Back in September we envisaged a monument to our dedication as students and bums. We knew what it was to look like from the very beginning, although with each passing day, the design took a new, and usually, unexpected twist. We want a uniform design throughout our project, we wanted it to be stable, we wanted it to look good, we wanted it to be better than anything we ever seen before, we wanted a pyramid. And the 8th Wonder of The World (or a pyramid of beer cans) was to be built.
There were some rocky times along the way. Fights were had, tempers boiled over as the thinking process of the whole design was taking place. We all agreed on the shape, and where it was to be built, but as for which can goes where, well this caused all manner of confusion and heated debate.
It started out as 2 rows wide, but then an executive decision is saying that another row will fit, the pyramid was to become 3 rows wide. A great move by all involved as this surely helped in the structure being more stable. Our English comrade, Mr. Pecker, made another decision massive design decision when he suggested putting Dutch Gold cans right around the edge. Simply brilliant piece of thinking that was. A few ground rules were laid down early on in the process. These included having just 3 different cans in every layer, Dutch Gold on the outside, each row was to be an exact copy of the row behind it, and most importantly of all, anyone who came to our house with ccans must only drink cans that were part of our plans for the pyramid. Many�s the night Dave was turned away for bringing up alcoholic beverages that had no place in our super-structure. Cheating on these rules would not be tolerated as the consequences meant someone putting the boot through the whole thing.
At the beginning, we never realised how many cans it would take, so we just drank away and built as we went along. As it turned out, we drank too much and we had 2 bags of cans left over. At the moment, we haven�t decided on what to do with them so suggestions would be welcomed. As for the pyramid, well there are 273 cans in it. Its built on the mantelpiece in our sitting room, and it stretches right up to the roof.
Throughout the year, the construction tumbled on at least 3 occasions. Once when Joe pulled it down with his watch while he tried to put up a can. Another time it just fell, but most memorable of all was the day it fell on our landlady as she stood beside. It couldn't of been sweeter. And allegedly she didn't know what was happening and was scared shitless!!
The structure was only completed last night because of financial constraints on the building team. Around about last November, construction came to a sudden halt because the 4th floor and above were unstable. Very unstable. And due to finances being low, a resolution could not be afforded. All we needed was some glue to hold the whole thing in place. We were promised that this matter would be resolved by Dave and/or JP. They had promised us that super glue would be forthcoming as payment for many�s a great nights entertainment, for gas and electricity used and for giving them somewhere to stay when they were stuck. Alas, they failed to deliver on the glue promise for 3 months so construction was halted. But last night, the problem was solved by a pair of investors who were no doubt sick of looking at half a pyramid. Enter into our gaff, super glue. All 5g of it. Prayers answered, problem solved and construction ready to re-begin.
After a small bit of negotiating, layer 4 and what was built of layer 5 came off. The living room was re-arranged, the table moved, cans on the ground gathered up and our cones were moved for the first time in months. Maura cleaned the floor (thanks Mo) and we were ready to rock. After a few trials on putting glue onto cans, the decision to build on the pyramid was reached, and Joe and Pecker began gluing and holding it together. Joe took a break half way through this layer, and I took over. After an hour, layer 4 was completed and layer 5 begun. Time seemed to pass quickly as our dream began to unfold before us (also Pretty Woman was on so Julia Roberts helped us carry on). Soon after layer 4, came layer 5, then layer 6. After about 2 hours, and a lot of heartache and sore legs from standing on the chairs, layer 7�s construction began. At this point, the glue was useless because it had gone hard, so the final row was built with no support to keep it together. Joe, who was head builder throughout the campaign, had the pleasure of placing the last few cans in place. Around midnight of Tuesday February 4th, Thomandgate Pyramid was done, and dusted. The pleasure, the relief, the joy was plain to be seen on all our faces, especially myself, Joe and Pecker.
What to do with the remaining cans has yet to be decided, so if you have an ideas please let us know. And before I go, I must thank all who helped supply the building blocks for our project.
Pecker: Carling, Linden Village, Amstel, Bulmers, Dutch Gold
Myself: Carling, Carlsberg, Amstel, Dutch Gold
Joe: Carling, Miller, Amstel, Dutch Gold
Dave: Carling, Carlsberg
JP: Carling, Amstel, Dutch Gold
Edel: Linden Village, Bulmers
Maura: Budweiser
Bertie: Linden Village
And there you have it. It took ages, we all put on beer flab, but it was worth it.