I finally fixed my RSS feed. The problem was pretty much simple — I have a non-standard installation of Nucleus and that was confusing the php script into adding the suffix “index.php” onto the end of the blog url which ends in “index.php” — ergo we kept getting a bogus url that ended in “index.phpindex.php”. It took me a small amount of concentration to fix it, but I had to be set free from the confines of NYC to do it here in ATL.

Angie’s RSS feed should also be fixed. I have tested them both with the google reader.

The first bank declined to finance the building. They didn’t think that the financials of the building were good enough. We even got statements about how there was over $100,000 in the reserve account and the building didn’t have a mortgage on it. Oh well.

So we applied with bank B. The loan requires us to pay PMI until we get 80% equity in the unit, which we believe will be pretty soon after we move in, since we’re going to renovate the kitchen and bathroom.

Meanwhile, last Saturday, we had our board interview. The real estate agent that set it up told us that we should expect to just meet with the head of the board for a few minutes, that it would be a formality. Riiiiight.

It turns out that someone from each of the 20 apartments in the building is on the board. We had an interview with about 10 people. It was really a great experience. The residents we met in the building are all quite friendly. They’re all very involved with running the building. That’s how they keep the monthly maintenance fee so low. They let us know that we would be expected to attend board meetings and participate in running the building. That’s great as far as I’m concerned since we’ll basically be buying part of the building. I want to keep the maintenance fees low!

They also seemed like they’d be pretty laid back about renovations. I’ve heard about some boards that require you to submit architect’s plans and provide references for your contractors before doing anything. It seems that most of the residents have been doing little projects here and there to improve their apartments. We talked to them about what we would want to do and they seemed really open. Several of the residents had helpful suggestions on renovations.

I think they liked us, but we still haven’t heard back as to whether we were approved to buy there. I think we’ll be approved, but I’d really like it to be soon! Here’s our dream timeline to get in:

• Close by 9/1
• Start renovations around 9/1:
  • Bring Electrical up to code
  • Patch all the walls where they were ripped for electrical
  • Install new cabinets, appliances, floor in Kitchen
  • Install new fixtures and tile in bathroom, possibly move pipes for bathtub and replace tub
• Finish renovations by 10/15. If I add up the time all the contractors said they’ll require, renovations should be done in 3 weeks, but I think I’d better double that to get a realistic timeline!
• Move in around 10/15
• Baby comes around 11/2

What? You think that’s cutting it close? So do I. I’m not convinced that we’ll succeed, but I really hope we can start life with a new baby in our new apartment.

I’ve had a bunch of overnights in Burbank, CA this month. On 8/9. I decided to climb the small mountains behind our hotel. Starting at about 700 feet above sea level, I climbed to about 2960 feet above sea level. It looked easy from a few miles away…

Here’s our final approach into Burbank. The montains I climbed are just beyond the runway. The range behind that is the San Gabriels.

Here’s the view of the mountain from my 17th floor hotel room. The "peak" I climbed is the one on the right.

On my way up to the foot of the hills, I stopped at a deli and got 3 liters of water. I attempted this hike a week earlier and got totally dehydrated about halfway up. So I wasn’t going to be lacking water this time!

It was about a mile to the foot of the hills and then about 3 miles to the peak. The temperature was about 90-95 degrees — but it was a "dry heat." By the time I got partway up the foot of the hills, I was seriously hot.

I stopped under one of the few trees and took a break. I think this Buzzard hoped I’d get a heat stroke so he could be first to the spoil!

Here’s the Burbank airport from the hills.

On and on I climbed. It wasn’t a terribly hard climb, but it was seriously hot. So bad that I had to stop every time I could find shade to rest. Stopping in the sun didn’t do anything at all. And there was no wind. By this point, I’d had over 1 liter of water. A dry heat in the sun is still a hot heat.

I came around a corner and the trail disappeared into a pile of rubble and brush.

It was a small landslide.

After picking my way over the landslide, I had to search for a while to regain the trail.

This is the city of Burbank. In the middle of the photo is my hotel.

Here are Glendale (lower left) and LA.

The trail kept on going. In the heat, I was concerned that I’d run out of water. By this point I’d consumed over 2/3 of my water supply.

A view of the "peak" as I was about 85% of the way there.

Looking back down, on the ridge I’d just come up. There’s a circular thing on top of that part of the ridge (on the right side of the picture). It has a giant "V6" painted on it. I think it’s a helicopter landing pad in case of fire or emergency.

Downtown LA again.

As I got to the top of the ridge, I could see the San Gabriels beyond. They reach up to over 10,000 feet.

Finally at the top! I can see Glendale, LA, …

…and out in the distance Catalina Island.

I was really hot and there was no shade, so this is the best self-portrait I had patience for.

Looking northwest along the ridge top.

Back toward the Burbank airport to the west.

On the way back down, I enjoyed looking at the dead and alive vegitation…

On the way down, it was about 4 pm and finally there was shade on the trail. I should’ve waited till 4 pm to start the hike!

+

=

I hope the that a corollary equation will be:

(me) - [hair] + {spouse who wasn't consulted and hasn't seen it}
                    = (happiness when she returns from a week in Atlanta) 

I’ll let you know.