Finally started paying someone to do the tough work

[Datawiz]

Been putting security cameras in for the past 8-9 months. I did the first 8, but I have a new electrician who has added the next two, and also altered the location of 4 others so the wires are hidden. I have 6 more cameras to install to max out the DVR.

I finally realized that I, (at my size and age), don't need to be the one climbing in the attic, and paying someone else to do it is a good use of my resources. I personally struggle with that decision, as I like to do as much of the work myself as I can.

[Big bob]

It took you that long to figure out you can't fit ten pounds of shit in a five pound can. I thought you were smarter than that.

[MadInNc]

I crossed that decision point ~4 yrs ago.

It’s not whether ya can do it, but why?

Working on house use to be fun; not so much anymore.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

I crossed that decision point ~4 yrs ago.

It’s not whether ya can do it, but why?

Working on house use to be fun; not so much anymore.

And it's truly a time value of money. My time is worth so much more, and my body aches. I can still do all of the work, but by paying someone to do it, it gets done so much sooner, and the contractor is happy to get the nice paychecks.

Like I said, this is a transition for me. I can do it all, but now in my mid-50's, it's time to pay up, and enjoy my free time working on my cars. That...I will never farm out. New 700 HP engine will be in the 2008 in 2023.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

ICNLT

Too expensive?

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Ill Duce

Too many poor people around if you need to have more security cameras than the Pentagon

Honestly, I started the camera initiative after I got re-elected to the HOA Board of Directors. I've since resigned from the Board due to a dictator president, and expect more shit to take place. Pretty sad considering there are 501 homes in this association, and most are $500k - $1.2M

Regardless, a house 2 doors down was broken into 2 seasons ago during the holidays. I live on the north flow way, and those clowns came through ditches to get here. In "general", as a gated community, we're in pretty good shape, but the amount I invested is minimal, and again, my participation on the Board caused me to expect retaliation. Can't ever be too cautious.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Datawiz

Honestly, I started the camera initiative after I got re-elected to the HOA Board of Directors. I've since resigned from the Board due to a dictator president, and expect more shit to take place. Pretty sad considering there are 501 homes in this association, and most are $500k - $1.2M

Regardless, a house 2 doors down was broken into 2 seasons ago during the holidays. I live on the north flow way, and those clowns came through ditches to get here. In "general", as a gated community, we're in pretty good shape, but the amount I invested is minimal, and again, my participation on the Board caused me to expect retaliation. Can't ever be too cautious.

May I suggest some of these, in addition to the cameras, for extra security?

[Frankie the Fink]

I served on my HOA and what a thankless job, people move in, don't read the covenants and conventions and bitch to high heaven when you straighten them out. In my subdivision you can't park your boat for weeks in your front yard - its in black and white and I've had some new residents nearly spitting in my face when they got a violation for it. I did my 3 years and was done. And last year some dolts built a $1.2 million dollar lakefront home, painted it a Pepto Bismal pinkish color and NEVER lived in it, we had squatters park their asses in it for 3 months before we could get them out, the sheer balls on some people.

As to doing household chores, yeah I used to do EVERYthing, up on the roof , in the attic, chest deep in alligator water fixing the pier, fixed my lanai screens - no more. You don't heal at 72 like you did at 22 and so I'll pay people to do jobs as shown here:

To all: just make sure you use licensed and insured people for such tasks unless you just like being sued.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I served on my HOA and what a thankless job, people move in, don't read the covenants and conventions and bitch to high heaven when you straighten them out. In my subdivision you can't park your boat for weeks in your front yard - its in black and white and I've had some new residents nearly spitting in my face when they got a violation for it. I did my 3 years and was done. And last year some dolts built a $1.2 million dollar lakefront home, painted a Pepto Bismal pinkish color and NEVER lived in it, we had squatters park their asses in it for 3 months before we could get them out, the sheer balls on some people.

As to doing household chores, yeah I used to do EVERYthing, up on the roof , in the attic, chest deep in alligator water fixing the pier, fixe my lanai screens - no more. You don't heal at 72 like you did at 22 and so I'll pay people to do jobs as shown here: To all: just make sure you use licensed and insured people for such tasks unless you just like being sued.

Yep, we're speaking the same language. Again, it's hard for an individual to give up on doing things themselves, when they are fully capable of doing them, but alas, the things I do instead of maintenance is more fun and rewarding.

[Frankie the Fink]

14 cameras around your house....wow; that's some CIA level protection my friend.

