As you may have noticed on our homepage or issue #174, we are planning a 25th anniversary issue. One of the things which will be included in this special-content issue is feedback from our readers about FHB.
We’re looking for stories, good and bad, about readers experiences with Fine Homebuilding over the past 25 years. Above all else, we think this magazine is about you: the community of people who come together in its pages. You come here to learn, to share your experience, and to argue about better ways of building. So it’s only fitting that your stories be heard in our silver-anniversary issue, February/March 2006 (#177).
What’s the best thing that ever happened to you because of Fine Homebuilding? What’s the worst? Did we help you build your dream house? Or did we cost you all the profit on a remodeling job because your customer saw that article about making concrete countertops? Here you’ll find a few examples of the kinds of stories we’re looking for — these are reminiscences that were published in our 20th anniversary issue, February/March 2001 (#137).
December 1 is the deadline for stories and photos
Try to keep your stories short — 200 words or less. Be serious, be sentimental, be silly, but be quick. We need to hear from you by Dec. 1 at the latest, and sooner is definitely better. Send your stories to Fine Homebuilding 25-Year Tales, P.O. Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470, or email us at [email protected].
We’re also looking for photographs — compelling pictures that somehow embody the spirit of Fine Homebuilding. Whether it’s a photo of a finished project or a work in progress, someone working hard or people appreciating the fruits of their labor, we’re looking for dramatic photos that say craftsmanship, dedication, generosity, and home. If you have a photo that you think fits the bill, then send it to us. Who knows? Maybe we’ll use it on the cover.
Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
Replies
Well, you already paid me for the article I wrote. Seems like a good issue to publish it in : )
Be well
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
Come on guys, doesn't anybody want to be published? There's a good chance that the Breaktime content for the anniversary issue will be pulled straight from this thread.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Not at this pace. ;)
When you asked last week, I told ya I'd be more than willing to write something for the mag.... but you stopped replying back. What'd ya get a restraining order on me or something? :)
I'd like to see you write something. I sure like the way you respond on here. Just turn it in. Just Do It.
Just turn it in
Probably goes for you, too.
Some others I can think of, for that matter. Blue, Ed Hilton, Piff, Doug, Sailfish, BH; Luka, particularly, some others (gotta stop, or this turns into another "great BTers" thread . . . )Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I don't talk good or splain stuff so good.
don't talk good or splain stuff so good.
Arggh, neether doth aye, och, eel wander tin ta cant ae one form or't nuther . . . <G>.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Good one, Got a smile out of me.
Cap
Its hard enough to read your posts when you type in Spanish or French, now you go and throw some slang in their!
Doug
when you type in Spanish or French
LoL! And the best I can do in either is really Spanglish and Texa-cadian <G> (I just know the character codes to make it look purdy--ess all a façade <g>.)
But I will admit that writing "phonetically" can be hard on the eyes to read--but verbalized cant and expression can be otherwise very difficult to express.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Hey thanks man. Thing is... I just don't know what to write about.
Some of your strengths -
roof layouts and cutting
managing people - motivating them
working in bad weather productively
overcoming bad circumstances with good willat least from what i can see
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I think you give me more credit than I might deserve Piff, but thanks anyway. Here's a couple secrets..... I'm really not that good at roof cutting... but I'm trying to be. So people assume I know what I'm talking about.... just cuz I'm always asking about it. I also stopped managing unmanageable help... now I manage a forklift because it really seems to understand me. Oh yeah... and I wrap up when it's pouring. I am pretty good at overcoming bad circumstances with good will though. When you get yourself into the jams I get in, you learn quick!
Other than that... you might be on to something. ;)
"working in bad weather productively"
Now that sounds like a good topic...are you good at this Diesel? If so, let's discuss...Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
I'd like to learn how to take pictures of my own feet.
LOL.....guilty as charged. Man, you don't let nothing slip, huh? Too funny.
Unfortunately, I have no life.
Edited 10/27/2005 9:44 pm ET by dustinf
Edited 10/27/2005 9:45 pm ET by dustinf
Sorry, wrong picture.
I'm still laughing at that. What a ball breaker.
How long till they move this discussion to the tavern? Does it matter that an editor started it?
LOL.... nice PJ's.
Boogerin roof trusses to make them work is or could be a classic.
Sorry about that Diesel, I got your email but we have just switched over to a new mail program and I have to toggle back and forth between the old and new to answer all of the emails that I have. I will get back to you!
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Hold your water justin, don't wanna just blurt out some insignificant BS. Some thought should go into this.
Oh, by the way...........T'shirts to the published?
sorry, couldn't resist.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
T'shirts to the published?
I want the hat!!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWPD
doesn't anybody want to be published?
I do, but I also want to not work hard for a living too, which kind of obviates the thought of retiring to writing for a living (writing is hard work, and clients sometimes "got nuttin" on editors <g.d&r> . . . )
FHB has only been a part of my life for five years, maybe, singling out just one thing that FHB did for me is asking a lot of my recollection. What with recollection being muddied up with just shy of three decades of being in the design and/or contruction trade.
I know I have the first FHB I ever recieved, as it is in the periodical box that is "short" with the demise of Fine Cabinet Making (from which I may have stolen a furniture or casework idea or two--back t' the recollectin' thang a'g'n).
Now, BT, on the other hand, that has influenced me a time or two. Met some people I never would have. May have helped one or two; upset a few more. Is that better or worse for me? Hmm, sounds like one of our "I ain't addickted t' BT, nosirree" threads <g>.
