Wear a rainbow cape tied around your neck with cowhide, buttless chaps on and a soulpatch to Christmas dinner.
Does he make it out of cowhide? Regina?? You have got to be kidding! Have you tasted their water?
Go for carpet. Get a carpet rem, it will be cheap. You can get something you like later if you finish the area. Do not paint, It will be hard to put down tile or lino if the concrete is painted. You will need to remove 99% of it before you do.