#Fence and Deck Depot

[fencedepotofallonil]

Fence & Deck Depot

Fence and Deck Depot of O'Fallon, IL, is a leading provider of premium fencing and decking solutions for homeowners and businesses in the region. With years of experience in the industry, we are dedicated to offering high-quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and exceptional customer service. As a top fence company, we take pride in our ability to deliver durable and aesthetically pleasing fencing solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

Our fence install services cover a wide range of materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain link. Whether you’re seeking privacy, security, or an ornamental touch, our team will guide you through the selection process and ensure the fence complements your property’s design. Each installation is performed by highly skilled professionals who prioritize safety, precision, and long-lasting results. We understand that your fence not only provides function but also adds curb appeal to your property.

In addition to our fencing expertise, we specialize in deck install services, creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and practical. Our custom decks are designed with your vision in mind, whether you prefer a classic wooden deck or a modern composite option. Our experienced deck builders work with a variety of materials, offering you a range of choices that cater to your aesthetic preferences, lifestyle, and budget. We focus on durability and design, ensuring your deck will be a comfortable, stylish addition to your home for years to come.

At Fence and Deck Depot, we believe that customer satisfaction is paramount. From the initial consultation to project completion, we are committed to open communication, attention to detail, and timely service. Our team of installers works efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality, ensuring that your fence or deck not only meets but exceeds your expectations.

Whether you're looking to boost the security of your property with a new fence or enhance your outdoor living space with a custom deck, Fence and Deck Depot of O'Fallon, IL, is here to bring your vision to life. Trust our expert fence company and deck builders to provide solutions that combine functionality, durability, and style.

Visit Our Website

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Sometimes there are laws regarding lot sizes and sometimes there aren't. That could be the case w/this narrow 2018 house in Houston, TX. It's built on this cement slab and seems to be almost over the edge on its left side. It has 3bds, 3ba, a glass garage door, and they're asking $299K.

OK, so the entrance is on the side. In the hall there's the garage door and the laundry. Not what you'd call a beautiful entrance.

Then you emerge by the stairs and main living area.

The living room is at the other end by the kitchen. I think that I would flip the dining and living area around.

There's a powder room off the dining area.

The kitchen is pretty decent. Nice counter and cabinetry. There's even a pot filler, but no backsplash.

I think that the living room space would be better as the dining space.

Going up to the 2nd fl. I guess the railing is nice. Looks like a Home Depot DIY job, though.

The primary bedroom is small, but it has tons of natural light and a door to the deck.

The deck.

Narrow hall to the other rooms.

Small shower room.

Guest bedroom with twin beds.

Bd. #3 is the last one down hall and it's much larger.

This larger bath is nice and there's a closet for the vacuum cleaner, etc.

So, the whole property is basically a long driveway on the 2,273 sq ft lot. Notice how the fence matches the railing inside.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8136-N-Main-St-Houston-TX-77022/27852992_zpid/

[handeaux]

Overwhelmed By Advertising? The Battle For Cincinnati Consumers Has Raged For More Than A Century

Depending on the source, it is estimated that each American is confronted by 6,000 to 10,000 advertising messages every single day. That immersive media onslaught swelled as we started carrying little video screens around wherever we go, but invasive and obnoxious marketing has bothered Cincinnatians for much more than a century.

For example, on 20 July 1871, a correspondent for the Cincinnati Times related an enjoyable voyage he had undertaken down the Ohio River. After praising the service of his riverboat’s staff, the remarkable scenery along the river, the picturesque little town he floated by, the writer registered one complaint, about a cliff near the town of Hanging Rock:

“High up on the face of this wall of white sandstone, hundreds of feet beyond the reach of a scaling ladder, I noticed a patent medicine advertisement. It was penciled there by a man let down with ropes from above, and the letters are large enough to be read from the deck of a steamer two miles distant. I was sorry to see this defacement. It is bad enough that all the fences throughout the land should be made to lie for patent medicines without debasing the hill-sides with such marking. I suppose that when the ‘chemical affinity necessary to be the motor of some immense flying machine’ shall be discovered, some enterprising patent medicine man will be plastering the face of the moon with some of his ‘wonderful remedies.’”

If only the poor man knew what lay ahead! Even in the 1870s, almost every vertical surface in Cincinnati was slathered with posters, placards and bills advertising shows at the local theaters, patent medicines and political candidates. Cincinnati was the center of the bill-posting world. For one thing, Cincinnati was among the top printing cities of the United States, with the mighty Strobridge Lithographing Company dominating the poster industry.

Also, Billboard magazine was headquartered here in Cincinnati. What we now think of as a music magazine, Billboard was founded in Cincinnati as a trade publication for men who posted “bills” on walls. From its first issue in 1894, Billboard covered the entertainment industry, such as circuses, fairs and burlesque shows, and also created a mail service for travelling entertainers. Initially it covered the advertising and bill-posting trade and was known as Billboard Advertising.

Far from inspiring civic pride, advertising rankled Cincinnati residents as they witnessed visual pollution encrusting the region’s hillsides. Leading the opposition was the Municipal Art Society – a sort of ad-hoc predecessor to today’s Urban Design Review Board. The opening shot was fired 24 August 1896 when the Enquirer reported:

“A matter that will undoubtedly be of interest to the business men is the fact that war has been declared by the Cincinnati Municipal Art Society against advertising signs on fences along the car routes and drives of the city. The art society maintains that these signs mar the beauty of the city, especially in the case of landscape scenes on the hills and in the suburbs, and that they are offensive to the public taste.”

The Society was persistent. It took five years but the Cincinnati Post reported [24 November 1901] that the Baldwin Piano Company had demolished 200 feet of billboards erected on company property along Gilbert Avenue. The Post described this as the “first result” of the Society’s campaign.

The Municipal Art Society was soon joined by some strange bedfellows. The Cincinnati Business Men’s Club, among whose members were certainly a number of advertisers who employed billboards to disseminate their messages, created its own Municipal Art Committee to lobby for restrictions on outdoor advertising. On 1 June 1907, the committee circulated a postcard illustrated with a photo of signage clogging the view from the Grand Central Depot, with the sarcastic caption, “A Nice Welcome To Cincinnati.”

As early as 1895, the city chased the Fountain saloon’s advertising off Fountain Square, but appears not to have drafted a comprehensive law about outdoor advertising until 1909 when, as part of a broader safety ordinance, the city adopted limitations on the size of billboards, their placement near thoroughfares and the materials to be used in their construction.

While the city pondered how to encourage commerce while maintaining attractive views, the entire billboard industry was gaining momentum through a Cincinnati entrepreneur named Philip Morton. Before Morton, “bill boards” were basically fences on which bill posters slapped printed advertisements glued up with a flour-water paste. Morton took outdoor advertising to a new level, according to Jay Gilbert, who has researched his influence on marketing [Cincinnati Magazine September 2016]:

“By 1898 he’d become the Steve Jobs of roadside blight. Doing business as Ph. Morton, Phil was an early pioneer of putting ads into free-standing frames called ‘bill-boards’ and plunking them down everywhere. Eventually every railroad route and motorway in America had its view ruined by a Ph. Morton billboard.”

Even the powerhouse Morton found himself in the city’s crosshairs. Parks Superintendent John W. Rodgers, according to the Enquirer [20 September 1907], exasperated by Morton’s billboards blocking the view of Inwood Park, erupted.

“Park Superintendent Rodgers yesterday tore down over 12,000 feet of big billboards that stretched along for a distance south of Hollister street, facing Vine street, in front of Inwood Park. The billboards were 12 feet high, about 1,000 feet long and contained the advertisements of leading firms of the city, and were illuminated at night with electric lights. They had been at that place for years.”

All of those billboards were leased by Philip Morton who, as coincidence would have it, dropped off a check to pay the lease while workmen were busily engaged demolishing his thousand feet of signage. This was the Boss Cox era in Cincinnati where the right hand was very often ignorant of the left hand’s activity. And so it was, while the Park Superintendent was demolishing billboards on Vine Street, the Board of Public Service pondered a lease for billboards along Gilbert Avenue. That’s right – the same Gilbert Avenue divested of billboards just six years earlier.

A common theme of cartoon artists at that time was the eventual coverage of all available exterior surfaces with advertising signs and slogans. In response, Cincinnati Post cartoonist Elmer Andrews Bushnell sketched City Hall wrapped from sidewalk to parapet in advertising while George Barnsdale Cox and his minion, August “Garry” Herrmann, happily apply more posters and Mayor Julius Fleischmann hides behind a billboard.

The battle raged for decades. Photographs from 1927 show dozens of billboards crowding the hillside over the Brighton overpass to Central Parkway and the Enquirer [24 March 1929] begged for relief because billboards and other unsightly structures had a negative effect on property values:

“What of the gaudy billboard that intrudes itself into a residential district, the sign which girds the tree or telephone pole, the roadside ‘shack’ which is made more ugly with bizarre advertisements? Do they affect values?”

A century later, we hardly notice billboards anymore. We’re too busy texting while we drive.

[homeimprovementway]

How Much 2 by 4 Wood: Best Deals and Prices

The price of 2 by 4 wood can vary depending on the store and location, with prices ranging from $1.38 to $5.27 per piece at stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards. There are also online options available, such as AdvantageLumber.com, Amazon.com, and myshopify.com. It is recommended to check the prices at different stores and websites to find the best deal.

Researching Best Deals

In Austin, Texas, compare prices for 2 by 4 wood at Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, and online retailers like AdvantageLumber to find the best deals. Prices range from $1. 42 to $31. 79, with discounts available for bulk purchases. Fast delivery options and varying wood types are also available for convenient shopping. Search Results Overview When it comes to purchasing 2 by 4 wood, it is important to research and compare prices to ensure you are getting the best deal. By conducting thorough research, you can find the top retailers offering competitive pricing and save yourself some money. In this article, we will explore the search results overview and highlight the top deals at Home Depot and Lowe's. Top Deals At Home Depot Home Depot is known for its wide selection of building materials, including 2 by 4 wood. By taking advantage of the top deals at Home Depot, you can find affordable options for your woodworking projects. Currently, Home Depot is offering Southern Yellow Pine Lumber for just $1.42 per piece. This is a great deal if you are looking for quality wood at an affordable price. Additionally, Home Depot is offering Fast pickup or delivery options, ensuring convenience and efficiency in your purchase. Competitive Pricing At Lowe's Lowe's is another popular retailer offering competitive pricing for 2 by 4 wood. If you are considering Lowe's for your purchase, you can find Spruce Pine Kiln-Dried Stud for $3.73, an attractive choice for those on a budget. Lowe's also provides convenient pickup and delivery options, making it easy to get your hands on the wood you need without any hassle. By exploring Lowe's offerings, you can find top deals that meet your budget and project requirements.

