The Boring Life of a Former Wild Child

The Boring Life of a Former Wild Child

I saw a tweet from Elon Musk the other day; it was a drawing by artist Dadara (Daniel Rozenberg). The drawing was an encapsulation of the life of an artist. In the eighties, artists would spend most of their time on s*x, drugs, and rock and roll…and a little bit of time on making art. Today, artists spend the majority of their time on social media…and a little bit of time on making art. 

Having lived the life myself, I will attest to the accuracy of the drawing. 

Image
Dadara (Daniel Rozenberg)

I do wonder what young people are up to these days. I guess things haven’t changed much. We’re always trying to escape our obligations. Making art is rewarding, especially at the end, but the process itself isn’t always a thrilling ride through and through.

Being hit by a stroke of inspiration is fleeting. Inspiration is unpredictable, and it gives you a feeling you want to constantly experience, even though it is impossible to constantly live in a creative high. I think this is why so many artists are prone to falling into substance abuse as well as other distractions and coping mechanisms.

I wouldn’t say I’m an avid user of social media. But I have heard that social media gives you that rush, elation, and “high” that everyone these days seems to be chasing after. 

Euphoria. 

It’s something we experience in moments of transcendence.

But life isn’t always euphoric. And even if we are to live in a state of pure bliss, that state must be found within us, not through external factors.

Since dopamine is so pleasurable, we can become addicted to the objects and behaviors that increase our dopamine.

Life will always have its ups and downs, and many of us have trauma from the past. If you refuse to heal your wounds, those wounds will keep festering until they rot your insides.

I had to finally take a real look at how much was rotting in my home when I realized that it was in serious danger of collapsing. I had previously seen but ignored all the signs: wings, mud tubes, and hollowing wood. I would ignore everything and pray that it would go away on its own. On the surface, my house looked like a 5-star hotel, but behind the walls and underneath the floors, everything was being eaten away. 

Any issue in your mind or in your home needs to be addressed immediately. I now have annual inspections and organic termite treatments in Orange County in order to save my home from long-term termite damage. If you don’t remove them, these termites will relentlessly chew at anything made of wood, and they’ll even start new colonies in your home.

As a former wild child, I’ve retired to the hippie lifestyle. I like that my termite exterminator offers what I call “extermination for hippies”—an environmentally-friendly plant-based solution that removes termites using orange oil. Regular inspections and natural spot treatments have done wonders to help me avoid a situation where tent fumigation is necessary. PEACE AND LOVE!

So Long, And Thanks For The Memories

So Long, And Thanks For The Memories

It’s a sad day today, my friends. The first recording studio I ever used with my band has shuttered its doors and the building is set for demolition in the coming weeks.

I have a lot of fond memories of the place, despite how grody and dingy it always was. The first track we ever managed to get picked up and played on the radio was recorded there, as well as every demo tape we made before we got picked up by a record label.

Ever since I heard the news, I’ve been looking back fondly on the things I used to find disgusting about the place. How the faulty air conditioning vents would drip all over the place, making the carpet always kind of damp and everything smell of mildew. The drops on your skin would even leave a track of black dirt picked up along the filthy metal.

The strongest memory is of the thing they got closed down over: the bug problem. When I say you could not sit down for more than a couple of minutes without some fresh new horror climbing up your pant leg, I am not exaggerating.

I remember falling asleep during a late night recording session and waking up to a slight tickle on my nose. I sneezed, and what would I feel as I covered my mouth but the squirming of a huge, fat roach now desperately trying to escape.

Needless to say, I freaked. I got in a screaming match with the guy who owned the place, called it a dump straight to his face and said I’d never be back. Ah, memories!

Well, apparently I wasn’t the only one who had an uncomfortable run-in with the resident insect population. A local official came in with his son who complained about the conditions of the studio and slapped the owner with a health code violation, a fine, and a mandatory inspection for any other creepy crawlies.

Unfortunately for the owner (and my nostalgia), the inspection turned up a massive termite infestation that was bad enough that the building needed to be condemned. For the life of me I can’t think of why he didn’t have a Pasadena termite exterminator come out sooner, but he was a real skinflint in my youth and I suppose old habits die hard.

Something I was surprised to find out is that the old recording studio is situated pretty close to the HQ of the company I usually use for my own pest control issues, Grand Oaks Termite Control. They’re some of the best in the biz, and if he had just listened to some of the Yelp reviews, he’d have saved himself one heck of a headache:

This is the third time we’ve used Justin and Gary and they always continue to exceed our expectations.  From thoroughly and thoughtfully answering all of the questions we bombarded them with, to leaving the worksite better than when they arrived, they are always so polite, courteous, and professionally.  Definitely one of the few businesses we’ve grown to trust even though we don’t have the need to use them very often.  Would recommend them without any hesitation. – Amy P.

I highly recommended Grand Oaks Termite Control.  I had an unusual situation where there were many areas of my wood paneling and roof that were affected by termites and wood rot. I have a decorative tree growing through the front part of my home which makes it very difficult to treat without damaging the tree. When Jason came for the preliminary inspection, he knew exactly how to effectively treat my home without harming my favorite tree. His estimate was very reasonable and his communication was top notch. He kept me appraised of all the curve balls and never stuck me with any unexpected cost. I was very impressed with the workmanship of his teammate Gary who took care of all the woodwork, a true craftsman.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Grand Oaks without any hesitation. – John B.

