Tag: home-renovation

five song friday, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: july 10

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I’m back!! Sorry about last week, but having a day off really makes wanting to blog slip into the forgotten areas of my mind; that, and I was driving all over Atlanta looking for a pool. Well, the pool should be ready next week, and I am ALMOST finished with BOTH bathrooms, so I am getting pretty excited about several things. But enough about that… we are here for the music, right? So let’s get right to it, shall we?

The Low Anthem – Charlie Darwin
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_710_thelowanthem-charliedarwin.mp3]
Every once and a while, I come across a song so amazing and beautiful, that it literally gives me chills. This is one of those songs. The delicate guitar picking, the haunting vocals, and the gentle-folk quality of this song are pure perfection. The vocal arrangements of the singers is almost choir-like in its nature, but instead of sounding like church music, it comes across as a beautiful ballad with intricacies that make this a truly amazing find. I love it when I come across songs like this, and I realize I have stumbled onto something incredibly beautiful; which unfortunately, doesn’t happen very often. I couldn’t wait to post about this one!

Marina and the Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_710_marinaandthediamonds-iamnotarobot.mp3]
Here is yet another song that I randomly stumbled onto this past week that completely took me by storm. I discovered Marina and the Diamonds by watching the the video of this song (be sure to go and check it out here) on a music blog, and while I instantly loved the song, I was struck by two things instantly: one, how much she reminds me of Imogen Heap, and two, how much she looks like Kelly Clarkson (and Rebecca Romijn from the X-Men movies when she’s got all those sparklies on)! Add to those great things the amazingly-catchy chorus, and total fun of this track, and you have a hit on your hands!! I can’t wait to see what else Marina and the Diamonds have in store for their upcoming album release; if it’s anything like this, I know I’ll love it!

Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_710_grizzlybear-twoweeks.mp3]
I don’t know what it is about this song that I love so much; the throw back sound, the weirdness of the oooo’s and ahhh’s, or the quirkiness of the track in general. It reminds me of bands like The Shins, Peter Bjorn and John, and even Vampire Weekend; all of which posses that interesting weird-ish quirk that intrigues me, and in this case, makes me love it. I saw how much hype was surrounding these guys earlier this year, and I scoffed at the time, but after hearing Two Weeks, I am definitely going to reconsider my position.

VV Brown – Shark In The Water
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_710_vvbrown-sharkinthewater.mp3]
What do you get when you take the vocals of someone very similar to Amy Winehouse, and instead of a throwback sound, you mix it with an truly danceable, pop-rock with almost and island feel to it? Why, you get this song!! I instantly loved the energy and the amazing vocal prowess VV Brown conveys in this massive song. I am sure that the UK radio will be burning up this track this summer (too bad it most likely will NOT make it to radio over here); as well as whatever is attached to my ipod.

Band Of Skulls – I Know What I Am
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_710_bandofskulls-iknowwhatiam.mp3]
This song instantly struck me for its hat tip to the intense side of classic rock, but stood out because of the unique pairing of the male and female vocals. The song literally sounds to me like Chrissie Hynde joined the White Stripes; and in the process, made a fucking kick ass single. I am definitely keeping my ears open for whatever comes next from Band of Skulls, because this song is truly fantastic (I haven’t gotten to the rest of the album yet… so many songs coming on my radar right now!!!). Also, is it just me, or is the drumming on this track like a sick, amazing heartbeat-like rhythm that begs to be danced to?

Well, there’s another 5SF for you guys… what did you think? Please let me know, and tell me what you are listening to in return! I hope you found these tracks just as amazing as I did, because this week, there was all kinds of greatness going on!!!

all about me, happenings, home improvement, mixed media, school

june’s ending, so here’s a list

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There have been several little things going on with me lately, but nothing big, so I figured a list would do the trick. Here we go:

