notes/house/helene-issues.md

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ We've had some hiccups along the way, so I just wanted to start list of issues w
 - Communication lackluster
   - quotes and invoicing incomplete
   - requested payment before work was completed
+  - Inconsistent notice of subcontractors arriving onsite
+    - sometimes no notice and sometimes just 15 minute notice
 - Timeliness 
   - slow pace - some contractors will work for just a couple of hours a day for a week.
 - Broken Sewer Line
@@ -26,18 +28,24 @@ We've had some hiccups along the way, so I just wanted to start list of issues w
   - contractor puked in the yard because he came hungover
   - left food trash in buckets upstairs that caused a bug infestation
 - had to drive over to GA to confirm quartz because couldn't get what was promised
-- 
+- didn't communicate the schluter was horizontal and not vertical
+- didn't fix cut drywall in downstairs bathroom for quite some time
+  - left it open and we taped the piece back into it
+
 
 **Craftsmanship**
 
+- leaking seal on pipe that ran into the wall and stained the ceiling on the floor below in both the den and downstairs bathroom
+- hot water install mixed with cold water so we didn't have cold water for a couple days
+- poured water under the house instead of piping it out
 - left a pile of debris in the yard for three months
-- left the old sliding door in the yard for two months
+- left the old sliding door in the yard for a month
 - we personally hauled off several loads of trash
 - drywall not consistent or square in spots
   - dropping drywall at hvac intake
   - not square where the corners meet
   - didn't use the waterproof type throughout the bathroom
-  - make patches where it should have been an entire board replaced
+  - made patches where it should have been an entire board replaced
 - ripped out a closet that didn't need to be removed
 - threw away good materials and unnecessary demo
   - duct vents, bi-fold doors
@@ -50,9 +58,12 @@ We've had some hiccups along the way, so I just wanted to start list of issues w
   - trash in yard
 - broken hardware on bifold doors
 - paint on tile floor
+- had to repaint and drywall because of poor work
+- didn't install backing support for grab bar
+- spilled a heavy amount of paint thinner into the subfloor which then permeated the house for a week causing headaches and eye irritation. So potent that any heating element like our oven on the first floor gave off a lighter fluid smell for a week.
 
 **Costs**
 
 - Requested payment before work was completed
   - saying that y'all 'had a lot of money' out there
-- promissed to charge costs on materials
+- promised to charge costs on materials

notes/house/helene.md

@@ -25,9 +25,12 @@ Photos 📷 @ [/wha/glenridge/#helene](https://davidawindham.com/wha/glenridge/#
   - chimney chaise windshield & caps
   - exterior Paint - touch up other tree damaged spots on chase siding
   - exterior paint - after gutter replacement
+  - remove old truss
+  - install exterior light
 - Interior
   - HVAC - ducts / vents - should match others
   - Bathroom countertop & sinks
+  - Kneewall countertops
   - Shower Glass & hardware
   - Plumbing - bath, toilet, sinks
   - Bathroom Hardware - handrails, hooks
@@ -45,7 +48,11 @@ Photos 📷 @ [/wha/glenridge/#helene](https://davidawindham.com/wha/glenridge/#
 
 ## Log
 
-- **25/09/05** - Painters ( exterior )
+- **25/09/18** - countertop install / glass measure / GC by
+- **25/09/17** - gutter guy by to measure again
+- **25/09/08** - Carpenter Dressing Room Drawers
+- **25/09/05** - [Bath](/notes/house/bath) Countertop ( [Accent Granite](https://accentgraniteinteriors.com) ) onsite measure
+- **25/09/05** - Painters ( exterior - second finish )
 - **25/09/02-04** - Painters ( interior )
 - **25/09/03** - Plumbing ( downstairs fix )
 - **25/08/27-28** - Carpenter Dressing Room
@@ -152,6 +159,7 @@ Met with an assortment of contractors and got third party reviews from others be
     - ✅ (sub) Framer - Robbie Sudduth - 864-344-4299 - https://www.facebook.com/SudduthsConstructionAndRemodel/
   - ✅ (sub) Interior Framer - Ed Wachs - Abbeville
   - ✅ (sub) Top Coat Painters - John Coates - 864-910-0293 - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-coates-b4438343
+    - Cody, Dylan
   - ✅ (sub) All Things Electric - Brian Shirley - 864-554-5949 - 116 Townsend Rd W, Hodges, SC, 29653 - gas generator
   - ✅ (sub) Sneads Building Supply - Andrew Snead - Carpet, tile, flooring, doors
     - Salvadore - tile 
@@ -159,6 +167,7 @@ Met with an assortment of contractors and got third party reviews from others be
   - ✅ (sub) Drywall - Kenny Cole ( finishing ) 
     - ✅ Wall to Wall Drywall - David Strickland ( hanging )
   - ✅ (sub) Mountz Glass Company - https://mountzglass.com - 864-229-1545
+  - ✅ (sub) Accent Granite - https://accentgraniteinteriors.com - Dwayne Brown - 706-319-1884
   
