Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Stop Talking about Stop Talking, Start Doing, Start Doing
Watching the AFC Championship on a high definition television at close range. The commercials are so much more vivid, the sound quality, so crisp.
"Visit unitedway.com. A little goes a long way."
"The passing game is not working, so what do they do..."
"I hate that guy, I hate that guy. What is this 39... he really runs..."
"Timeout called by New England..."
It's not about the shoes, its about knowing where you're going. Not forgetting where they started. It's about having the courage to fail; not breaking when you are broken. Taking everything you've been given and making something better. It's about work before glory. And what's inside of you. It is doing what they say you can't. It's about what you do. It's about being who you were born to be.
LEGENDARY.
"Visit unitedway.com. A little goes a long way."
"The passing game is not working, so what do they do..."
"I hate that guy, I hate that guy. What is this 39... he really runs..."
"Timeout called by New England..."
It's not about the shoes, its about knowing where you're going. Not forgetting where they started. It's about having the courage to fail; not breaking when you are broken. Taking everything you've been given and making something better. It's about work before glory. And what's inside of you. It is doing what they say you can't. It's about what you do. It's about being who you were born to be.
LEGENDARY.
Saved and Damned
I knew Ernie was good the moment I met him. Sure enough, within 15 minutes he was explaining to me how to improve my composting efforts with worms. And he proved to be a man of action when he got the plans done in two weeks and started pushing me to go to the city for the permits. But I wasn't expecting to be surprised. Twice!
Surprise 1: It turns out Ernie has had solar hot water and pv on his roof for a long time. And by 'long time', I mean since before I graduated High School. Surprise 2: It also turns out Ernie has built half of the landmarks of San Diego!
Something brought Ernie and me together. Something mystical and ancient. Oh, that's right, it was Aziz. ;)
So Ernie thought he was helping out a friend of his old friend Aziz on a simple remodel. Little did he know that this 550 square foot addition was going to be the most memorable project of his career, perhaps with the exception of Sea World. Good luck Ernie. Now that you've seen DrivingToZero and you've been loaned books there is no escape!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Humbled
Yesterday I was cut down at the knees. In a good way.
That is probably the best, most descriptive way I can summarize my foray into the world of General Contracting. Aziz Fathy of Fathy Construction, Inc. will soon formally become my general contractor, and I am happy to write that.
It all starts with the foundation. Ever since I brushed aside rational suggestions to just demo the entire existing garage, including the foundation, things got a little more complicated. To assess the strength of a concrete slab, one must dig beside the slab, down to a depth of about two feet. And sometimes that concrete slab is surrounded on 3 sides by more poured concrete, and on one side by a giant cactus planted in dirt. So rather than break concrete, one must cut back the cactus and then dig, dig through the dirt, and the irrigation pipes, and the chunks of concrete that were left there long ago. But sometimes one finds that 12 inches down the soil turns to hard clay, and one does not have a pick. So one must borrow a pick from one's neighbor in the evening, and then wake up at 5:00 in the morning to continue the hole, which must be dug by 2:00 PM, because one is on a schedule to get a simple hole dug so that a structural engineer can take a look at the concrete to determine if footings should be poured.
I'm up to that challenge. I can dig a hole. With a little bit of help from Bill at the last minute. But if you have to call in reinforcements to get a hole dug, you're probably not the right guy to manage the entire construction project.
Fathy Construction has been around for 30 years, since 1978. Aziz Fathy has been an architect at the design table creating impressive commercial, industrial and residential structures. And he's been an architect in the field reviewing the "constructability" of plans designed by 'table architects'. You can design it, but you can't always build it once you get out there. And to get there, you have to speak three languages - the languages of subcontractor, of office person, and of owner.
I am learning those languages. But at some point recently (I'd say it really crystalized in the last 24 hours or so), I realized that I don't know shit and it is time to turn the reigns over to someone who does. From this point on I hope to enjoy watching the process unfold. Good luck Bill.