Don’t let yourself become like the hardheaded owner of my favorite old, dingy recording studio. If you’re having pest problems, get the best professional help in the area.

Grand Oaks Termite Control

+16265384156

110 S Worthy Dr, Glendora, CA 91741

Importance of Termite Inspections for Protecting Real Estate Investments

Importance of Termite Inspections for Protecting Real Estate Investments

Hey y’all! I hope you are all staying safe. I haven’t been in the best mood as the stay at home orders mean that I can’t get together with the band for jam sessions. No concerts or gatherings either. So this is a guest post from my real estate expert friend!

As of this year, the CDC has confirmed almost one million cases of Americans infected with the COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of Americans have died as a result of this pandemic virus. No matter where we look, we see that we are in the middle of a crisis that will be recorded in history. What does this suggest for those wishing to sell or buy a home in the middle of a pandemic?

This article discusses some real market estate trends to look out for in this new decade.

Some cities will notice an increase in home prices. The median home value has gone beyond pre-recession peaks. It is now greater it has ever been within the last decade. Hence, major cities may be out of the price range of today’s millennial buyer segment, which is is a substantial part of the makeup. Most will forgo the expensive options of living in major cities and opt for more affordable options in the suburbs.

Interest rates are projected to stay low. Economic improvements remain to be seen. However, if so, the federal government may raise interest rates to meet inflation, as they have in recent years. Therefore, prices for consumer goods may also increase. The national rate of appreciation is anticipated to increase along with home valuations over the following twelve months. We may see that homes will appreciate at a rate that is a bit more reasonable than in previous years. However, the economics of supply and demand will inevitably test the market and apply pressure.

When it comes to buying a house, homeowners should definitely consider a termite and pest inspection. 

Close-up of Wooden Plank
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Importance of Conducting a Termite Inspection before Buying a Home

A termite inspection can determine if there is any structural damage from termites or other pests. The inspector will disclose any problems they discover. The future homeowner will then know what type of maintenance they may need as the home’s future owner.

Moving to a new home can feel like a beautiful dream, and that’s why it is crucial to ensure that it doesn’t turn out to be an unexpected nightmare. Without a termite inspection, a homeowner may overlook serious structural damage and issues, which will cost them more down the road.

Read Stephanie T.‘s review of Grand Oaks Termite Control on Yelp

A termite inspection can take anywhere between thirty minutes to hours depending on the home’s size and crawl space, basement, or additional areas. The inspector will check the home’s exterior and interior surfaces for any signs of infestation, damage, or other areas that might be prone to termites. 

The termite inspector may suggest frequent termite control to keep the critters at bay, especially if they were discovered during a termite inspection. You can give Grand Oaks Termite Control a call today.

Grand Oaks Termite Control
110 S Worthy Dr, Glendora, CA 91741, United States

Beware of Termites Before It’s Too Late

Beware of Termites Before It’s Too Late

Many of you who know me through reading my blog know that us rock ‘n’ roll dudes don’t mince words. We like to scream our discontents into a mic and smash everything on stage.

So allow me to get morbid today and tell you the scary truth about your home. It’s my way of showing you tough love and potentially saving you from a disaster…

Group of Men Playing Guitar in Concert in Grayscale Photo
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Most people are not aware that termite colonies can chew through the flooring, wood, and even wallpaper undetected. The sneaky behavior of termites has given them the nickname silent destroyers. That’s because homeowners do not often realize there is a problem until it’s too late. Just like the current coronavirus pandemic, it can spread even without people knowing it. It is a silent killer.

What is a termite?

Termites cause over five billion dollars in property damages in the United States that are usually not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Termites are considered social insects, which means they live in clusters. A home’s structure becomes infested when these pests settle. However, different types of termites need different things.

Once termites are inside, they are a significant threat. Their munching can compromise the structural integrity of a home from the inside and out. 

For instance, subterranean termites seek the flourishing of a moisture source. They will either use moisture they find from condensation or leaks or go into the ground and carry the moisture back. 

On the other hand, dry wood termites don’t need any extra moisture and will attack solid wood. They can build colonies with little or no connection to the ground. These termites are often seen in Hawaii, southern California, Arizona, the southern parts of Gulf Coast states, and south Florida. 

How does termite infestation happen?

Winter weather can leave many homes prone to moisture accumulation and damage. Termites are pros at locating and capitalizing on such opportunities.

Termites need food, as all living creatures do. Many termites in North America feed on drywall coverings, furniture, boxes, books, and wood. They continuously forage and have been seen to travel over one hundred feet away from their colony.

Infestation can happen in two ways. Healthy colonies fly and reproduce to begin new colonies. They also start a colony when they find the right area to feast. Subterranean termites begin their infestation by looking for food and finding their way into a structure. 

Protect your home from termites

Many individuals treat their house as a home and investment. As such, termite infestation and damage can be extremely devastating. Likewise, termite infestation in a commercial establishment can be just as terrible.

Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance habitually excludes termite damage, as insurance will not pay for repairs or treatment. That’s why many infestations may go unreported. Often, these infestations go unnoticed until massive damage is done to a structure. Hence, proactive termite inspection and termite extermination treatments are the best ways to safeguard property and lower the possibility of costly repairs. 

If a termite infestation is detected, it is crucial to call licensed pest control specialist Natural Science Exterminating in Garden Grove, Orange County. You can give them a call to assess the damage and book an appointment for them to provide the best treatment plan. 

Natural Science Exterminating
11642 Knott Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92841, United States