Popular Wood Types

Explore a variety of popular wood types, including the common 2 by 4 wood, at competitive prices from home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards. Enhance your DIY projects with Southern Yellow Pine, Whitewood Studs, or Kiln-Dried options suitable for various constructions and renovations. Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Southern Yellow Pine lumber is a popular choice due to its strength and durability. It is widely used in construction projects and outdoor applications. Spruce Pine Kiln-dried Studs Spruce pine kiln-dried studs are known for their straightness and stability. They are commonly used in framing and carpentry work. Prime Whitewood Studs Prime whitewood studs are versatile and ideal for various projects. They are known for their consistent quality and are often used in interior framing.

Specialty Wood Options

When it comes to specialty wood options, it's essential to consider the specific needs of your project. Whether it's for outdoor decking, framing, or interior woodworking, choosing the right type of wood can make a significant difference in the durability and aesthetic appeal of the final product. Two popular choices for specialty wood options are WeatherShield Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber and Potlatch Prime Kiln-Dried Whitewood Studs. Weathershield Prime Ground Contact Pressure-treated Lumber WeatherShield Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber is a top choice for outdoor projects where the wood will be exposed to moisture and ground contact. This type of lumber is treated to resist decay and termites, making it ideal for use in decks, fences, and other outdoor structures. Its pressure-treated properties ensure longevity and durability, providing peace of mind for long-term outdoor projects. Potlatch Prime Kiln-dried Whitewood Studs Potlatch Prime Kiln-Dried Whitewood Studs are kiln-dried to reduce moisture content, resulting in a stable and reliable wood option for interior framing and woodworking. Kiln-dried wood is less prone to warping, twisting, and shrinking, making it an excellent choice for precision projects where dimensional stability is crucial. With its high-quality and uniform characteristics, Potlatch Prime Kiln-Dried Whitewood Studs are suitable for various indoor applications.

Online Retailers Comparison

When it comes to purchasing 2x4 wood, online retailers offer convenience, competitive prices, and a wide range of options. In this comparison, we will take a closer look at three popular online retailers: AdvantageLumber.com, Amazon.com, and MyShopify.com. Advantagelumber.com At AdvantageLumber.com, you can find high-quality 2x4 wood at a reasonable price. Currently, their price for a single piece of 2x4 wood is $5.12, with a 6% discount available. AdvantageLumber.com is known for their commitment to customer satisfaction and their fast shipping options. Amazon.com Prices Amazon.com is a well-known online marketplace with a vast selection of products, including 2x4 wood. Their current price for a single piece of 2x4 wood is $5.27, with different sellers offering various pricing options. Amazon.com is a convenient option for those looking for competitive prices and the possibility of multiple sellers to choose from. Myshopify.com Options MyShopify.com is a platform that hosts various online stores, providing customers with a wide range of options. One option available on MyShopify.com is the Prime Whitewood Stud, which is priced at $3.73. MyShopify.com offers a user-friendly shopping experience and often provides discounts and exclusive deals. Overall, when comparing online retailers for 2x4 wood, AdvantageLumber.com offers a competitive price with fast shipping, while Amazon.com provides a diverse array of options from various sellers. MyShopify.com stands out for its user-friendly interface and exclusive deals. Consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing the best online retailer for your 2x4 wood purchase.

Physical Store Options

You can find 2 by 4 wood at various physical stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards, with prices ranging from $1. 42 to $5. 58 per piece. Fast pickup or delivery options are also available, depending on your location and preferences. Menards Pricing Menards offers competitive pricing for 2 by 4 wood, with options starting at $3.73. Comparison At Lowe's Lowe's pricing for 2 by 4 wood is also attractive, with prices starting as low as $3.42. Home Depot Variety Home Depot provides a wide variety of 2 by 4 wood types, including Southern Yellow Pine and Prime Whitewood Stud.

Fast Pickup Or Delivery Services

When you need 2 by 4 wood for your next project, convenience and efficiency become essential factors. The availability of fast pickup or delivery services can make a significant difference in how quickly you can get started on your project. Let's explore the convenience offered by Home Depot and the efficiency of their delivery options. Convenience Offered By Home Depot: Home Depot provides a seamless shopping experience with their convenient pickup and delivery services for 2 by 4 wood. This allows you to select the wood you need online and choose the most convenient option for receiving your materials. Efficiency Of Delivery Options: Home Depot offers efficient delivery options that ensure your 2 by 4 wood reaches you promptly. Their reliable shipping services make it easy to schedule a delivery time that works best for you, saving you time and effort.

Additional Discounts And Offers

Looking for additional discounts and offers on 2 by 4 wood? Check out popular home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, and online retailers like Amazon for special deals and low prices on 2 by 4 lumber. Get the materials you need for your DIY projects at a discounted price. Special Discounts At Home Depot If you're looking for additional discounts and offers on 2 by 4 wood, Home Depot has you covered. Home Depot is known for its wide selection of high-quality lumber at affordable prices, and they frequently offer special discounts to help you save even more on your woodworking projects. Percentage Off Deals One of the best ways to save on 2 by 4 wood at Home Depot is through their percentage off deals. These deals allow you to get a certain percentage off the regular price of the wood, helping you save on your projects. Keep an eye out for these deals as they can provide significant savings. Here are some examples of recent percentage off deals on 2 by 4 wood at Home Depot: Product Regular Price Discounted Price Savings Southern Yellow Pine Lumber $1.42 $1.42 6% OFF Prime Whitewood Stud $3.73 $3.15 15% OFF WeatherShield Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber $5.58 $5.58 10% OFF As you can see, these percentage off deals can provide significant savings on 2 by 4 wood at Home Depot. It's worth checking their website or visiting your local store to see what deals they currently have available. Whether you're a professional woodworker or just doing a DIY project, taking advantage of these additional discounts and offers can help you save money on 2 by 4 wood at Home Depot. So why pay more when you can get the same high-quality wood at a discounted price? Take advantage of these deals and start your woodworking project today!

Comparison Shopping Tools

If you're considering a woodworking project involving 2x4 lumber, the cost of this essential building material is a critical factor to consider. To ensure you get the best value for your money, it's important to compare prices from various sources. Utilizing comparison shopping tools can help you identify the best deals available and secure the most cost-effective options for your project. 2x4 Lumber Guide On Home Depot When embarking on a project requiring 2x4 lumber, Home Depot serves as a valuable resource for finding a wide selection of 2x4 lumber variants. Here, you can explore the different types of lumber available, compare prices, and read customer reviews to make an informed decision about your purchase. Tips For Finding Deals Online - Start by utilizing the search capabilities of reputable hardware and lumber suppliers such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards to compare prices, study product specifications, and read customer reviews. - Consider using specialized shopping platforms that display a wide range of 2x4 lumber from numerous retailers, allowing you to easily compare prices and find the best deals. - Utilize price tracking tools and notifications to stay informed about any discounts or price reductions relating to 2x4 lumber, ensuring that you capitalize on the best available deals. - Explore customer forums and social media groups dedicated to woodworking and home improvement, as these platforms often provide valuable insights into deals and sales related to 2x4 lumber. - Keep a lookout for seasonal promotions and periodic sales, which can present excellent opportunities to secure cost-effective deals on 2x4 lumber for your projects.

Frequently Asked Questions Of How Much 2 By 4 Wood

How Much Does A Unit Of 2x4 Cost? A unit of 2x4 costs around $3. 07 at The Home Depot. Other retailers may offer varying prices. What Is A 2 By 4 Piece Of Wood? A 2 by 4 piece of wood is a common lumber size measuring 2 inches in thickness and 4 inches in width. How Many 2x4 In A Unit Of Lumber? A unit of lumber typically contains around 275 2x4 pieces. Lumber units can vary, so it's best to check with the supplier for exact quantities. Are 2x4x8 Actually 8 Feet Long? Yes, 2x4x8 lumber is actually 8 feet long. It is a standard size used in construction projects.

Conclusion

To summarize, understanding the cost of 2 by 4 wood is essential for anyone looking to undertake a DIY project or construction job. With various options available at different retailers, it's important to compare prices and quality to find the best deal. The Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, and other stores offer competitive prices on 2 by 4 wood, ensuring accessibility for all budgets. By considering factors such as material quality and delivery options, you can make an informed decision and confidently proceed with your project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_edRsqAy9E Read the full article

[localizee]

From siding and doors to gutters, decks, fences, sunrooms, four-season rooms, bathrooms, and even pergolas (including metal and motorized options), motorized screens, and screen rooms, we've got your needs covered.

[pebl-design]

The Subject of My Home

The profession of Landscape Architecture often gets hung up on whether our designed landscapes are with nature or not nature or mimicking nature or contextual nature or whatever… This debate is a disservice as it trivializes the topic, nature is not a sound-bite and it should not be a marketing platform; we must find a way to move on and accept that nature “is” and our work “is” simply part of it. I believe the root of this comes from our profession’s anxiety-ridden relationship with scale and perception, young designers are so often led to believe that big ideas are the crux to legibility and thus the key to un-tapping the holy grail of nature. Nevertheless the dilemma with this notion is two-fold, first-off the large projects are so few and far-between that their impact is questionable as trends shift and neighborhoods are turned over. Secondly, even the grandest gestures are obscured with time; neglected, unmanaged, or simply unused; this is not nature’s insidious trick, rather it is the gift we most often ignore. Our obsession with outcomes only serves to obfuscate the real opportunity to create platforms for our participation with nature and moreover the importance for education when working with clients and collaborators. Usually looking out one’s own front door provides a diverse palette of precedents for this quandary and a much more scalable opportunity. Why do our neighborhoods look the way they do? We live in a world of half-baked landscapes that are more about obscuring architecture than highlighting it and usually relegated to circulation corridors decorated by the current trends at Home Depot. Vegetation is selected on the merits of its constraints, not its ability to proliferate or contribute; while everyone has an innate and personal relationship with their cultural landscapes, it seldom feels that way when walking down the street. Why are we fighting over the next great urban park when, in a city such as Minneapolis, over half of our land area is consumed by residential properties? Is this not an opportunity for small ideas that cumulatively become massive? This critique does not imply a solution, rather it seeks to own the subjectification of nature and highlight our deference to the residential, it hopes to foreground the necessity for scrutiny, provocation, and discourse regarding all of our landscapes.

