Music Monday: Escaping from my 1970s rut with Yo La Tengo
Posted By RichC on March 6, 2017
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Our first granddaughter was born on March 4 2017
Posted By RichC on March 5, 2017
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Cut the cord — and then added a few channels back
Posted By RichC on March 4, 2017
Well … so much for cutting the cord as I mentioned in February and contemplating using the Sony Playstation Vue streaming service for the few channels ($30/mo) we wanted to receive that are unavailable over-the-air. We never really got to that point since the local 
antenna channels seemed way too slow in changing and somewhat finicky while using the inexpensive flat antenna. The final straw was the Cincinnati Bell Fioptics offer to waive fees and speed up the installation of fiber to the house if I opted for whole house DVR and a TV package. They offered most of the channels we watch in a lower tier package (missing CNBC … but do include FoxNews and FoxBusiness – go figure?). The deal closer was to include our three TV boxes as no additional fee and be sure they were all working together on the main DVR … all for a significantly lower monthly rate than Time Warner or their acquirer Spectrum. To make the decision even easier than the cost savings was the fact that our internet speed is now 3 times faster.
B-E-A-U– tiful boat!
Posted By RichC on March 3, 2017
Just a filler post from a photo from Spirit Yachts Ltd., Ipswich 50 “Roving Spirit”
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FoxBusiness is growing because of talent like Maria Bartiromo
Posted By RichC on March 2, 2017
This kind of interview and polite exchange with Jason Furman is what make Maria Bartiromo one of the best in the business … and why FoxBusiness is beating CNBC. They are now the business news powerhouse … not to mention their sister channel FoxNews had more viewers than any other network during President Trump’s speech to the joint session of congress this past Tuesday — 10.8 million viewers.
Update on BMW X5 35d problems: Battery and tires
Posted By RichC on March 1, 2017
Neither of the problems I’m having has anything to do with BMW X5 35d diesel brand since the battery and run-flat tires are both aftermarket items. The AGM replacement battery I installed last year is still hanging in there so long as the weather remains warm (cold cranking amps are sufficient), but it will not hold a full 850 CCA (some battery info). I’m waiting for a new Exide Edge Flat-Plate AGM battery to come off the production line as CARiD asked me to wait … we’ll see if it arrive mid-March as promised?
I’ve mentioned checking it out before, but now regularly charge and check it in the garage since I have a new Solar BA-9 tester. It consistently will read “Bad” if I don’t keep it on the charger … but still usually records a strong alternator charge and voltage of 12.50-ish VDC at rest and about 10 VDC under load — see how to do this with a basic multi-meter. After learning to use both, I’m not sure I would recommend spending anything on a battery tester (although wouldn’t mind a true load tester … the kind that heat up).
As for tires, after installing a old “less sticky” plug and still seeing a little air bubbling my “dish soap check,” I picked up some fresh ones at Walmart and added a little “goop” to help it seal. I’ll know more tomorrow if it holds air. Ha!
Photography: Close-up, low light depth of field conundrum
Posted By RichC on February 28, 2017
While eating lunch today I was tinkering with my Lumix GX8 camera to play with depth-of-field and sandwiching images (see Photoshop technique in old post). In a low light macro situation there isn’t a way to keep items in front and back sharp enough to read … so in some cases, sandwiching two images is the only option. Take a look a test 15" away in the back and the Activia text in the fore-ground … about 6" away – both are legible due to sandwiching two images … now to learn to do this all inside the camera! .
Testing an inexpensive OTA antenna before cutting the cord
Posted By RichC on February 28, 2017
Television habits, elimination of a landlines and much faster Internet speeds have changed the way most of us use and think about connectivity nowadays … and I’m not the first to once again contemplate "cutting the cable cord." The first step is likely knowing what is available over the air and IF an affordable high speed Internet connection is available.
In our case, I know we can live with Skype, Facetime, etc along with fair price cellphones voice communication and we now finally have fast and stable Internet capable of streaming video. The final push we needed to re-think cutting the cord is due to forced changes coming in 2017 due to Spectrum acquiring Time Warner Cable, it is time re-look at our options.
This past week I called to get on the list for fiber installation at the house and picked up a cheap amplified OTA antenna with good reviews for a few dollars off on Amazon Deals. After trying it "behind" the TV in my garage workshop, I had to end up sticking it on the window in order to pull in the major networks. This tells me that antenna placement is going to be important IF we give up cable (photo).
My biggest concern is in receiving a couple cable news channels. I need want FoxNews, FoxBusiness and CNBC … which are only offered in subscription packages. So far the best option looks to be Sony’s PlaystationVue, but is the saving worth the hassles and headaches of making a change?
Worse case … I drop TWC for the "required" 30 days while testing … then we qualify for as a "new customer" of Spectrum and can set up new service (exactly what I have now) and save $370 in cable cost vs the current plan we are being forced to continue if we remain a customer (believe me, I try to finagle the "new customer" price — no go).
Stay tuned.
Music Monday: Ketchup, Anticipation and Carly Simon
Posted By RichC on February 27, 2017
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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.