Watching how-to videos has become an addiction with me of late. I will never have the desire, or occasion, to rebuild a carburetor on a John Deere tractor, but I now have an inkling how to.
You can find a how-to video on just about anything, and what continues to surprise and somewhat amaze me is that it's not just bored people with time on their hands. Hosting how-to channels has become an industry unto itself. Some of these people have channels with millions of regular viewers.
It has become a way to make money for some of these hosts, and they've become spokespeople for companies who want them to test and endorse their products on their channels.
It's been entertaining and helpful to find channels dedicated to small- and large-engine repair, and even how-to videos on how to troubleshoot a broken clothes dryer. But, I have to say, I was pretty stunned to stumble across the 8-Bit Guy and his fairly extensive videos on repairing old Commodore and Apple computers.
He fixes a lot of things, but I guess I didn't realize the level of interest out there for these machines. I actually kind of understand the obsession, or sickness, as I've spent way too much time and money fixing old things and, after the thrill of getting an old computer working wears off, it ends up sitting on a shelf because, well, it's old.
Ryan Moore, second from right, and Austin Moore, right, lost their prized UT memorabilia in a house fire in March. Coach Phillip Fulmer was gracious enough to meet the family, pose for pictures and sign footballs for the brothers. Ryan hopes to one day be able to replace his Peyton Manning autographed photograph as well.
Barry Courter* Probably most of us at one time or another have thought, "What is the one possession I would most want to save if my house caught fire?"
It's a terrible thing to think and an even worse reality if it does happen. When lightning struck their Hixson home back in March, Angela Moore and her son, Ryan, were eating dinner. They had just enough time to get out safely, so the chance to retrieve anything was nil.
Making matters even worse, local firefighters were already battling another fire nearby, so mother and son could only watch as everything went up in flames. In addition to losing things like clothing, furniture and bedding, which friends and family have been helping to replace, Ryan lost his signed Peyton Manning photograph and brother Austin lost a picture of himself with Coach Phillip Fulmer.
Through the kindness of more friends, and Fulmer himself, arrangements were made for Angela, Ryan and Austin to meet the former Volunteer football coach, who posed for pictures and signed just about anything the family wanted.
Kudos to the coach.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.