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Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/26/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: Need a electrican, have lost power between my house & garage
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Comment: remove 3 satellite dishes from roof on backside of house (porch roof)
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Today
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: Repair wooden residence fence and gate.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Today
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: i need the drain pump in my washer replaced.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs, Installation
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: More than 2 weeks
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: Moving into home on Oct 28. Change out some bathroom fixtures, hang pictures/paintings, make shoe rack, other miscellaneous things
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Comment: Need ceiling fan fix, falling from ceiling.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Comment: I need someone to fix my kitchen sink inlet
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: More than 2 weeks
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25 Best Handyman Services - Houston TX | HomeAdvisor
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Instead of calling multiple service providers to handle specific jobs, why not call Mr. Handyman of Chanhassen, Chaska & Shakopee? We can help you with any job from roof, gutter and siding repairs, to furniture assembly, wall mounted TV installations and more. Please review our list of home repair and maintenance services, and give us a call for quality work thats On time. Done right.
We understand your growing "To Do" list can feel overwhelming at times. This, along with busy work schedules, makes commitments to family and community difficult. You may even own a local business in the area. Let Mr. Handyman help with your business maintenance and repairs. After all, this helps your company's image and value. Drop that hammer. Let Mr. Handyman help.
All employees undergo the rigors of a background check and must have 10+ years of experience in all the construction trades. We pride ourselves on our quality workmanship and proudly honor a Customer Satisfaction Policy. We run a full time office and welcome your calls and emails.
As the local handyman choice, we thank our communities for trusting America's most reliable, insured and bonded handyman services.
To learn more about our professional Chanhassen handyman services, call us today.
Our Handyman professionals are ready to help with your maintenance and repair needs!
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Chanhassen Handyman Services | Chaska Home Repairs
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25 Best Handyman Services – HomeAdvisor -
September 26, 2016 by
Mr HomeBuilder
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Comment: Have seam that needs caulking by gutter in roof line. Roof had been looked at and leak is not coming from there.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Property Owner: Yes
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: west palm beach, FL
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Property Owner: Yes
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs, Installation
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Today
Property Owner: Yes
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: 1 - 2 weeks
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: I need a handyman for doing some drywall repair. I need it patched up - there are some holes. There is also some painting.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: Yes
Nature of Work: Repairs
Amount of work: A single project
Desired Completion Date: Immediately
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: toilet is always running and making sounds
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/23/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs, Installation
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: Upstairs tile has expanded in master bedroom. House is empty Kitchen needs sink and counter plumbed and installed.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/23/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Maintenance
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: REMODELING
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/23/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Installation
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: Today
Property Owner: Yes
Project: Hire a Handyman
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Date: 09/23/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Comment: I need vertical blinds installed and also need a ceiling fan installed. (cell xxxxxxxxxxxx)
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25 Best Handyman Services - HomeAdvisor
Improvements
At Plano A&L Handyman Services, we use years of experience to provide the best repair. Home improvement, andHouse/Office cleaning, and improvement solutions for your home or business. We also install new fance or repairs all kind wood or metal, and automatic gate repairs or new
Regular carpet cleaning helps improve the air quality in your home by removing pet hair, dust mites, and other allergens that thrive deep within the fibers.
Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
When you want personalized handyman services and custom home repairs, contact Plano A&L Handyman Services in Plano, Texas. We understand that the customer comes first, which is why we work directly with you to provide the services you want. We have 25 years of experience in the industry, which we use to get the job done right the first time. Word of mouth says that we're the best around, so give us a call today to experience the difference our team can make.
Learn More About Plano A&L Handyman Services >>
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Handyman Services, Home Repairs | Plano, TX
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Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: Soap dish in tiled bathtub wall has become dislodged and water is leaking into downstairs living area. Need to reset soap dish and repair leakage damage.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Repairs, Installation
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: I need a lamp cord with switch repaired or replaced. Have one gold leaf mirror and gold leaf painting to hang. Possibly other smaller lightweight items to hang.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/25/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting
Desired Completion Date: 1 - 2 weeks
Property Owner: Yes
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Project: Hire a Handyman- For Business
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Business
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Today
Comment: 680 sqf hard wood flooring and patching wall for one room and texturizing one room ceiling .
