Buying things I don't (really) need...
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Posted:Apr 20, 2014 8:11 am
Last Updated:May 14, 2014 3:39 pm 34148 Views
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I'm guilty of this.
I bought a quad-core refurbished computer running Windows 8. Two 2 weeks later, I got another just like it. Why? I was pleased with the first purchase and know this retailer runs specials that sell out quickly. It was a good deal and If I procrastinated, there wouldn't be any more like this. Maybe.
Sure, they run refurbished/off-lease deals all the time, but I liked what was being offered and have a spare now... just in case. It's actually my correspondence computer I use all the time and I justify it as so.
Spares... someone asked why I often keep spares of things, especially tools. Computers are tools that help me do my job. They are configured to my liking. Should something happen to a work computer... the down-time setting up another computer is very costly.
I'm sure I mentioned this before. I played music professionally. Starting off as a , we would work on Miami Beach busking at the hotels. Play music poolside for tourists and receive tips for the performance. That means all the equipment would get setup and packed several times a day as we moved from hotel to hotel. If something (like a microphone or guitar cord) broke, we were unable to perform and it would cost us dearly. I learned to keep spares of guitar strings, extension cords and in later years, an extra guitar.
We did a gig once where we drove around during break time. The guitarist placed his guitar on the ledge between the seat and back window. It was a convertible and he decided to retract the roof. Unfortunately, the mechanism retracted back crushing the guitar! Fortunately, there were other bands playing this event and he was able to borrow a guitar. That wouldn't be possible with me as I'm left handed and have custom made lefty guitars. Yeah.. it was a pain, but I carried 2 left-handed guitars to my gigs.
Back to the 'stuff' I don't use. I'm moving on with technology and it's time to unload some things I bought with speculation I'd be using and 6 years later these products are new in the box, or tried and couldn't implement in my routine.
I'm home from work today and my plan is to sort through things on my back porch... garden tools that need to go in the shed but don't fit because I'm hoarding too much junque.
I created a self-imposed moratorium on purchasing until I'm really sure I need it. Yeah, I need to use up those packages of ball-point pens, markers and office gadgets before buying more.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Grab a pen on your way out... I want to shop for more stuff next month.
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Finesse... my car blog 我的汽车博客。
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Posted:Apr 19, 2014 9:03 pm
Last Updated:Apr 22, 2014 10:07 am 34035 Views
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Earlier this year, I bought a new car. 2014 Hyundai Veloster.
Although it's a really nice sporty looking economy car, the most noticeable thing to complain about is it's lack of finesse. Yes, I'm being picky.
Many of the controls (on new cars) are digital and/or electro-mechanical and that equates to a lack of smoothness. I'm an analog kinda guy and miss the 'control-ability' of steel cable from accelerator to carburetor/fuel injector and not some electronic pedal that's spring loaded to 'feel like an accelerator pedal.' My senses tell me I'm driving an arcade game and not a real car.
Maybe it's better in more expensive vehicles, but finesse is lacking on the low end of the spectrum.
我买了一辆经济型轿车。它不具有精细度。一些控件不畅通。
Some examples:
The drivers window automatic down has a hair trigger. The slightest touch and it's on it's way down. Usually it takes three tries to get the window to only go down 2 inches.
The rear hatch doesn't have a key access. From the outside, you must use the wireless key lock. The same for the passenger doors. The actuator on the hatchback is a membrane that senses pressure and activates an electric switch to release the hatch.
Only the drivers door can be opened by a key.
Seat adjustments... choppy. After you think it clicked into place try pushing and pulling a bit and you'll find out it's not. Be sure the seat 'clicks' and locks or you will get a surprise.
Actually, there is one thing that works smoothly. In the front center of the roof between the visors is a sunglasses compartment that has perfect hydraulic smoothness. I have a spare cellphone for emergency that I stash there.
Cars... I cannot do without one!
这里的每个人都必须有一个车。
Thanks for reading my blog.
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TWANG... my guitar blog 关于吉他的信息
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Posted:Apr 19, 2014 1:19 pm
Last Updated:May 27, 2024 6:7 am 33319 Views
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Guitar talk. Fender vs. Gibson. The comparisons never end. When it comes to guitar sound, sometimes the musician has more control by personal style than the instrument itself... however that can also be disputed.
Let's look at the specs:
The Fender Stratocaster model has a scale length of 25-1/2" that's measured from the nut to the bridge.
The Gibson Les Paul model (depending on the year manufactured) has a scale length of 24-3/4" from the nut to the bridge.
That's about 3/4 of an inch difference.... in general, a longer string has deeper bass tones and a stronger sound. The shorter string has a warmer tone, lower tension and easier to play.
Jimi Hendrix popularized the Stratocaster. It's said he tuned 1/2 note lower than standard tuning This gave his guitar more of a 'twangy' sound.
There's so much more to guitars than this quick blog reveals... for example, Fender guitars are made as components and assembled on a production line. The neck is 'bolt-on' and can be removed for adjustment or replacement. Gibson necks are typically glued on directly to the body. The difference? Most say the glued on neck has better sustain as the string vibration transmits directly to the body.
Again, the setup and musician performing typically can override those claims. When you're standing in front of three stacks of 100 watt Marshall amps, lack of sustain is NOT an issue!
短规模吉他有着圆润的声音。长期规模吉他有更强的声音。
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I could change your life...
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Posted:Apr 17, 2014 8:07 pm
Last Updated:Apr 19, 2014 4:29 pm 36104 Views
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There is no question in my mind that meeting the right woman will change my life... and hers!
