I am not dead, rest assured, but I am tired enough to be in a coma.
The result of my being a painting fool for the last two weeks? My older sons now sleep in a cranberry-red room with brilliant white crown molding and bead board. My daughter's bedroom resembles a gift box from Tiffany's, all sophisticated blue and white.
I've learned a few things from these projects. Firstly, I'm getting too old for this DIY stuff. It's hard. And always takes longer than you think it will. I also love edging the walls free hand. No taping things off to avoid seepage for me. I use a small, slanted paint brush, and focus on that straight line as though all the world has disappeared except for the two of us. Very therapeutic and calming actually.
I do well at painting for the first two-thirds of the room. After that, my energy level takes a hit, and I need a diet Coke break with lots of ice cubes and a twisty straw. I then drink my beverage and study the remaining, unpainted third. It seems so long to finish, and a niggling voice in the back of mind gives me permission to put it off. 'I can do it tomorrow, can't I?' Things don't go well if I listen to that voice. But if I push on for a bit longer and continue painting, my motivation returns and I reach my goal. You could switch this whole bartering process with manuscript revision and it would be the same!
I listened to Pavarotti while working. Love him and Italian opera! Nessun Dorma from Turandot boomed through the stereo speakers on repeat mode for at least an hour. It's my favorite Pavarotti, followed by Pieta Signore. I also listened to movies as I painted, and it was interesting to concentrate on the dialogue without seeing the characters on screen. Rabbit Hole with Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart was awesome. I wouldn't recommend it for painters though. It's hard to wipe tears from your eyes when your hands are speckled with red and blue. The teenager in Rabbit Hole reminded me of my son, and he killed me in every scene. Personally, I think Kidman should have won the Oscar for her work here.
Lastly, while doing trim, I watched/heard the Phantom of the Opera film with Gerard Butler. His singing was okay, not great, and still I found myself haunted by this movie. The songs went over and over in my head for days. I felt so bad for the Phantom. In spite of the fact he was scary, crazy, and did all sorts of unforgivable things. I guess that's the mark of a great villain.
Who are your favorite villains? Are you tired from working too much? Do you enjoy painting?
Have the best of all possible weekends, friends.
Painting is always too much work. My rooms need to be painted too, but we keep avoiding it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite villains are all the Harry Potter ones: Voldemort, Bellatrix LeStrange, Lucius and Draco Malfoy.
I am tired from working to much too. But my job is about to end.
Decorating while watching films, nice one!
ReplyDeleteI like the villains in Stardust, the Stormhold Princes and the witches. I'm sure there are others,too :O)
Pat on the back for doing all that work. I'm overwhelmed by projects like that. With even one helper, I can do it, but not alone. I also love the Phantom. He is sympathetic because of his deformity and the abuses he suffered. He craves love, but tries to take it rather than earn it. It's a haunting story, and music....the music of the night...
ReplyDeleteWell done you! I'd love to paint, used to, must make the time.
ReplyDeleteI love painting, Pavarottie, Nesum Dorma on repeat and listening to movies. When I iron on Sundays, I put in one of the Jane Austen's and listen. Interesting to hear the conversations without watching (even though I've seen them 8000times). I'll always catch a nuance, or a new phrase when I listen and not look.
ReplyDeleteI have so got to get my dining room finished. Two years now and still only half finished. But I found the Mighty Mighty Bosstones for $1 at the thrift store so...
Super busy. The muscles you need to paint are completely different from the regular ones we use. It is a lot of hard work. :O)
ReplyDeletePainting?? Not when it comes to skirting boards and the edges. I can do the middle bit - no problemo as I figure all I need to do is splash the paint around!! But edges are mess and curves and things like that - but a great big black level wall - bob's your uncle!
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Probably not to music or film though. I tend to be able to concentrate on one thing at a time only! :-)
I remember at my previous workplace - we all wanted to see Phantom of the Opera in the theatre so rang the box office to book. They said it was so booked but they will take our names down and we will be in a queue for any seats going. That was over fifteen years ago now. We're still waiting!
YAY for your mega painting achievements!!!!
Take care
x
Your rooms sound gorgeous! I really, really hate wall painting, it's just so much work like you said. Does that make me lazy? I like the smell of a newly painted room though. It's the best. And I love that Phantom movie, I feel the exact same way about the phantom. I've missed you Roxy! Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI think my life's goal (one of them) is to create a villain like the phantom, someone sort of horrible but you love him. And you don't know why. Doesn't that just sound like a fun challenge to take on? Not painting, though, That is not a challenge I want to take on. Good job to you awesome lady!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I so remember having to paint all the walls in the house we moved into two years ago. My hubby kept pulling the roller away from me because I "wasn't doing it right." He used to be a house painter in college. Apparently, I get a little roller crazy! Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are a brave soul. We keep putting off having painters come in because it's just a pain but our entire house is vaulted ceilings and even with extended ladders, we can't do it ourselves. Not that I want to, lol. You rock!
ReplyDeleteRoxy: Better you than me. I did that stuff for many years. I am done! It does give one some time to think, but I am done thinking too!
ReplyDeleteRoxy, thanks so much for following me so I could find your BEAUTIFUL blog! Wow! And I can't believe how much we have in common: rabbit hole/I have a YA Alice in Wonderland spinoff that's being shopped right now; painting projects/just finished my daughter's room ... painted the walls silver gray, accented w/ black and deep red furniture and accessories; Phantom of the Opera/LOVE everything Phantom. Have you seen the Las Vegas show? It's very well done, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I always wanted Christine to end up w/Erik in the movie ... I think they just chose too cute of an actor. Even ugly he was beautiful. Hmm.
So nice to mee you. You're blog is going in my side bar for easier access. I want to come back and swoon over this background and your lovely writing some more. :-)
I watched a few seasons of West Wing while I painted in our house! Lol
ReplyDeleteI remember painting our house - living room, dining room, 4 bedrooms. Exhaustion.
ReplyDeleteMaybe now you can take a weekend off :)
......dhole
I've pondered painting my walls, but never do. Sounds like grueling work. If I ever do, I'd definitely listen to books and movies like you did.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I like the actual painting much, but I do like the way the room looks afterward...so fresh! Your color sounds awesome...I wonder if boys can appreciate it? :)
ReplyDeletePaint makes me feel sick but I love colourful rooms especially for kids. Chopin's piano etudes are great. I love Magic Flute and Cat Stevens. Lots of variety and prefer red wine to diet coke.
ReplyDeleteA walk in the park is best !
ReplyDeleteRoxy, great to see you back in the blogosphere (does anyone use that word anymore?)! What is it with Spring and big clean-up slash home-improvements? I'm sure it was all worth it though.
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy what you said about the Phantom, it's like we are in sync or something. I have just been listening to the soundtrack with by boyfriend Gerry, and I always feel bad for the Phantom. It's not his fault his is so bad, sad...lonely. I always wanted Christine to run away with him...sort of.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see pictures of your rooms. They sound gorgeous.
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