 --- 
 

notes/house/studio.md

@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ exact dimensions 👇🏼 for tv mount( Kanto PDX700 ) 🔴 for electrical - [Br
 - Monitors
   - 🖥️  ViewSonic VX3267U-4K / Lenovo C32q-20
   - Sony 85” Class X85K 4K HDR LED
+    - Kanto PDX700 full-motion mount
 - Imaging
   - 📷 Sony A7 / Fujufilm X-T5
   - DJI Air / stabilizer

posts/2025/2025-08-31-posts.md

@@ -41,9 +41,19 @@ The duct work is in good shape and well wrapped with only minor temperature fluc
 
 The humidity in our area can be brutal and it's particularly bad in August. I bought a [Moiswell MP70](/pdf/house-dehumidifier.pdf)[^9] and set it up. It's got a built-in pump to push the water out from under the foundation. The first time I let it roll, it was almost 75% humidity under the house and I was able to drop it down to 60% in just under an hour. Moisture tests have always come back clean, but **ideally it should stay between 45-55%** just like your interior. I added a remote so that I can monitor and control the conditions in the crawlspace without actually having to crawl anywhere.  
 
-
 Now that I've got the August humidity under control, here comes winter with the heat sucking every bit of the moisture out of the house. We fight that too with humidifiers and houseplants. I'm gonna add some new [gas fireplaces](/notes/house/fire)[^10] this year and I'll be using the direct vent versions because they don't affect the air quality. 
 
+### Construction
+
+I've added this because the more I started monitoring our indoor air quality the more I learned. Although I started with a suspected seasonal allergies from humidity, I've now added VOCs from construction. We've been doing a renovation on our upstairs which involves pulling out ceilings, plumbing, and walls. There is a lot of sanding and sawdust generated. No amount of shop vac can clear it out. We're nearing the end of it with paint. 
+
+![](/img/air-quality-construction.jpg)
+
+We've been running a couple air filter downstairs and letting a cross breeze clear the air upstairs. We've also had both of our attics re-insulated in the process. We're lucky that it' on a separate HVAC system but there are still serious air quality consequences from the construction. The most recent is an interesting in that when we fire up the stove downstairs, there is a smell of lighter fluid. Yes it's odd. First time was a bit of panic with the new gas lines in. Second time I was thinking what's wrong with the stove. Turns out it an effect caused by paint thinner. Odd part is that there's not enough paint thinner fumes left over to smell and it's only been the effect of the stove. Repainting three rooms and a lot of shelving means thinner and paint get spilled onto the sub-floor which seems to absorb it pretty well based on the stains. 
+
+The solution is a commercial grade air scrubber. I'm kinda ticked that our contractors didn't use one. I've spoken with the painters and carpenters about the air and they just said they get used to it. Our general contractor just suggested changing out the air vent filters regularly. Problem is those filters don't really handle VOCs[^11] or even some of the finer drywall dust. Nope - not having it. I apprenticed woodworking while in college we used a really nice ventilation and dust collection system. I've now rigged up a carbon air scrubber and I'm letting it run 24/7 for now. The temps and humidity will cool down enough next week to just let it air out naturally. With fresh carpet going in too, I'm gonna have the sub-floor replaced and I'll plan on running that scrubber until the construction air is gone. 
+
+
 
 <div><br/><br/></div>
 ---
@@ -58,5 +68,6 @@ Now that I've got the August humidity under control, here comes winter with the
 [^8]: This Old House - [_Should Crawl-Space Vents Be Open or Closed?_](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/21173202/should-crawl-space-vents-be-open-or-closed)
 [^9]: [Moiswell MP70](/pdf/house-dehumidifier.pdf) Dehumidifier
 [^10]: notes / house / [fireplaces](/notes/house/fire)
+[^11]: VOC ( volatile organic compounds ) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compound
 
 

posts/2025/2025-09-12-posts.md

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+---
+title: Typepad
+slug: typepad
+description: Today I learned that Typepad is shutting down. 
+<!--- authors:
+  - name: David Windham
+    title: Something Else
+    url: https://davidawindham.com
+    image_url: https://davidawindham.com/wp-content/themes/daw/img/opengraph_image.jpg -->
+tags: [tech]
+image: https://davidawindham.com/wp-content/themes/daw/img/opengraph_image.jpg
+hide_table_of_contents: true
+---
+
+Today I learned that Typepad is shutting down. 
+
+<!-- truncate -->
+
+I just wanted to take a moment to memorialize Typepad[^1] since it's shutting down at the end of this month. It was one of the first. I set up my account twenty some years ago and I remember the enthusiasm folks had for the internet. It mighta still been in beta because it's documented as having been launched in 2003. Although it ended up being the preferred medium of most large media companies, I think it's important to remember that it was build primarily as a way for a gal to publish a sewing blog[^2]. 
+
+![](/img/typepad.jpg)
+
+<div><br/><br/></div>
+---
+
+[^1]: Typepad - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typepad
+[^2]: Philomena Frances Grabowski - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena_Grabowski_Trotts