That is probably the best, most descriptive way I can summarize my foray into the world of General Contracting. Aziz Fathy of Fathy Construction, Inc. will soon formally become my general contractor, and I am happy to write that.
It all starts with the foundation. Ever since I brushed aside rational suggestions to just demo the entire existing garage, including the foundation, things got a little more complicated. To assess the strength of a concrete slab, one must dig beside the slab, down to a depth of about two feet. And sometimes that concrete slab is surrounded on 3 sides by more poured concrete, and on one side by a giant cactus planted in dirt. So rather than break concrete, one must cut back the cactus and then dig, dig through the dirt, and the irrigation pipes, and the chunks of concrete that were left there long ago. But sometimes one finds that 12 inches down the soil turns to hard clay, and one does not have a pick. So one must borrow a pick from one's neighbor in the evening, and then wake up at 5:00 in the morning to continue the hole, which must be dug by 2:00 PM, because one is on a schedule to get a simple hole dug so that a structural engineer can take a look at the concrete to determine if footings should be poured.
I'm up to that challenge. I can dig a hole. With a little bit of help from Bill at the last minute. But if you have to call in reinforcements to get a hole dug, you're probably not the right guy to manage the entire construction project.
Fathy Construction has been around for 30 years, since 1978. Aziz Fathy has been an architect at the design table creating impressive commercial, industrial and residential structures. And he's been an architect in the field reviewing the "constructability" of plans designed by 'table architects'. You can design it, but you can't always build it once you get out there. And to get there, you have to speak three languages - the languages of subcontractor, of office person, and of owner.
I am learning those languages. But at some point recently (I'd say it really crystalized in the last 24 hours or so), I realized that I don't know shit and it is time to turn the reigns over to someone who does. From this point on I hope to enjoy watching the process unfold. Good luck Bill.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
THE RESOURCES LIST - a few good links
There are several interesting companies, people and ideas floating about San Diego. I think it's time to really document a few. I will call this "THE RESOURCES LIST"
THE RESOURCES LIST
A sensitive, and well orchestrated listing of Local Goings On in 'Green Building' San Diego
Deconstruction - kind of a 'duh' alternative to demolition.
Recycled Lumber Apparently they have some good old growth recycled lumber that Dixieline can mill for you.
Solar Hot Water - Imagine long, hot showers that don't require natural gas, electricity or dollars.
Solar Hot Water Rebate - San Diego is ground zero for an extremely important pilot program in the state of California.
Solar Hot Air - This is going to be particularly good on those cold sunny mornings at around 7:30...
Craigslist.org - It looks like there's a ton of stuff available on Craigslist cheap/free...
Habitat for Humanity - Another oldie but goodie, I didn't realize quite what a resource HfH is for good used stuff...
Wine Barrels - Why not, right? (Think rain water storage, grey water storage, some sort of mini-ecosystem-pond...)
SD Green House - Joshua's life is eerily similar to mine, including his blog.
Hybrid Bus and Truck company - Joshua's company. I threw this in because my next project is going to be a green RV.
THE RESOURCES LIST
A sensitive, and well orchestrated listing of Local Goings On in 'Green Building' San Diego
Deconstruction - kind of a 'duh' alternative to demolition.
Recycled Lumber Apparently they have some good old growth recycled lumber that Dixieline can mill for you.
Solar Hot Water - Imagine long, hot showers that don't require natural gas, electricity or dollars.
Solar Hot Water Rebate - San Diego is ground zero for an extremely important pilot program in the state of California.
Solar Hot Air - This is going to be particularly good on those cold sunny mornings at around 7:30...
Craigslist.org - It looks like there's a ton of stuff available on Craigslist cheap/free...
Habitat for Humanity - Another oldie but goodie, I didn't realize quite what a resource HfH is for good used stuff...
Wine Barrels - Why not, right? (Think rain water storage, grey water storage, some sort of mini-ecosystem-pond...)
