Tag Archives: Work

Construct It: Cabin Floors and Walls

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I figured it was maybe time to do a little construction update.  One thing nice about doing things at your own pace is that you can take a step back when you start to feel overwhelmed or don’t have an answer to a “how to” and want to take some time to research.  A lot of building this house has required research because I’ve never done it before.  Like what screws to use for drywall and WHY?  What screws to use for cement board and WHY?  How do you construct a shower basin in a wood framed house?

The company that delivered the drywall delivered screws too.  They were black phosphate coated drywall screws BUT they were fine thread.  When I asked about it they claimed of course “It’s fine to use them in wood!” which isn’t really true.  Wood screws use a coarse thread for holding power.  Fine threads are used for metal studs.  Just an example of how a small thing can turn into a small ordeal when you are ready to start a project in the morning.

Using what are considered the “correct” fasteners might not matter to some people, especially if the fasteners are difficult to locate.  I have been called “Mañoso” (picky) a few times which is accurate I guess.

Drywall
Mud, Tape and Ready for Primer/Paint

This past week have been getting the inside ready for paint and flooring.  Since we decided to go with tile, we needed to prep the sub floor.  We got 24 4×8 sheets of 3/4″ thick cement board.  Those weigh 136 pounds each!  It took a whole day just for us to move them over to the house.  It was actually easiest for one person to carry an entire sheet on their back than it was for two people to awkwardly try to move one.  So there was a lot of resting in between trips but we got it done.

While I do a lot of the research myself it is tremendously useful to have Waldemar help with each step. He propels us forward so much more than we can do alone. I really appreciate his help. He brings skills, experience as well as lots of energy and motivation when I just don’t have a whole a lot.

Britton and Waldemar floors
Installing Cement Board

We then cut and installed the cement boards (generically called plycem here).  Those things were ridiculously heavy.  The floors however are SOLID and we shouldn’t have any problems with tiles popping or cracking.  Under the cement boards we used thinset to fill any space between the 3/4″ inch plywood.  There are a few write ups about this online.  The professionals who sold me the cement board told me I didn’t need to use thinset, but again for me it comes down to the “why” and the write ups did a good job of convincing me that it should be done.

Waldemar and Cassie 2
Cassie brings over lunch for us and helps where she can

Our tile is on order and should be here in a week or so.  We wanted to get a natural feel instead of using ceramic printed tiles and went with a red clay tile almost like terracotta.  Again, Mañoso but what can you do?  If you want something, sometimes you have to wait.

Waldermar and Britton
¿Tu quiereme? Waldemar and I work together a lot and have gotten to know each other well, even with the language barrier.

We also used cement board for the shower stall.  Over top of the cement board I used aqua defense, it is a paintable rubber membrane that adheres well to thinset when dry so you can tile over it.  The paintable membrane will keep any moisture from seeping past the grout/tiles and cement board into the wood below.  One thing I have learned is that cement is porous and should be sealed if you want to keep water out.  There is also a 3 piece drain.

Blue bathroom
Green Water-proof Membrane

Soon we should receive some tiles.  Until then we will be painting the walls.
Cassie Painting
Cassie Priming the Drywall for Paint

So as you can see, we haven’t JUST been chinchorreando and having fun…We are making really good progress on the cabin too. Now that we can see the walls and floors taking shape we are super stoked to move in!

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From Busboy to Software Engineer

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I started out my professional career working at Village Inn when I was 16 years old as a busboy. I learned how to clean the tables pick out which cleaners to use and was responsible and timely with all aspects of the job. It paid off. They moved me up to Dishwasher. Eventually I did so well they moved me up to waiter!


From This (not actually me, Im way hotter)

Its much the same as I did for the company I work at now. Just proving oneself can get you places. I started doing some CD production and distribution and now I am working on software engineering projects for 911 and doing software quality testing with no formal education.

For me its all about setting goals and being persistent. I came here not knowing what the vi editor was in unix. Now I can make advanced shell scripts that run at an enterprise level site (have several hundreds servers and several datacenters). Learning new programming languages, learning about system administration, data cabling, fail over philosophy and many many other attributes of computing that I didn’t even know existed a few years ago.