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Amount of work: A single project
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: 1 - 2 weeks
Property Owner: Yes
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Installation
Amount of work: A variety of projects
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: need light fixture installed in ceiling and step with railing placed on back porch
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Nature of Work: Installation
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: More than 2 weeks
Property Owner: Yes
Comment: I need someone to build a dog kennel for outside. Floor with sand and then large gravel.
Project: Hire a Handyman
Date: 09/24/2016
What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence
Is this an emergency?: No
Request Stage: Ready to Hire
Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week
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25 Best Handyman Services Portland OR | HomeAdvisor
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Sears Handyman & Home Repair Services -
September 26, 2016 by
Mr HomeBuilder
As a homeowner, you know that homes need constant care and attention. Faucets leak, garbage disposals clog, decks and fences need stainedand the list goes on. Sometimes, caring for your home can seem overwhelming, especially when family, work, and social obligations keep you from tackling big projects. Other times, you might just lack the expertise to handle a particular repair, like replacing a ceiling fan.
When you need help with home improvements and home repairs, you dont have to spend an entire weekend trying to figure how to install drywall or mount your new flat screencall on a Sears Handyman and your job will be done in no time, leaving you free to reclaim your weekend.
Sears Handyman technicians possess a diverse skillset and years of experience in fixing common household concerns, inside and outside of the house. Sears Handyman technicians can help install a new toilet, repair doors and windows, and even install decks and fencing. Our staff can also help with painting, mounting drywall, and many common, but tedious household chores like gutter cleaning and furniture assembly.
Whatever your home repair issue may be, you can always call and discuss your questions with a Sears technician over the phone. Our staff will be happy to talk through your home repair or renovation needs and schedule an appointment for a free consultation. Call today, and get your home improvement servicing scheduled in no time.
Receive a free estimate and schedule your handyman service online today. A Sears representative will contact you promptly, usually within the next business day.
Prefer To Call?
We know it's helpful to have someone to talk to directly. If you have questions, or prefer to schedule your estimate via the phone, please call:
(866) 642-7960
Wonderfully patient with me when I changed colors and added things on. Jose, Angel & Josh were very polite and respectful! Enjoyed having them in my home! Tony was very responsive to my texts and changes in the plans...and added a lot of tension breaking humor when I was stressed out! Thank you all--Sal & Maria too, for making it a great experience. The job was done very well-it's beautiful and I love it!! Will recommend you all for sure!!
Kat I.
The Sears Handyman arrived exactly on time, fully-prepared & went about the job in a professional way, finishing my gutters cleaning & doorbell installation in a timely & efficient manner. The handyman cleaned up afterwards, leaving no traces (except newly cleaned gutters & shiny new doorbell!) of his work. I'm pleased with the price quoted & paid & wouldn't hesitate to use Sears service again!
Susan M.
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Sears Handyman & Home Repair Services
Need a hand? Handyman Services Pro can lend a helping hand with all of your general home repairs and home improvement projects in La Quinta, CA and the surrounding area - including Indio, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and the entire Coachella Valley. Call 760-296-1774 and make one appointment for everything on your to-do list.
Make our team your choice for dependable, quality service. No job is too small; we can hang your pictures, install your ceiling fans, repair a gate or change a door knob. We can replace the faucet in the bathroom or install tile. Let one of our skilled technicians get that to-do list done. Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Our mission is to offer our residential and business customers professional and reliable home repairs and maintenance.
Learn More About Handyman Services Pro:
You may know us as Advanced Home Repair Team. It is the same reliable service, just under a different name.
Contact Handyman Services Pro today at 760-296-1774 to schedule an appointment, or browse our website for more information about our services.
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Home Repair La Quinta, CA - Handyman Services Pro
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Everyone appreciates the benefits of beautiful, comfortable living environments; Americas billion-dollar interior decorating industry attests to this fact. However, Feng Shui takes the approach that your surroundings affect not just your level of material comfort but also your physical and mental health, your relationships, and your worldly success.
Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) examines how the placement of things and objects within it affect the energy flow in your living environment, and how these objects interact with and influence your personal energy flow. Your personal energy flow affects how you think and act, which in turn affects how well you perform and succeed in your personal and professional life. Feng Shui affects you every moment of the day whether youre aware of it or not.
