I give: What's "IOW"? I do like Hell's Kitchen, a lot. All reality competitions have an edited story line and a lot that goes on off camera, with whole other stories that actually happened but aren't as useful to the main story arc that aren't shown. They may have retakes on things that are important to the game when the shots get ruined, but those are basically, "Taste that again", and stuff like that. The reason these things work is that once the cast get to know the crew and they've been shooting a few days, or even hours, the cast gets used to the presence of the cameras, crew, cables, and all the rest, and just kind of ignore them. They actually forget they're there, even when they have appointments to sit with a producer asking them snarky questions one on one (you only see the responses, not the producer or questions) to provide commentary and to stir up trouble. Basically, though, they don't actually script off camera. They tell them, and may even rehearse them, on where to line up, maybe what the structure of the occasion is (made up example, "Contestant X will take your covered dish to the tasting table."), but the manipulation is mostly through editing. I don't think there's actually anything pre-ordained. If nothing else, that would be illegal because this is a contest with prizes. In the editing, they often telegraph where the story is going, but that's part of putting together a good story by choosing the clips and angles that pull the viewer into the particular episode. Because I'm doing computer work at home all day, I tend to run the TV for company and love these kinds of shows because they're undemanding of my attention except for the approximately five minutes when something actually happens. I totally agree that Gordon Ramsay is entertaining. He is a former soccer player and a very highly respected chef. He gained a reputation in England for being good TV by participating in shows where they needed a great chef, became a star and started doing a lot of shows both there and here. What you're seeing in Season 5 of Hell's Kitchen is the character he plays on TV. Foul mouthed, demanding, verbally abusive in a drill sergeant way, etc. Occasionally you'll get glimpses of him being a normal, caring, gentleman, which I'd guess is his at home self. I promise I won't give you rank spoilers, but I will tell you that, just as with drill sergeants and recruits, Ramsay gets the best out of the contestants. They learn a hell of a lot in Hell's Kitchen. But they don't get coddled. Reasons why I respect Gordon Ramsay? He believes that the point of what they're doing is to please the customers with the food, and he demands that they produce dishes that are cooked properly, including to the amount of doneness requested. I can't tell you how angry hoity-toity chefs make me when they go on TV and insist that they know better than diners how they'd like to eat their meat. Ramsay demands immaculate kitchens and correct food handling. He demands that things be done right. He respects a good hamburger as much as a good quail's egg. And he will give compliments freely where they're due.

Organic small home, no apology needed. However, if you take some time to read over what I have posted, I sited very specific practices common to many home inspectors, which indeed, if avoided, provide a far, far better chance for the buyer to avoid your particular experience. You provided no specifics at all explaining your conclusion. However, as I have repeatedly acknowledged that performing due diligence imparts no guarantee of anything, Im still not clear on why you believe that I generalized by indicating otherwise. So...one more time; Practicing due diligence with anything...including in choosing and hiring a home inspector, serves to greatly increase ones chances of achieving the desired result. However, there are no guarantees...on anything. That said, Im sorry to hear that performing due diligence on your part did not work out for you. Hopefully, that will not deter you from doing so once again the next time aroundas the end result could be far worse. Best wishes.

Thanks everyone. I can't wait to see it with a finish coat ;) msrose, "Drybrush" means that you barely dip your brush ends into the paint/stain, and then brush it on, spreading it quite thin. It's called "dry" as opposed to your normal technique where you dip the entire brush into the paint, wipe off the biggest mess of that and then spread a much more significant amount of paint around. On that final coat, I really just touched the top of the stain a bit and spread it on. WHen you're all done with a "dry brush" technique, the top 2/3 of your brush really should be pretty "dry" because it never sees paint. I used a brush specifically for stain and varnish, a white china bristle brush. The synthetics don't hold up to the chemicals in stain and varnish, so natural bristle is a must for a good finish. I prefer a white china bristle because the bristle is a bit finer than a black china bristle, but if you can't find a really high quality white china bristle, go with black (cheap white china bristles will not hold and you'll end up with bristles in your paint). I actually prefer an ox hair brush for the final coat, but I can't find mine...so I may have to buy another brush. They're best for clear coats to get a streak free coat because their bristles are so fine. I umm sort of love paint brushes LOL I have dozens and always still "need" one more heh heh

Dave: I have not lurked or posted here for years. Something posessed me to check in and to post a question today. In the back of my mind I was thinking "I wonder if that wonderful guy "Dave D" is still active and helping others with his advice?" I am sobbing, after reading your post, Dear Dave and family. I thought that loosing my mother was the deepest pain that anyone can feel, but loosing one's child is so much worse. All the plans for the future. Gone. There is nothing as great as the gift of life. Time will help soften the pain, but it won't ever leave you or your wife. In time, like many of us, you will create a special corner in your heart, reserved for your little girl. And you will visit that corner from time to time - remembering the good things - and, I hope, thinking about how lucky you were to have your 9 months of joy with Dagny. Those we love never really leave us. Their spirit lives on forever. Bless you for sharing such painful and private moments with your GW friends. We will always be here for you. All the best for a hopeful future for you and Joanne. Lynne