Here's a short list of contactors that helped a guy out in his time of overindulgence.  It's by no means complete but, for now, I'd like to give a special thanks to a few contractors that require immediate recognition.

Johnny

ORTEGA PLUMBING

First, we'd like to thank our plumbing contractor, Louis Ortega of Ortega Plumbing, for having done such a great job on our home. Ortega Plumbing actually specializes in high-end work, so my wife and I are privileged to have had his guys "hook us up" as time permitted.  The wife and I are proud to say that Louis and his wife, Sonia, have become close family friends.  Close enough, in fact, that they routinely take our money in Texas Hold'Em tournaments.  (Damn it!)  And we all welcome their brand new, out of the box baby boy, Diego.  Diego will soon be drivng his siblings crazy: Bam Bam Natalia, The Quiet Princess Vivianna and All-Star Culver City Lou.

If you require contract-level plumbing services, please call Louis at 310-505-9854.  He does not do regular service calls - for that, call Roto Rooter or some other clown.  Repipes and up through new construction.  Check out a website I have done for him (he has no control over my stupidity) and note that it is not his doing!!!  The numbers and email are good, but otherwise, the poor guy has not endorsed my craziness.  Anyway, it's at www.ortegaplumbing.com.

ORTEGA BUILDING CO

Louis, our plumbing contractor, happens to be the cousin of Alex Ortega, a finish carpenter-turned general contractor.  Alex acted as the general on our job and did much of the work himself.  An unbelievable craftsman, Alex did all of the difficult framing on our home, which included getting rid of two supporting walls and putting in these giant beams allowing for a raised cieling, something I had to have.

Alex has since given up the general contracting business.  Returning to his finish carpentry trade, he makes an easier living without the hassles of dealing with subs and rotten customers like my wife, Cynthia.  He still freelances in the finish carpentry area and I must say that our doors (no pre-hung crap anywhere in my house) are so square, you can take a feeler guage around the frame.  (Women, forget the feeler guage thing...it's over your head.)  He makes custom cabinets as well.  Please ring his phone if you need some high quality, weekend work at 310-621-5058.

EMI INTERIOR DESIGN

Erica Islas was our designer and project manager of sorts.  I say "of sorts" because although she was only contracted to help with the layout, design and selection of materials and colors, she actually went a step further and assisted us with all areas of our remodel by acting as liaison to our general contractor and his subs.  Honestly, this alone was worth her fees as both the wife and I need to go to work to pay off this remodel.  We could not afford to stay home showing guys how we want the tile laid out or where we want our light switches!  She is responsible for the overall look of our home (my wife especially loves the master bath) and we are indebted to her for the finished product.

Trust me when I tell you she was worth every penny...trust me.  She knows how to guide a bunch of guys who would just as well paint a room silver and black (Raider fans, you know) and make neon beer signs the focal point over a fireplace.  She was conscious of my hard-core Republican masculinity as well as the wimpy, pretty stuff my wife prefers and found common ground.  That's why there is no flowery wallpaper anywhere and no Bruce Lee posters either.  Erica also shot down the dogs playing poker tapestry I've been waiting for all of my life.

Check out her website at www.emiinteriordesign.com, or call her at 310-560-7055. 

Others

I'll definitely be updating this section with our tile guy, Martin.  He has been laying tile for over 10 years and did one heck of a job.  We put this poor guy through all kinds of hell, like making him cut a million tiles, and bringing three different mosaics into the picture.  I'll post more info and his phone number just as soon as I find it.

Our electrician, Felipe, is yet another cousin of Louis Ortega.  He also did a fabulous job in hooking up a brand new 200 amp panel with all the fixin's (mashed taters and gravy, corn bread...the works) and wired everything exactly as I would have done it if I knew how to run wire without killing myself.  Nice, thick stuff too, not that flimsy weak-kneed wanna-be telephone wire.

I'll put others in here as I see fit to recommend their services.  Until then, you gets no love.