As of June 25th, Jeff and I closed on two houses adjacent to each other in St. Louis, MO. After 16 years of simply having a place to live, finally I have a place to call "home". The building used to be a storefront and is over 100 years old. It has been completely rehabbed, including mold remediation after some being found in small areas. We already have trustworthy tenants who are moving into the other side, which is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath.

Our side is the main house: 3 stories, 5 bedroom, 3 bath (with a jacuzzi), and the living room... some people put up 'faux brick' for that rustic look. We have REAL brick walls facing each other in the living room, with the dining area five steps up from the living room, overlooking it. It's beautiful! The guy who bought and rehabbed the thing did a remarkable job, and our seller was more than gracious in the time it took to make this happen. The 3rd floor has a small area next to the 3rd bath, with shower stall, and the 'bedroom' up there is as big as the Living Room and part of the dining room (in other words, HUGE.) Jeff agreed, that should be the room for the recording & broadcasting studio - which is approximately 6 times larger than the space I currently have. The best part is, I can soundproof it to my specifications!
I've also missed that glorious liberty of being able to paint any room any color I want, which you can't do with most rental properties. Not to mention, Zombie now has a nice big yard to run freely in.

We ALMOST didn't get the houses. We had originally tried to get the loan through Citibank whom, dragged their heels from mid February to late May, losing documents, and all kinds of BS. There were two appraisals, one before the rehab which was considerably lower than the selling price, and then a 2nd appraisal after the rehab, which brought us up beyond where we needed to be. The MORONS at Citibank wasted countless time, and then when they finally made their decision, they based it off of the FIRST APPRAISAL - which sunk the deal. The seller, knowing how much time had already been put into this, gave us more time to find another lender.

So, we went with another bank in late May who got the ball rolling, and quick too! Before we knew it, we were getting all the paperwork finished, and a week ago today, we closed. We'll be moving stuff gradually, but the 17th is the big day! That is when we will be getting the Uhaul, loading up his stuff, then loading up mine, and that will be my last day here in 'Better Ghettos and Gardens' with no looking back![smiley=sayyes.gif]
I have high hopes that, once I get away from the enormous hydrocarbons being emitted from Granite City Steel, my CH, which has been creeping back after a nice absence, will ease up a bit. The amount of hydrocarbons pouring out of that thing is way past regulations and instead of fixing it, they just pay a fine every month and get away with it. I had no idea the effect hydrocarbons have on CH until a couple of years ago and then it made perfect sense: I had been living ONE BLOCK from that smokestack for 2 years before I went chronic, and lived there another 9 months after. I currently reside 6 blocks from it and the additional 3 coke plants newly built. I will not miss this town.

One other huge change: one month ago I began weaning off of pain meds. I am officially off of Morphine after being on a rather large dose for the past 2 1/2 years, and am now in the process of weaning off of Oxycodone which, will be the hardest part of the process, but while the pain meds do dull it, they've lost their effectiveness & potency and the dosages I was on were just too high. By the end of the month I will be off of them completely and while I know it won't be a picnic, it will be a safe taper down. Right where we are moving to is where my pain management clinic is right up the road, and so is the new Physical Therapy place is I will be going to, as the ortho confirmed I indeed have what is called 'inverted hips' so now I can FINALLY get the proper therapy I needed, instead of bad therapy that was making things worse. I also have something called Piriformis, which is where a leg muscle has grown to the point it is squeezing the Sciatic nerve. With any luck, the therapy will also work towards aleiving that. However, if it doesn't work, they may have to cut out part of the muscle. Doesn't sound fun to me at all. I'm setup for another spinal injection on the 27th which, always makes me nervous but, when in enough pain... 'nuff said. The most important thing is, I am finally getting answers, and finding a proper solution to the problem. With that said, I hope to be back on stages within the next year.

Lastly, I've been tapped by 2 different friends to DJ at their weddings. I'm not only honored, but taking the opportunity to start a new gig DJing weddings, parties, whatever. I know have over 10'000 albums with music spanning from not just rock, alternative and metal... but a very eclectic wide variety mix, from country to 50's 60's 70's & 80's hits, and am constantly growing my library to where, if the day should come, I can even do a frickin Bar Mitzvah.
Soon though, I will be releasing the first "Dead Cowboy Rebellion" ep "The Dark Half" which has been delayed several times due to countless hurdles and also 'physical interruptions' that have prevented me from getting it finished in time to make the deadline. That is why I played it smart and instead of setting an official date, I am waiting til it is done, mixed and mastered, and ready to throw out there. This ep is my first real solo recordings in nearly a decade, and will be available as a download for free. You know the old saying, "The first one's always free, kid."

The next ep will begin once I finish unpacking and setting up the studio - and will be recording will all new recording software as well as PRO drums instead of that damned drum machine which, I think I've done pretty well with. The 1st full album is a concept album that won't be out for at least another year.

