Tag Archives: house

First major house project underway

The first major project in the house is underway, repairing our broken chimney. Since moving into the house we have not been able to use the fireplace as there was a crack in the chimney found during the inspection. The issue was blamed on the previous owner having fires that were too hot. After finding a reputable company, Mr Chimney, it turns out that this is most likely damage from the 1989 earthquake.

The repairs consist of demolishing the old chimney down to the shoulder (where it widens just below the roofline) adding reenforcing bars that not only give it strength but also attach it firmly top the house. Then rebuilding the top part, replacing and pointing the bottom and for good measure a new set of sweep doors, stack and vent. Of course, this being California there are inspections to be made by local government, for which they charge over $400. It turns out that San Jose still let’s you rebuild a chimney to have a wood burning fire and some other areas do not.

Hopefully, all this should be finished within the week.

2008 on balance

This has been a year of ups, downs and the unexpected

2008 - what a year!

2008 - what a year!

Good

  • Got engaged to Nikki
  • Went to 3 weddings (Chicago, Tahoe & Palo Alto)
  • My Dad made it through a health scare and operation
  • Got a new car, Z4 Coupe
  • The country I live in is getting an good present at last

Meh

  • Didn’t get in any Snowboarding
  • Maintained the same weight for another year (lower would have pushed this to ‘Good’)
  • Transitive, my old company, got bought by IBM but it didn’t make me rich or even wealthy

Not do good

  • My Grandma died (Dec 9th)
  • Investments in stock too a tumble
  • Can’t sell either my house in England