I promise to think about it, though (even if y'all coyly left off important--to writers--info like per word pay, column inch limits, etc. <wink,wink--joshin', honest>)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I've written for Old House Journal and Solidsurface magazines. I've had work appear in Cabinetmaker and Custom Woodworking Business. I must do it for the ego, because I sure as hell ain't doin' it for the pay. I posted a "Poop Story" on here for free, maybe you could clean it up a bit and run it on the back page.
I can string a few coherent sentences together on occasion, maybe I can come up with something you might like.
Justin: I can literally say that the December 1987 issue of Fine Homebuilding completely changed my life.
I was a trim carpenter at the time and the story "Three Custom Stairbuilders" completely turned my world upside down. After reading that article I became insanely obsessed with achieving my new goal of having my own curved stairway business.
I still have every bit as much passion for it as when I was dreaming of getting into this profession.
Its been a decision I never have regretted and I feel humbly thankful to whatever allowed me to find myself.
Stan
Stan, flesh that out a bit more. That sounds like what he is looking for.
I know your photo gallery threads are popular with a lot of folks on BT, and I personally don't know why FHB hasn't already done an article on ya.
jt8
"Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. " --Theodore N. Vail
John's right, go for it Stan. Tells us how you overcame the doubts, how you scope out a job.
Can't be easy to build those beauties site-unseen, so to speak.http://www.costofwar.com/
Everything that JohnT8 said.100% !
"Other than telling us how to live, think, marry, pray, vote, invest, educate our children and now, die, I think the Republicans have done a fine job of getting government out of our personal lives" -Craig Carter.
Thanks for the comments Stan, glad to have your contribution.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Ahhh, it is all coming back to me now.......I sent in a suggestion for "Tips and Tricks" or whatever it was called in the 80s.
The idea was to build a nail tote. The tote would be constructed of wood like a typical top handle tool tote, dimensions would allow two 1/2 pound coffee cans placed side by side, and the length would allow 5 rows of cans so that you could carry 10 types of nails, screws or other fastners. Stronger dudes could build 12 or 14 can totes.
FHB rejected publishing my idea, did not send the $25.00 for the idea.
I just now realized that the rejection had far reaching effects. I have not been the same since, in and out of mental hospitals, tons of prescription pych meds, buried in medical bills and post tramadic syndrom that squelches any confidence I may have today.
Are lawyers allowed to post?
here to sing along the praises with Piffin and dustin
I'm real surprised JFink & Co. didn't sign you up right away w/ your thread on your own home!
you maintain an enviable focus and discipline that our culture needs to cultivate and champion
your didactic and straightforward approach to what many consider overwhelming and unapproachable offers much to those sitting on the fence in realizing their housing dreams
I read House ( think that was the title ) by Tracy Kidder in say '89 and you have all that - a book like that w/ your edge might go over real well right now salud John
I'm workin' on it, I'm workin' on it! Jeez, give a guy a break; I just spent a whole week cloistered in my shop while Dan Morrison gave me a suntan with his strobe lights, and now I gotta re-write the whole article to fit the photos 'cuz he says I'm too good lookin' to waste 'em all....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
I posted most of this in the FHB direction thread, but it might be more appropriate here.
I was a charter subscriber to both Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. I think generally, they reinforced in my mind that there were plenty of folks out there trying to do our craft as well as possible. Most of what we have to know is from the "university of experience" and no number of books can substitute for the real thing. Getting articles from where the rubber meets the road has been the strength of the magazine for me. I have bought copies for our crew for passing along specific knowledge.
I also found it inspiring sometimes, getting my first exposure to Greene & Greene, for instance. I went on to research them quite a bit more, but may never have found them if not for FHB.
I had a house featured in the late '80's,(back in issue #75 I think)and felt that was a turning point in our company's development, arriving at a point where we tried to take it to the next level. FHB had a role in that, raising the bar, spreading the word.
To some extent, I think the bar has been lowered a bit. Some of the recent issues look like they are more interested in good looks than good content (the kit/bath issue cover was propped like a better homes and gardens). I would also like to see more evaluations of materials and techniques. This day and age, with t.v. shows giving the impression that you can slap houses together in a week, we don't need more generalist articles, we need a place where pros can depend on keeping the bar high, pushing to find who is doing the best work and getting the word out.
This forum is a nice next step, an interactive extension. For those who think JLC is better, you don't think they have sold out some since Hanley took over? Look at the old issues, clear back to new england builder days... that was real rubber meets the road stuff. They still do some good articles, but evaluations are suspect and they have commercialized quite a bit.
Michael Corlis http://www.corlisdesign.com
Well said Michael, and the wardrobe/cabinet ain't half bad either!
Doug
I have to agree. FHB is not as good as it use to be. Or is it because we have learned so much from it that it is not as interesting as it use to be? I feel the same about JLC too.
But Heck, I'M not as good as I used to be! Why, I could tell you storiues....
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
For a 25th anniversary issue why not do something different??? You always try to appeal to our "femine" side with "Kitchen and Bath" issues etc, . Now I'm supposed to get a chick feeling with the essays folks.
Someone suggested not to long ago instead of K & B issues have guys send pictures of their trucks, trailers etc.
Take it one step farther............ Fine Home Building's 25th anniversary calendar. You know... scantly clad women posing with our favorite tools with their truck. Maybe you could strike a deal with Victoria's Secret and the tool manufactures. All of these women pictured at the job site.
Make the calendars small also so the guys could put the calendar on the dash of their pickup trucks.
Not that it'll ever happen but..... I like your idea best. Tools, trucks, trailers, bikini clad chicks....... throw in some football and buffalo wings and it sounds about like heaven to me.
Another vote for curley's idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!