Brick Swap Saturday June 1st

             I’ve got to take a break after unloading the lamppost. Using my 2x6’s and other lumber I was able to get that heavy hunk of cast iron safely off the truck bed single-handed.  What a beast,,, those old boards were creaking and groaning. That wood was salvaged back in the late 1970’s from an old house that was being demolished. They have supported more heavy loads out of my truck over the years!

        Let me get the Saturday June first Brick Swap all wrapped up. I was up very early to get everything together. The park where the swap was to be held opened at 7:00 and the actual swap would be at 9:00.

These pictures arrived in the mail yesterday. The Encore Banjo stole the show!

        First off I was not sure about water, so I had the 100 cup coffee urn filled and in the back of the truck. Then I went to Krispy Kreme for 3 dozen donuts. This was the first time I have been here since it was rebuilt after the tornado. The total for the donuts came to $25.50. I don’t know what the cashier did but the receipt showed in the thousands! It must have been screwed up as an hourly reading or whatever. Driving down 15^th St I heard a noise. Looked out the window and saw the lid of the coffee pot in the middle of the road. Quickly pulled over and was able to get it. Mercifully there was little traffic so it did not get run over. There were a couple Mexican workers at this construction site giving me the strangest looks… I guess it is not everyday you see a guy in a Utilikilt chasing a coffee pot lid on a busy street!

        I had to stop back home to get the special tablecloths that get put out at the swaps. They have a brick pattern and each swap is recorded in magic marker upon them. I refilled the pot with fresh water and duct taped the lid down! I was able to pull the truck right up to the shelter and unload everything. Got the coffee going right away. I was so glad to hear that water perking through! The morning was gray and overcast with a few “spits of rain” now and then. There was a wonderful breeze and rain never materialized. In all actuality it was a perfect morning for a swap.

        Got the truck in position and unloaded my trader bricks. I was bending over into the truck cab and said a little bit too loud…”Oh SHIT!” I apologized to the people near-by. I had just realized I had left the “take-a-way” coasters in the dining room. Time to make another trip home! It was not far and it was plenty of time before the swap.

Brick swap coasters:

        I was so glad to have coffee to calm my nerves. The only thing I had to worry about was the sandwich delivery. At five minutes to nine I gave a five minute warning, and then a one minute warning before sounding the truck horn right at 9:00 a.m.

Examining and staking out coveted bricks:

        As usual it was mayhem! Unfortunately I was not able to get the one brick I really wanted, but I did get a lot of other bricks… We had the swap itself all finished up by 10:00. All the bricks were off the parking lot and packed away. A park ranger showed up while all this was going on. I had to sign off on the rental form and he wanted us to know there was a party right behind us for the shelter at 2:00 p.m. He was fascinated when I explained to him what was happening. I assured him the shelter would be clean and empty well before the 2:00 p.m. deadline.

I called Firehouse Subs and was assured the sub order was all set for delivery before 11:00 a.m. Everything just pretty much fell into place. All that early planning eliminated so many last minute headaches.

        We had a great stock of items for the auction. All the monies collected go directly to the club to offset the publication of the Brick Journal and sponsoring the swaps. I got two great decorative building pieces and a very readable “DON’T SPIT ON SIDEWALK” brick. So many times the lettering on these bricks is difficult to read. These bricks were incorporated into sidewalks back in the early 1900’s to raise awareness to Tuberculosis which can be spread by spitting.

Brick installed into the front walk:

        The auction was just about over when the subs were delivered. I offered a choice of Ham, Turkey, and Roast Beef. I kept track of who ordered what on an Excel Spread Sheet. I printed up a sheet in very large type to remind everyone who ordered what and arranged the subs by the meat. I had a chuckle as one of the ham subs was labeled “Hamlet”!   The subs were supplemented with cookies for desert from Sam’s Club. The subs were my last real worry of a “disaster”.

        The IBCA enjoyed one of the most successful auctions ever. We raised over $1,600.00. I know I overspend at these auctions, but knowing the money all goes to the club I don’t care.

        Everyone got to take a coaster home as a remembrance of the event. I insisted on doing the clean up. There was not that much to do. The food went well; there was only a case of water and some assorted sodas left. I dumped out the coffee and I’m glad to say the shelter was left in better condition than we found it.

        I was home at a little after 1:00 p.m. The last job I had to do to finish out the swap was to get the aluminum coffee pot lid fixed up. Using an old chisel I was able to get the dents out of the edge. Carefully using the ball of my hand against a piece of wood I was able to get the depressions out of the top of the lid and bring back the right contours. The plastic handle was shattered. I lucked out in the plastic lid on my double boiler was just about an exact fit. The scratches polished out with 4 0 steel wool. Unless you actually looked for particular damage, the remains of the “crash” were pretty undetectable. I returned the coffee maker to the rental place. It passed inspection and I got my deposit back!

        I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders once I returned home. I was elected to the Board of Directors. Things are pretty laid back so hopefully there will not be much drama associated with the position. I’m not into politics, all I want to do is to help advance and improve the club.