I recall sitting on my front porch - before there were kids involved - almost revelling in the messiness of our yards (front and back). We didn’t really have a lawn, unless a mat of creeping jenny counts, and I was oddly proud to not be able to identify the collection of ornamental shrubs that separated us from the sidewalk. At least we had a tall fence to shield the derelict status of our backyard where our decaying deck was providing excellent habitat for wasps and rabbits. I leaned on an adaptation of the old saying “if you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all” and thus my excuse to enjoy the intermittent hostas and daylilies; indeed I did nothing at all. I could share some blame with my wife, a fellow Landscape Architect, we filled out the stereotype of designers who live in un-designed spaces. That is not to say we did not discuss at length the potential for our space, just how great we could make it, if only we could settle on a plan. Of course this is ripe with irony since creating a “plan” is what I preach most to my clients; how a plan shields you from falling into the trap of picking up the blue hydrangea at Menards because “it was a good deal” and then plopping it down in the most random of spots only to plan (and plant) around it for years to come. I am equally susceptible to these whims as anyone else, case-in-point when I was 23 I bought a really great window at a garage sale and decided to add a second floor to my house just so I could utilize it appropriately. When our first child was born it was such a relief, I thought that now I could kick back and really let things fall apart because I didn’t need sham excuses anymore, I had a real one! Who’s going to fault the new parents? And so we learned to avoid the holes in the deck and enjoy our dog’s incessant search for our rascally rabbits. Nonetheless as the wasp stings mounted and time went on I realized that my children were the reason to make a plan, not an excuse to avoid one.

We didn’t need much, simplicity and function with a well-crafted frame would do the trick. For the back I proposed to my family a concept of five rectangles: wood, concrete, copper, turf, and meadow. The children countered with a pirate-ship treehouse connected to a princess-tower via a rollercoaster; in retrospect this made a lot of sense but I was worried about costs and hence we stuck with dad’s concept. As with most landscaping projects, our budget was tight, but I like to think that this constraint fit in perfectly with our goals: 1. Simple material palette 2. Highlight space with recycled elements and 3. Watch the space grow.

Starting with demolition, we removed everything so that we might have a clean slate. We needed to be efficient and thus built the cedar deck, followed by the concrete, turf, and meadow successively. The project was accented via the insertion of three recycled elements. The first was a collection of perforated copper screens, reclaimed from downtown Minneapolis’ Westminster Church. The screens had been designed by my former office and had been procured during a recent renovation that would have required their disposal. Next was the utilization of two precast benches, placed on the concrete patio as an invitation for informal gathering. Lastly, leftover pieces of wood from the deck construction were repurposed to build a dining table.

My wife thought I was ridiculous the day I showed up and started jabbing sticks into the “meadow” rectangle; I had harvested the tree whips from my cousin’s property in Frontenac. I relayed the absurdity to my children and they revelled in the quick growth all the more because of how crazy their father was. The beautiful scrim of sumac quickly established and replaced our tall fence, with the addition of grandpa’s bird feeders the trees were soon filled with wildlife. In the understory we sowed a variety of native seeds and each new summer has brought a surprise of color and texture.

In the following years we would move around our property, installing various adaptations of our design framework: an overflowing vegetable garden, grove of fruit trees, sycamore in the boulevard, and a sixth rectangle filled with little bluestem and more sticks (this time they were quaking aspen). All these would provide a testing ground for our children’s observation skills and budding green thumbs. I look forward to the day when my trees are overgrown and must be trimmed or removed, when someone is proven correct that my spacing was too close or sycamores don’t grow in Minnesota. I look forward to cleaning up sidewalk chalk and eventually removing the nameless shrubs that hide my foundation. Projects should echo their users, thus the formal organization and materiality is a direct reflection of our “style,” nevertheless the real success of the project will be measured by its ability to provide invitation and provocation to our family. I don’t really care anymore if our landscapes are contextual or fake or pristine or messy; I’ll be happy when our landscapes promote engagement and discourse, I’ll be happy when they own their subjectification of nature.

Jonathan Blaseg is a founding partner of PEBL Design and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota.

[thewestern]

Chapter 12.5\A

If Hank’s design inspo for the Newfy had been a quaint, old-world alehouse for fellow weary travelers, whatever Dandy Jim was going for with #x_brüing hq, well it was the diametric fucking opposite of that, from an interior design standpoint. A vampiric discotheque for the aristocratic undead, maybe. Tear out the carpet and remove the hardwood. Pour more cement and install sheet metal. Trash Hank’s tacky souvenirs and nostalgic memorabilia. Exhibit these provocative art installations on loan from a local collector of dubious repute. Flip off forever the golden incandescents glowing under green glass lampshades. Flash blood red LEDs and white hot strobes, taking the calculated risk of triggering seizures for those folks suffering from photosensitive epilepsy. 

At #x_brüing, light was a motif, as Jaime was known to say completely seriously. And abundantly it was awash, with a veritable bukkake of brightness, Grace observed. Even the tap list was projected high onto the back wall, like luminescent cave drawings. A light tech the likes of Kuroda would have been impressed by the kinetic utility. Kitty again flashed back to the planetarium at Space Camp; it was where she had her first kiss, if you must know why the memory was so present. One of the shameful few she ever shared without Mick. Additionally, some of the low-hanging ventilation ducts and very angular furniture reminded her of the classrooms and common areas at SciTech. 

Speaking of The Space, in continued contrast to the friendly confines of the Newfy, #x_brüing was abrasive and cavernous, is about all you could say. This was the part of town soon-to-be-formerly known as the Warehouse Manufacturing District, after all. What middle class-job-creating industry hath forsaken this place, the Mick was trying his best to figure. (The middle class doesn’t exist, or so Kitty had once heard at a friend of a friend’s thirty-first birthday party.) Smart money would say a textile factory, or maybe a stockyard of some sort, but the convex roof trusses made him think it could have been an airplane hangar. A sight big though, even for a jumbo jet. As if reading his wandering mind, the small woman leading their impromptu tour commenced the guided portion. 

The space was originally conceived as a train depot. If you look down you can actually still see the tracks in the floor. 

Transportation … he was in the ballpark then. And hey look — damned if there weren’t the real-life railroad, recessed into the concrete right at his feet. Jaime was a steel-drivin' man, apparently. 

As they are wont to do, the train tracks served to divide the intersected area into two sides. On one was the brewery itself, enclosed within a chain link fence rimmed by a foreboding, rosette spiral of barbed wire, but otherwise completely exposed to the drinking public. For them to look upon his beerworks. The chicken wire was affixed via zip tie with a large placard — graphically designed in the style of warning signs that say scary things such as Danger: High Voltage or Beware of Dog — that instead said DO THE WORK. 

The Mick wasn’t a gearhead by any stretch. (At least when it came to his day job. His dirtbike … now that was a separate matter entirely.) But any beer doofus could tell by the brand-spanking new specs that this play was financially backed to the fucking tits. Which is to say Dandy Jim definitely hadn’t cobbled this thing together out of spare parts like Hank and Russ had way back when. There were five massive fermenters, with an elevated brew deck running all alongside them up top. The Mick couldn’t get a good look at the brewhouse itself, behind all that chrome-plated, stainless steel, but he would bet the mortgage it cost more than his house. Some kind of custom job, no doubt. German, in all likelihood. Fucking antisemites. 

Then on the other side of the tracks was the tasting area, or as #x_brüers insisted on calling it: the eXpanded brüniverse. Against the wall, that half of the room was subdivided into several so-called eXperience ünits, which in point of fact were shipping containers, furnished into human terrariums. Stacked three high and four wide, connected via a network of spiral staircases for ascending levels, and slides and fire poles for descending on back down. All of the zones showcased different eXperiences from which to consider. About a quarter of them were bars. This was still a brewery, after all. Then another third were set aside for seating. Think more bottle service than corner booth — crush velvet lounges, tables that light up the underside, exclusively female servers who appearance-wise skewed closer to cocktail waitresses than beer wenches. The remaining half ünits were very much choose your own adventure. That the Mick could see, there was a yoga studio in one, a miniature halfpipe in another. A DJ booth and a pressure-activated LED dance floor. Zeke’s personal favorite activity zone had this whole creepy carnival, spooky state fair vibe, going. Fortune teller, old-timey photo booth, contortionist, kind of thing. 

Patrons were free to eXplore the ünits at their leisure, except for a handful that were fully encased in plexiglass. Judging by the hydroponic lights and lush rows of leafy green plants, one had been converted into a fully-functional grow house. Two ünits right and one down, Grace was staring at a woman in a white lab coat she thought maybe she recognized. Did I have sex with that scientist? What’s she doing in there anyway? Probably running standard QA/QC tests, Grace figured. Gravity and pH, yeast counts and pitch viability, IBU and SRM. Not exactly curing cancer. Definitely didn’t require a PhD, no less the full fucking getup. Grace and the Mick did all shit themselves in street clothes. Pair of safety goggles and some rubber gloves maybe. If he saw her show up to work looking like Dexter’s mother fucking Laboratory, he’d sure shit a brick laughing.

For the life of her, Grace could not recall from where she knew this woman. Agogly she observed her, going about the scientific methods, studiously peering into a microscope, jotting down some schematics in her marble notebook, reaching into a bin and pulling out a … 

… Holy fucking shit, is that a fucking rattlesnake?  

Why, yes, it is. Sasha is working with us as part of a research fellowship, on loan from the Humanitarian Practice of Veterinarians. 

Ahh … yeahh … Sasshha. What is up, girl? Snakes … duh. That was where Grace knew her from. They met outside the Reptile Rodeo exhibit. Grace was just through mopping the bathrooms. And, yes, they did have sex, but back at Sasha’s place. Not In the Bathrooms. Don’t be gross. No amount of mopping, figure eight or fucking otherwise, could sterilize a zoo bathroom for purposes of human mating. (Despite the shocking convenience with which it facilitated casual sex encounters, Grace lamented somewhat the surging pervasiveness of Scissr, a new Dating App for the lesbian market. Call her a hopeless romantic, but she longed for the days when enterprising gays used to have to put themselves out there, look up from their phone screens, find a public restroom and proposition one another face-to-face. The old fashioned way.) Sasha, though. Damn. How could Grace be so forgetful? Now she remembered thinking, riding the elevator up to her very well-appointed one-bedroom apartment that she lived in alone with no roommates: damn, being a professional snake wrangler must pay pretty fucking good. Right before thinking, also damn, I can’t believe I’m about to Fuck a voodoo snake doctor. (Grace was unfamiliar with the term, herpetologist.) Can’t believe this is my life! This chick is probably a certified freak, seven days a week. And fucking-a-right, she was. Sasha had a pet six-foot albino python named Stretch. She took him out of his habitat and hung him on a fake plastic tree by the bedside because, quote, he likes to watch. Ho-ly guacamole … right? And you better believe they put on a show. Her fucking life flashed before her eyes, dude. At one point, looking up to the heavens above whilst Sasha was going down unto her, Grace made direct eye contact with that snake right in its snakey fucking devil eyes. Suddenly, she was transported to her childhood home. I Know. Eleven-year-old Grace and her family are in the TV room. What are they watching? An award show for music videos. Britney Spears is performing her hit single I’m a Slave 4 U. Draped over her shoulder is an albino Burmese python. (The performance garnered a negative reception from the animal rights activist group, PETA [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals].)

