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Adrian

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Posts posted by Adrian

  1. Posted · Edited by Adrian
    just learning to spell.     · Report reply

    Yeah RC, the music world is DOG's life, but some of the rewards are sometimes more than dog bisquits, if you know what I mean.

    In 25 yrs. of seeking a label, one, only one, Crown Records, a mexican label gave us a hard as hell 2 yr. run across the states.

    Most just don't know what's involved with labels. It's like being held captive sometimes and I am just too old for that crap anymore.

    The irony is I love the music but hate the business. It sux man. Hence the old age burnout.

    Pw has been a part of me for only a little less than 7 yrs. now. I don't want to quit ..... I just don't want to be bored with it anymore.

    I'll work it out I'm sure, because I'm definately not going to go anywhere with the house note I have. hehe.

    Glad you understand the dilema. Clubs just suck anymore, getting old. I don't even drink man and everyone always wants us to stay and "close the bars" with them. Time to grow up I guess. lol.

    Thx man.

    I 'd love to hear some of your material anytime by the way.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    An industry leader, I won't say who ( but he talks really really loud and attends every RT expo etc.) called me today.

    Just that in itself is BIG in my world. ( not as big as meeting Cindy Crawford... but big nonetheless)

    He asked me (little 'ol me )MY OPINION of how I and the rest of the industry views his

    "overall involvement" in the cleaning world.

    In short... I told him the truth, point blank.

    I told him I wouldn't be where I was (for what that is worth) without his involement.

    Please don't take that as an insult to those others who have contributed to what growth I have along the way.

    Hats off to all of you.

    But this cat.... when he speaks, and especially takes time for me without my asking ( I listen, actually I can't help but listen he is so loud) lol.

    That says alot about this gent.

    A true modern day maverick for the industry. Relentless in a positive way.

    I truely am honored that he values my ( again... little 'ol me) opinion.

    Again I won't mention his name, but it really made my day.

    By now I am sure you know of who I am speaking of, that called me.

    So, that being said, I am digging deep into my gut and am hoping no one thinks of me as just being a "taker".

    Hopefully, I have been able to "give a little" of what I have learned so far back to those who might have benefitted from my babblings over the past few years.

    I really do like to help others in the pw world if at all possible, and just hoping someone has maybe gained a bit of an edge from something I have said as well.

    Right on!!!!

    adios

    " I love my Stratocaster" because she whines so much.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Tony,

    Amen Brother. What drives you is also what drives me. When I knew I wanted to buy the Buick GN I worked for weeks with no rest.

    I have my wife's 40th coming up in 2 weeks and I am working like crazy to pay for the big bash. Also I plan on going to Disney in February/March and that is driving me.

    I'll let you in on a little secret. I recently purchased a list of all the Property management companies thru the state of NY. This list has Phone #'s, Addresses etc. and the purchase price was not cheap. I will aggressively solicite them for potential commercial work. If this pans out even alittle bit it could pay big dividens. I may even give out a ton of info on how to get this list for different states and pass this info over to guys like yourself.

    Well John, 7 yrs. later, it looks like you have overcome the burnout. Look how big you are now.

    Much respect.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    I have stuck with the washing for about 10 years. I care nothing for it or the industry per se. It is just a good cash cow. I have had several other endeavors that I owned and closed up or sold. If you get burnt out, quit and do something else. I was at the Fire Department and quit after 12 years because I didn't want to work my 7 christmas day in a row. There is always another way to make a buck if you hustle. If you are burnt out on washing, sell or give everything away and start singing. I have drove tractor trailers, cleaned carpet, turned wrenches in a diesel shop, been a cop, been a fireman and a ran my own framing/siding crews. I don't turn 40 for another 5 months. Point is, do whatever you want to do, you only live once. I have a great wife of 16years who has not had to work since my oldest son was born 11 years ago. She go alongs with every job I quit or business I sell and just rolls her eyes sometimes. I bought a road tractor 3 years ago when I saw Ice Road truckers on TV. Spent 2 months jumping thru hoops and insurance to find out that unless your Canadian with a lot of miles logged up North you ain't got a chance of driving. I was going to do it for a few months cause it looked cool. Made money when I turned around and sold the Mack and am now waiting to see what bug bites me next.

