Serek Basses are handmade here in Chicago. They feel, sound and look amazing! Another quality product being made in Chicago.
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The Making of a Bass Guitar
June 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The U.S. Census Bureau Report: Characteristics of New Housing
June 15, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Want to stay on top of new construction trends? The U.S. Census Bureau has a great, new interactive infographic that explains their Characteristics of New Housing report. Just click on the graphic below and see for yourself.
A View of Seattle from Above
June 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment
We love this city.
Posted by ABOVE Seattle on Monday, June 12, 2017
A Humorous Look at the Basics of Meditation
June 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
There is absolutely no reason to associate meditation with religion these days, not if you’re atheist or agnostic. It’s totally possible to be secular and still consider it just as valuable. Which it is. There’s also no reason to associate it with claims about superpowers, enlightenment, seeing other dimensions, or suddenly being able to do triple backflips with a jam sandwich on your head. The last one would be cool though.
As mentioned in the video, it’s essentially the art of gaining conscious control of the rest of you mind, just by observation. Lots of folk have explained it better than I ever could:
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Music Review: The Lost Fingers
June 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I’ve been listening to CD that I just can’t get enough of. The Lost Fingers is a Quebec jazz trio named in tribute to Django Reinhardt’s 2 lost fingers (who turned a terrible manual injury into a technical advantage on the guitar). Performing jazz swing covers, double bassist Alex Morrisette and guitarists Christian Roberge and Byron Mikaloff have all their fingers, and have them poking about in the 80’s hit parade for tunes to twist in a lively, acoustic style. Material ranging from AC/DC and Soft Cell to Paula Abdul and George Michael. The first track is telling—the trio’s cover of Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” may be the most absurd inclusion, but possibly the strongest.
The Lost Fingers—Lost in the 80’s is just plain fun! Who would have ever thought that Samantha Fox’s “Touch Me” could be sung in a gypsy swing? What would Stevie Wonder say about his“Part-time Lover” sung with Quebecer’s bouncing jazz harmonies…? Maybe it’s because the 80’s represent my high school and college years, but I can’t help but smile when I hear a boggie swing of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. When you listen to “You Shook Me All Night Long”, you might think that Randy Newman was on the disc playing and singing a cameo. The fact that a Jazz trio could take an AC/DC song and put doo-wops and scat in it is nothing short of genius! I was never a Paula Abdul fan, but it is a kick to tap your foot to her “Straight Up” without the aid of drum machines (BTW: no drums at all on the disc) or synthesizers.
Though it may be a little bit of a shtick, The Lost Fingers have a really cool concept here. Idiosyncratic, unusual and entertaining are all words to describe this musical escapade you’ll be sure to enjoy.
5 Tips for buying in a competitive market
June 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Home shoppers are increasingly facing steep competition for the limited number of homes for sale.
“Attempting to purchase a house in this type of market can make the already complex process of buying a home even more overwhelming,” the National Association of REALTORS® notes in a recent release.
Read more: Bidding Wars to Heat Up This Spring
NAR offers up five suggestions for home buyers navigating today’s competitive market:
1. Stick to a budget.
Have buyers get preapproved by one or more lenders to ensure eligibility. Be sure to also take into account extra costs of homeownership, such as taxes, utilities, and insurance. “When listings are scarce, bidding wars can drive up prices, so buyers must be prepared to walk away if the asking price surpasses their budget,” according to NAR.
2. Identify home wants versus needs.
Buyers likely will need to compromise on their wish lists when competition is tight. For example, buyers may have to compromise on amenities like stainless appliances or hardwood flooring, which can always be added later. “However, if a buyer wants to be in a specific school district or have a decent-sized backyard, those cannot be addressed later and must be taken into account during the house hunting process,” according to NAR’s tip sheet for buyers.
3. Be prepared to make decisions quickly.
Homes rarely stay on the market long in a seller’s market. Buyers should not hesitate when they find a house that matches their needs within their budget. Submit offers quickly.
4. Make bids competitive.
A low offer as a starting bid won’t likely work in a seller’s market. Buyers need to be ready to put forward their highest offer from the beginning or they may lose the home. In multiple bidding situations, the highest offer doesn’t always win either. But the bid with the fewest contingencies often becomes the most attractive to sellers. “Removing restrictions related to the sale of a current home and being flexible with things like the move-in date can make a bid stand out to a seller,” NAR notes.
5. Find a REALTOR®.
Buyers may need to be reminded about the importance of working with a real estate professional. Real estate pros are familiar with the areas and neighborhoods in the local areas. “They can give buyers the competitive advantage needed in a tight market,” NAR states.
Source: realtor.com®
How to Mix Patterns Like a Pro
June 5, 2017 By Leave a Comment
See which combinations of stripes, geometrics, florals and more work best to give a personality boost to your rooms
Introducing a new pattern to a space adds a lot of life, energy and personality in a way a solid color rarely can. But why restrict yourself to playing with just one pattern? Combining two or more may seem daunting, but if you follow some of these formulas, you’ll be mixing and matching like a pro in no time.