Blow that cellulose in there before your wallet files for divorce. I did my 1920s bungalow two years ago and my December bill dropped from $280 to like $160. Just make sure they drill from the outside if your plaster is original cause patching those holes inside looks like a polka dot mess.

Ha! Man that's rough but I'm not surprised. One thing I don't see people mention is how fog can basically turn your slab into a salt lick if you used calcium chloride accelerator. That moisture pulls it right to the surface and you get this nasty white crust that ruins your finish before you even start. I've seen guys blame the trowel or the mix when really it was the fog activating leftover accelerator. Might be worth checking if your buddy used any in his mix back in '08. Just something to keep in the back of your head for next time.

Consistency matters in different ways depending on what you're doing. If you're learning guitar or trying to get in shape, yeah, showing up every day is huge. But in creative work or problem solving, sometimes you need to break away and try something wild to actually make progress. I've seen too many people stick to a boring routine just for the sake of it, and they end up with mediocre results. Not saying you're wrong, just that consistency isn't a one-size-fits-all rule.

Maybe it's just me but does your caulk really need to last four years?

Caved in and bought one after hanging my third sheet of 5/8" rock by myself... that was the moment my lower back told me I wasn't 25 anymore. Used a 2x4 and a floor jack for a while, but the wobble was sketchy. Got a used lift off Craigslist for $400, best money I ever spent. No more fighting with the ceiling on my shoulder.