Here is the precise moment she realizes she is gay. (Come to find that many gays of certain ages — women and men, alike — share that very same moment of erotic self-discovery.) Four days later — after careful deliberation — she comes out to her parents, who though not surprised in the slightest are nonetheless very supportive, even going so far as to mark the occasion with an impromptu, celebratory dinner at her once-and-future favorite restaurant, Chili’s. Incidentally, the following morning militant Islamic terrorists will carry out a devastating coordinated attack on the United States, hijacking commercial airliners and crashing them into high-value civilian targets, killing thousands. 

She remembers all this. Then she comes.

We didn’t start the fire. It’s been always burning since the world’s been motha fuckin turning. 

We’re doing some trials, applying trace amounts of venom in the fermentation process, obviously. Many cultures prescribe it for its myriad therapeutic properties. Beer is wellness, is one of Jaime’s core beliefs. As #x_brüers, we’re more than just brewers, he says. We’re practitioners … of holistic brewing. 

Whatever the fuck that means, the Mick thinks. At least they’re not fucking artists.

HI-may. He’d heard the Mayor say it, but the Mick still could not believe his ears. That little fucking serpiente had gone and iglesia’d up his own damn name. Kitty — who was born Catalina de la Luna Parker-Salazar — was also somewhat taken aback by the abrupt change in pronunciation, but was still willing to give Jamie, as she knew him to be called, the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he had an abuelita or a tio by marriage out there somewhere. Far be it from me to be a gatekeeper for one’s Latinness, was her opening position. 

Jaime is a ünit evangelist. They — ünits — are going to change the world, he says. Each ünit has the capacity to be its own self-contained ecosystem for sustaining human life on earth. The applications are limitless — vertical farming, alternative energy, education reform, ghost kitchens, biohacking, machine learning, three-d printing, intermittent fasting, mixed martial arts, synthetic meats. He’s especially bullish about high-density cohabitation. Yes … someday people will themselves live in ünits. So that no matter where you go, your house can go with you. You could move from San Francisco to Shanghai on Monday, and have your ünit meet you there the following Wednesday. Jaime is a visionary. 

Yeah, sure. Some vision. Transcontinental Trailor Park with your Tetris-ass. 

Say that four times fast. The Mick only said it once under his breath and he took his time with all the syllables. Suffice to say he wasn’t in any rush to make a low-APR down payment. 

Seriously, try to imagine a family of four shacking up in one of those fucking thiñgs. It’s a tin can! Goddamn human diorama.    

Douche-o’rama, more like. Grace thought of that one, but not until an hour or so later on the ride home. She would have definitely still said it aloud, but alas she had once again fallen asleep. 

Back in the present, it slowly dawned on Zeke how this woman was probably his counterpart in Event Coordination and possibly also Social Media Management. So far the comparison wasn’t altogether flattering. He didn’t know a solitary thing about urban planning or global logistics networks, not to mention herpetology, toxinology, mixology nor the insurreciton thereof. Really he didn’t know all that much about the place where he actually worked. He also hadn’t had time for his Newfy work shirt to finish drying on the clothesline, so he felt awfully underdressed in a plain white tee. 

Meanwhile, here she looked to be the picture of young professionalism, however, laced with an air of danger that was thrilling to him. Matching her black jeans, she wore a grayscaled tie-day tank top with a large red X running widthwise between her exposed shoulder blades. Around her neck, she had a lazily-tied red bandana, and her matching amber hair was pulled back in a tight power bun, like a ball of fire he wanted so badly to reach out and touch, without a care for being burned. That was all it took for Zeke. Half a minute of walking behind this person as she talked and he was eternally enchanted. What about his undying love for Grace, you ask? Sorry, who is that?

They came to a Whoa Buddy in the exact center of the terminal. The shipping containers formed a slightly convex shape looking down upon them, like they had entered some sort of Thunderdome. Then, as if to commence the bread and circuses, the humming din of the assembled mass was swept away by a flash flood of sound, blaring from the concert-quality PA system in the form of an uptempo remix for a tune the Mick would have easily named as it had been originally recorded. A spotlight shown up above them onto the brew deck, where Dandy Jim had emerged, arms outstretched in a pose not dissimilar to the Mayor’s victory salute at the Newfy and Jesus’s Crucifixion on the Cross. 

Dearest friends! Welcome to #x_brüing. Welcome to the future! 

Jesus Fucking Christ. In vain the Mick cursed himself for unwittingly having subjected himself to some sort of speech for the second straight day. For a third of his life he had worked in a brewery, and until yesterday he had never seen anyone stand up and talk at everybody like this before unless they were four sheets to the wind, shit your pants-drunk. Then you might actually be curious to hear what they had to say. Although probably it was just some tedious bullshit about aliens or their dad. 

God Bless America, Russ would rejoinder. The land of everybody’s got issues with their fathers, be it they absent, founding or fucking otherwise. 

In colorless coordination with their tour guide and the balance of the #x_brüing staff, Dandy Jim was clad in shades of gray, wearing a deeply v-necked version of their commemorative shirt, with his own shoulder-length hair suspended in a marginally more masculine bun. He was ginger too, although his locks hewed on the side of strawberry blonde. The bandana was the same red paisley pattern, but his was fastened around the left wrist. Last but not leastwise, his earpiece connected to a wireless microphone, like Britney and her boy band counterparts used to have, so as they could more seamlessly incorporate elaborate gesticulations and other hand movements into their choreography.

Jaime continued to hold his own arms aloft, showcasing an intricate lattice-work of tattoos running down the full length of his right forearm. The Mick couldn’t recall Jimmy having any Tats back when he worked for him at the Newfy. Wasn’t all that long ago so he must have gotten busy getting inked in the interim. Or it was just more convenient when you worked fifty feet away from a pop-up tattoo parlor — another of the eXperience ünits. Beer and permanent body art made for strange bedfellows. (They also performed piercings, specializing in face and body.) Like those combination fast food joints Grace fancied. Pizza … And Tacos, as well. 

For his part, the Mick wasn’t really a Tattoo Guy, and he surely wasn’t a Jaime Guy. But even he had to admit, it looked kind of bad-ass when they made a sleeve like that from the wrist all the way up to the shoulder, even to the point of peaking out from beneath the plunging neck-line. Bonus points if the tattooee had the requisite forethought and restraint to only do the one arm. Sort of a Duality of Man situation you got there. Look from one side, oh here’s just your Average Joe, doing something with his arm. Probably writing a check or taking care of business (tcob) in some other way. Then he bangs a one-eighty and all the sudden it’s like: oh, shit. Now what do we have here? Oh this? This is my arm for ripping guitar solos or smoking cigs or fingerblasting hot chicks.  

Queridos amigos. Bienvenidos a #x_brüing … ¡Beinvenidos a la futura!

No fucking way. Was he going to self-translate this whole thing? His Gringo-fied accent reminded Kitty of Emily, the Spanish Teacher at SciTech, and her by-default best work friend. Seeing that there was a new Mexican teacher (not Mexican class, mind you), she took the liberty of introducing herself, En Español. ¡Hola (hardest possible H), chica! Me llamo Señora Emily. Mercifully, for Kitty’s sake, Jaime would not deliver his entire address bilingually. Only just that opening salvo. He did however have an American Sign Language interpreter stationed just off stage left for all the hearing-impaired beer dorks, of which there was undoubtedly many in attendance this evening.  

Folks … my name is Jaime Delano, and I’m the Founder, Creative Director and CxO here at #x_brü. I know the reason we’re all here, and I am thrilled to introduce our revolutionary collaborative release in just a few moments. But before we kick things off, I’d be remiss to not mention something else that I’m immensely proud of. Many of you folks may be aware that this past Feist Week, my fellow #x_brüers and I were honoured to take home our second straight medal in the Specialty Beers category … our first-ever gold for Tumbleweed On Rye. You all know that I love every one of my beers equally, but that one holds a special place in my heart. And the reason why, is because I am of the steadfast belief that we are more than brewers, and brewing is more than just making beer … brewing is Storytelling. And the tale of ToR — brewed with actual, locally-foraged tumbleweed — well … it’s a … a kind of a Western, in a way. By that I mean it’s a Love Letter to this city and the wild country it is built upon. An ode to the urge in all of us to be free. To ramble, and to roam.   

Now of course we’re not in this for the accolades. However we are truly blessed to have this platform for telling meaningful stories through liquid. Creating drinkable content that resonates so strongly with so many of you is a great privilege. One that I feel overwhelming gratitude for, and one for which I will never take for granted. Thank you so much. I love you all. 

It looked to Kitty like Jamie might have shed actual liquid tears as he solemnly bowed, clasping one hand to his chest, raising the other aloft in salute to himself. Meanwhiles Mick was scratching an itch on the underside of his ass. 

Brewing is storytelling. Let that sink in. Not only because they are words with which to live by … immortal words that I have tattooed as a reminder, right here on my inner right bicep. But also because it’s an ideal segue for which to introduce our newest brand partnership. Our story … the story of us, as #x_brüing … is about blazing a trail. It’s a story not about beer, necessarily, but rather about What Beer Could Be. By taking the road less traveled by, by bucking convention, and by breaking down the socio-cultural barriers that divide us all like levies, only to be breached by beer. 

I was fortunate to embark on my brewing journey with the mentorship of the late Hank O'Sullivan of the New Frontier, a brewery some of you may be familiar with. Like myself, Hank was a student of history, and it was he who taught me about a part of our past that would go on to set the course for my future. My destiny. The Reinheitsgebot. Written five thousand some odd years ago, it was the Germanic beer purity law, and what it did was legally mandate that beer only be made with these four ingredients — Water, Hops, Barley and Yeast. There … that was the lightbulb moment for me. Dios mio, Jaime, I said. That’s American mass-produced lager. Go down to the grocery store or the gas station to grab a sixer pack. When you strip away all the fancy packaging and the funny mascots and the sexy marketing — what do you get? Water, Hops, Barley and Yeast. I couldn’t believe it … half a millennia later, a whole hemisphere away, and we’re still drinking the same boring old beer based on some dead white guys’ conception of purity? Not on my watch. 

That’s what we’re up against here at #x_brüing. Centuries of brewing tradition. A five-hundred-year reign of lager. Working for the clampdown. Can we resist Reinheitsgebot? How may we remove the boot of the beer purity police from our necks? The answer, my friends, is Love. By brewing what’s in our hearts. With ingredients that reflect our cultures and eXperiences. Adjuncts that come from our own backyards, like sage brush, hot tamales, wildflowers and, yes, tumbleweeds. Telling our stories.

