September 20, 2015 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

This is a relaxed issue of my newsletter. It's got a few juicy home improvement tips, but there are other surprises too.

Every now and then I just try to share other helpful stuff that's not hard-core home improvement.

There are some GREAT TIPS in this issue. Don't close it without reading it.

Years ago, I read a fascinating book.

opens in a new windowShip of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea

The main character is Tommy Thompson.

He was a brilliant scientist and he discovered the USS Central America, a ship loaded with vast amounts of gold from the California Gold Rush days, in 8,000 feet of water off the coast of North Carolina.

The ship sank after losing a battle with a hurricane. The crew and passengers tried to keep her afloat, but Mother Nature had other ideas.

There were quite a few survivors who lived to tell all about the storm and sinking.

This is a book that will captivate you.

It truly is one you can't put down.

I actually was so taken by the story, I reached out and contacted the author Gary Kinder. He was kind enough to take my phone call.

Why did I call Gary?

Well, a demon crept into Tommy's heart / soul and he got a little greedy.

Tommy's been opens in a new windowin the news the past few years, and he's become a classic example of one of my father-in-law's best idioms:

"The mills of the gods grind slowly, but thoroughly."

I mention this because I want you to constantly think of your legacy.

How will you be remembered?

Tommy had two choices:

• Brilliant scientist with the highest integrity who rewarded that small group of investors that BELIEVED in him
• Thief - Scoundrel - Rogue

As the ghost knight in the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade movie said,

"He chose (pause) poorly."

Don't be a scoundrel.

Fake Photos and Videos

It's getting worse.

What does this have to do with home improvement? Maybe you've seen some crazy photos of home improvement nightmares with plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets or ladders set in crazy ways.

One video that is constantly making the rounds is a video of a stunt airplane at an air show that loses part of a wing.

Unbelievably, in the video, the pilot regains control and makes a hard, but safe landing.

Have you seen this video?

It's FAKE.

opens in a new windowCLICK HERE to see it.

Be sure to WATCH all three videos on that Snopes.com page.

Here's the bottom line - and it pains me to say this:

You can't trust ANY photo or video you see on the Internet unless you took the photo, shot the video and/or you would trust the photographer-videographer with your life.

The software to alter photos, videos and any image is getting better by the day.

Always check Snopes.com before you stake a claim or make yourself look like a fool in an online discussion.

Now, if you want a great laugh, then watch one of my all-time favorite videos that shows you how to use software to alter photos and images.

opens in a new windowCLICK HERE to watch my favorite You Suck at Photoshop video.

I love this series and you've heard me use some of the lines in this video right here in this newsletter.

"....you were reaching for the magic wand tool..."

"....little man self-discovery trip."

"....juice box and fruit roll up..."

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!

LIVE Video Program a Go!

You may have been one who responded in the past few days about my idea of doing a live Ask the Builder streaming video.

It's going to happen.

I'll put together a survey to try to discover the best time to do it.

The format at the start of this journey is simple.

It's just an online streaming video version of my Ask the Builder live call-in radio show I did for twelve years.

I'm going to answer real questions submitted to me and you can ask follow-up questions via a chat window.

I'll also talk about new products and give a tip or two.

It's only going to last 30 minutes each time.

If you can't watch it LIVE, it will be recorded and you can watch it later at your convenience.

I'll be using questions that come with great photos so you can see the problem.

If it grows legs and becomes popular, who knows where it might go.

Are you a PR or marketing person for a home improvement product? You need to adjust your radar now because there could be a sponsorship opportunity here for your client or your company.

More on this very soon.

DANGER at Handicapped Parking Spaces

You may be one of my subscribers like Captain Dick Daniels.

Dick subscribed back in the late 1990's.

He first reached out to me when I announced I was going to land and takeoff from the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington.

opens in a new windowREAD about that here.

Dick was a Navy fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and did quite a few tail hooks at sea so he wanted to tell me what I was going to experience.

Fast forward and Dick, his wife Sue and I became great friends. I've visited with them numerous times when I've traveled to the Southwest.

Dick shared a story earlier in the week with me about how his wife Sue was victimized by crafty thieves that hang out around handicapped parking spaces.

Here's what he wrote:

"A week ago as we were parking in a HANDICAP parking place some dude ran between the cars on her side and snatched her purse.

Long story short - - - - I got the guy with help of a patrol car cop and he was arrested. The policeman saw the guy toss the purse in a yard and knew that didn’t look right. He recovered it for Sue.

She was shocked for a while but came through okay. We had a Grand Jury hearing of the deal yesterday.

We were advised about how dudes stand by handicapped spaces waiting for a snatch from a person that can’t run or do anything about it. Also in large parking lots such as Walmart."

A similar scam happens at gas stations. Ladies, you need to LOCK your car if you have valuables in it and your purse on the passenger seat.

While you're distracted pumping gas, the thieves pull up next to your car, open the passenger door and grab your purse.

That's enough for today.

Hard-core home improvement will be back next week.

Be SURE to go back up and get the Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea book.

It's one you'll never forget.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!