Shoutout to the crew at the Portland Urban Forestry conference last fall for changing how I handle storm damage assessments.

I watched a presentation where they showed data from a three-year study on maple failures. They proved that a simple 5-minute check for certain root flares and bark inclusions could predict about 80% of the post-storm hazard trees we usually get called for. I started adding that check to my initial site walk last winter, and it cut my call-back rate for secondary failures in half. Has anyone else adopted a specific pre-storm checklist they found at a workshop or talk?

Hot take: I spent $500 on a thermal camera for my phone and it's been a total game changer for finding hot spots.

I was working on a panel upgrade in an old house in Tacoma and kept having a breaker trip under load. My regular tools weren't showing the issue. I bit the bullet and got one of those FLIR phone attachments. First real use, I found a loose neutral connection on a shared circuit that was getting seriously warm under the drywall. It would have taken me hours to trace otherwise. But I've talked to guys who say it's a waste, that a good clamp meter and experience is all you need, and the camera just makes you lazy about proper diagnostics. For me, seeing the heat pattern made the problem obvious fast, and I could show the homeowner exactly what was going on. What's your view, are these imaging tools a smart investment or just a flashy extra?

My entire Patreon income dropped 80% last month because I forgot to post a single update.

I keep seeing people say you should steam every face before extractions, and I think that's a bad blanket rule.

At my place, we had a regular with rosacea who came in after another spa gave her a full steam treatment. Her face was bright red and inflamed for days. Her dermatologist actually told her to avoid it. I've had better results for sensitive or compromised skin by using a warm, damp towel for just a minute to soften things up without the intense heat. It's not about skipping prep, it's about tailoring it. What's your go-to method for clients who can't handle traditional steaming?