Everyone in this room is a part of our story. The story of the craft brewing revolution. Whether you’re a brewer or a bartender or just a beer drinker. Together we are rewriting history in real-time, so that we become the history.

But make no mistake — it won’t be easy. Nothing worth doing is. For the odds are still stacked against us. Now maybe you’re looking around this great room at all these tens of dozens of people and saying to yourself, Jaime, what are you talking about? The revolution is here. The war is over. Let the wave of creative momentum crash over you. Maybe so. But let me ask you something … what's the percentage market share for craft beer? I mean within the broader fermented beverage category. Go on, hazard a guess. Don’t be shy, shout it out. Nope, not thirty. Not twenty either. It’s not even ten. The answer is six. Six percent. The other ninety-four? Mass-produced, light lager. The Reinheitsgebot … it rages on. 

I don’t know about you, folks, but I won’t settle for six percent. I won’t accept six percent. I won’t fucking take six percent. You better believe I’m coming for the whole fucking thing!

This was exactly the sort of Ra-Ra horseshit that would have worked perfectly on a sap like Zeke, were his attention not otherwise preoccupied, day-dreaming about his future with the red-headed woman. She had ascended up the stairs to the gangway, seemingly by means of levitation, and was now taking action shots of her boss with a telephoto lens. Zeke pictured them together on their Parisian honeymoon. Out on a stroll along the Champs-Élysées. Her playfully snapping a photo of him in the foreground of the Arc de Triomphe, framed just so by the double-rowed elm trees on either side of the promenade. It was a memory he would treasure forever and it hadn’t even happened.   

So starting tonight, we’re forging a strategic alliance. Because we as brewers can’t beat back the status quo on our own. This fight is fought on many fronts. Not just beer … but food, education, business, science, film … and especially, music. Iconoclasts of the world, from far afields,  must join together in common causes. Which finally brings me to our reason for gathering here tonight. The reason you all waited out in the cold rain and snow, for which we are so thankful … or should I say Grateful? To introduce our latest collaboration …  

Regrettably Grace had forgotten about Sasha all over again, and had redirected her fleeting attention to admiring the pretty lights. Various designs had been projected onto the fermenters below Jaime. The largest was an seemingly illegible chain of characters — letters, numbers and erroneous punctuation … #x_brüing://JG_2P. Then there was a parade of five cartoon bears, goose stepping in a big circle around the conical circumference. Recall that Grace deplored the Grateful Dead, but of course she recognized the ubiquitous iconography of the Dancing Bears. She hated those little fuckers too, they and their frilly fucking collars. However, these bears had noticeably forgone that trademark accessory in favor of knotting red bandanas around the front of their foreheads, like ursine Rosie the Riveters. 

… with our newest brand partners … Jerry Garcia and Tupac Shakur!

Fucking buff, dude, Mick said to Kitty. He had a saying about when it came to blending beer: two wrongs don’t make a right, but two rights can definitely make a wrong.

As if on a pendulum, the spotlight swung athwart the brewery from Dandy Jim’s perch, down over top of Mick and Kitty, and up again to the middle center ünit, where the DJ was now wearing a sports mascot-sized headpiece of the blue Grateful Dead bear with what could now be ascermised to be Tupac’s signature red bandana tied backwards (frontways, technically) beneath his little bear ears. Bursts of steam shot out from the floor and ceiling as he resumed playing the remix that the Mick now recognized to be the guitar riff China Cat Sunflower over a hip hop drum machine. Now the spotlight panned back up the brew deck to Jim, who was now holding a large brown bottle in a paper bag. 

Ladies and gentleman, brothers and sisters, pimps and hoes, allow me to introduce I Know You Ridah, the first-ever steam-brewed, craft malt liquor. 

This was a labor of love for Me, a beer guy with a music problem. First I’d like to thank the brand managers representing the estates of both Pac and Jerry, who worked with us side-by-side, every step of the way, to create a product that honours the rich legacy of these two properties. 

Paying homage to Garcia and the Dead’s roots in the Haight-Ashbury, the beer is made in the local tradition of steam brewing, as so named for the steam rising off the rooftops from the open-top fermenters, diffusing with the immense fog which blankets downtown San Francisco. That also means this marks the very first time we’ve ever pitched a lager yeast. I know what you’re thinking … but Jaime, a lager? What about the Reinheitsgebot? Well, I assure you, this is no ordinary domestic lager. In tribute to Tupac — who called malt liquor: Thug Passion … a special brew, made for a chosen few — we’ve created a high-gravity beer with craft-quality ingredients, mashing in with locally-harvested maize adjuncts to achieve an ABV of eleven percent. That’s right … this one goes to eleven. The liquid is then packaged in a forty-ounce recycled glass container with cork-and-cage caps, and wrapped in a hand-stamped, compostable paper bag.

Zeke had lost sight of her in the mashup of darkness and light. A full head taller than the median craft beer drinker, he scanned the crowd, looking for that shock of red among the tops of their heads. He did not know exactly what the man on the platform was talking about, but he could readily tell that whatever he was selling, these people were buying. Their necks were all tilted at congruent angles up at him; eyes glossed over in glorious rapture. He could tell this had to do with the Grateful Dead, something he had never heard of before starting work at the Newfy, but had become tangentially acquainted with since. Suffice to say it wasn’t his thing, but he had given some thought to giving them a try, if only as a means to get closer to Grace. That was back when he had it bad for her, up until about twenty minutes ago. Of course Zeke had heard tell of Tupac, although he didn’t necessarily know any of his songs. Already he’d been dead by the time Zeke was born. (... Or had he? …) You know, music in general wasn’t really his thing. Come to think of it, Zeke didn’t really have A Thing. At least nothing that he was passionate about on the level these people felt about artisanal beer or the Grateful Dead or hiking or whatever else. He wondered how come. Was something the matter with him? He guessed he liked video games, but no more than the next guy. Food? Maybe that could be his thing. Really though he was a quantity-over-quality guy, in the culinary arena. 

Oh, and one more thing …

We’re especially proud to partner with these two American vanguards because they approach music the way we approach beer. Jerry took American rock and roll on an acid trip, elevating the countercultural consciousness in the process. Tupac took hip hop and infused it with street poetry, shedding light on issues of race relations and urban decay. That instinct — to create content that shifts the very conversation … that opens hearts and changes minds — is our inspiration at #x_brüing. Our North Star. If we can change the way we think about beer, then maybe … just maybe … that beer can change the world.

Grace was starting to get hungry, and was thinking longingly about the diagonal half-turkey sandwich she left back in the fridge in Hank’s office. 

So, it is in that spirit of innovation, with which we’ve done something truly extraordinary for this collaboration. Folks, the beer you have come here to drink is to our knowledge the first ever in the category to be brewed by a process that we call, Fermented Audio Processing. During the barrel conditioning process, for thirteen days we alternated on repeat the Grateful Dead and Tupac’s seminal records, American Beauty and All Eyez On Me, respectively. With the guidance of our on-staff team of acoustic engineers and forensic musicologists, we found a frequency that would reverberate through the wood, altering its porous nature. When that happens, a chemistry occurs that puts its own spin on the character of the beer, if ever so slightly. And you better believe, we didn’t go through all that trouble just to sync up any old bluetooth speaker. Thanks to the generous cooperation of the preeminent broker of Grateful Dead memorabilia, who just so happens to be an #x_brüist like all of you, we were able to retrofit a stack of Jerry Garcia’s guitar amplifiers, taken straight from the famous Wall of Sound system. 

The famous Wall of Sound system was built by Owsley Bear Stanley with the money he made as the preeminent manufacturer of LSD in the USA. He was so prolific a druggist, that if you dropped acid anywhere West of the Mississippi River, in the years before the Bear got busted, odds are you were riding a hit of his world-famous White Lightning. The Mick knew all this only because Hank claimed to have met the man. Fucking sure he had. Anyhow, the way Hank tells it, he was out by way of Queensland, Australia, doing some skin diving off the Gold Coast on the Great Barrier Reef. The Bear had emigrated Down Under to sought some refuge from the brunt of what he forecasted to be an imminent thermal cataclysm and a resulting New Ice Age. (New Ice Age, who dis?) He and Hank bonded over their common interests at the intersection of psychedelics and metalworks. The latter craft Stanley learned in federal prison serving time for the former. They even spent an afternoon together in his shop, touching up some bezel work on a turquoise piece — a Navafaux bracelet for Kris Kristofferson, if you can believe that shit. Next time he saw him stateside, Hank said he was going to barter some of his infamous, acid-laced homebrew for a piece from the Bear’s collection. Something he could hang up in the bar. Okay.  

The I Know You Ridah collaboration was created to commemorate the upcoming tour ALIVE: A Jerry Garcia x Tupac Multimedia Experience. We’re very pleased to announce that one percent of all revenues, for the IKYR beer and the ALIVE tour, will be donated to worthy causes supporting equitable access to the performing arts through our participation in the One Percent for the Planet Initiative. Because, what I want to know, is are you kind? It was Jerry Garcia who asked that question. And it just so happens that one of our core values: <give back; pay forward>, because what goes around comes around. I got love for my brother, as Pac once said. But we can never go anywhere unless we share with one other. I don’t know about you guys, but I’d like to think that if Jerry and Tupac were here tonight, they’d be able to break bread over one of our beers, talk some jive about making the world a better place, and I don’t know, maybe have a jam. 

Although they were artistic contemporaries, albiet very briefly, Jerome John Garcia and Tupac Amaru Shakur’s paths never intersected, at least not on this our earthly plane. However, as always, there are degrees of separation. Jerry’s daughter — with ex-wife Carolyn Adams Garcia AKA Mountain Girl (previously a Merry Prankster and the one-time lover and muse of their defacto leader, the author Ken Kesey) — Trixie Garcia gave an interview on a comedy program about her personal friendship with Tupac, whom she once invited to her dad’s sprawling beach house in Marin County. Alas Jerry was in absentia, out on the road as he almost always was. Trixie recalled Tupac as being the only one of her friends from that period (she speculated around nineteen ninety … their acquaintance predated his breakthrough onto the mainstream hip-hop scene, back when he was still performing under the name MC New York) who had any reverence, she said, for her dad and his work. We don’t know what Jerry would have thought about Tupac and his music specifically, but going off his comments on the rap genre in general, it’s safe to assume the respect may not have been so mutual: 

Well rap is not music, for one thing. I mean it isn’t Music, you know, it’s talking. That’s what it says: Rap. Rap means talking. It’s not music. It’s talking in meter. It’s got rhyme, and it’s got … meter. It has rhythm. It’s not music. Uh, it’s, uh … you know, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with it. I have no problem with it. It just isn’t Music. And people who get to be great at rap are not great musicians, they’re just great at rap. There’s no road from rapping into music, you know. (There is, however, a road between dawn and the dark of night.)  And, and … music is something you can get better and better and better at. I don’t know if you can do that with rap. I don’t know if it has that kind of space in it — it leads off into infinite numbers of possibilities. Music does.

