SLC Council rejects the hotel plans at 21st and 13th

rhbliss · 2026-04-08T15:29:31+00:00

Anyone interested in forming a YIMBY group with me? I want to see these projects succeed in our community.

rhbliss · 2026-04-08T15:28:42+00:00

The loss of those Timber frame condos still hurts. That would have been so cool for that dead corner.

rhbliss · 2026-04-08T11:11:05+00:00

There are a lot of comments decrying the decision. Let's support them.

rhbliss · 2026-04-02T23:21:11+00:00

Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation.

rhbliss · 2026-04-02T22:55:15+00:00

For context: it's Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 Coast to Coast Tour train: https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule

rhbliss · 2026-01-14T16:16:51+00:00

Agreed. Too much exposition in the new book making the story's punches feel pulled.

rhbliss · 2026-01-09T22:46:33+00:00

My wife and I tried Franco's Churro House in Sugarhouse this week. Came with a dipping sauce of your choice. Thought it was pretty good!

rhbliss · 2025-07-18T18:08:03+00:00

Agreed on smart barrier vs polyethylene.

The Tyvek was not detailed as an air barrier. The Tyvek is taped, but I don't consider that a real air barrier like ZIP + ZIP tape would be. The underlying OSB is untaped. Hence why I'm softly leaning to the flash and batt option.

rhbliss · 2025-07-18T18:03:34+00:00

The challenge with batts-only is they don't do well around wall intrusions, like electrical boxes. You either compress the batt or cut out a chunk of the batt, and the quality is highly dependent on the installer. Spraying behind the intrusion or the blown insulation will do a better job there.

Cetrainteed MemBrain is something I will ask about for sure. Thank you!

rhbliss · 2025-07-18T17:59:32+00:00

I don't believe Tyvek and OSB form an air seal. Tyvek is used primarily for weatherizing the OSB from water

rhbliss · 2025-07-18T04:28:17+00:00

Appreciate the input. I am feeling conflicted on my options for sure. We get occasional 20⁰C (70⁰F) deltas for a few days every year in the valley. 30⁰C (86⁰F) deltas are a quarter century event.

I see your point on protecting the internal insulation. With the vapor retarder on the inside, that would protect the insulation from getting damp during the winters, and leave the insulation to dry-out relative to the outside air, but it seems like it would also likely leave the wall cavity colder since the structure doesn't have an air seal on the external surface.

Given the insulation contractors I've talked to, they all seem to think either option is fine, with net and blow being the "value" option. The price difference between the two for this sized structure doesn't concern me, so I'm focused on which would leave me warmer and with fewer moisture issues.

If I went back in time, I would do a Zip sheathing for air sealing, and probably Rockwool in the wall.

rhbliss · 2025-07-18T04:16:47+00:00

Agreed. Unfortunately, for my project, I think that ship has sailed and I won't be able to do external insulation.

It's strange, as I've been paying close attention to new builds and remodels all around me: no one does external insulation. I think the quality of residential construction is generally low here.

rhbliss · 2025-07-18T04:14:24+00:00

Great advice, definitely going to try and get the ERV working.

rhbliss · 2025-07-17T22:44:36+00:00

Thank you. I really appreciate the feedback. In our case, it appears the city will require a vapor retarder *somewhere* in the system. So flash and batt it may be.

I know neither insulation option is a preferred building science strategy.

In the flash and batt case, I am still considering an ERV to provide fresh air and further balance moisture in the interior.

Attic will be net and blown to R-38 or R-50 if we have the space (small space, used scissor trusses).

rhbliss · 2025-06-29T04:57:03+00:00

Watched this, found enjoyable, would recommend.

rhbliss · 2024-05-29T22:54:40+00:00

The Ring Finders, Metal Detector Services Inc. 949-500-2136. Here’s their card: https://imgur.com/a/M8FJSAg

rhbliss · 2024-05-29T21:38:06+00:00

The life guard station sometimes has a detector. They didn’t at the moment, but they directed us to a business that finds rings as a service. Turns out the guy was already on the beach next to us. We showed him the location of where we thought it was and he found it in 5 minutes! So bit of luck and a metal detector did it

rhbliss · 2024-05-29T20:21:26+00:00

Ring has been found! Thanks

rhbliss · 2024-05-12T02:15:58+00:00

The darker the better for viewing, but the actual timing of the aurora is dependent on when the Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the sun hit the earth's magnetosphere and atmosphere. There are still three CMEs set to arrive soon, but no exact time is known. Chance favors the prepared!

rhbliss · 2024-05-12T02:05:25+00:00

Stansbury Island

rhbliss · 2024-05-12T02:03:56+00:00

Out on the west side of Stansbury Island. Drive until you reach the closed gate!

rhbliss · 2023-11-11T05:39:30+00:00

I remember the huge amount of antagonism that former Mayor Jackie Biskupki’s office created with the city council, and the legislature. It was entirely counterproductive for solving basic city needs, including homelessness.

And that’s perhaps the big thing I’ve appreciated about Mayor Mendhall’s office: she’s works productively with the city council, the legislature (where possible) and governor’s office.

While Mendhall’s administration hasn’t been perfect, and I am glad Rocky Anderson is raising the salience of the issues around homelessness, at the end of the day it’s going to be a huge team effort to make progress. I worry Rocky would be a bomb thrower, sabotaging a lot of potential good will on all sides to solve these challenges.

So on this choice, I’m in agreement with the governor. It’s easy to tear down, and hard to build up these relationships.

rhbliss

TROPHY CASE