The Home Crowd

Apparently, this video was made to win some sort of radio contest, but according to the clip’s host, he’s been waking up to this mistreatment every morning for four years.  (and no doubt, scaring away all the dorm roommates his student housing authority could toss at him)

Also, not for those who sleep with their tongues hanging anywhere past their teeth.  I do, however think this guy should run with the idea a little bit.  Maybe not for the masochistic section of bed, bath & beyond, but maybe there’s a future in marital aid/massaging beds and furniture?

From Dailymail UK -

A group of little old ladies from Britain, have been knitting scale reproductions of their neighboring structures for the last 23 years.

This is really quite impressive.  I can only imagine how these ladies would fare in a gingerbread house competition.  Apparently, they gained much publicity for announcing the sale of their 60 property collection.

Head over to the Dailymail UK page to see these and many, many more pictures of the ‘properties’ and their real life counterparts. – Link

While reading through Gizmodo earlier today, I came across this article regarding the installation of wall mounted flat screens and the improper installation of wiring (Not to code) may just void your home insurance.

The problem is caused by those mounting their televisions, yet tired of the eyesore of hanging cords down the wall, that might carelessly and impatiently feed the supplied power cable, and A/V cables within the inside cavities of the wall.  Not to mention the extension cords involved, and possibly power strip/surge protectors.

Well, turns out that the National Electrical Code is not okay with that at all.

From the Gizmodo article -

The National Electric Code (NEC) states:

NEC ARTICLE 400 Flexible Cords and Cables General 400.1 Scope.
This article covers general requirements, applications, and construction specifications for flexible cords and flexible cables.
400.8 Uses Not Permitted.
Flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings
(4) Where attached to building surfaces
Exception: Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of 368.8.
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings

In other words, running power cords through the walls is not a substitute for permanent wiring. You’re supposed to have a new electric socket installed directly behind the TV, where you can plug in the power cord and coil up the slack to tuck underneath. If you drilled some holes and ran cable yourself all willy nilly, in and back out to a power socket, chances are you are in violation of these codes. Should a fire result, your insurance may find reason to get out of covering your losses.

Personally I know quite a few people with wall mounted flat panel TV’s, but quite a few more who are quite content standing them atop a narrow piece of furniture.  Hopefully, for all their sakes, I hope everything is wired properly.

But for those who’ve been waiting patiently for the price of that nice flat screen HDTV to drop into the affordable range before the upcoming football season, please remember not to skimp on the mounting.

Plan it out, or find an appropriate television stand.

• Make certain you plan out your space, and the size the the television you’d like to place in it.  (No one wants an unsightly electrical outlet just above the fireplace)
• Contact a fully licensed and trustworthy electrician, and also possibly a contractor and low voltage consultant, depending on what type of overhaul you’re planning for your home and how A/V and data cables may be routed alongside the permanent electrical wiring.

Here’s a good example, from the entire process article at Digital Home Thoughts. (Really interesting read, and great custom shelves)

And here is also another guide from Crutchfield detailing the “How-to’s” of wall mounting. – Link

This is all great to the homeowners, but suppose you’re renting and don’t feel like losing your security deposit, but appreciate the picture frame-esque clean wall faced televion mount.  There are also various options of furniture that can re-create that look for your high tech, high class pad, such as Crate and Barrel’s “Loop” media center (below)

This, however, may be overkill…  – Link

Cool ad, but how great would this be?

• Clean up is only a water hose, and squeegee away
• Child-proofing is a non-issue
• Moving away is simple.  Deflate, fold, pack and go!

I don’t suppose every homeowner’s association would appreciate the color scheme.

However, this might just be the type of temporary housing that should replace the toxic FEMA trailers.

• Floods? -  They Float!, enjoy the ride.
• Earthquake? – Unintentional bouncing in the bounce house.
• Hurricane? – Deflate, run for the hills… Do not nail plywood to the windows.
• Tornado? – Pray that you land on a wicked witch, possibly munchkins too.

What a great little animation!

watch the american housing market spiral out of control.

subprime from beeple on Vimeo.

Brazilian mechanic Alfredo Moser has come up with an ingenious system of daylighting to keep down power bills.  And the shopping list is quite short.

• 2-liter plastic bottle (empty)
• Water (h2o, nice and clean)
• Film roll canister, to cover the bottle’s cap (might be hard to track down, who uses a film camera anymore?)

(Screengrab from the youtube clip, as their clips tend to disappear randomly)

Clever!  This of course, is only useful during the daytime, but I’m certain that puts a nice dent in the ol’ power bill.  It may not seem practical for most of us with attics.  But let’s keep in mind the old sheds you need a flashlight to visit at two in the afternoon, or that open-framed garage when the only natural light comes from your whirlybird roof vent (that spinning thing that squeaks and looks like a christmas ornament).  Of course, the water bottle technique would only be appropriate should you be really in need of light, AND money’s really tight.

They state that the bottles don’t cause the roof to leak, and I’m not certain about their waterproofing method.  But I do know this…. plastic melts.  Give it one simmering hot July afternoon, and I think the water bottle melts like that time you left your favorite CD on the dash of your car.  Maybe a thicker plastic container, say, from a juice container may hold up better.  But if you’re serious about natural daylighting, it’s best to do it right.

My suggestion?  Track down a natural daylighting system such as Solatube.

(Yeah, it’s pretty much what you’re thinking, the light comes in from above, and is routed downward via an ultra-reflective ductwork)

Not only will you cut down on that power bill, but you’ll enjoy bright, natural daylight in the darkest corners of your home, which would have otherwise been dark or unnaturally lit.  Also, installed correctly with it’s corresponding hardware (flashing, waterproofing),  and you don’t have any worries about leaks.  And feel good about saving energy, saving money, and on and on should this type of technology gets picked up in commercial buildings….bet that’d brighten up the ol’ supermarket.

Best of all – You’re home will appear to be co-piloted by R2-D2 himself!!!

Check out Solatube’s site and presentation here – Solatube

DIY, No Electricity lighting from 2 liter bottles from Lifehacker