(Emphasis is the author’s.)

These remarks, given in the course of an interview for a documentary on the History of Rock N’ Roll, were reposted to an Internet forum for fans of the Grateful Dead. Not a very nuanced take on a preeminent form of black art, from an otherwise very enlightened cat, was basically the consensus. A rare L for J, summed up one clever internetsman. Consider this though: could Garcia’s apparent hostility toward Rap-as-Music have had something to do with his own insecurities about not being a lyricist perhaps? A question for another thread.

Tupac Shakur died one year, one month, one week and one day to the day after Jerry Garcia. Thereafter, his biggest commercial hit was released posthumously. His song Changes samples the lyrics and piano arrangement of the song The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby, who of course served a stint as the Dead’s latter-day keyboardist. (His three predecessors — Brent Mydland, Kieth Godchaux, and Ron Pigpen McKernan — were deceased. Not unlike the drummers of the fictional heavy metal band, Spinal Tap, untimely death seemed to be an occupational hazard specific to Dead piano players. Although the circumstances of their passings — accidental drug overdose, massive head trauma sustained in a horrific car crash and the slowly[-but-surely] drinking of one’s self to death, respectively — were more tragically predictable than say, a case of spontaneous combustion. If any of them had choked on vomit, it was almost certainly his own. Which is to say that they reaped what they sowed, sad though it is and was. Hornsby, however, who never got into drugs and by his own account didn’t much care for alcohol, has continued to thrive as a husband, father, touring musician and Grammy award-winning recording artist well into his golden years.) It was Hornsby that presented the Grateful Dead at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Infamously, Garcia snubbed the ceremony in playful protest of the concept such an institution of aggrandizement would be established for something so expressedly iconclastic and creatively destructive as Rock ‘n Roll music. In his stead, his black tie-clad bandmates hauled a cardboard cutout of his life-size likeness up to the lectern. 

Without further ado, we’d like to share a sneak peak of ALIVE. So, put our hands up and make some mother fucking noise, y’all! This is for those wankstas that wrote the Reinheitsgebot … the Six Percenters got something to say, and I want them to hear it all the way back in the Sixteenth Century. Repeat after me:

Fuck the beer purity police!

Fuck the beer purity police! 

Fuck the beer purity police! 

Fuck the beer purity police!

Give it up one time for Jerry Garcia and Tupac Shakur! 

On Jaime’s cue, directly to Kitty’s stage left, in a velvet roped-off area astraddle the train tracks, their tour guide reappeared beside a large mass that was itself concealed beneath a paisley, tie-dye tapestry; presumably it was another contemporary art instillation, perhaps one even more provocative than the previous. With appropriate gusto, she yanked the curtain off, unveiling them to be an animatronic musical duo. Of course they were Jerry Garcia and Tupac Shakur, considerably larger than life-sized, playing electric guitar and rapping, respectively. Their presence was nothing short of haunting. It appeared like their souls had been cursed by some Saharan mystic or pill mill doctor of the Everglades to be trapped from time immemorial in these, their plastic injection molded sarcophaguses. Not dissimilar to Frankenstein’s monster were the way their mannerisms rendered involuntary spasms. As well they blinked, deliberately, as if to signal distressed proof of sentient life, but in thine eyes Kitty saw only death — death with no possibility of salvation, reincarnation or even decomposition. It was oblivion eternal.   

[Animatronic Tupac] 

I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah

You don't wanna fuck with me

Got the police bustin' at me

But they can't do nothin' to a G

[Animatronic Jerry] 

I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone

I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone

Gonna miss your baby, from rolling in your arms

[fencedepotofallonil]

Deck Repair vs. Deck Replacement Signs For When Replacement is Better

Outdoor living fixtures such as decks and fences are subject to significant stresses from environmental factors. Wooden decks are particularly vulnerable to damage due to exposure to elements such as the sun and temperature fluctuations. When faced with a damaged deck, homeowners often find themselves grappling with the decision of whether to repair or replace it.

To make an informed decision, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the deck’s condition. By conducting a thorough inspection, you can determine whether repair or replacement is the more viable option. However, in some cases, a full replacement or rebuild may be necessary to ensure that you can continue enjoying the benefits of a functional and attractive deck.

When Should You Replace a Deck Over Repairing It In reality, decks don’t have a very long lifespan. If your deck is over 20 years old, experts often recommend that you rebuild the framing of the deck itself.

At this point, you’ll need to carefully consider the pros and cons. While repairing a deck is generally cheaper than rebuilding and replacing the framing, it may only serve as a band-aid solution and not be worth the investment in the long run. If you opt for repair service, you may find yourself having to rebuild the deck in just a few years, meaning you’ll have spent money on repairs when you could have invested in a complete rebuild. Additionally, even with repairs, the deck may still fail if its framing is too deteriorated.

Put simply, when a deck repair will only extend the life of your entire deck an additional 3-5 years, the decision should be simple: a new deck to meet your needs and keep your family safe. Here are signs to look for that indicate your deck is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

Signs For When It’s Time for Deck Replacement

Significant Damage Every form of decking material experiences wear and tear. While cracks and missing screws may just need a simple fix, there are other types of damages that are significant and can’t be ignored. This includes large holes, broken or split boards, unstable posts, and noticeable damage from termites or other boring insects.

Additionally, joists can detach from the ledger board causing the damaged boards to become loose and move around. Lifted and unsecured boards or wood that gives or shifts underfoot can become safety hazards that cause people to trip. When it comes to the safety of your family, your deck should never be wobbly or weak.

Wood Rot Wood rot is a serious problem that can quickly spread and—before you know it—can completely destabilize the entire deck. Even just a little wood rot weakens the entire structure of your deck causing it to deteriorate over time.

If the wood rot is localized and needs repair, sometimes all it takes is replacing the rotten wood and using a quality wood deck sealant for deck restoration and to prevent future incidents. However, high amounts of rot or wood rot that has significantly spread can indicate that it’s time for a deck replacement. Be sure to consult with your contractor for advice on how to care for your deck and prevent wood rot from occurring in the future.

Deteriorating Ledger Board The ledger board plays a crucial role in connecting your existing deck to the side of your house and providing structural support. If the ledger board becomes compromised, the rest of the deck becomes compromised.

The first step you should take is to ensure that the flashing around your ledger board is securely in place as this helps prevent water damage and rot from ruining the board. However, if you notice loose fittings or rot appearing on your ledger board, it might be time for a replacement deck.

Damaged Hardware & Fittings The hardware and fittings are located on the underside of your deck. It is important to inspect these to ensure that none of them are loose, completely missing, or rusted and deteriorating. The older your deck, the more likely this is to occur; however, inadequate care or improper installation can also cause these problems in decks of any age.

If the underside of your deck is in bad shape, then a full replacement may be necessary.

Serious Molds & Mildew Some mold is to be expected on your deck simply because of the moisture that it’s always exposed to outside. A little greenish mold is certainly an eyesore but might not be a cause for a new deck just yet. Clear it off immediately with power washing and treat the wood with a resurfacing deck stain that includes a fungicide to prevent future problems.

On the other hand, if you see mushroom-like molds or fungal growths, this could be a sign of more serious damage that has compromised the entire structure. If you see this, you may need to thoroughly inspect and evaluate for replacement.

Damaged Railings Loose railings are not always an indicator that your deck needs to be completely replaced. However, you should have them secured by a handyman as quickly as possible because they need to be able to support someone should they slip while entering or exiting the deck (and to prevent dreaded splinters!). However, if loose railings are coupled with other issues above, it could mean it’s time for a replacement deck.

It’s Simply An Old Deck All building materials, especially those used for exterior purposes, have a limited lifespan. The age of the material will always play a role in determining when a deck replacement is needed. A wooden deck can typically last anywhere from 15 to 40 years depending on the quality of the materials used and the level of deck maintenance provided. However, if your deck is showing signs of aging and has surpassed the 20-year mark, you should start thinking about replacing it.

Need to Replace Your Deck? Call Us! Our deck contractors have the know-how to guide you every single step of the way while still leaving final decisions up to you. Our experts can help you decide which deck railings, materials, and more would work best for your home improvement, remodeling, and DIY goals, whether that be to enhance the look of your outdoor space for yourself or potential buyers or to increase the resale value of your house.

But we don’t just offer you expertise and quality labor. We also provide high-quality materials to ensure the final product is nothing short of spectacular.

Contact us today to see how we can tailor the perfect fence for your yard!

ORIGINALLY FOUND ON- Source: Fence & Deck Depot(https://www.fencedepotco.com/deck-repair-vs-deck-replacement-signs-for-when-replacement-is-better/)

[cityfencingforrest-blog]

Aluminum Forrest city fencing styles are an affordable alternative to traditional wrought iron fences and furnish property holders with a novel, upscale look without the high support costs for yearly scratching, sanding and painting of fancy iron. Likewise accessible are vinyl braces that are embedded into the body of the fence, giving extra security. Without the vinyl security braces, a steel fencing style London Canada is a wonderful way to achieve a fenced yard yet keep an open breezy looking about your property.

[amazon-railings-ca]

Outdoor Aluminum Railings | Deck, Fence & Porch Railing in Toronto GTA

Amazon railings offers custom railings, fence gates, columns, and many other interior and exterior solutions to protect, secure, and enhance the appeal of your space. Our railing systems are available in aluminum, glass, and metal options.

For More Information : https://amazonrailings.com/

[kontextmaschine]

So after my compost bin got emptied did the last bit of sawing. The first attempted mattock work was apparently on a stump to thick and still too fresh and the handle splintered, so uhh.

Realize I also need to get a prybar to disassemble that railroad-tie sandbox in the bottom, so trip to Home Depot before long.

Also I've got some surplus bamboo stakes of two different species, one like a bit more than thumb-thick I have a bunch of dry staves of and a patch thinner I need to clear, if I can get some kinda auger to bore holes for the thick ones I can weave the other ones into a wind-fence to catch leaves in the side yard to start evening out the slope

Oh also the one step I forgot, before the deck goes in I want to put in a ductless heat pump unit with lines for four terminals in the bedrooms and the back rooms of the basement (another one will service the front side of the house, and then when the roofline gets replaced and the attic gets finished there's a unit up there, probably around the garage which gets reinforced and becomes a second story deck. Like, I maybe overaccount for all this by reference to my paternal role in real estate development? My maternal grandmother was a Navy construction project manager.)

