Problems completing things

When you have a creative endeavor it is about following through and finishing. In some ways projects like this can never be finished and another ways certain milestones evoke that feeling of completion. Having focused my creative muscles in other avenues over the last few years, It is important to finish projects especially if they have already demanded countless hundreds of hours and the project itself is core to so many aspects of our interest and our life and the primal need to create shelter that it fosters but in such a beautiful and simply practical way. 

So it's important that I finish painting so that I can paint the floor and put a carpet down and clean everything and utilize the space as it was intended. 

The outer shell could use a finishing layer of plaster and I think plastic cement would be the most appropriate and if it can be smooth enough and good enough the dome could be painted some kind of tan color.

Dome Commode

 Well, the "road commode" toilet by Van Life on Etsy is in. Here's the link if you're curious: https://www.etsy.com/listing/970239319/road-commode-composting-toilet

I am pretty happy with it. It looks great inside the dome. Also I set up a temp outdoor shower handle. I'll be adding an actual propane heated hot water unit for night showers and cooler days, but with temps climbing well above 100 any day now, it may not be needed. also, considering there's almost 500 feet of pipe in the sand, that water is already going to be pretty warm. 

Flurry of Activity!

       I must admit, I have not been working at the domes as often as I'd like, due to the fact that I have a house in 29 Palms that I've been taking care of. Each season presents new challenges. Mostly though, the domes were a creative outlet and a getaway from city life. But since I moved to the desert full time, that itch has been scratched daily at my place in 29 Palms. Also, and possibly more the reason, is I've been focusing on my Volunteer/Animal Rescue efforts including fostering small animals, transporting for local rescues, and volunteering and facilitating adoptions at the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue, and other small animal rescues. The hub of all that activity is my website: https://www.scottysanimals.com/ and my YouTube channel of the same name. 

 

I raise awareness of animals in need and help their caregivers by creating videos and other materials. I've transitioned from the life of a visual effects artist in L.A. to whatever this conglomeration of YouTuber, educator, artist, and rescue volunteer is. It's been satisfying, but time consuming. Maybe ALL CONSUMING. BUT, after speaking with my Dome neighbor, and seeing the work she's been doing, including an outdoor shower, which I will show in the pictures below, I've been inspired to continue, and DARE I SAY, complete this project.

With 5 acres, I imagine I'll always want to build something new. The SuperAdobe technique allows for endless creativity, the means to actually build, and minimal impact to the surrounding landscape. So the new "snail shell dome" will become a small sleeping dome, as I've begun construction on a simpler, more modest and PRACTICAL outdoor shower. In fact, so much has been accomplished in such a short period of time, my motivation has been reignited, and I can actually SEE the finish line. 

So here are the bullet points about what's just been completed, you'll see this in the pictures:

            - NEW Outdoor Shower Slab and posts poured and constructed

            - Wood Pallet walls for outdoor shower attached to posts.

            - Relocation of waterline. 2 spigots added to dome site are.

            - Purchase (arriving soon) of Bano Dome Composting Toilet ( Van Life "Road Commode")

            - Re-inspired Builder, with plan to complete job. (Possibly most important factor)

                                                        So here's the latest photos:

Check out my neighbor's (way fancier)

Outdoor Shower

Built with "desert debris" and found materials

Foundation Outdoor Shower (Snail Shell Dome) COMPLETE!

 Above Ground! Feels good to be out of the sand ;)