I just waded through the whole topic. Great stuff, TC, I think you could definitely keep taking steps toward doing this full time in some way if that is what you want to do.
I'm having the exact same thing with my bathroom ceiling, btw. It was completely caving in with water six months ago until they opened and plastered it over. It started leaking through, then, so now they have opened it up and I can see where it is leaking through the pipes.
---
http://www.lukesurl.com/comics/2010-02-24-determinism.png