[bathroomdesigns792]

Affordable Bathroom Renovation

What People Demanded to Know About Bathroom Renovation

Looking for a bathroom remodel? - Call Toll Free $11-877-590-0658

“Projects with a strong return on investment, like upgrading siding and a deck, are probably going to be worth it,” says Valdes - bathroom remodel Arizona. When it comes to home financing options for renovations, there are three primary options homeowners should consider: government-backed loans, conventional cash-out refinancing, or a home equity line of credit.

Together, they submit their renovation plans with the loan application. Renovation funds go into a custodial account, from which the contractor can request and withdraw funds. A construction specialist manages the loan, releasing funds as the work is completed. Homeowners must have at least 10% of their appraised costs in cash, to cover any contingencies that may happen during the construction.

The Story Of Arizona Bathroom Renovations Has Just Gone Viral!

Homeowners can perform upgrades on a home at least one year old, and this covers many common renovations: structural upgrades, replacing floors, upgrading to energy conservation improvements and more. Cost of renovations must be at least $5,000, and payments are managed by a construction specialist who oversees the contractors and their work.

Bathroom Remodel - Some Essential Tips

Because borrowers must meet FHA loan guidelines, this option is great for those who have at least 3. 5% for a down payment, a credit score of at least 620, and limited equity in their home. Homeowners must have at least 20% or more equity in their home. Funds are paid directly to the homeowner, and can be used for any purpose, ranging from do-it-yourself upgrades to those from a licensed and bonded contractor.

Anatomy Of Bathroom Remodel Arizona

For homeowners who have a clear plan for their renovations, a cash-out refinance can be a great way to add value while taking advantage of historically low interest rates. Before starting any renovation project, do your research on other homes in the neighborhood. If building a deck, a fence, or another architectural upgrade helped increase their property value, it could be an indicator of how a renovation could build your wealth.

Home equity lines of credit work like a credit card: homeowners are free to spend against the equity of their home as they see fit. These lines of credit come with a variable interest rate — if the prime rate goes up, you could be paying more to the bank for your project.

Best Bathroom Renovation

An alternative way to fund home renovations can be a personal loan, if you have good enough credit and can negotiate an attractive APR. A personal loan may be especially attractive to fund a relatively minor expense such as fixing a leak or getting new appliances. Another option to fund home improvements that do not involve major renovation can be a credit card.

Besides standard credit cards, which might give you reward points or airline miles for your expenses, you can choose a co-branded card from home improvement or furniture chains. The Lowe’s Advantage Card, for example, offers discounts on certain purchases made at Lowe’s stores and no interest for six months on purchases of at least $299; the Home Depot Credit Card offers similar terms.

Best Bathroom Renovation

The IKEA Project Card is an example of a card that may be attractive for those who are looking to fund a renovation project without applying for a loan, since it offers 0% APR for up to 24 months depending on the amount purchased. APR jumps to a hefty 21.

While borrowing against your equity can be an easy way to create the home of your dreams, it can also come with costs and downsides. Before talking to a mortgage officer, look at your overall budget carefully to determine how much you can afford, and how much value it will add to your home overall.

8 Reliable Sources To Learn About Arizona Bathroom Renovations

By taking a step back and evaluating all your options, you can determine which route is best for your personal situation.

Call Toll Free To Start your Bathroom Renovation - $11-877-590-0658

Home Owners, Property Investment, Renovation What is one of the quickest and most effective ways to add value to your home? With housing prices increasing, a lot of Australian homeowners have found a way to increase the value of their property by renovating. bathroom make over. Renovating can make a property more valuable and can be a more cost effective way to own a better house without having to move.

Bathroom Remodel Info

The most common areas that people renovate are often the kitchen and the bathroom, as they tend to offer the greatest return on investment. A bathroom makeover might include a structural change, maintenance and painting, and the cost could vary depending on the work, material and labour involved. According to a , the average cost of a complete bathroom renovation in 2015 ranges from a price of $4500 for a budget bathroom upgrade to $24,000 for a premium bathroom overhaul.

[cymbalneed1]

Is It Okay To Spray Some W40 In The Ignition Switch?

How To Open Up A Secured Door With A Hairpin

Content

Unlock Padlocks Without A Secret Making Use Of Economical Do It Yourself Shims.

Rekeying A Schlage Lever Lock.

Our Chicago Locksmith Services.

Open Padlocks Without A Key Utilizing Economical Do It Yourself Shims.

Normally, someone from our team will fulfill you in under a hr. Delta Locksmith is accredited by the Texas Department of Public Safety And Security, Certificate No.

You can likewise have your home protection systems installed and preserved by Michael's Keys. You can really feel excellent about calling Michael's Keys because all our workers go through a history check and are licensed, bound as well as guaranteed. This relies on your location in Dallas and also where our technicians are presently working. We prioritize all emergency situation calls and leave as soon as we are able.

Rekeying A Schlage Lever Lock.

https://locksmithdallastx.biz/lewisville/ and re-keying locks differ also considerably to mention an array. The myChevrolet App can additionally be utilized to unlock your car secrets if you remain in a bind.

I desire I required some even more keys made just so I had a factor to return. We service all of Dallas, TX as well as the bordering cities. See which mobile locksmith dallas are running or address a couple of concerns to request quotes. The majority of automobile locksmiths provide an emergency mobile roadside service if you require a vehicle crucial programming or the remote key fob fixed quickly. Buy keys online from us prior to you see the locksmith.

Continuously aiming give only premium locksmith services at affordable rates.

Naturally, we can likewise aid with fundamental lockout, crucial substitute, and also essential repair solutions also.

For a business locksmith that focuses on customer service, look no further.

We provide a total business locksmith solution that includes repairing locks and also tricks, installation of deadbolts, as well as brand-new tools to increase the safety of your company.

An additional automotive locksmith solution we supply is damaged crucial extraction from the ignition system.

We can also provide you with a brand-new replacement trick.

Our Chicago Locksmith Solutions.

No, it does not matter, if you have actually shed your only collection of keys, an auto locksmith can offer you with a substitute as well as re-program the brand-new auto trick to match your car. The old key will be de-programmed to make it useless, in situation it has been swiped. Maybe your vital fob is failing but it might not be the problem. So, perhaps your automobile is where the concern exists, creating your key fob not to function.

Deals In Dallas For Locksmith s.

An Auto Locksmith can assist you with lost tricks for any type of motor vehicle from an automobile, van, truck or bike. So if you require an extra vehicle crucial cutting or your remotecar essential programmingwe advise to call a regional MLA authorized auto locksmith near you.

In addition, you might still have to go to your dealership or visit your locksmith for programs of your brand-new automobile key fob. Getting a brand-new key made or vital fob programmed by a locksmith can be incredibly basic or in rare instances can be complex.

The company major office address is Midway Rd # 104, Dallas, TX 75244. Pop-A-Lock is honored to have spearheaded the Emergency situation Door Unlocking Program-- a free social work dedicated to conserving lives. Vehicle essential cutting has actually become progressively a lot more complicated with today's newer version cars. Allow the professionals at Pop-A-Lock North Texas handle your transponder crucial programs at a fraction of the dealership's price.

When there is onboard shows, orders are shipped with programming directions. Also when your lorry isn't onboard programmable you will certainly still reduce the essential and vital fobs themselves. This is due to the fact that the locksmith marks up the rate of the products along with charges for the solution of crucial cutting and remote or crucial programming.

Can Lowes cut a car key?

Lowes or Home Depot can cut a key for your car, but it's only good for the door. The car is programmed to allow only certain keys to run them, and you won't be able to “duplicate” the key. A replacement key must be programmed to the car.

Key cutting can set you back $2-$ 25, depending upon the type of trick. Both essential fobs and also ignition vital programs can vary in cost between $40 and also $150, depending upon what tools and also software application were made use of to program them.

How much does it cost to cut a key at Home Depot?

Yes, you can take most keys and get them copied at Home Depot as long as someone there knows how to operate the key machine. The key machine is located in the Hardware section of the store and the keys cost about $1.50 each and it only takes a few minutes.

Tiling, paint, plumbing, electric, cabinets, fences and also decks; no work is as well little. Whether you are seeking a complete bathroom/kitchen remodel or tasks done around your home, allow us reveal you why we are a 5 time Angie's List Super Service Honor recipient. They did a great work, I would give them 5 celebrities all across the board. Broken, lost, or snapped tricks pose no problem, as well as we'll be with you before you recognize it. As soon as L made sure it fit all my cyndrical tubes she provided me one hell of a deal I could not decline.

I do not understand the make and also version of the automobile as well as if this method is real. I tried to lock the cars and truck by leaving tricks inside, nonetheless it did not function as my vehicle door were automatically unlocking sensing the visibility of vital fob inside. It is constantly a complicated event if you take place to have actually secured your keys in the trunk. When the door is open there need to be a switch to open up the trunk.

If you need tricks made in Dallas or throughout the surrounding location, simply call Pop-A-Lock. John's Handyman Solutions has been serving the Greater Dallas Location for over 15 years.

[thatsweetsexypsychotroyotto]

I'm Not a Bad Person- Chapter 6

SUMMARY: Troy Otto does have feelings you know. He's in the process of figuring them out; especially when it comes to his childhood friend, Jaymie. Whatever they are, they're rooted deep, and they're growing.

WARNINGS: Language, Warped thoughts, Violence.

WORD COUNT: Fuck if I know.

PAIRING: Troy Otto x OFC

AUTHOR'S NOTE: My plan is to follow along with the events of season 3, but with my OFC involved. I'll veer off plenty of times and probably switch shit up completely. Not sure yet. We'll be exploring different characters' perspectives throughout the series. I'm not great at this writing thing but I try my best. Hope you like it enough. All characters except my OFC don't belong to me.

*******

Chapter 6

(Jaymie's POV)

The next day, a memorial service was held to honor Charlene- Jeremiah's goddaughter. She was the pilot of the helicopter that Jake, Alicia, Luciana, and Travis were on. She survived the crash, but the dead got her on the way back to the ranch.

To be honest, I didn't like Charlie. She was such a bitch to me. It was because her dad had an affair with my mom, and her parents split up. So she took her anger out on me.

One particular day she was talking shit; telling our mutuals I'd end up a whore just like my mother. That was stupid of her, mostly because Troy happened to be walking by. He turned and made a beeline straight to Charlene and decked her; no questions asked. I laughed my ass off when I found out. Wish I could have seen it first hand.

Naturally, Troy got in sooo much trouble. Mainly because he hit a girl. Pretty hypocritical of Jeremiah, but he was a "Do as I say, not as I do," type of parent. So, Troy was grounded for a month. That didn't stop me from sneaking in to the Otto's house every single night though. I'd take him desert and we'd stay up till 3 or 4 in the morning playing cards and board games.