As you begin to discover more about Feng Shui, remember that you need to have an open mind and should use the methods that are most comfortable for your particular circumstances.
If youve already read a bit about Feng Shui, you may be somewhat confused by the seemingly contradictory advice youve encountered. People who are unfamiliar with this method may have some misconceptions and apprehension.
Feng Shui is not
So the million-dollar question is, what is Feng Shui?
Interesting bits of historical Feng Shui confirmation are starting to emerge. For example, recent scientific research indicates that 28,000 years ago, Neanderthal cavemen (located in present-day Croatia) chose which caves to live in based on three criteria: The caves held the high ground in the area, the surrounding area was easily seen from the entrance of the cave, and the water source was easily accessible. These findings show that even our ancestors were naturally aware of the effects of placement in their environment. Interestingly enough, all three of these criteria are in harmony with the basic principles of Feng Shui, which has evolved and become more sophisticated along with humankind. Thus, Feng Shui is as relevant and beneficial to humankind today as it was 28,000 years ago.
Feng Shui is a term composed of two Chinese words: feng (wind) and shui (water). Wind and water are the two natural elements that flow, move, and circulate everywhere on Earth. They are also the most basic elements required for human survival. Wind or air is the breath of life; without it, we would die in moments. And water is the liquid of life; without it, we would die in days. The combined qualities of wind and water determine the climate, which historically has determined our food supply and in turn affects our lifestyle, health, energy, and mood. These two fundamental and flowing elements have always profoundly yet subtly influenced human individuals and societies.
The essence of these life-giving elements is chi, or life force. Wind and water are direct carriers of chi, as their flowing quality reflects their essential nature. All living organisms are largely composed of these two elements. Thus, Feng Shui is the art of designing environments in harmony with the flow of chi through ones living space, and this flow supports and enhances ones personal chi or life force.
Feng Shui is rooted in a holistic worldview. It sees all things and creatures as part of a natural order, a vast environment that is alive and in flux, ever moving and changing. Each thing in this natural order is equally alive and has an energetic value or component. So everything plants, animals, people, and things exists in a vast landscape that swirls with vital energy. The same energy that flows through the world flows through you as well. In fact, according to this view, your essence the part of you that makes you alive, unique, and vital is this energy. And your body is the vehicle or environment in which this essence flows.
Feng Shui divides the vast environment or landscape that is the universe into more manageable units like human beings and their homes, property, offices, living rooms, and bedrooms. You cant control the Feng Shui of the world at large. But Feng Shui enables you to design your personal environment according to the same universal principles of energy flow by which planets spin in their orbits and galaxies wheel through space.
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Understanding the Principles of Feng Shui - dummies
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User Reviewed
Four Parts:Applying Feng Shui to Your BedAvoiding Negative EnergyCreating Balance Through ColorsMaking Other ConsiderationsCommunity Q&A
The ancient Chinese method of Feng Shui helps us to balance our homes and create happier, more successful lives, room by room. We often turn our attention to the bedroom, the sanctuary where we can rest and recharge. Having the proper Feng Shui in the bedroom can help your romantic life as well as your ability to rest and to feel in control. You have to know how to keep the chi flowing, and how to deflect any negative energy that may enter your room -- and your life. If you want to know how to Feng Shui your bedroom, just see Step 1 to get started.
1
Have a solid headboard. The best Feng Shui headboards are the ones that are solid and made from wood, or the upholstered ones, as they have a very good combination of solid, but also gentle and supporting Feng Shui energy for you and your bedroom. While you are drifting off to sleep, your body is going into an extra busy energy repair work on many levels. Subconsciously, your head needs good backing, protection and support, just like your back needs it when you are sitting in a chair for extended periods of time.
2
Get a supportive mattress. There are a variety of mattresses on the market, choose wisely and invest in the one that will promote best sleep and relaxation. The better you sleep at night, the better your health during the day, this is really simple. Be mindful of good Feng Shui and do not buy used mattresses - you never know what energy they have accumulated from previous owners.
3
Make sure the bed is a good height. To allow for a balanced Feng Shui energy flow under the bed, you need to have your bed at a reasonable height above the floor level. Generally, the beds that have built-in storage drawers underneath to help you with storage solutions are considered bad Feng Shui beds. Why? Because the energy needs to circulate around your body when you sleep, which is not possible if the space underneath the bed is blocked.