  • As I mentioned a few times, we got a PS3 earlier in June. Yesterday, I noticed that they had a bundle with Little Big Planet (the game I bought the same day I got the PS3) and Wall E included (for the same price I paid for just the system). I went to Best Buy and asked for my copy of LBP and Wall E, and they said I’d have to return the system; so I did. I got $65 store credit for my opened copy of LBP, $30 store credit for Wall E, and a new PS3. Saving almost $100 was well worth me going back home, packing up that massive system and taking it back in. I think sometimes that I probably pay too much attention to ads and deals, but when things like this happen, I just pat myself on the back for being so aware.
  • After some discussion at brunch yesterday, I decided it was time to whiten my teeth again. I have the custom trays, but they hurt my gums, so I have been avoiding them for quite a while now. The Crest White Strips were recommended to me, so I picked up some of the Pro Effects strips today. I hope they work, as I have been feeling like the bright white smile I used to have has been a little dull lately.
  • On my ongoing attempt to become a nurse: I applied to Georgia Perimeter’s associates program again, and this time, I actually had the appropriate Transfer student status!!! If I get in, I am jumping on that opportunity, and definitely starting that program. I also applied to Kennesaw AGAIN, and was able to fix the whole “out of state” situation (which, as it turns out, was just a mistake). So here’s hoping I get in there; because going straight for the BSN would obviously be ideal (I would probably transfer the classes I take at GPC, if I get in there, to KSU). Either way, the baby steps are still being taken, and I hope that some big kid steps are in my near future.
  • The bathroom (I know, I know) is like 99.7345% done. Pictures soon, I PROMISE. Part of the problem, was that I decided to paint the other one, and get a new medicine cabinet for it too; which has obviously meant way more work for me.
  • James doesn’t like the idea, but I am definitely thinking that we need to get a pool. It is too fucking hot, and I think that our friends would want to come over and swim! I LOVE pools, and even if it is only a ~5ft deep pool, it would make summer so much more fun. It may also motivate me to get to gym more often and be less of a fat fuck. (I recently started back at the gym, so I am hoping that dream will become a reality).
  • I think that’s all for now.

all about me, home improvement

over it

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I came within an inch of crashing to a complete halt this weekend; this bathroom must be finished soon. If not, it will finish me. While laying the pebble tile in the basin on Saturday, I literally had an emotional breakdown; being a perfectionist, and doing something highly imperfect, is a recipe for disaster. After some calming down from James (who has been amazingly understanding and patient during this renovation), and a soothing bath in the other bathroom, I was able to relax, and disconnect for a bit.

The only thing that is keeping me grounded, is the FACT that it will be done soon, and my sanity will return. I have to believe this, in order to continue moving forward. Ladies and gentlemen, duane will return to his regularly scheduled programming shortly… please stand by.

all about me, happenings, home improvement

flooring update and plans

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So I mentioned it, but didn’t really elaborate on it, but our floors are now fixed. We have had issues with our floors since we bought this house, mostly due to crooked contractors and a not-so-truthful home inspector. Well, we had re-supported them in the past, but the office was just getting worse and worse, so we decided to rip up the floors and start from scratch.

This week, they came in, and built new joists in all of the affected rooms under the existing floor, but the office was so bad, that they had to literally start over. The floors were ripped out, and new joists were built and a new subfloor was laid. Needless to say, it has been a very stressful experience. What’s interesting, is just how bad the floor was… the joists that were holding up the floor were not even attached in some parts, and were literally a ticking time bomb; it was only a matter of time before someone fell through. I am glad that we took care of it sooner rather than later.

We have been talking about what kind of floor we want to do in the office, and James seems to think that we can put in hardwoods ourself, so reluctantly, I am going along for the ride. I am excited, however, that we are going to paint the office a new, more interesting color, and that we will be getting hardwoods in a room to add value to our house. Let’s hope that it is as “easy” to install as the directions indicate (seriously though, they make it sound easier that tile installation; which we have done successfully in the past).

I have been without my desktop since they tore out the floor in the office earlier this week, so I haven’t been able to get any of the pictures of the devastation up on flickr, but I am going to try and rectify that soon; since we we be having a subfloor and nothing else, I might as well set up my computer so I can use it.

Oh well… home renovation can be very stressful, but the end result is always welcome!!! Stay tuned for more updates, and hopefully, some pictures to see the progress!!! Wish us luck… and PATIENCE. We are going to need it!