ForbesOnTech

The Pods Return--My Stuff Comes Home. The Good Life For Me, But Not So Good for the Gophers

In addition to a nice relaxing soak in my new Jacuzzi/bathtub, the other great thing about my remodel was watching the storage company bring my two storage pods up from the street this evening.

Much of what I missed dearly in the five-plus months I lived in my den is packed in those two storage pods.  Essentials like: the LCD TV I had in my bedroom, the cable converter, my Monsoon outdoor speakers, my hyper accurate scoped Beeman pellet rifle, My good suits, coastal approach charts that I’ve annotated and marked with locations where I’ve caught various Thunnoid family members and large halibut, my two hand made custom fishing rods, the sofa and coffee table that use to be in my den, and if I remember correctly, my favorite mission style chair, and my personal DVD collection.

Good Lord, I’ve missed my stuff. But now it’s back home locked in two storage pods in my front driveway. And starting early tomorrow morning it gets loaded back in my house, one trip at a time.

It’s funny how much stuff you can accumulate rather quickly.  My general rule of thumb is this: if I don’t use something for two years, it gets tossed or donated. As I loaded the pods last winter, I carefully put “stuff” I didn’t need in donation piles and then had my son run them to AmVets as soon as he had a truckload. In all, he made three runs to AmVets. That’s a lot of stuff and it made me aware of my tendency to be a packrat.

Unpacking tomorrow gives me a chance to reexamine my “stuff” all over again.  I anticipate at least one more run to AmVets since I really don’t need heavy winter coats living here in San Diego.

But there are some things I’m anxious to see and put to use again.  High on thi list is my radio controlled model plane, which the local hawks don’t like one bit. And I really like my six-foot spinning rod. It has exactly the right center of balance and guides I need to put iron ( a lure) where the yellowtail swim.  And catching a Pacific yellowtail on a jig is one of the real “Wa Hoo” experiences in life.

Oh, and while my stuff has been in storage, there’s been an explosion of gophers and voles, down in my yard.  Just as soon as I get my pellet rifle out tomorrow morning I think I’ll engage in some pest control.

Too bad Mr. Gopher and Mrs. Vole, Caddy Shack is on tonight and that’s all the inspiration I need.---Jim Forbes 05/02/2008

Technologies To Help Prevent Remodel Madness-- What Really Works

The best use of a technology comes about as the result of unintended consequences. At least that’s been my experience in trying to manage a large remodel project that’s now about 50 percent complete here at my house on a small mountaintop in rural northern San Diego.

            The purpose of the remodel/addition is to provide housing for my 89-year old mother. She’s lived virtually all of her life in the tiny town of Azusa, CA, and for the last 30 years, she’s lived alone. I’m somewhat handicapped and I knew I had either the time, patience or ability to undertake the addition/remodel on my own. I spent about one-half of last summer planning MaForbes’ new space and compiling rough checklists of tasks that needed to be completed before the end of the Summer of 2007.

Some additional background: My specific handicaps are the permanent effects of a stroke I had six years ago this week. I am left-handed and the stroke wiped out the fine muscle control needed to write legibly. Another lasting effect of my stroke has to do with my abilities to stay on subject for extended periods.

Mid-summer  last year, I started using a Lenovo ThinkPad X60 tablet computer to keep track of the myriad details associated with my remodel project. I couldn’t have picked a better machine for the job. The X60 is lightweight, very rugged, has above average battery life, and most importantly supports pen-based computing and has a screen that can be swiveled around.

One of the big factors continuously reinforcing my decision to use a tablet computer for this project id the widespread adoption and use of the .PDF format by municipal building and planning departments. The first time you pull up and navigate a .PDF file using a pen/stylus you will immediately grock how important a convertible computer can be to a complex remodeling project in a city with burgeoning building codes. Moreover, watching an inspector or department supervisor pick up a pen, scroll over to a relevant .PDF page and highlight a section is absolute proof of the importance of tablet computing for applications such as the building trades. And the ability to swivel the screen so that someone else can see the display is icing on the cake.

The one downside to .PDF is that many contractors and design firms still want home owners to print out and sign plans and then return the signed files to their offices.  Try as I may, I’ve not been able to get my design firm to accept my electronic signature on an approved .PDF file.

