teresa swears by the roller things/tools. just ask her. as a matter of fact, i'd be willing to bet she has one to lend you... i personally think the tape is more trouble than it is worth. and erin *might* have some of my old painting supplies, which are of course yours for the taking.

The rolly thing that keeps the straight line is not actually that useful. It seems practical but when you actually use it the blade part starts to pick up paint and then you get the same bad noisy mess you were trying to avoid. Unless your walls and ceiling are brand new and true you will get seepage and leakage and other 'age' with tape or the tool. At least tape is multifunctional. Get the blue kind.

I'm a firm believer in the cut in. Tends to work best with a stiff brush. Takes a little patience and some practice, but that's how pro painters do it. Though not everyone has that capability.

i'm not clear at all about what is a tool and what is a thing. the brush is a tool because it can paint a house. but a book can start a revolution or open the soul to god or drive one mad. i suppose either can be manufactured, produced, used, and reprocessed in a more or less efficient or inefficient manner. also--are you measuring your net impact on the world or your gross impact? for instance, if you build a house, does that entitle you to a sushi dinner?

another thought--can you borrow the brush from a handy friend of yours (clearly not me)?

I'd say stick to taping the wall and going slowly. How often do you repaint your rooms? I imagine not too often therefore it's best to have patients in those seldom times : ) Thank you.