AsktheBuilder.com News - August 28, 2022

Issue #1197 (I think...)

Dear ,

Today I'd like to start with a teaching moment. It's indirectly related to home improvement and directly related to being stingy or cheap.

Have you played chess during any of your trips around the sun? If so, then you know what happens when you make a final strategic move trapping your opponent's king.

Checkmate

Game over. Sometimes it's satisfying, sometimes it's cathartic.

This past week I had two checkmate moments. 

The one happened while haughty Professor Bill was playing checkers. After I put away my 3D chess set, I was extremely satisfied. It was one of those take-no-prisoners moments for me that I don't relish but sometimes you just have to take a stand.

The bottom line is don't be like Professor Bill or Dodson. 

My second checkmate moment is nice-to-know information, not need-to-know. I'm sure you understand.

Security Warning - VERY Serious

During the past three months I've seen a huge increase in emails that contain very believable messages.

But in reality they lead to malware, spyware, scams, etc.

You might get an email saying you could be locked out of your email in X hours, one might be about electronic documents you need to sign to get shipping set up for something you bought.

The list of scam emails is longer than the uncut crabgrass this time of year in my yard.

DON'T EVER click any link in an email. 

At the very least HOVER YOUR MOUSE over it and look down in the lower left or right corner of your browser. Often you'll see a tiny window open up that shows you the TRUE destination of the link or button or text link or ???

The EVIL people are out there trying to get your money and control of your computer.

F5 Tornado - Cincinnati

On April 3, 1974 I was weeks away from finishing my geology degree at the University of Cincinnati. I lived less than a mile from the UC campus in Clifton Heights.

This past week I've been busy scanning and curating old color slides. I discovered days ago ones I shot of the wretched twister.

It was surreal to see the tornado that moments before had killed three people. About 210 people were injured, many still buried in rubble. There was no sound as I was miles away from where the funnel was spinning on the ground.

Go here to see other photos I shot that day.

Should You Go Solar?

Last week I promised you that I'd complete the answer to Robert's question about installing solar panels on his home.

Fun Quiz Results

Summer's End

It's almost here. The end of the glorious Northeast Kingdom summer weather. I'd say we have another five to seven weeks of grand WX.

September is the best weather, in my opinion, here in New Hampshire. October is a transitional month that features cool crisp mornings and balmy days during peak color. November is the month of Mordor as I call it - it can be rainy, cold, and gray.

Once we get past Halloween, this newsletter will get more interesting. Heck, you may like it just as it is!

Did you discover something new this issue?

Did my solar-panel piece get you to tap the brakes on your solar project?

Maybe you can do what Amanda did yesterday. She was kind enough to buy me two scoops of mocha-chip ice cream! Thanks Amanda!

Tim Carter

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Livermore Falls POTA story - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S. I mentioned before that scanning old slides and thousands of old photos is on my plate. Here are three fascinating ones I uncovered this week.

I think all three were shot in 1972. I know for a fact the one of the Colorado River is. That was taken in September of 1972 on a UC Geology Field Trip as I was walking down the Kaibab Trail.

One either edge of the photo you're looking at the two suspension bridges that cross the Colorado River. The stream bed in the center top of the photo shows the side canyon leads up to Phantom Ranch.

The other two photos I shot during Turn On Cincinnati. The top one with the red paddle wheel won first prize in a photo contest in the Cincinnati Enquirer. It's a decent example of the rule of thirds in photography. But at the time I shot the photo, I had no idea of that axiom.

Note in the bottom photo I just happened to catch part of the moon.