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The Cruise...
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Posted:Apr 13, 2014 10:20 am
Last Updated:Apr 14, 2014 2:40 pm 39944 Views
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I went on a 4 day cruise to the Caribbean last week that took me to Turks and Caicos Islands. Since it was my first time on a large cruise ship, I wasn't sure about seasickness. Twice before I experienced day cruises on smaller vessels and one did 'bring up' breakfast later in the afternoon.
Always prepared, I had 2 kinds of medicine for seasickness expecting the worst. Taking half doses of Dramamine for the first 48 hours, I experienced no affects of nausea and decided medicine wasn't needed. The weather was great and there were times I completely forgot we were at sea.
The food was great... small portions but you could order more if you wanted. The problem there was the timing as we had little chance for another round and make it to the planned events. Broadway shows, comedians, magicians, first run movies, so there was always something going on. During the day, live music in the rotunda and a Calypso band poolside.
Did I mention the food? I gained 5 pounds. Despite walking a few miles on the boat, I still gained five pounds.
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We could meet for lunch!
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Posted:Apr 11, 2014 7:07 pm
Last Updated:Apr 16, 2014 9:19 pm 40886 Views
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I see you visit my profile but never extend any greeting.
It's the weekend and you live near me...
Seriously, if you show me a sign (and hopefully not a stop sign 哈哈!) I would invite you to lunch. My job is 1 hour away from my home so distance is not a problem for me.
好吗？
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ROCK hand gestures...
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Posted:Mar 23, 2014 8:51 am
Last Updated:Mar 23, 2014 9:03 am 40710 Views
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I cannot recall what cool cultural sign Americans made prior to the 1960's 'peace sign' but I do know that singer Ronnie James Dio popularized the 'sign of the horns' when he replaced Ozzy Osbourne (who used to give a peace sign) in the heavy metal group Black Sabbath. Ronnie wasn't the first to do this and stated it publicly, however people remember Dio's Apotropaic Magical symbol said to ward off evil spirits.
(excerpt quote from Ronnie James Dio)
"...It's an Italian thing I got from my Grandmother called the MALOCCHIO. It's to ward off the Evil Eye or to give the Evil Eye, depending on which way you do it. It's just a symbol but it had magical incantations and attitudes to it and I felt it worked very well with Sabbath..."
40 years later, It's gone 'cross culture' and appears in many selfie photos, movie stars appearances and especially photos of hip-hop artists.
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Who's Viewed Me?
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Posted:Mar 21, 2014 3:46 pm
Last Updated:Apr 14, 2014 5:10 pm 41835 Views
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It's been about a month that "Who's Viewed Me?" part of Chinese FriendFinder hasn't worked. I noticed some movement today. Hopefully, it's fixed now!
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Analog versus Digital...
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Posted:Mar 16, 2014 5:44 pm
Last Updated:Mar 21, 2014 3:43 pm 42603 Views
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More and more products on the market are becoming digital.
I bought a car a few months ago and many of the things that used to be mechanical (analog) have been replaced with electro-mechanical (digital) controls.
Very few controls are 100% mechanical.
On my old car, when I stepped on the accelerator, it moved a cable that went to the carburetor that moved a control to the fuel injector. 100% mechanical.
My new car is completely different. The accelerator, is a sensor that transmits a digital signal to a computer. The computer determines the speed (and other factors) then transmits control to the carburetor system. If I 'slam on the gas' there is a good chance the computer will pull back the control because it's programmed to be fuel efficient. The result is 'lunging' where you feel the short acceleration then the power drops making the car have a jerking motion. I don't like it and the service adviser at the dealer tells me there is no adjustment to change this.
I know why car manufacturers do it, but I don't like it.
Analog versus Digital... analog gets my vote!
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Spending a million bucks to look like a million bucks...
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Posted:Mar 7, 2014 6:06 pm
Last Updated:Mar 10, 2014 10:51 am 42399 Views
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I have some wealthy who know a healthy diet and exercise doesn't always 'hold back the years' and they resort to a little 'nip & tuck' to maintain their youthful appearance.
Many years ago, I was assigned to work on a project for the new offices of a famous plastic surgeon. It was reported his first scheduled in the new facility was actor Leslie Nielson. This happened shortly before he filmed The Naked Gun movie.
Good surgery is when people say you look terrific and scratch their head wondering how you look so fine and they don't.
I know a local designer who really wanted his money's worth and they pulled his face tight... like a bongo drum! It was so strange, people often talked about it.
A boss I worked for was Scottish and had the trait of 'Jawls' where his cheeks drooped and eyelids also had excessive skin.
Maybe you've seen the real-life woman obsessed to look like Barbie, where the young woman had a Blepharoplasty... literally tightly pulling the skin around her eyes. Frightening to think someone so young would spend so much on looks... considering she was beautiful to start with.
The Scottish boss had a with the same traits/characteristics and after graduating high-school had surgery to remove his baggy eyelids. The surgeon trimmed the extra skin at the fold line/wrinkle in his eyelids. Surgery... success.
He claimed excessive exercise made sweat drip into his eyes causing irritation. After surgery the problem was greatly reduced.
Not every surgery comes out as expected. There are photos of botched facelifts in many places on the internet.
I used to say, when turn 60 I'm going to have my 'bags fixed' it's been with me as long as I can remember, including baby pictures. I've heard all excuses why I have them... lack of sleep, allergy, hereditary. instead of a trip to a plastic surgeon, I took a trip to China. Anyway, plastic surgery is so far down on my do list I'm not thinking about it anymore.
Thanks for reading my blog... !
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