I also have 3 other projects to work on. I am being tapped for another movie soundtrack for the same company who did "Zombie Epidemic"; an electronic pop / goth project with my friend Amanda on vocals (once she returns from Iraq this September); and a pop/ rock project with Jeff doing vocals. I'll also be doing more remixes for Nine Inch Nails, as well as 2 Jane's Addiction remixes.
Let's just say that, since I turned 40 I've been going through mid-life crisis and, when your father passes at 49 and your mother at 53, you know you haven't exactly come from the best gene pool. So turning 40 for me reminded me of my mortality, and I guess you could say my vendetta against it is to accomplish as much as I can while still on this earth.

Sorry for writing a book but you know how it is. Much has happened since my last update on here and wanted to fill y'all in on the good stuff happening. Will be posting some pics soon & will try to come around more often once time allows. I try to hit Facebook at least once a day to check messages, as it's the easiest way to keep up with family, friends, and folks from here all at once. On that note, I'll end my supersized post as always with...

Peace,
Carl D

PS - If anyone wants to find me on Facebook, just search for Mack Daniels. You'll recognize the ugly mug on the profile, lol.

Good on you Carl.  Looks like things are really looking up for you.. Can't help thinking back to about 10-11 years ago -- things are a lot different today aren't they... Proud of you my friend... you've really pulled yourself up... Told you you could... :-*

PS just don't forget my Waylon and Willie....

I'm proud of you too. It looks like things are finally looking up for you. Good luck on coming off the drugs completely. I know you can do it.

Congratulations Carl.  For both changes.   ;)





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that will be my last day here in 'Better Ghettos and Gardens'

     [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif]

Carl,

Congratulations on the new home and all of the other "really good stuff" that is happening for you now.

You deserve it.

Sandy

Keep the good changes happening, Carl.      

Lots more after 40 (I never planned on it), but it can be a better part.

Wonderful to see that your life is taking a huge change for the better.  Big congrats to you and your partner!!!

Carol

Big time congrats...on BOTH fronts! ;)

Joe

As Barb says you never sounded better.

Nice going on all fronts Carl.

Charlie

Hi Carl,

Many congratulations! As a new homeowner myself, I know exactly that feeling you wrote about. Enjoy it all! :)

It's so fantastic to read about all these great things which are just about to happen for you. I', so happy for you! :)

Lots of PF time,

Sanna

It's all good Carl! you're in my prayers!

with warm regards,
Tony

Good luck Carl....




Lefty

Thanks everyone. I have to admit, making such a huge leap is scary, but am more excited than anything.

Also, I am successfully off the morphine, and currently tapering down on the percocets. I just switched Dr's, as my last doc just went a bit insane. The new doc was shocked that my DR had me just DROP off the meds without setting me up for a detox program or anything, and then scheduled the next appoint for 3 months away from the last appointment. Can you say quack?

The BEST news is, I found a pain management specialist who, not only mixes modern medicine with eastern medicine, but is covered by my insurance! So, I have many more options with alternative medicine to help control pain. As for the narcotics, I can't wait to be off of them 100% for many reasons, one of which, they slow down your reflexes and impair abilities - which I believe has slowed me down on guitar quite a bit. Now, my speed & accuracy is picking up again, and I can actually FOCUS on things without nodding off. The downside is, I'm in ALOT of pain right now, but am determined to get through it. One big fear I've had while on them is overdose. They had me on such high levels of morphine & oxycodone, the line between the therapeutic dose and toxic dose was getting toooooooo close. After the king of pop died last year, I was almost scared to take my meds, but was in so much pain I had to.


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Good on you Carl.  Looks like things are really looking up for you.. Can't help thinking back to about 10-11 years ago -- things are a lot different today aren't they... Proud of you my friend... you've really pulled yourself up... Told you you could...

Funny you mention that. I remember first coming to this board a complete trainwreck! I think I stayed that way for about 5-6 years. It's only been the past few years I've been able to grab the bull by the horns and, like everything else, didn't come easily.
To be honest, I think back on alot of posts I left on here (especially when I went manic in '05 from chronic insomnia) and am completely embarrassed by some things I posted. Like I told someone else on here who felt egg on their face after leaving a post - I don't think any of us here have posted something at one time or another we didn't regret afterwards.
P.S. - I haven't forgot yer Walyon & Willie  ;)

All I can say is THANK YOU to those who put up with my bellyaching & all of the venting I did on here, and still remained my friend. It's been a long, rough road dealing with so many other issues on top of CH, but I made it through. Thanks again for all the well wishes, prayers and positive vibes. I believe it has made a difference through the years.
Still a rough road ahead, but I have my helmet on. And yes, the inner lining is tin-foil.  8-)

9 more days til the big move! YEE HAW!!!

Peace & Future,
Carl D

P.S. - Unfortunately due to the move and all, I won't be making it to the convention. It just wasn't in the fundage to be made possible, and as bad as I would love to go, it's just bad timing. Will be settling in still, and all that jazz. Just glad I got to see you all last year and this past January. I'm hoping there will be a LouCon '11 in January, unless another location is picked. In any event, I will be there.

Congratulations on your life enrichment Carl.  Happy for you. :)

Pleased to hear things are going so well for you.

Enjoy and good luck with the big move!!

Kate