Music Monday and thankful I can still hear things
Posted By RichC on January 9, 2017
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Thumbprint Radio, Pandora and a friendly, but snidely jab
Posted By RichC on January 8, 2017
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Thoughts and a video on a rigging bag from Lin Pardey
Posted By RichC on January 7, 2017
While contemplating complexity vs simplicity in life and on sailboats, I once again stumbled on a precious morsel by Lin Pardey who has been land-based in New Zealand. Taleisin was sold to a young couple who now enjoys Lin and Larry’s “home” for over 30 years (mentioned before). Lin continues to write, appear at boatshows and even offers a little advice to those reading her blog. After making my own “too narrow” ditty bag, I’d like to try my hand at a larger “Jay’s” rigging bag. Great ideas, especially the toggle, wooden bottom and shackle preventing it from dumping or going overboard. I’m currently using a cheap “little black tool bag” that stows in the companionway step, but it is not the right kind of bag for most nautical tasks or even to carry an extra tool or two. Here is a video left unedited to honor the mantra … “Go small, go simple, go now.”
Although circle cutting is the easy part if you have a table or preferably bandsaw.
U.S. approves first fix for 70,000 Volkswagen TDI diesels
Posted By RichC on January 6, 2017
A U.S. flag flutters in the wind above a Volkswagen dealership in Carlsbad, California, U.S. May 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake
After the initial wave of buybacks, phase 2 will be to fix the 2015 diesel Volkswagen Beetle, Golf, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat and 2015 diesel Audi A3 by updating software and adding a diesel particulate filter, diesel oxidation catalyst and NOx catalyst.
VW will now be able to resell diesel vehicles that they repurchased once they are fixed.
Source: Reuters article January 6, 2017
Tech – Jobs Friday: Wages up, but a tepid 156K nonfarm job rise
Posted By RichC on January 6, 2017
U.S. employment increased less than expected in December, but wages are rising, ever so slightly after a long stagnancy. Most economists are positive since they say we only need to create 56,000 jobs per month to keep up with current levels 
of new entrants in the job market. Others will point out that our job participation rate is much lower than prior to the recession or since the late 1970s for that matter.
I’m optimistic for the country and for those entering the workforce. For the first time in 8 years business has a reason to be positive … “IF” (big if) … the hefty burden of regulation are really eased in the coming year … AND if corporate taxes are reduced to levels competitive with other developed nations. These two biggies will almost guarantee that growth will return to the U.S. economy. There are worries of course. Government over spending and over meddling thinking they know best … too many love to sell their constituents on what they did for them. Foreign relations and unrest could rise as trade war tensions escalate, not to mention the ongoing threat of terrorism, war and new nuclear concerns of North Korea and Iran.
President-Elect Donald Trump was also confirmed by congress today in preparation for him taking the oath of office in a couple weeks. The market has decided to embrace what is now perceived as a business friendly administration and along with a Republican congress will likely get a few high profile bills passed and much of President Obama’s legacy push repealed … primarily Obamacare, but likely improvements in border security and support for the military and law enforcement. As they say, “a new sheriff is in town.”
The stock market has been on a rally ever since the “if Donald Trump is elected” doomsday predictors faded quickly away. Now the concern is whether or not the market is ahead of itself? DOW watchers continue to hope for DOW 20K and each day we rise the number seems 
within reach … and then pulls back. Today was the closest we’ve come to hitting it as for a moment the DJIA rose to 19,999 before falling back and closing at 19,964.28. We are close.
On a TechFriday note, the external Rode VideoMicro microphone came in for my Panasonic Lumix GX8 camera. It seems to improve the audio over the “in camera” microphone, but it is hard to tell if it will reduce background noise … voices from behind the camera and all around are still recorded, so it isn’t quite as directional as I had thought. After a quick test, my own voice sounded a bit fuller and definitely louder at 4-5 feet.
Stay tuned.
Quick snowfall test video from Panasonic Lumix GX8
Posted By RichC on January 5, 2017
A little snow arrived today (maybe 2-3″), so while waiting for the follow-up call on our new furnaces in the afternoon, I shot a 10 second video and encoded with Handbrake to cellphone size for web streaming. Quality is still decent, but not the HD video that the Lumix GX8 is capable of.
Awning improvement ideas from another old sailboat
Posted By RichC on January 5, 2017
Although I just updated a few of the fittings on Encore‘s ShadeTree awning system, I’d prefer fewer bungee cords and fiberglass and vinyl wear points. After posting a comment to Eben Bruyns the new owner of Taleisin (Lin and Larry Pardey‘s boat), I noticed the D-ring fittings and cinch lines and figured I would archive the photo in order to replace ours when they fail … of course I’m also envious of the boom gallows.
Great older photo of Taleisin … what a beautifully built and well maintained 1983 wooden boat. If time and money were no object, she is a beautiful sailboat.
Learning more about my new Panasonic Lumix GX8
Posted By RichC on January 4, 2017
A little testing of the somewhat faster Lumix 4/5s 25mm f 1.8 Prime lens vs the Lumix 14 – 140 slower f 3.5 zoom gave me surprising results on closer distances, 
at least different than I expected.
First off, neither lens impressed me when it came to edge to edge sharpness. The Prime lens "may" have edged out the zoom only at f 9 and higher f-stops(photo right), but for most closer center sharpness photos both lenses were about the same: 14-140 zoom at 24mm and prime lens the normal 25mm (equivalent to standard 35’s normal lens).
It wasn’t easy to demonstrate, but a full sized 100% and 200% screen view of both below illustrate that sharpness is relatively equal when it comes to center sharpness. Still the key is going to be better lighting, aperture settings of at least f 5.6 and ISO in the lower numbers … all of these are at ISO 200. For those unfamiliar with camera steadiness … try to keep the shutter settings at 1/50 and faster when at a 50mm equivalent and steady the camera against something as you slowly trigger the shutter … better yet, use a tripod and external shutter release or the timer.
Click images for LARGE versions
All in all I expected a little better sharpness from the 4/5 Lumix lenses … especially toward the outside image edges. I’d have to compare a little bit closer with a full size large sensored DLSR and professional lens, but for optimum sharpness I’m going to have to do some careful shooting. As they say in the automotive world, "your mileage may vary."
Peak Design Messenger Camera bag TEST video
Posted By RichC on January 3, 2017
I’m feeling guilty about receive a Christmas present from my daughter and son-in-law after realizing the price ($$$). I mistakenly admired a bag Drew’s brother demonstrated to me when they had the baby reveal … and although I knew is was above average in price, I never took the time to do the research as to how much higher! When they asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I mentioned I would be needing a new camera bag and “just how much I liked Tyler’s camera bag.”
Now only after packing my new camera and gear in the Peak Design Messenger style camera bag and preparing a test video with the Panasonic Lumix GX8 did I notice the price on their website (actually couldn’t remember the company’s name). Nevertheless, I love the bag and very much appreciate the Christmas gift … way over the top!
Now for the actual reason for the post … to test the video of the new camera (it will be a steep learning curve). Hopefully in time I’ll figure out a few more tips and trick in order to improve on the quality, but for now I at least have the basics down (previously I’ve only had a DSLR for stills).
Time.com – How Hot Was Your Baby Name?
Posted By RichC on January 2, 2017
This Time.com post isn’t brand new, but since my daughter is due in March, “we” have an interest in baby names.
Have you ever wondered how popular your or your child’s name was when named “back in the day?” We you a “Trendsetter” or named “after its time?”
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.