Anyway, after Charlie's service, it was lunch time. I worked the line with my friend Gretchen, scooping globs of mac and cheese onto everyones' trays. Madison and Alicia were approaching, and I heard a community resident giving them a hard time. I felt bad for them, until Alicia said that people should be harassing Troy instead of them. Madison responded, 'I think they would be if they knew what he had done.' I know what Troy did was fucked up. That won't stop me from defending him though. Nothing will. I guess that makes me fucked up too; and I'm fine with that.

Both Madison and Alicia stopped abruptly, making eye contact with me. They realized I was serving, and that I most likely heard what they said. I tried not to let it show that it bothered me, but I know my eyes looked sad.

Gretchen broke the awkward silence with her subtle humor and kind words. Then she invited Alicia to attend one of her "Bible studies" (which was actually just a handful of our friends getting together to drink and smoke pot). There was no hiding Alicia's reluctance, but Madison practically made the decision for her to go. I'm grateful for it, because I need to figure Alicia out. Is she trustworthy? Could I see myself becoming friends with her?

***

About 2 hours later...

(Jake's POV)

How am I going to convince Troy that he needs to stay away from the Clarks? Ever since T.E. began he's been harder to control. I need Jaymie's help on this. She's the only person who has more influence on him than I do.

I find the two of them working together on mending one of the crops' fences. Both their faces are plastered with smiles. They kneel, preparing to wrap extra barbed wire around the bottom of a post. I can't make out what they're saying, but Jaymie throws her head back with a vivacious laugh. She nudges Troy with her shoulder, and he retaliates with a playful shove, causing her to topple over. She counterattacks by throwing a handful of dirt at him. They're honestly adorable.

It's a heartwarming sight to watch my brother in normal-human-being mode; and genuinely happy. Jaymie's good for him. Except on occasion she tends to enable his psychotic side. Though I'll admit that many times his semi-sociopathic behavior has been in her defense. He saw nothing wrong with it when he ki- ...never mind. I don't want to think about that. Anyway, the pros still outweigh the cons by a long shot, and they really are a good match. I kind of thought they'd have gotten together by now.

Troy offers Jaymie a hand and pulls her back to a kneeling position. She tries to wipe the dirt off that she threw at him, but she's actually making it worse since her hands are covered in soil. They're still laughing when I reach them.

Troy notices my presence and his smile falters slightly. "The boar's back. Keeps digging up the fence posts to get to the cabbage. Could use an extra pair of hands tracking it tonight."

May as well cut to the chase. "Stay away from Madison and her family."

"They're my friends."

"They came here under my invite. They trust me."

"They came here not to get eaten. I wouldn't flatter yourself."

Jaymie snickers at Troy's response, then looks at me with a grin she tries to suppress.

"Yeah, but they're staying cause I said I'd protect them- from you.

"And how are you going to do that?"

I knew this would be difficult. "Please don't do this, Troy. Please. I'm the one who still believes in you."

"Well I don't need you to anymore."

"Yeah, you do. If the ranch knew what you really are-"

"And what am I Jake?"

I look to Jaymie for an assist, but she's clearly upset with me. She stands and stalks toward me, grabbing my arm to pull me away from the scene. "What the hell would you say that for?!" She scolds me quietly.

"You know he broke in to Madison's cabin and threatened Nick?"

"And you're dumb enough to believe she's not over exaggerating?"

"Do you have any idea what he was doing at the depot? Do you?" Her expression is unreadable. "He was murdering people, Jaymie; timing how long it took them to change."

She sighs. "Yeah, yeah I know."

"Then why are you standing here upset with me?" I don't understand. She's acting like it was no big deal.

There's venom in her response. "Because of what you said to him back there, about what he is. You act like he's some kind of monster, Jake. He's your brother! Why would you say that?!"

I cannot believe what I'm hearing right now. So much for getting Jaymie on my side. I walk passed her and reapproach Troy. "Do you really think you were helping those people out at the depot?"

"I think I was helping all of us."

Alright. This is going nowhere. Let's try a different angle: "Troy, when Dad's gone, this is all on us. We have to take care of this place. We have to lead."

"Together." His tone sounds incredulous.

"Yeah. But I need you to do something for me. I need you to stay away from the Clarks. Do you hear me?"

"Yep. I hear you."

"Do you mean it?"

"I always mean it, Jake."

There's nothing more I can say. I turn to leave, and as I pass Jaymie, I beg her in a commanding tone, "Please help me with this. I need you on my side. Troy needs you on my side. He just doesn't realize it." She narrows her eyes at me with annoyed inquisitivity. "Just, think about it, alright?"

***

(Troy's POV)

Jaymie's so pissed off at Jake. She's always got my back. It doesn't matter who it is or what it's about. I know she doesn't agree with everything I've done. She does try and steer me in a different direction sometimes. I don't listen to her as much as I probably should, but whatever I end up doing, she never ever judges me. She's the only one. God, I love that girl... Wait, what?

"You alright?"

"Huh?" I didn't even notice she was by my side again.

"Forget what Jake said."

"Wasn't even thinking about it."

"Good." She gets back to helping me with the barbed wires, in silence, until, "Maybe we should both avoid Nick and Madison. Just for now?"

"Nah, I'm gonna have Nick help out with the boar tonight." I feel her looking at me. "It'll be fine, Jayms."

She considers my words for a moment then nods. "Alright. Well, I gotta get ready for Gretchen's Bible study. I'm gonna try and get to know Alicia; see what I think of her."

I give her a half-hearted smirk. "Have fun with that." I'm just bummed out she's leaving.

"I'll see you later?"

"Yeah. Later, Jayms." I watch her walk away, lost in the thought I had just a minute ago.

*******

[yourduffy22stuff-blog]

Do It Yourself Fencing Repair - Replacing Posts in Fence Made Easy

Do it yourself fencing repair can be a challenge for the inexperienced but it doesn't have to be. Knowing times are tough and as a thirty year veteran I will try to make fencing repair, changing rotted fencing posts and replacing panels in your fence doable for those who like to do it yourself and save money. I will address:

* Do it Yourself Fencing Repair * Replacing rotted Fence Post * Cedar fence Fence Post * Treated Wood Post * Galvanized Metal Fence post * Changing a Wood Fence Picket * Adding or Changing Fence Rail

There are as many How to Wood Fence and Fencing Repair as there are nails in fence pickets. The way that I describe here has worked for me here in the Dallas Texas metro area for many years.

Do it yourself fencing repair: Is easy if you go about it the right way but is very hard if you go about it the wrong way and can get very frustrating and costly.

Replacing Rotted Fence Post: Replacing posts in a Fence is one of the hardest things about fencing repair. I have seen DIYer's try everything to get broken fence post out of the ground. One of my favorites is what I call the Grand Canyon. This is when a DIY will dig a hole so big around the fence post that they almost need a cement truck to bring in enough concrete to fill it. Have you ever dug a hole for a fence post? If so use the concept of digging a 8 inch diameter hole for a fence post against the concrete of the old fence post about 2-2 1/2 feet deep. Then take a sharp shooter shovel to clear a little dirt from each side of the concrete. Use post hole digger to remove the little bit of dirt that you loosened from the post hole. You now have a hole that is deep enough that with a little effort you can use a rock bar to lever the broken post and concrete into the hole you just dug so that it will be easy to lift out.

Put the new pole in the hole, take the old hard concrete and use as filler in the hole and put as much premixed wet concrete in the hole as needed to fill to the ground level then plumb the pole with a level. You can then wait 24 hours for the concrete to harden around the new fence post the nail the fence panels to it or you can go ahead nail the old or new fence panels to it, re-level the post and then use an old fence board to support it.

If you would like the easier way out then you can install a new fence post in next to the existing so that you do not have to dig the wood post out.

Cedar Fence Post: Cedar is naturally highly resistant to rot, decay, warping and bugs when used above ground. If it is saturated with moisture when installed in the hole with concrete around it and dries out, it will shrink leaving a void that will take on water. This creates a premature rotting process. This can also happen at the ground level if the concrete is not poured to a level that will help repel the water away from the fence post. You can use a good weather treatment to soak the post end prior to installing to extend the like of a cedar fence post. I have used Behr and Olympic with good success.

Treated Wood Post: Pressure treated wood post have a chemical that is resistant to rot and bugs. The tag on the end of the post at most retail chains like (Home Depot or Lowes) will tell you if it is good for ground contact. I have seen a lot of Landscape timbers used for posts in a fence. These usually do not have the proper treatment that will give it the rot protection so unless someone is on a very tight budget I will not recommend this type of wood post for fencing. Pressure treated pine fence post can warp or check from drying and shrinking (looks like a split). To minimize warping and twisting make sure that you attach the fence panels with the correct screws or nails. They need to be long enough to penetrate through the rail and the post by 2 1/2 - 3 inches. Also make sure that it is a Hot Dipped Galvanized screw or nail so that the chemicals in the wood do not deteriorate them.

I have seen that pressure treated wood post will last several years but can dry rot at the ground level but you can also minimize this by soaking the part that will come in contact with the ground in a good weather sealant.

Galvanized Metal Fence Post: Galvanized Metal Fence Post are my choice to use for fencing a backyard or changing out a rotted fence post. When they are installed correctly they can last a lifetime. Diameter of the hole they are to be cemented in to should be 8 - 10 inches and the depth should be a minimum of 30 inches and up to 48 inches. The type of soil and ground condition as well as the freeze line for your area will dictate this. They will cost a little more but in my opinion are worth the difference. Make sure that you get a heavy gauge like a.095 and put a dome cap on it so that it doesn't act like a rain gauge. The appearance is not as natural as wood fence post but this can be easily by boxing it with a fence board or two.

Changing a Wood Fence Picket: Changing a Fence Picket is almost self explanatory. In the Dallas Texas metro the choices of fence pickets are starting with the best then to the last are Cedar (3-4 different grades), Composite ( recycled materials like Trex, Correct Deck ), Pressure Treated Yellow Pine and Spruce - Fir - and White Pine ( These are all in the white wood category). The white woods typically have a longevity of 7 - 10 years unless a good weather sealant is applied.

Once again make sure that your screws or nails are of the proper length and either hot dipped galvanized or aluminum.

You can attach a fence board to the top of the pickets or a nylon string to use to keep the top straight as you fasten them to the rails Fence repair services.

Adding or Changing Fence Rail: I have had the most success changing a fence rail by leaving the fence panel attached to the post. Use a sawzall with a metal cutting blade. Slip the blade in between the rail and the post so you can cut the nails or the screws. Use a Wonder Bar and a hammer so that you can wedge it between the rail and the fence board. Pry the fence board away from the fence rail. Follow the same procedure with all the fence boards. Take the fence rail out. Cut the new one to the same length. Drive the nails through the fence picket leaving the nail in. Insert the rail. Hammer to nails back into the fence rail. You then can use 3 1/2 inch hot dipped galvanized nail to hammer through the rail into the fence post.