RichC | February 29, 2016
February 29 crops up every four years, but what is a leap year and why do we have leap years? A leap year, where an extra day is added to the end of February every four years, is down to the solar system’s disparity with the Gregorian calendar. A complete orbit of the earth around […]
RichC | February 28, 2016
Under water volcanos spewing up floating rocks and pumice is something that I have not read or heard much about. It is both interesting and dangerous for those who are voyaging and cruising. In August of 2006, a small yacht called the Maiken encountered a bizarre shadow on the ocean. Upon closer inspection they discovered […]
RichC | February 27, 2016
Read an independent review about this IXCC 4-port IXCC USB charger with what it claims as “plenty of power” … although one descriptions says 48W and the other 36W (both claim 9.6 amp) … we’ll see. The Amazon reviews were a very high 4-1/2 stars and since our new “older” car doesn’t have an abundance […]
RichC | February 27, 2016
Pretty impressive Puff Adder strike in slow motion … those are some fangs (video below).
RichC | February 26, 2016
The Republicans are going through a slugfest this year in part due to having such a large field of candidates to whittle down. Just a few months ago, the debates had 16 GOP hopefully, and yet according to pundits, five is still three too many (probably true if you are supporting any other candidate but […]
RichC | February 25, 2016
The American Pi blog was due for an update (including on MyDesultoryBlog.com too!) and thought escaping for a minute to gaze into water and sky of the right color for this dreary February afternoon was a good idea. Why am I still in Cincinnati again?
RichC | February 25, 2016
With the early springtime weather we have been having this February, and a new roof towards the end of last year, we lost a few shingles. It isn’t really a surprise since asphalt shingle need some hot sunny days in order to flex into position and tack themselves to each other. The recent winds came […]
RichC | February 24, 2016
See: Silvertoons.com
RichC | February 24, 2016
I’m always looking for better ways to store things on the boat … Kelley Gudahl shared a few things they do on her Sailing Chance blog … so figured I would archive them. First the flip-flop storage idea really caught my eye since we always have them sliding around the cockpit floor. There’s not that […]
RichC | February 23, 2016
Winter weekends (even warm ones) present an opportunity to catch up on a pile of articles collected during the week. These are one that aren’t necessarily timely or are “required” reading based on the news of the day. Those who know me, know that I’ve enjoyed a few minutes each morning leafing though the Wall […]
RichC | February 22, 2016
RichC | February 22, 2016
Ah … the good ol’ days on Daytona Beach Florida (1958 above) … well before I was born BTW! Last week was SpeedWeeks culminating in the Daytona 500 on Sunday. The biggest NASCAR race was enjoyed by millions of viewers and did not disappoint. The restrictor plate race was tighter than ever and had the […]
RichC | February 21, 2016
The new Jacobs Chuck for the bench top drill press arrived this weekend and although I didn't have any pressing projects, decided to dril a few holes anyway. The quality wasn't bad for $20 and although its not a smooth ball bearing chuck, it made a perfect replacement for my dad's small Delta drill press. […]
RichC | February 20, 2016
Time to keep an eye on this small company … really hoping it can keep promises and start producing a $6800 three wheeled car without too many hiccups. Shares will be traded on the OTCQX under the ticker ELIO according to a press release. PHOENIX, Feb. 19, 2016 – Elio Motors, Inc. (OTCQX: ELIO), […]
RichC | February 19, 2016
It is fun finding out about cameo appearances in movies and TV programs … as I mentioned the other day with singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Another cameo tidbit popped up after this week’s popular The Big Bang Theory sitcom. According to the commentary on FoxBusiness, the previous Fed chair Ben Bernanke and his wife are big enough […]
RichC | February 18, 2016
All is fair in love and war … AND POLITICS … or is it? In the campaign for president this year, candidates have pulled out all the stops and are turning to deceit. In the above Ted Cruz ad, his campaign put together an ad that portrays Sen. Marco Rubio shaking hands with President Obama […]
RichC | February 18, 2016
Great monologue on the Tonight Show … Jay Leno tag teams with Jimmy Fallon.
RichC | February 18, 2016
The field of GOP candidates is still pretty full (six candidates) yet the election looks a little more challenging according to the polls IF the Republicans put up the wrong candidate. I’m still hoping some commonsense arrives and voters pick someone who can win … and not just nominate someone who expresses their anger and […]
RichC | February 17, 2016
This content is restricted.
