Day 189 April 25, 2002

The drywall is all hung, so now we begin the fun job of taping and mudding. Have I mentioned I don't particularly enjoy it? Thought so. The procedure is this: 1) Cut a piece of paper "tape" (it's not sticky) for each seam where 2 pieces of drywall meet and for each inside 90 degree corner. 2) Embed the tape in a layer of mud (joint compound). 3) Put a layer of mud over each nail and screw (I use special ring shanked nails on the edges and screws in the field of each piece). 4) Allow mud to dry overnight. 5) Scrape off any ridges and apply second layer of mud a few inches wider than the first layer. 6) Sand everything smooth. 7) Apply final coat of mud, feathering edges out a few more inches on both sides. 8) Sand smooth. 9) Prime. 10) Paint. 11) Thank god you don't have to do this for a living. (still beats working at SN!)

12 hours.