum) and I answered the door like I was waiting for my handsome prince. She poked fun. Not sure why I was anxious, not really nervous, because there was no risk in having them come by.
Anyway, Chris and Tom came by at 9:30. We quickly got into the kitchen door issue and talked about various solutions. It was great! Tom is just like he is on the show. Soft spoken, dry sense of humor, very nice. For anyone who knows me, sarcasm is right up there with bad skin and round stomach on how you would describe me, so it was a fun time. Chris was a little younger than I thought and I was kind of curious how he got into such an interesting line of work. But we spent about half hour going over the door issue. At one point, I asked Tom if I could get his opinion on something else. No need to get into details (that no hitter in the 7th inning thing) but we talked about doing one of the two projects we discussed. I actually have a list of about 12 projects I would love to do, but I will be happy with anything. In fact, even if nothing happens after today, it?s made for a pretty funny story. I work and am friends with a lot of amateur home improvement people and Tom Silva, and This Old House, are very well watched.
After about 45 or 50 minutes they took off.
So I am waiting nervously by the phone to see if they will call and do one of my projects. I?ll let you know.
<u><b>Update: Tues, April 13 at 5:24PM</b></u>
Since a week had gone by, I figured Ask This Old House wanted to take a pass. Maybe they didn?t think my problem was interesting, maybe they didn?t think my house would accommodate cameras, maybe they thought I was a jerk. Who knows, but after a week I resolved to the fact that I came very close to being on television (ok, I was interviewed last fall while taking a tour of Fenway, but only two people said they saw me).
But this morning I got a call from Chris, one of the show?s producers. I am really interested in how he got that job because it seems pretty cool since he makes people happy. Oh, I know, there are some probably tedious and challenging aspects of his job, but at the end of the day his job = happy people.
So Chris called and said they want to do a segment on one of my home improvement jobs!! Shocked, I know. They want to do a show on me, my house, my problem, me. When I was a kid my life?s goals were like this ? win 5th grade dodge ball tournament, ask Tracy Rogan to roller skating party, get MBA, get job I can be proud of, get married to a wonderful woman, have healthy and happy kids, and get my face on Ask This Old House. The first two failed miserably but I am on track with the rest. And sometime in May Ask This Old House will come to my house and film me and Tom build a pass-through between my kitchen and dining room. I?ll let you know the specifics when I know.
- David