I just put these PTZ cameras on the front and back of the house (I may add two more), very reasonably priced, have been through several hurricanes and have intelligent motion detection, tracking and alarm notification and use WiFi - quite pleased with them; you can use a cloud subscription to store video or else use the internal SD card:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092V7BW7C...roduct_details

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

14 cameras around your house....wow; that's some CIA level protection my friend.

I just put these PTZ cameras on the front and back of the house (I may add two more), very reasonably priced, have been through several hurricanes and have intelligent motion detection, tracking and alarm notification and use WiFi - quite pleased with them; you can use a cloud subscription to store video or else use the internal SD card:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092V7BW7C...roduct_details

Mine are Power over Ethernet (POE), and I intentionally block access for the cameras to access the outside world. After all, the Reolink cameras are made in China. No flipping way I'm allowing them external .net access, and no flipping way will I have any camera facing the inside of my house.

They serve my intended purpose, but wifi cameras are easily hacked. I didn't want to go that route.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Datawiz

Mine are Power over Ethernet (POE), and I intentionally block access for the cameras to access the outside world. After all, the Reolink cameras are made in China. No flipping way I'm allowing them external .net access, and no flipping way will I have any camera facing the inside of my house.

They serve my intended purpose, but wifi cameras are easily hacked. I didn't want to go that route.

I get it. I'm a retired IT security consultant, have multiple layers of "defense in depth" safeguards on my systems so iff somebody gets past my protections, they'll have damned well earned it

[Datawiz]

I will definitely max out the 16 that this unit can support, but I have to admit that I'm running out of unique places to place them. Having said that, the very high mounted cameras suffer from the ability to capture detail. The lower mounted ones fill in. Again, my total investment in all 16 cameras, supplies, and now contractor time, is less than $5k. It's a one time investment, and I felt it was worth the investment.

Christ, sitting here in my office with my 18 monitors, I can't see out my front window, but that's where the monitor sits where I'd look out the window, now it has all of the cameras, so I can see everything.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I get it. I'm a retired IT security consultant, have multiple layers of "defense in depth" safeguards on my systems so if somebody gets past my protections, they'll have damned well earned it

Thanks! You're almost out of toilet paper, and, would it kill you to put the cap back on the toothpaste?

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Thanks! You're almost out of toilet paper, and, would it kill you to put the cap back on the toothpaste?

And if you found that link to the naked firefighters web site on my laptop, it was some neighbor screwing around after a party at my place.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

And if you found that link to the naked firefighters web site on my laptop, it was some neighbor screwing around after a party at my place.

Plausible deniability.

[LATB]

I would not like to live where security cameras are felt necessary. No disrespect to Datawiz.

Matter of fact, I hate this whole camera thing. Too many are pointed at neighbors and in neighbors backyards/property. And although it is legal, I disagree with the law.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by LATB

I would not like to live where security cameras are felt necessary. No disrespect to Datawiz.

Matter of fact, I hate this whole camera thing. Too many are pointed at neighbors and in neighbors backyards/property. And although it is legal, I disagree with the law.

Appreciate this perspective, but at the same time, one needs to protect their own castle.

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

I crossed that decision point ~4 yrs ago.

It’s not whether ya can do it, but why?

Working on house use to be fun; not so much anymore.

Yep. I quit doing most mechanic work some years ago, although I still change the oil on my Vette (I'm 72). Brakes, regular maintenance and all that crap, nah, done with that.

Getting up on the roof is a bit scary at my age, although I still clean my chimney, usually in early December when I switch from wood to coal.

About 5 years ago the ladder blew down while I was up there -- long story, no harm done as it turned out, but a bit scary for an hour or so. But it could have been much worse, maybe fatal. Now I take my phone with me.

I plumbed my entire house when I bought it in 1981, including running a well line to it with the pump, pressure tank, etc.

But I hired a plumber last fall for the first time in my life. I wanted to change the bathroom sink fixture, and I'd bought a new one in January 2020 but it just sat here. Crawling around on my back on the bathroom floor, then getting up countless times to get another tool didn't appeal to me, so I kept putting it off. So I had the plumbers do that, change my shower fixture, and replace the beads in my water softener.

Screw it. Living as a pauper all your life eventually pays off -- when you get to the point of not minding to pay other people to do shit jobs.

[Big bob]

I have them but more for critter watching. Added benefit not startling a skunk. Thieves are naturally lazy and won't make the over 1/4 mile trip and the bull would just add to the entertainment.