SD Green House - Joshua's life is eerily similar to mine, including his blog.
Hybrid Bus and Truck company - Joshua's company. I threw this in because my next project is going to be a green RV.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Oil hits $100 per barrel!
Ho hum.
I think rational minds are all supporting legislation for some sort of 'gas tax' or 'carbon tax' that is A) substantial enough to make a difference immediately B) will be phased in so as not to 'disrupt' the economy but will eventually prepare the economy for $200 per barrel oil.
In Europe they are not feeling the pinch of these high oil prices for two reasons: 1) Oil is priced in dollars and the dollar is tanking vis a vis the Euro. 2) The traditionally high European gas tax diminishes any increase in crude oil costs because the raw product makes up a smaller percentage of the overall cost of the refined product. Summary - the European economy is better suited to $200 per barrel oil.
In Japan, they run their bathroom sinks into the toilet tank so that the basically clean water from the bathroom sink can be reused to flush down anything in the bowl. If they do that with their bathroom sink water, you can pretty much bet your bottom yen that the Japanese will weather $300 per barrel oil.
The Chinese stopped riding bikes last week. If they have to start riding bikes next week, they'll probably be ok. $400 per barrel oil.
The Russians, Nigerians, Venezuelans and Saudis are sitting on most of the world's oil reserves. Not only are they prepared for $500 per barrel oil, they love the idea.
North Koreans burn yak manure to heat their small dwellings... (OK, I made that up. I also exaggerated... not all Chinese have stopped riding their bikes.)
Conclusion - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency is as American as apple pie made of locally harvested apples.
I think rational minds are all supporting legislation for some sort of 'gas tax' or 'carbon tax' that is A) substantial enough to make a difference immediately B) will be phased in so as not to 'disrupt' the economy but will eventually prepare the economy for $200 per barrel oil.
In Europe they are not feeling the pinch of these high oil prices for two reasons: 1) Oil is priced in dollars and the dollar is tanking vis a vis the Euro. 2) The traditionally high European gas tax diminishes any increase in crude oil costs because the raw product makes up a smaller percentage of the overall cost of the refined product. Summary - the European economy is better suited to $200 per barrel oil.
In Japan, they run their bathroom sinks into the toilet tank so that the basically clean water from the bathroom sink can be reused to flush down anything in the bowl. If they do that with their bathroom sink water, you can pretty much bet your bottom yen that the Japanese will weather $300 per barrel oil.
The Chinese stopped riding bikes last week. If they have to start riding bikes next week, they'll probably be ok. $400 per barrel oil.The Russians, Nigerians, Venezuelans and Saudis are sitting on most of the world's oil reserves. Not only are they prepared for $500 per barrel oil, they love the idea.
North Koreans burn yak manure to heat their small dwellings... (OK, I made that up. I also exaggerated... not all Chinese have stopped riding their bikes.)Conclusion - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency is as American as apple pie made of locally harvested apples.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Pulling the Trigger
2008 is the year I pull the trigger on a lot of cool things. A baby (officially due June 7). A home remodel (officially to be done June 6). A bunch of solar experiments. It's going to be an exciting year.
So speaking of pulling the trigger, there was a murder about 100 yards away from my front door yesterday. Kind of wacky. I spoke to the cops about an hour ago. They were nice and informative which is reassuring. I just looked outside my window and it appears the local tv camera crew has arrived on the scene. In my younger years I probably would have gone down there to get some air time, but for now, I'm content to sit on my sofa and write a paragraph or two.
You never know where the current of life is going to take you. Sometimes you get murdered and get your 15 minutes postmortem on the 11:00 news. Sometimes you end up 100 yards away from the murder, happy and hopeful for an exceptional, outstanding year. Here's to a happy, healthy, prosperous, productive, meaningful 2008 for all! :)
Oh, by the way, here is the fox coverage of the days events:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