posts/2025/2025-09-19-posts.md

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+---
+title: Easy Start
+slug: easy-start
+description: Today I learned not to rely on a third party backup vendor.
+<!--- authors:
+  - name: David Windham
+    title: Something Else
+    url: https://davidawindham.com
+    image_url: https://davidawindham.com/wp-content/themes/daw/img/opengraph_image.jpg -->
+tags: [tech]
+image: https://davidawindham.com/wp-content/themes/daw/img/opengraph_image.jpg
+hide_table_of_contents: true
+---
+
+Today I learned not to rely on a third party backup vendor or support.
+
+<!-- truncate -->
+
+I remember a fella once reminding me that the chance a hard drive will fail is exactly 100% and that it's just a matter of time. I've as of yet to ever have a hard drive failure that I wasn't anticipating but I did just spend the last week recovering from a failed backup. It also reminds me of an ongoing joke I have about my pressure washer because it has a little tag on it that says "**Easy Start**" and it's litterally the only machine I own that I have to fight to start with starter fluid. 
+
+It started with the discovery of an out of place file in a website install while doing some routine maintenance. No biggie there because I've literally fixed hundreds of hacked websites. And let me point out that these were on referral and not sites I actively managed because I tighten down the hatches. The file seemed to be the typical base64[^1], hex, and octal encoded spam non-sense until I started reverse engineering and discovered more files. 
+
+At first I'm thinking it's just some traversal technique with the ability to dump files until I start noticing that the files are referencing one another and a command server. I run some checks on the command server and it turns up referencing a known state sponsored hacking organization. I find the files indicating a compromised server and discover a web shell[^2] Then the bomb 💣 when I found that the files have elevated root permissions indicating a rootkit[^3]. Although I know I'm outgunned, I still like a challenge so continued to investigate while trying to avoid being detected. It's got all the signs of a an ELF[^4] attack, so I start scanning the Linux system files and viola - modified files. 
+
+I notified the host data center support team which is the second point of failure. I provided all the details of the hack including the fact that the root user account had been disabled, all unused ports blocked, and the other connective ports obscured. It takes almost an entire day for the support request to make its way up to senior support and network operations. Once they finally concede that it is indeed a Linux level attack, they offer to re-image the disc and restore from their backup service. 
+
+I'm not going to point fingers here, but I will say this is a major vendor and my client is a commonly targeted organization. We've got a high level support plan in place. At this point, I've only got a small bit offline and I'm monitoring the server keeping it rolling. I schedule the re-image on off hours and send out notifications. The time comes and goes, it's getting late and I go to bed with the confidence that everything will be restored by the morning. WRONG - I wake up early to text messages about the system down, log into the support portal and there are zero messages which is even more worrisome than an explanation. 
+
+The first support message comes in with a rather nondescript 'there was a restore failure and we're working on it'. Not good. I'm sure they're used to clients pointing out the importance that their services stay online, so I try to kindly reassure the rest of folks. This repeats for hours and finally after one rather laughable service request response, I know I've gotta move on to the emergency plan. Problem is, I don't have one. Never did because I had trust in both the provider and the third party backup vendor.
+
+I keep copies of everything I build or maintain on my local machines but there not always up to date because I rely on automated backups for those. Good news though because these particular local copies were only three months old and I could migrate them elsewhere. I setup up a new server elsewhere and put on a fresh pot of coffee. By the next morning I had them manually migrated and we nicked in just under 24 hours of downtime. I'm too old to be running on just hour hours of sleep and I caffeine hummed through the next 24 hours making fixes from the manual migration. I'm still working on reconfiguring the server.  
+
+Lessons learned: don't put your entire trust in a third party vendor for security, support, or backups. Double up to reduce the odds. I've joked with the better half on occasion that I'm a file hoarder. I've got backups of the backups of my backups. Disc space is so cheap now that it makes sense. I'm just gonna start doing that for production servers too, just automate the duplication the entire discs offsite on so that I'm never dependent on a provider as a single point of failure. It turns out that the odds that a vendor will fail you are likely 100% as well, it's just a matter of time. And if the backup service is advertised as "**Recover Faster**", it's gonna take you a week and you might even lose your data.
+
+
+<div><br/><br/></div>
+---
+
+
+[^1]: Base64 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64
+[^2]: Web shell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_shell
+[^3]: Rootkit - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit
+[^4]: _Linux ELF Malware: The New Front in the Battle for Cloud Security_ - https://linuxsecurity.com/features/linux-elf-malware-cloud-security
+

src/pages/index.md

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ description: A place to keep notes and documentation
 # Today I Learned
 
 - **2025**
+  - 25/09/19 - [Easy Start](/posts/easy-start)
+  - 25/09/12 - [Typepad](/posts/typepad)
   - 25/08/31 - [Air Quality](/posts/air-quality)
   - 25/08/22 - [The Was](/posts/the-was)
   - 25/08/14 - [Cannonball Run](/posts/cannonball-run)