To The Extreme, I Build A House Like A Vandal?
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In case you're a Hokie that's scattered across the country and haven't heard the news yet, there's some exciting stuff going on down in the 'burg: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has hit the town.
It all started last Tuesday, when Gina was helping out at the front desk at the new Inn at Virginia Tech for her class. While on her shift, she helped to check in part of the film crew and behind-the-scenes people. At that point, we didn't know when or where they would be filming...
...but now we do. Virginia Tech's website is now full of links and news pertaining to the show. It seems that the program's execs selected Caroline Crawford-Smith, founder of The Dance Studio in Blacksburg, to receive the benefits of a brand new house. She has been diagnosed with MS and, over the last few years, has found it harder and harder to make it around her home and to the studio she founded. So, if you're not familiar with the show at all, ABC will be working around the clock to completely rebuild her home from the ground up, all over the course of this week. I've never actually caught an episode of the show before now, but I can guarantee that I'll be watching this one.
What's cool about the show being local is not only that Gina and everyone else in town is getting the chance to see the house's progress as the week rolls on, but several architecture and building construction students are also getting to help, and a volunteer crew of workers comprised of students and townspeople has been braving the cold all week to help get the job done. ABC hired a Roanoke contractor to design and construct the house, which stretches the good press all up and down the New River Valley. The contractor, Bulding Specialists Inc., naturally has a few Hokie alums as employees, as well. And in a special guest appearance, my former senior design professor, Dr. Kleiner, is overseeing the safety aspects of the construction site. I remember Dr. Kleiner using this show multiple times as an example of how much can be accomplished with the proper project management, so I had to chuckle when I saw his name on the press release. From start to finish, it's going to be a family affair, and everyone comes out a winner - Crawford-Smith, Tech, Blacksburg, and ABC.
I'm a little bummed that I'm not going to be able to be on-campus while all the hubbub is going on, but at least I'll get a chance to drive by the house the next time I'm down there. Plus, Gina and the rest of my friends have been giving me updates. I'll keep checking with regard to when this episode will air, but it will most likely be in a few weeks, after the holiday rerun break.
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Sarah and I ventured out to the job site last night and the experience left much to be desired. We took the good ol' BT up to the street only to find that it was blocked off and the closest we could get was an adjacent lawn...and there were trailers and supplies blocking our view. So, although it was interesting, and we watched as the crane lifted the roofing trusses (Is that right Sarah? At least I didn't say "trundle" again. I have no idea about construction stuff, but I'm impressed that you do!), I was dissapointed that there was no (HOT!) Ty sighting (which we all know is the reason I went). I'm sorry this has been such a long sentence. I think my fingers are still numb from being out in the below freezing temperatures. I would gladly volunteer if it weren't during exams, if I were likely to have a better job than directing foot traffic, and I had a guarantee of no frostbite...and even all that would be acceptable if Ty were there. **sigh**
Ty is prrrrrrrrrreeeeetyyyyyy!pretty!
Oh, to be in the 'burg! How I miss my Appalachian heaven.
Well, looks like Ty is everyone's new boyfriend, geez! Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work.
Thanks for the very nicely written update, though, Gina. I wish I could have seen it with you guys! How about the next time I come visit, we stroll by the new house? :)
And yeah, Nacho, I miss the 'burg, too. At least I've made it down a few times this fall (I almost said "semester," because I'm still thinking in school terms).
I'd stroll with you anywhere. ;-)