Another technology that’s been a Godsend in my remodeling project has been USB flash drives. My plans, correspondence and other files are carried on a series of 2GB flash drives that I keep on a sturdy beaded chain. Each of my several flash drives are numbered and I maintain an index of their contents. The use of flash drives cuts down “waiting” time to locate and pull up a required file.

I also bought and installed an external hard disk for my home network. I use it to back up my remodeling related files every day. Because it’s eliminated my worrryies about lost files, it may be one of the most important technology assets I’ve acquired specifically for my home remodel.

Skype is one of the most important programs that I’ve loaded on my X60 tablet. I keep a headset in my notebook bag and use Skype on a daily basis when I’m working with the contractors working on the addition.

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I am absolutely convinced that the best-designed notebook computers are those that integrate Bluetooth, high speed 802.11 WiFi and integrated cell data modems. I’ve also upgraded my home WiFi network to 802.11 (n) technology. I bought a new wireless router and a dongle for my X60 because 802.11 (n) has the extended range, signal saturation and big bandwidth I need to stay connected and reliably transmit large files across my network in the blink of an eye.

My one technological disappointment in the remodel has been finding an appropriate project management program. As of today, project management software for home remodelers doesn’t really exist, although some is under development now.

Home remodeling doesn’t need to be exercise leading to insanity and some of the current technologies go a long way to tame this complex process. And besides, I’ve only had two major meltdowns requiring personal timeouts since I started my remodel last summer. And very soon, I’ll get my bedroom back. That will be a very good thing indeed—Jim Forbes 02/13/2008

Foundations About to get Poured--Getting Ready for Ma's big Move to Escondido--Managing Expectations

With over half of my personal check list items for Ma Forbes’ new quarters here at Rancho Bizarro South completed, It’s time for the surprisingly expensive task of ordering: bathroom fixtures, handles for the new cabinets and all those wonderful things I need to do to make sure ma 89-year-old mother has a nice comfortable living space.

            Honest to God, I had no idea that faucets, faucet handles, drawer pulls, towel racks and the  like were made of unobtainium. But looking at the bill for all the stuff sitting in three big tubs in my garage has been a major reality check. And then there was yesterday’s shopping trip to the Container Store in San Diego. So now Ma’s going to have a special container for everything she wants to store in her two closets.

I started this remodel project last September; realistically it’s occupied about 20 hours a week of my time since then.  My building plans, information on my septic system and the like were filed with the city in September also. My permit was just granted and posted last week. Since then we’ve had two inspections; one for rough plumbing and the other for the foundations.

My lumber shipment arrives tomorrow morning and weather permitting concrete gets poured as well.

I’m trying to make my mother feel like she’s part of the process, so I’ve spent a lot of time managing her expectations and helping her to understand that my home is also her home and that she is not to isolate in her quarters.

One of the important things left on my list is getting a new primary care physician for her at Kaiser. I understand how important this is to her and have had nothing but great service from Kaiser when it comes to the complex task of matching her needs to a physician she can trust.

Mom’s health concerns also extend to her 17-year-old useless cat, a Himalayan named MeeGo.  I’ve already had my vet call MaForbes’ vet so I’ve been able to manage any concerns she’s had about bringing her pet into a household that already has two tortoise shell tabbies and a somewhat inquisitive Chihuahua. Every time I’ve brought Ma down to my house I’ve made sure that she brings her cat, which gets along famously with my dog, “Perro.”

Like other baby boomers who want and are able to care for an elderly parent, I want to make the move to her new digs painless and enjoyable. At first I was quite worried that her 90-year bond with the city of Azusa would be impossible to break.

Just the opposite has proved true and as I begin what I hope is the final two months of this process, what I’ve discovered is that she’s anxious to move and seems quite happy with her new living quarters and arrangements.

My one word of advice to anyone else bringing Mom or Dad into their homes is simple: be sure to involve them in all phases of the process, from window placement down to the selection of plumbing fixtures, appliances and cabinets.