4
5
Have a good supporting wall behind your bed. In addition to a good headboard, you always want to have a solid wall behind your bed. When you sleep under the window, your personal energy tends to get weaker in time, as it has neither proper support, nor protection.
6
7
Keep your bed far away from any TVs, desks, or other distractions. Ideally, you should move your desk and television out of your bedroom, so the bedroom truly becomes a place where you can rest and relax. However, we all have limited space, so if you do have a television or a desk in your room, position it as far from your bed as possible to not get in the way of the bed's positive energy. If you can, drape a light scarf or blanket over the TV or desk, or even cover it up with a Japanese folding closet to create even more space.
1
Avoid a mirror that faces your bed or a mirrored set of closet doors. If these mirrors are fixtures that you can't get rid of, then drape some fabric over them. Left exposed, they are thought to disturb your sleep. In general, you should avoid having mirrors in your bedroom, especially if you're sharing it with a romantic partner, because they may open up a space for infidelity. Mirrors are also too energetic for such a restful space.
2
Refrain from positioning your bed directly under a beam. A beam may create feelings of pressure that can disrupt your sleep. If you have no other options, cover the beam with fabric or hang 2 bamboo flutes from the beam with the mouthpieces pointed downward. This will help block some of the unwanted energy coming from above the bed. The idea is that you don't want to feel threatened in your sleep.
3
Skip fountains and water features. Also, don't hang up pictures of water or place an aquarium in your room. These could invite possible financial loss or robbery. Keep your fish tank or paintings of water or rivers out of the bedroom if you want to have the best possible Feng Shui.
4
5
Avoid accumulating clutter around your bed or pushing one side of your bed against a wall. The Chi can't circulate, which means possible disturbances in your intimate life. If your bed is up against a wall, then one partner will have to sleep on the inside, becoming literally "trapped" in the relationship.
6
Get rid of your television. Television creates an unhealthy magnetic field which may disrupt your sleep, strain your relationship with your partner or bring a third party into the bedroom. If you have to keep it in the bedroom, then try to cover it with a scarf when you're not using it. If you're really serious about it, hide the TV in the closet when you're not using it, or place it on a shelf that can lock up, hiding the TV when it's not in use.
7
8
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
Be aware of the position of the windows. If you can, try to avoid placing your bed between the window and a door, or you'll be in the middle of the "draught" of chi running between these two places. If you can't avoid it, just make sure you have nice, pleasant curtains to block some of the bad energy. You should also avoid sleeping facing the window, if you can, or your sleep won't be as restful.
4
5
Aim for equality. Try to have equal space on either side of your bed and other furniture. A person should be able to walk around as easily around one side of the room as the other, within reason. Of course, a piece of furniture may add some inequality, but in general, you should avoid letting most of the stuff in the bedroom clutter over to one side, or you'll create discord in your most important room.
6
Get rid of clothes you no longer wear. Go through your closet and drawer and remove all of the clothes you haven't worn within the last year. Donate these clothes or pass them on to a friend or relative if they can still be worn. Even though you may not see the old clothes, keeping them in your bedroom may prevent you from embracing new opportunities.
7
8
Make sure your bedroom isn't too crowded. Keep your bedroom as spare and simple as possible. Don't add extra chairs, lamps, or pictures to your bedroom if you're not sure whether or not they are really necessary. The more stuff you have in there, the more difficult it may be to find balance.
9
Get rid of any clutter. To have optimal Feng Shui in your bedroom, you have to get rid of any extra papers, trash, old trinkets, silly photos, useless gifts, or really just anything you don't really need in there. If you have too much sentimental attachment to some of the items, you can put them in storage or another room, but work on minimizing the stuff you really need in your bedroom. Having a spare and uncluttered bedroom will lead to an uncluttered and fulfilling life.
If I have two doors in my bedroom, can I put my bed in front of one of the doors?
wikiHow Contributor
If you won't be using that door, then yes you can. Also, if your family is okay with it, you could consider getting the door removed.
I have two doors in my apartment and mainly use the back door as a front door, so which is my main door?
wikiHow Contributor
The door that you actually use (in this case, your back door) should be treated as a "front door."
