Nick Kirsch

The Remodel

2011-02-16

It has started. After the acquisition of the company I’m working for, I’m now in a position to move faster on the remodel of our home rather than slower. We are excited.

We’re working with a build/design firm called Build, LLC who just continue to live up to their reputation as being principled, cost-conscious and having good aptitude for modern design. We’re not yet into the build phase, but if you spend some time on this site you should have complete confidence in their abilities: http://www.ahousebythepark.com/journal/. It is a complete step-by-step look at the building of a modern home and is fantastically done. Not only do I have a random web reference, but a close co-worker and the SVP of my department both used Build for their remodels.

Our house, and some of the accompanying design challenges it presents, was recently featured on Build’s Blog: http://blog.buildllc.com/2011/02/the-conundrum-of-gables/.

Don’t expect to see regular updates on here, but maybe I’ll get around to posting a picture of the design or progress…

The House Hunting Adventure...

2010-12-07

Plan A - ask neighboring office if they'll sell and allow us to expand our condo by a single room.
Plan B - low-bid for an OK home on a decent lot.
Plan C - reasonable bid for a wonderful home in a decent spot. No yard, busy street.
Plan D - remodel existing home. Cost prohibitive.
Plan E - buy multi-tenant home on nice lot with current rental income. Potential for later...

Plan E won. I'd love to write more, but between exciting things at work, getting a little time for fun, and playing with the kids, this is the most time I've had in weeks.

More Love

2010-10-08

This is a previously unpublished blog entry that I wrote before Momoko's birth. It touches me to publish it, unaltered, now that she is almost eight months old.

The clock ticks towards the arrival of our second. We don't know if a little boy or a little girl is kicking their legs inside of Eriko's ever expanding belly. We don't know what this child will look like, sound like, or act like.

I don't remember what I was thinking with Jerry - fear, apprehension, excitement? That is almost four years ago - which is amazing to comprehend. I don't remember each detail of Jerry growing up, but I do know that I feel intense fondness whenever I think of him.

Now I worry - when there is a second - do I have to share my love? Does Jerry get less of me? Surely less of my time, less of my attention, less of my patience. These things just must be - I am finite; Eriko is finite. Is my love finite - does Jerry get less of me?

There is no doubt that Jerry has brought tremendous joy to Eriko and I - but he also changed our lives. We don't have the same time for each other, the same attention in each other, the same patience for each other. Yet, Jerry's love more than replaces what we give to him. I have to share Eriko with him and yet, our love for each other isn't diminished - changed, for sure - but no less.

Amidst my apprhension, there is sadness - I will miss these days. Jerry is my only son, my only child. In some ways, it is the sadness that occurs in the passing of time - the fear that things just couldn't possibly get better. I hope, and deep down I know, that despite what we will all invest, this child will bring out even more from us all.

What's an angel, Daddy?

2010-06-02

Me: Mama, we have two angels in our house.

Jerry: What’s an angel, Daddy?

Me: An angel is a special person …

Jerry: Then I’m an angel to you and you’re an angel to me. Because I love you and you love me.

Me: That’s right, Jerry.

Jerry: We have four angels, Daddy. Mama loves you and Mama loves Momo too.

Love - pass it on!

Early Morning

2010-05-24

When my mind wanders to the subject of this blog, it quickly tries to fill the hole in my submission record with a dramatic tale - me, live-blogging daily as the world around me collapses. Why such dark images are conjured up when I consider writing my thoughts down is still a mystery - left for another entry.

I love early mornings - the quiet, the sunrise, the independence. I walk to work and the air is cool and crisp: enough to make your hands numb but not enough to seep into your core. Today I’m at work at 6:07 and (once I finish this) ready to jump-start what I hope will be a productive day.

Early mornings have a downside though, a double-edged sword. It is leaving the house before the three people I care most about wake up. Jerry, in particular, is especially distraught when I leave early. Two out of three mornings it will drive him to tears to find me missing. If I don’t leave the house before he wakes up, then I’m committed to spending at least thirty minutes with him and more likely an hour. It is just as difficult for me to separate myself from him.

He’s so good at waking up soon after me that I have to wake up at five AM if I’m to get an early start. Last night before bed he stated plainly, “Daddy, I wake up when you do."

Humility Creed

2010-04-04

For those of us of who do not know, who question, or dare to contemplate the world - may our lives be filled with wonder. Force us to ask - How did I deserve this?

For those of us who know, who understand every facet, and who cannot conceive a different world - may our lives be filled with doubt. Force us to ask - How did I deserve this?

For it is only in the insatiable pursuit of truth, in the unbridled search for meaning among chaos, and the constant revaluation of ourselves that our lives are truly enriched.

Complacency is death - let us all remain humble.

Happy Easter, Happy Sunday, Happiness to all.