RichC | February 17, 2016
Great video explainer for those driving manual shift cars … dos and don’ts — Engineering Explained
RichC | February 16, 2016
One of the tools inherited from my dad’s workshop was his small tabletop drill press. Unbeknownst to me, there is a wobble after mounting a bit. I removed the chuck and it looks as if that is the problem … tried to test the arbor and don’t think it is off??? This is a backup […]
RichC | February 15, 2016
One of my long time sailing acquaintances is Donna Lange who has been sailing her small boat Inspired Insanity around the world for a second time. Earlier I posted her progress, but this past weekend while closing in on the treacherous Cape Horn, she was knocked down twice and is struggling to move north to […]
RichC | February 14, 2016
Politics and the upcoming presidential election seem to be dominating the discussion in my online social networking circles … at least on my Twitter feed. The news of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death on the afternoon of the South Carolina GOP Debate Saturday left most who appreciated his 30 years of conservative jurisprudence in a very […]
RichC | February 13, 2016
It has been a rough week for “establishment” candidates …both for Democrats and the Republicans. Donald Trump continues to dominate the headlines and is capitalizing on the anger from those caught between the “new upper class and the new lower class” as the WSJ’s Saturday Essay commented, “in the plight of the working class” as […]
RichC | February 12, 2016
Markets gave back yesterday’s losses today as some thought the selling was a little too panicked. A bit of news from the oil cartels about curtailing output had oil move up and that kicked off a wave of buying the beat up stocks.The close is near in the posted charts and the close for the […]
RichC | February 11, 2016
Markets took a wild ride today on very weak economies around the globe and oil dropping to nearly $26/barrel. UAE minister hinted at OPEC talking about production cuts, the markets Aftercame back from its lows. The pain was particularly hard on banks as monetary policies in more nations move into negative returns (negative interest rates) […]
RichC | February 11, 2016
(lower resolution JPG image above – download full resolution PDF from MedAire) MedAire launched its Travel Risk Map 2016 PDF, an interactive map that highlights medical and security risks across the globe. The online map rates regional security as ‘extreme’, ‘high’, ‘medium’, ‘low’ or ‘insignificant’, and medical risks as ‘low’, ‘medium’, ‘high’, ‘very high’ or ‘rapidly […]
RichC | February 11, 2016
As a frustrated political watcher, I'm starting to think I may have hitched my wagon behind the wrong GOP horse, although it is still a bit early. I haven't jumped in with both feet or anything, but I thought I was supporting a Republican with “acceptable” values and ability to grow the party … and […]
RichC | February 10, 2016
My timing is probably not the best considering the temperature is in the teens this week, but since the BMW X5 35d is in the shop, I’m addressing as many “squawks” as possible. One of the known issues was that the air conditioning wasn’t working (paid less for the vehicle) … so after checking the […]
RichC | February 9, 2016
A bit of overnight snow freshened the air, quieted the surroundings and made the morning commutes in southwest Ohio a little more interesting. Although I tweaked the early morning backyard photo since is was still dark (click photo for larger), I enjoyed remembering what it was like to work in tonal photography – it has […]
RichC | February 8, 2016
It is well past time that we elect representatives with a little more commonsense than the ones who churned out “feel good” public assistance help from Washington DC and many state houses. They love handing out “other people’s money.” Perhaps they think of themselves as do-gooders and either, don’t see or don’t care, that the […]
RichC | February 7, 2016
The Denver Broncos defeated the “team to beat, the Carolina Panthers,” this entire season in Superbowl 50. The game was not pretty as it was dominated by defense … particularly outstanding in SB50 was MVP Von Miller. He and his Bronco teammates shut down the self-proclaimed superman Cam Newton and the the high powered Panther offense. […]
RichC | February 7, 2016
I’d be jumping onboard for this Slick Kickstarter Backpack project if the $249 for the TRIP version didn’t frighten me away. Sure looks like the perfect traveling companion for my many trips — both for weekly work trips and those trips to the boat. It looks like they intend to keep the quality high … […]
RichC | February 7, 2016
While our BMW X5 35d is in the shop and waiting for a few parts, I was given a pretty nice loaner car or the weekend – X3 XDrive 28i. After buzzing around town for a coupled day, I must say that it is nearly a 10 in my book. I’m impressed with the styling, […]
RichC | February 6, 2016
It has been surprisingly mild in Cincinnati for February that I decided to get the old girl out of the garage. It wasn’t particularly warm last night when I got home, but the drier air and snow-free roads were excuse enough to drive the old Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel in the winter … besides the other car was finally […]
RichC | February 5, 2016
Some simple financial steps, 8 to be exact, to follow from Money were shared this month and they are worth reading and remembering. I’ll post below in case they disappear … but you should read it here. 1. Save More for Retirement How much money will you need each year to enjoy a happy and […]
RichC | February 4, 2016
While working on aligning the Volvo diesel on Encore last week, I realized that my tool bag didn’t have the correct wrenches to adjust the motor mounts. I’m archiving the correct tools for the future. To adjust the Volvo alignment requires a feeler gauge and TWO 15/16” open ended wrenches – one needs to be […]
RichC | February 3, 2016
We may be proud to be living in a representative democracy, but watching the political sausage being made is probably as disgusting as going to a slaughter house to see the production of real sausage. This past week kicked off the 2016 primaries with the Iowa caucus. After months of political speeches from the large field of […]
RichC | February 2, 2016
It has been a challenging few years for the “greatest generation” in my family as age and death is catching up with us. My brother Ron called this past weekend to let me know that my Aunt Fran (my dad’s brother’s wife) passed away on Saturday. My sympathy goes out to my cousins and my Uncle […]
RichC | February 2, 2016
I really wanted to title this “blonds have more fun” but unfortunately the members of this fine crew are brunette. On the other hand, the skipper may be detecting a little more wind aloft??? 🙂
RichC | February 1, 2016
For those concerned over the direction of our country, following the strategy needed to win the Whitehouse is enough to drive you crazy. Click the map to create your own at 270toWin.com If you are an ordinary voter and political follower, it is easy to get caught up in the primaries and “thinking” your candidate can […]