This is a Twitter API Test post
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2023
The API is not accepting updates to MyDesultoryBlog Twitter account. Reset new “keys and tokens” to see if it updates? This will be deleted as it is only a test.
Paslode battery conversion works and more fence repairs
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2023
Last weekend I toyed with the idea of converting one of my NiCad Paslode batteries over to Lithium-Ion. I picked up the charging module circuit board with DC voltage boosting and “thought” this might be a simple solution. 
Oh not so quick … 4+ hours later … it was not so easy to stuff two parallel connected 18650 4VDC cells, plus the circuit board, wiring and a micro power switch into the existing casing (cut open with a Dremel tool).
The smarter move would have been to just purchase an off-brand battery for $20, but then where’s the fun in that!
While I was working on the tool, I decided to prestain a few replacement boards for the fence before installing. This is on-going repairing is going to be a never-ending task.
Music Monday: Jigsaw and one-hit wonder “Sky High” (1975)
Posted By RichC on July 24, 2023
When it comes to Music Monday, there is something about hearing a one-hit wonder that grabs my attention. Perhaps it is the memory of the song or days gone by … or maybe it is just the fact that we expected the singer or band to have another hit song?
In any case, the English pop band Jigsaw recorded the song “Sky High” which rose to #3 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1975. It was originally the title theme for the movie The Man From Hong Kong or The Dragon Flies (US); Hm, I may have to add it to our Anylist “want to watch” classic movies list.
Communism/Socialism or a Representative Democracy?
Posted By RichC on July 23, 2023
Communism, political and economic doctrine that aims to replace private property and a profit-based economy with public ownership and communal control of at least the major means of production (e.g., mines, mills, and factories) and the natural resources of a society. Communism is thus a form of socialism—a higher and more advanced form, according to its advocates. Exactly how communism differs from socialism has long been a matter of debate, but the distinction rests largely on the communists’ adherence to the revolutionary socialism of Karl Marx. —> LINK
In a modern Representative Democracy, the features of ideal democracy, to the extent that they exist, are realized through a variety of political institutions. These institutions, which are broadly similar in different countries despite significant differences in constitutional structure, were entirely new in human history at the time of their first appearance in Europe and the United States in the 18th century. Among the most important of them is naturally the institution of representation itself, through which all major government decisions and policies are made by popularly elected officials, who are accountable to the electorate for their actions. Other important institutions include:
Free, fair, and frequent elections. Citizens may participate in such elections both as voters and as candidates (though age and residence restrictions may be imposed).
Freedom of expression. Citizens may express themselves publicly on a broad range of politically relevant subjects without fear of punishment (see freedom of speech).
Independent sources of information. There exist sources of political information that are not under the control of the government or any single group and whose right to publish or otherwise disseminate information is protected by law; moreover, all citizens are entitled to seek out and use such sources of information.
Independent sources of information. There exist sources of political information that are not under the control of the government or any single group and whose right to publish or otherwise disseminate information is protected by law; moreover, all citizens are entitled to seek out and use such sources of information.
Freedom of association. Citizens have the right to form and to participate in independent political organizations, including parties and interest groups.
Institutions like these developed in Europe and the United States in various political and historical circumstances, and the impulses that fostered them were not always themselves democratic. Yet, as they developed, it became increasingly apparent that they were necessary for achieving a satisfactory level of democracy in any political association as large as a nation-state. —> LINK
A collection of graphs and charts used on Twitter last week
Posted By RichC on July 22, 2023
The week was abnormally filled with charts and graphs while chiming in to news stories and posts on Twitter this past week, but I’ll start with an animated GIF graphic and link to a story regarding offshore wind farm leases opening up in the Gulf of Mexico.
As for the graphs and charts, here’s one regarding climate change and warming temperatures to put things in perspective … and the other while discussion Bidenomics, the economy and inflation. They do sort of speak for themselves.
To lighten the mood and highlight the new Volkswagen EV Microbus called the ID Buzz … here are a couple great images for your Saturday (below).
Tech Friday: An update on my USMobile Wireless trial
Posted By RichC on July 21, 2023
For those keeping score as to just how frugal Rich can descend when chasing after a wireless plan … “better” (cheaper) than Mint Mobile … “he” may have gone “a bridge too far” in the latest USMobile wireless plan decision (I know, another idiom and a 3rd person reference, but don’t get me started on the whole pronouns thing)!
The billing structure for the plan I “thought” I was going to choose (the $15/mo for 5GB of data — see my “preferred plan” below) — it didn’t work the way I expected. It seems USMobile adds a “Recovery Fee” and a “Service Fee” each month to their invoicing. The “fees,” described by the ill-informed customer service rep as “government required taxes that they don’t control,” (cough, cough) add up to $4.91/mo PLUS the Hotspot add-on of $2.00 for the plan, which is included in Mint Mobile’s $15/mo plan. Thankfully I was smart enough to keep Brenda and her new iPhone14 on the Mint Mobile plan.
So, since I’m not ready to hassle with changing MVNO marketeers again, I decided to go with the lower priced $5/mo plan with minimal data (and reduced text and phone minutes) and see just how careful I can be with the 500MB bucket of data. With penny-pinching planning and 25 days to go, I’m down to 464MB and am not very comfortable being obsessed over a few bucks; in other words, this will not last long.
Going forward, I’ll likely switch to someone else, go back to Mint Mobile … or pay the $6.91/month in fees — yes, $82.92/year (at this point I’m surprised USMobile isn’t asking for a tip – #sarcasm).
BTW .. click this link if you want to try USMobile for 3-months free!
Discussing AM radio with a journalist friend and a very funny John Pinette video snippet #TBT
Posted By RichC on July 20, 2023
An automotive journalist friend of mine regularly promotes his radio appearances on Chicago’s talk radio, which often leads to discussions regarding radio in general. Often the thoughts are to broadcast radio, both AM and FM, verses streaming via an Internet signal (or perhaps satellite)? One thing lead to another and I reflect on my amateur radio interests and interest in shortwave radio, Voice of America (VOA), CB radio and clear-channel AM when I was a boy. I’m sensing his goal is to save the AM radio frequencies and tuners in cars as long as he can (they are disappearing)?
My apologies Tom .. but can’t help but think about the late comedian John Pinette when talking about entertainment, automotive topics and “big guy” stuff. I laugh whenever I hear “It’s a Gas Problem.”
Archive: The Oostras short summer 2023 vacation to Michigan
Posted By RichC on July 19, 2023
This content is restricted.
Weekend leftovers: Paslode battery project and fence repairing
Posted By RichC on July 18, 2023
Nothing earth shattering from the working around the house projects, but archiving a couple photos from staining a section of last years repaired fence … to more repairing of fences as well as using TiteBond 3 glue as before (this could be a forever project — our fences are deteriorating A LOT).
I was going to use my old Paslode nail gun that I usually use to work on the fence, but of course my batteries are from 1996 and are NiCad 6 volt packs. They do little more than power the fan and ignition … since the tool is powered by ignitable gas. The ignition fire a cylinder drives the nail with a bang, similar to the Powder-actuated tools (have a strike-on with a hammer one for concrete nails and it works great).
That leads me to my weekend distraction project. I cut apart one of the batteries to see if there was a way to replace the cells … or better yet, replace them with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery (it will require a different charging set-up). So I started the quest and decided to order a 2A USB 18650 Lithium Li-ion Battery Charger Module to boost a 3.7VDC cell (or two?) to a selectable 6+VDC. Stay tuned.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.