If all of this paints me as some altruistic middle-aged man who believes in filial loyalty don’t be fooled.  I get things out of this as well; the companionship of someone who makes me laugh, who likes my dog, the fresh produce I grow and who knows what motivates me. Also, bringing Ma Forbes to my house means I no longer have to make the 200 mile roundtrip to her house once a week to take her shopping and on errands. Lately, I’ve found that making that trip in one day is a bit taxing, but I still think it’s worth it.

In summary, although expensive, I’ve been able to use technology and my sense of humor to accomplish a somewhat vexing task.  I still don’t like living in what amounts to a studio apartment—my den—during construction but as soon as the foundation gets laid down this week things will come together very quickly.  And soon, I’ll be left with only two tasks: packing up the things Ma wants to bring down here (and giving away the surplus to her grandchildren) and then selling the little house on the corner of Third Street and Virginia Avenue in rural Azusa, CA. My dad, Boardie Forbes, built that house without any power tools, on a 1949-1950 budget of $700. It’s the place of my earliest memories and was a gathering point for my family for 50 years.

The circle goes on. What comes round, goes round—Jim Forbes 02/03/2007.

On Living in a House with Few Walls and Twitchy Pets

    Yesterday, I escaped remodel hell by whirring down my little hilltop to pick up some groceries. As I motored ever so efficiently in my hybrid out of my driveway I noticed a large white sign had been installed on the corner of my hill.

"Suffering Succotash," please tell me my home isn't for sale" I thought as I drove down the mountain. Although I admit to having a brain accident, my noggin isn't so scrambled that I'd forget that I may have listed my house. Besides, I really love my acreage and its slow but steady transformation into my version of an agricultural paradise, sans horses and cattle.

     I rolled to a stop in front of the sign.  It wasn't a "for sale" post, but rather a small neat poster giving the name of my contractor and the fact that he was remodeling my house. It's a nice compliment to the portapotty setting in plain view further up my lot, next to the huge industrial construction materials dumpster that completely covers where I've gardened for the last four years.

     So.. I came back from the market, pulled into my driveway, hit the garage door opener and lined up my car. That's when I noticed the four ceiling fans from rooms that are being remodeled sitting on the garage floor, blocking my parking. I really thought that I'd made it clear, "the garage is taboo!"

     I think what I have is a failure to communicate.

     But it gets better, about 90 linear feet on the east and north sides of my house are now open to the howling winds and the explorations of no to so timid local wild things. This morning at about 2 AM, my cats and Senor Perro --all of which happily try t o push me off my bed in the den-- came instantly awake and went on the alert.

     Nothing gets me more worried than waking up to the sights and sounds of electric-haired cats with hissing forked tongues and freaked out fat tails, staring up o out at something I can't see in the middle of the night. My chihuahua looking in the same general direction with his spine hair up only enhances the experience.

     After the cats stopped jumping at the ceiling, I recognized the sound-- the neighborhood barn owl has discovered the rafters in the open rooms on the east side of the house. I felt bad about going outside with my flashlight and chasing the owl out of my house. For about two seconds. I'm over it now and the small creatures are back sleeping, albeit with one eye open.

     The remodel is well on its way.The new plumbing is in and connected to my septic system. The concrete foundation forms are laid out and today or tomorrow is the first big inspection. But most of all, I've selected and ordered the bathroom fixtures for MaForbes' space.

     I've not yet had a meltdown and I've learned to trust my building superintendent. Amazing!

     But while all this madness is happening I've decided I really would like a steam boat pilot's house for a small office on top of my roof. Can't you see it now, me sitting up in a gingerbread pilot's house flanked by two tulip leafed smoke stacks, looking out over the Escondido Valley, with my pellet rifle at the ready, just in case gophers pop up down below?

     I absolutely have to get another hobby, or this remodel is going to make me crazy. one month down and two to go to completion..--Jim Forbes 01/17/2008.

Mom's InLaw, New Year's Review-- My List Half Completed; Yeah!!

For the first time since I started the current remodeling project here at Rancho Bizarro South I’m beginning to feel slightly more at ease with the process and its eventual outcome.

            Last night—New Year’s Eve, I reviewed my task lists and went to bed satisfied that I’ve completed most of the critical jobs that go into the front end of a remodeling addition project. For me the most troublesome things have all centered around getting the necessary permits.  At times I wanted to just run away from my local city hall screaming. After other meetings I left celebrating winning “neener points” – those little battles you fight knowing you’re in the right andd believing the city will come around to your view. Eventually.