To This (not actually our data center, our cabling is much cleaner)

When I look at where I started it gives me a good sense of pride to know where I am at now. I don’t exactly know what I will do once I get to PR but if the past is any indication I will do whatever it is I set out to do. I’ve never really failed at anything I’ve tried (rentals, carpentry, flying, computers, sports, jobs, etc)

The saying is true. You can do whatever you put your mind to. The part they don’t tell you is that it takes hard work, perseverance and dedication. Most important of all is that you can’t give up. Ever. The best skill that I’ve gained thru all my hard work is that I will do ‘whatever it takes’ to accomplish something.

I feel the same way about our Puerto Rico goal. I’ll do whatever it takes. Sometimes its discouraging to not have already completed this. Cassie and I were talking about it and as it happens to be; we could complete our goal to move to PR today. We could do this pretty easily.

The issue comes from knowing ourselves fairly well. We have realized that we want a challenge out of this. That is what we do, seek out and accomplish challenging goals. We aren’t ready to retire, we want to get to PR and make a difference or a substanial positive impact and have an adventure.

Who knows. I could start out there doing whatever it takes to get by and end up somewhere I never imagined or thought possible asking myself, “How did I get here?”. I ask myself that pretty much daily already, I don’t expect it to change! lol.


To This?

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The Cigarette is Dead in Greeley

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cigarette-is-dead

I work in the Tobacco Education Program at the Weld County Health Department and we have a new marketing campaign that we are promoting throughout the Greeley/Evans area. It’s called the Cigarette is Dead. I think it’s pretty cool. It has the edgy look of revolutionary change. Our team has been working with the billboard company, local businesses, UNC, Aims and others to get the message out. We also wrote press releases and are working with our coalition to get the word out.

It is great timing because the cigarette companies just announced an increase in the price of cigarettes by about 71 to 81 cents/pack, and the federal tobacco tax of 62 cents/pack will go into effect on March 31. So, to many people, the cigarette is dead, or at least dying. Better the cigarette dead, than you!

Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing at work lately. I like the media/marketing aspect of it, although I am sure it is much different when you are trying to sell a product instead of trying to NOT sell a product…

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Secondhand Smoke Article in Newspaper

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An article I wrote for the newspaper in July has finally been printed today (see above or below)! It is part of an effort alongside United Way to educate the community about the health hazards of secondhand smoke, especially for children.

I believe Puerto Rico is one of only a few places in the US that disallows smoking in cars with children! Definitely ahead of the curve. Puerto Rico went smoke free in all bars and restaurants around the same time that Colorado did (July 2006) and they were smart to include casinos right away, unlike Colorado that had to wait until last January.  

The Facts about Secondhand Smoke.

Did you know that one in five children in the United States is exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis? This is staggering because tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure are the leading causes of preventable death and disease. The majority of Colorado residents know secondhand smoke is harmful, but many smokers continue to smoke in their homes and cars, exposing children to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand tobacco smoke is a mixture of more than 4,000 chemical compounds. More than 60 of these are known to cause cancer. It is a Group A carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) like radon or asbestos. Secondhand smoke comes from both the smoke exhaled and burning from the end of a cigarette.

Exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with an increase or worsening of many conditions. These include chronic coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, severe respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, eye and nose irritation, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and low birth weight for babies of women who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy.

Why It’s Even Worse for Children Than Adults.

Because children are growing, they breathe more air than adults per pound of weight. In a smoke-filled room or car, children absorb greater doses of smoke than adults do. The breathing zones of children are also closer to the floor, where heavier chemicals tend to accumulate. These chemicals and pollutants accumulate in carpets, fabrics, and walls. Children eat, play, crawl, sit and sleep on these very surfaces.

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also more likely to become smokers. This is due to both modeling the behavior from adults and having early exposure to nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco. Children with even one parent who smokes have five times the level of nicotine by-product in their system as those without a parent smoker.

So what can be done to protect kids from the harms of tobacco? By following these 10 guidelines, parents, caregivers and family members can protect children from tobacco:

1. Quit tobacco. This is the best thing someone can do for his or her health and the health of loved ones. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free nicotine patches and coaching. This is especially important if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Never smoke in an automobile used to transport children, even when they are not present.
3. Smoke outside only, away from vents, doors and windows.
4. Use a “smoking jacket” that is kept outside. Don’t wear clothing you smoke in around children-chemicals are absorbed into fabrics!
5. Wash your hands and face after smoking.
6. Get rid of any used cigarettes lying on the ground where children play.
7. Dispose of cigarette butts or chew cans in a safe place away from children.
8. Never let anyone smoke near your child.
9. Tell friends and family members about the dangers of secondhand smoke to protect all children.
10. Talk to your children early and often about not using tobacco.

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