What can I place in a room to avoid negative energy from mirrors?
wikiHow Contributor
Place the mirror so that it doesn't face your bed, such as placing it on the other side of the same wall that your bedhead rests against. You can hide the mirror as well, such as throwing a cloth over it or, if it's on a dressing stand, flipping it around to face the wall during sleep. Inside a closet door that gets shut is another good place for it.
My room is extremely small. How do I make the best of the small space with a queen-size bed?
wikiHow Contributor
Avoid heavy frames. Go for a sleek headboard and foot board, or if you can, use the bed without either of those.
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How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom (with Pictures) - wikiHow
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Fences – Shmoop -
September 26, 2016 by
Mr HomeBuilder
August Wilson was born Fredrick August Kittle on April 27, 1945. His parents were Frederick Kittel, a German immigrant, and Daisy Wilson, an African-American woman. The playwright never saw much of his father growing up. He was mostly raised by his mother, in an apartment with no hot water, in Pittsburgh's Hill District, a mostly black neighborhood. When he was 20, August Kittle officially became August Wilson. He ditched his absent father's name altogether, aligning himself with his mother, her family, and her culture.
Wilson faced lots of racial discrimination in school. This reached a peak in high school, when he was accused of plagiarism. He'd written an excellent twenty-page paper on Napoleon. His teacher didn't believe a black person could write so well and called him a cheater. When the principal backed her up, Wilson dropped out of school. He continued to educate himself in the Pittsburgh Public Library. It looks like he did a pretty good job of it, too: he swiftly became one of the greatest American playwrights of all time.
Though Wilson began his writing career as a poet, he was attracted to the theatre. Along with his friend Rob Penny, he founded Black Horizons theatre company in Pittsburgh. Later on, Wilson's play Jitney got him accepted to the Playwright's Center in Minneapolis. It was there that he first started to think of himself as a playwright instead of a poet.
A few years later he found himself at the O'Neill Playwrights Conference with his play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. There he met the director Lloyd Richards, an African-American man who just so happened to be dean of Yale's Drama School as well as artistic director of the highly influential Yale Repertory Theatre. From there, Wilson's career was made. Richards premiered many of Wilson's plays at Yale Rep and also directed his first six plays on Broadway.
August Wilson is most famous for his ten-play cycle that chronicles the African-American experience in the 20th century. This set of plays is sometimes called the Pittsburgh Cycle, since all but one (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) is set in Wilson's hometown. The cycle is widely considered to be one of the most significant contributions to American drama. Its plays have won just about every award a play can win, including eight New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, a Tony award for Best Play, and two Pulitzer Prizes.
Fences won Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize. What's amazing is that when the play first came to Broadway, Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone was already playing there. This made Wilson the first black playwright to have more than one play on Broadway at the same time.
Fences was an all-out hit and is widely considered to be Wilson's biggest commercial success. It premiered at Yale Rep under the direction of Lloyd Richards and starred James Earl Jones as the deeply flawed Troy Maxson. Besides the Pulitzer Prize, the play won tons of Tonys and Drama Desk Awards.
Some say that Troy Maxson may be based on David Bedford, Wilson's stepfather. Bedford had many similarities to Troy, like the fact that he was once a talented athlete and had spent time in prison for murder. It's also been said that Rose may be based on Wilson's mother Daisy. Notice the flower names? Hmm. Wherever the play came from, its successful Broadway run cemented Wilson's reputation. It proved he could play in the big leagues. Though he died too early of liver cancer at the age of 60 he has taken his place among the greats of American playwriting. (If you want to learn more about Wilson, check out the August Wilson Center's website.)
Although Fences focuses on the African-American experience in its portrayal of a black family struggling to get by in 1950s Pittsburgh, the appeal of the play is universal. The conflict at the center of the play is one that could take place in any family.
Most of us know what it's like to live in the shadow of our parents. Troy Maxson, the main character of Fences, struggles to be a father with nothing to go on but the harsh example set by his own father. We also see Troy's son, Cory, coming of age under Troy's reign. The play shows that no matter how old you are, you're constantly measuring yourself against the example set by your parents. We're pretty sure most people know what this feels like. Even if your family was nothing like the Maxsons, you can probably connect with this basic human struggle.
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Fences - Shmoop
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