            What I thought would be the hardest battle, getting my aged mother to agree to move out of the small town she grew up in and move to my place here in rural Northern San Diego County turned out to be a cake walk.

            After 89 years in Azusa. Ma is ready and anxious to move.

            I’ve tried to make the process of bringing MaForbes into my house easy and fun.  Along the way, I’ve accumulated about 45 pages of One Note files on real and imagined living space requirements for an aging parent. High on my list has been providing housing that encourages her to feel she’s still independent while at the same time helping to realize that she’s an integral part of a family.

            Although MaForbes is still able to walk around her house and has a very good memory, I don’t assume she’ll always be mobile.  That explains the big doors, wide hallways and some of the features of her new en suite bathroom.

Coming up on her 90^th year, Ma is still going strong and still very much an inquisitive naturalist who laughs at special needs sparrows, mocking birds that establish territories near her doors, and the dumbest cat I’ve ever been around.

            In planning Ma’s new living spaces I’ve made sure she has a balcony with a view of my peach, apricot and citrus trees and that fresh fruit is seldom more than a couple of feet away from the edge of her balcony.  Ma’s new digs has several large windows with views to the Pacific on the west, and of the sandstone hills that mark the edge of the Cleveland National Forest to the east of my hill.

            The bonus feature for Mom will be the morning breeze, carrying the delicate Spring scent of orange, lemon and tangerine blossoms,  one of her favorite memories of growing up in sleepy little Azusa.

            The next most important category in the MaForbes One Note files is hooking her up with a new primary care physician at Kaiser. That happens on Ma’s next visit.

            In planning her new living space I’ve made sure that everything is handicapped accessible, especially the bathroom. Overall, this stage of the proposed remodel was greatly simplified by a designer that works for my contractor.  Also, a series of conversations with another designer who is the partner of Jonathan Blackwood, a colleague from Windows magazine specializes in living space for the elderly, helped me focus in on some of the needs my mother may have in her new living quarters.

            I began this project thinking I could build a place for MaForbes for under $150,000.  I assumed that because I have the acreage, construction and the permit process would be straightforward.  Boy was I ever wrong.

            The price for this remodel will top out well in excess of $200,000. Gulp!

            MaForbes is taking an active role in her move, which makes me very thankful. And, in talking about this project with high school friends, I’ve discovered I’m just one of many baby boomers now grappling with the issue of providing living space and care for octogenarian parents.

            An extensive remodel that involves cracking concrete flooring to add new plumbing and using multiple layers of plastic sheeting to keep out the weather and the infrequent (I kid you not!) curious coyote is incredibly disruptive and it’s not a process I hope I will ever go through again. Tonight three large storage pods take up all the space in front of my boat port and garage driveway apron and all the clothing I absolutely need is hung neatly on portable clothes hanging racks from Ikea.

            The storage pods go away tomorrow morning and won’t return until the addition is done. And, after looking at over one Gigabyte’s worth of data, more than half of my task lists are now completed. When I started this project I chose to use a convertible computer and Microsoft One Note to manage all my tasks. I recommend convertibles such as the Think Pad X60 line because they are rugged enough to use around construction sights and because its swiveling screen let’s me show .PDF files related to this project to city officials and my contractors.  Since contractors get a bit miffed when I unplug their corded equipment, my X60 tablet’s battery life is a big bonus. In conjunction with the swiveling screen my convertible helps me score the neener points I need to remain sane during the remodel.

            And so, on January 1, 2008, about six hours after a stroke kicked my ass and forced me into early retirement I find myself thankful that I can provide a nice living space for my soon to be 90 year old mother, and having gained the confidence I need to manage a complex series of interrelated tasks. In the last two weeks I’ve gone from living in a space with seven rooms to sleeping in what is supposed to be my den. It’s two adults and three domestic pets. My dog doesn’t mind, my youngest cat is mostly stoned on antidepressants and I’ve learned an important lesson: People on three to four milligrams of blood thinners should not tease a dominant kitty. My bleeding left hand proves this point.—Jim Forbes 01/01/2008