    From one old school to another, William, you never cease to impress me.

    I guess I just need to identify which bug ( if any) is knocking at my door.

    Much respect for the firefighter in you.

    I am an ex EMT-II for 7 yrs. and always leaned on you guys for support in the field. But guess what happened............. burnout.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Sounds like you have a case of the Post Nuptial Blues ?

    James this might be the first time I have to disagree with you.

    We have been together for 12.5 yrs. before I popped the question. ( quit possibly the longest date in history)

    No Blues in that dept. for sure. ( just between you and me, she's doing pretty darn well w/o the help ABC Pressure Washing)

    Met her at one of my bands shows in Austin, and never looked back and never looked at another ( well, except Cindy Crawford).

    All is well in that category. She's the only class I got. hehe

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Mike. You are right, always thinking about one or the other.

    I think maybe my beautiful bride may have switched the coffee to decaf or something.

    Maybe that's why I feel so blah blah blah about everything.

    Or maybe I need another honeymoon. hehe.

    Thanks for the calls and good words you guys. It means alot. Really.

    I just need to shake this "ho-humness" and get off these stupid crutches and get back out there swinging.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Excellent question. About 16 or 17 years ago after having been in business 3 or 4 years, I was tired of pressure washing, too. I was doing it, and delivering milk, as a full time job. I did not have the option of just pressure washing full time, I had, at the time, a stay at home wife, a house payment, and two kids. I also has absolutely no family to fall back on in lean times. I contemplated selling my business, and rig, to just do the milk thing. Instead, I diversified, realized I had a good, and relatively successful thing, going, and kept at it. In another couple of years, I had quit the milk thing, since 100 hour weeks on salary did not suit me, and got another job, that allowed me the freedom to work the pressure washing. Within a year, I had it full time, and there is no residential pressure washing to speak of in metro Phoenix. It was all fleet, and eventually, I used the knowledge I gained there to move to what I am doing now. I cannot say the boards helped me to get there, because, honestly, I wasn't on the boards at that time, and the only one that was really in existence was the old Delco board.

    I did it, but, I think that you need to pick what you love. You are probably actually a little burned out from having two jobs, and always end up tired doing one, or the other.

    You are right Scott. I am tired from my occupations. However I love them both.

    I have never had more satisfaction than both of these paths.

    Musically ( and I know what I am talking about here) I have performed in front of 80k people in a stadium called the Cotton Bowl 2 yrs in a row.

    Talk about a feeling of success. Not to mention playing clubs in L.A. on the strip all the way over to the east coast. And made some great $$$$ and great friends and contacts. I'm just not 25 yrs. old anymore and I have the "been there done that, got a cigar" attitude.

    I write material for several other musicians acxross the country as well as still collect some pocket change in royalties.

    At 47 now, I am just so tired, you are correct.

    As a business owner ( and I am in touch with my feelings ) I simply see no changes, just the same steady road after all these yrs.

    Wood really gets me fired up. Cleaning really gets me fired up......... but only for a moment.

    I actually hope to rule the residential market some day and have a solid name and reputation for being a vet in the industry.

    BUT......

    Again, you are correct, I am so very tired.

    I have no intention of quitting either of the things I love and ( at least from my standpoint ) am very good at.

    I simply hate the fact that I am getting too bored, too old or too lazy.

    Even flying for me has lost a bit of it's lustre. And anyone who knows me, knows that flying is my favorite way to blow $$$$.

    I guess I just need a motivational kick in A$$, from someone who's been there and turned it all around for themselves to re-capture the initial feelings and drive it takes to keep plugging along.

    Thx Scott, good food for thought.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    I love my job. Almost 7 yrs. on my own now.

    First and foremost. I love the satisfaction of a happy customer and getting a nice fee.

    But, sometimes I just shake my head and would rather just be a full time musician again.

