When choosing light fixtures for your home, it important to consider whether they will be subject to mechanical damage or not. I often find light fixtures that can be impacted when windows are opened, or hit by cabinet doors–or merely hung so low that one whacks their head on them when walking by.
There is nothing quite like hot sharp glass going down ones neck–or under one’s bare feet.
Here is a light fixture that was a poor choice for its proximity to a swinging door.
It is just another “plan ahead moment.”
As much as I am into movies, it surprises me a little that I have almost no use for video–at least most of them. Now I can appreciate a really good video–like one that captures something spectacular–like granny riding her Harley naked into the family swimming pool at the 4th of July barbeque. The ones I really hate are the so called “videos” that are nothing more than zooming in and out–and panning back and forth–on the grainy “still” photos of Penelope Cruz in a bikini on some beach. What is up with that anyway? Don’t we all want to see the real person frolicking in the sand? What is the real “motion” in these videos?
I know what the “motion” is–it is me “clicking away” from the video–that is the motion.
Now I think that sometimes “educational” videos can be done in this manner–but when I want entertainment–I want the “real” illusion of movement–and in three part harmony.
The previous video is an example of how I use videos in my inspections.
I take lots of pictures on an inspection–usually 350 to 450 pictures–occasionally less–sometimes more. It is pretty much my only note taking tool. I have found that it is difficult to take a picture of things that “move” and have the picture convey that it is moving. So in this case a few seconds of video did the trick. Take a look at this picture of a railing—-looks like a nice picture of a railing doesn’t it?
No missing what is going on here with a simple video.
More recently I had another “moving” experience with a gas pipe to a furnace and water heater.
As you can see, after clicking on the photo–we have a problem. Gas piping must be secured very well or the threaded joints can loosen or even break when subjected to the kind of torque generated by something bumping into it or falling against it–especially over time.
This technique of using a few seconds of video to remind me that something is moving has led to the discovery that later when I am working on the report, and I am looking through my thumbnails, and I see that “avi” extension–that is enough to remind me that something was moving in the picture and I don’t even have to watch it.
It leaves me more time to watch a “real” movie later on–once the report has gone out the door.
By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle
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