    Right now, I do both. The distance between both of those worlds are a million miles apart.

    Same ol same ol.

    Anyone ever get burned out on this whole PW thing I got myself into?

    How have you re-ignited the "Fire"?

    Maybe a new routine, or even possibly my working past 1 in the afternoon. hehe. Kidding of course.

    Alot of folks tell me I have a very cool existance being able to operate in both realms.

    Very seldom does it cause conflict. I get the same satisfaction blowing someone away with a cool tune as I do cleaning the pigsty's some people choose to live in. ( maybe I said that wrong).

    But again, burnout seems to be rearing it's ugly head. Sometimes in both worlds.

    Very open to suggestions.

    Yes I actually do work past 1 in the afternoon sometimes and not all of the musical performances are at midnight in a smoke filled club. Both are very respectable trades for me which I love.

    Balance, I know is the key. I do consider myself very lucky to be able to operate in both worlds.

    But burnout is another issue all together.

    Thx.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Len,

    I am not to that point yet.

    But when I hang out at the bus station with all the homeless and the druggies and the hookers I have a sign on my guitar case that says will ROCK for food.

    It works the same for underpasses and subway tunnels and dark alleys. People just walk by and throw their scraps in the case and I am fed for one more day.

  11. Posted · Edited by Adrian
    I'm still learning to spell.     · Report reply

    I have bartered for radio spots, door signage, business cards, newsspaper ads, website pop ups and banners plus other stuff I can't even remember.

    The most recent is a Catfish diner that I clean their dumpster area qrtly. Haven't paid for a a catfish meal since. Ha.

    Well worth it too as the area is only 10x10 or so. Takes about as long to setup as it does clean, so I am not there long.

    Does bartering for sustainance count?

  16. Posted · Report reply

    Yeah, right on guys.

    This wood was so brittle that it could be broken in some spot just by grabbing it.

    Plus the bottom of the boards ( not pictured) were all ate up and busted.

    There are still alot of these fences left over from hurricane Ike that need to be rebuilt in some areas.

    Which is actually turning out to be a very active market.

    In the long run the fence can now be maintained by yours truely and hold up much better for the next batch of storms.

    I would still rather be doing decks. Take what you can get sometimes.

  17. Posted · Edited by Adrian · Report reply

    Ditto on that :) The underlying color of the substrate (with regard to stains) plays a large role in what the end color will be.

    This was not a resto project. Just an example of wood from the stone ages.

    The gate is not attached to anything. Maybe not so clear in the pics, but it is just leaning against the newly replaced fence behind the gate.

    Cmon guys, you know my work better than that. That is just bleach on wood.

    I wouldn't just hit with 12% then throw some stain on it.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Beth, trust me. You wouldn't have wasted your time or effort on restoring this fence.

    Again, the entire fence was replaced due to complete erosion of the wood. 25 yrs.

    I just took the one section and used a spray bottle of 12% for no other reason than to demonstrate what would happen to the wood.

    I wood be a complete fool to try and restore that wood.

    It was just for an example. Why? Who knows...... It's just me I guess. I wanted to share the visual of the 5 minute dwell time.

  24. Posted · Edited by Adrian · Report reply

    I like the thought of a limit on the time of sale preceeding payment. Also, and I should have thought of this before, the owner/seller would be easier to get payment from and I like the idea of drawing up a contract. Researching the time of homes on the market is a good suggestion. I would like to give it a go with some of the forums' advice and see where it takes me. Thanks much, Bill

    Target the seller, or even the buyer after the sale.

    But you sometimes have to experiment on your own to get a feel of what works for you. And what works for you might not work for someone else for various reasons, market geo, economy.

    I think we all have shared your thoughts at one point and tried innovative ways to make money in this industry. But I believe, you will prosper by targeting the seller or the buyer.

    However a good word from a realtor never hurts. Especially when you present some swag to them. They will remember you for it.

    The down side is that you will be waiting a long time for them to refer you to a seller or at least the right seller.

    That is time that could be spent on direct sales face to face.

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