Posted By RichC on December 18, 2016
Testing the new 25mm Four Third Panasonic Lumix prime lens on before "wrapping it up for my Christmas gift from Brenda." I needed to know if it works … cough, cough. 
(click here for Large Image — be warned)
Also updated the GX8 body to Firmware 2.2, so we are up to date on a few fixes.
Song of the Caged Bird — Lindsey Stirling on YouTube
Posted By RichC on December 17, 2016
The cold weather is upon us (it is in the single digits today) and with a little snow on the ground in Cincinnati, it is beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas. We are in the "prepare mode" and in the middle our checking the list twice festive shopping and wrapping routine, but we are trying not to forget the reason for the season — "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." — Luke 2:11 (KJV)
As is tradition, I’m archiving our annual Christmas Letter 2016 (PDF) with all the previous years of Corbett Christmas Letters … and would like to wish all who visit these pages a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.
For the PDF version, click here
Posted By RichC on December 16, 2016
Got to love Facebook for connecting people who love the same things … in this instance, a naval architect and sailing guru Robert Perry has posted a couple of his favorite photos of one of his early designs — the Baba 30 (our first sailboat, Brenich). It was a beautiful boat and enjoyable to sail … especially with a little wind.
In a previous share, dug out a page from one of my earliest sailing magazines, the “1977 Sailboat and Equipment Directory.” Likely one of designs that set Perry’s career as one of the most respected sailboat designers of our lifetime.
Posted By RichC on December 15, 2016
Forgiving debt and bankruptcy options aren’t new, but those of us who strive to “play by the rules” often feel like suckers when it comes to bureaucrats playing fast and free with tax dollars … or with OPM. While it is understandable that our society wants to be compassionate and lend a helping hand to our fellow citizens who are down on their luck or experiencing an unforeseen change in circumstances … 
accepting an ongoing system which releases the obligation of debt and loans just encourages more of the same.
As with the subprime mortgage crisis in the mid-2000s, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal addressed the looming Student Loan problem and debt young people voluntarily take on in order to attend college. Too many are enticed and even encouraged to accept the “easy loans” without weighing the long term consequences. Most students aren’t financially astute enough to make sense of the BIG $$$ numbers when they accept loans as a way of funding sky-high tuitions, country club accommodations and even overseas abroad travel. Postponing the payback pain seems to be “acceptable” when borrowing for an education, a credit card binge or any of the other easy to get loans. The hole is too easy to start digging and way too easy to dig deep. I’ve heard in debt students say their only other option is flipping burgers, living at home and scrimping to save for college one semester at a time … who wants to do that?
Unfortunately the answer many “vote hungry” politicians (and a particular political party) are answering debtors pleas with a loan forgiveness program; but wouldn’t a robust economy and improving wages through a robust economy be a better solution? Debt forgiveness is their way of fixing what is being described as an “unprecedented surge in student loan debt” … it only encourages others to practice irresponsible behavior … “hey, I want a free education too!” The solution currently is back by the Obama administration, “will likely provide the biggest benefits to newer graduates who immediately enter into the program. Older borrowers who have been paying down their debts for years can’t retroactively apply those payments when entering into an income-driven plan, due to a quirk in the law” (those grads aren’t happy). Hearing this, it is difficult to give sound advice to students and parents contemplating the “smart way” to fund a college education. (“smart” being the word President-Elect Trump used to explain bankruptcies and using the structure of a complex tax code to pay few if any federal taxes – link ).
From the WSJ article: Student-Loan Forgiveness Irks Borrowers
The plans also provide the biggest subsidies to borrowers with the largest balances. Government data show those tend to be graduate-degree holders and high earners. Borrowers with smaller balances will often pay more than they would have under a standard 10-year plan due to interest accrual.
And in some cases, two workers doing the same job get different subsidies. For example, a nurse working for a nonprofit hospital would get potentially tens of thousands of dollars more in forgiveness than one working for a for-profit employer, because of a provision Congress created to promote work in the public sector.
That provision—known as public service loan forgiveness—forgives balances after 10 years, tax-free. Private-sector workers have balances expunged in 20 or 25 years and are taxed on the forgiven amount.
The debt-relief programs “favor groups in arbitrary ways that aren’t really reflective of service or most people’s sense of fairness,” said Alexander Holt of the left-leaning think tank New America.
For many who have diligently worked and saved to help pay for college … or opted to go to more affordable schools, or perhaps pursued a trade-based profession, they see this new student loan forgiveness program as a slap in the face. A dad paying for his son to study at OSU commented, “why should long term professional students pursuing a PhD be traveling abroad on student loans and expect them to be forgiven?” Yup, when you hear this, why would responsible parents bother saving to help there children go to college or expect students to work part-time to help pay their expenses — instead just borrow more, enjoy school, take that semester abroad and apply for student loan forgiveness when you’re finished.
Where’s the wisdom in paying for things responsibly?
Posted By RichC on December 14, 2016
This is a test post after setting up the well documented WP-to-Twitter plugin for WordPress. So far so good. I’ll be tweaking a few of the options over the next few weeks.
EDIT 2/17/2024: Updating to XPoster after a server fail.
Posted By RichC on December 14, 2016
I finally finished up a long overdue project for Taylor … a headboard for his bed. He had giving me a couple magazine images as to what he wanted, but I just haven’t found the time or put together the materials I needed to build it (let alone been ambitious enough to start 
the project). I decided that rough sawn cedar was a good choice and sized it for the largest king size-double framed bed we have. Every other size will “semi” fit as it is just a matter of adding a few new mounting holes.
It took a little prodding from him (and Brenda) in the form of a text message.
Posted By RichC on December 13, 2016
Morning …
Afternoon…
Posted By RichC on December 13, 2016
Katelyn and Drew are back home in Minnesota after a great time in Europe. Drew’s lung cancer presentation went well in Vienna and they enjoyed the extra couple of days traveling by train and transit back to Paris before flying home. We are looking forward to a few more photos but they sent enough photos for me to be officially envious.
It is great to watch your kids grow up and enjoy their work and time away (now that “Baby Oostra” is coming, they will not have the luxury of jetting off on a moments notice! BTW … Happy Birthday Drew!)
Posted By RichC on December 13, 2016
Once again the England Patriots lead by the 39 year old Tom Brady pull off another win, this time against the top defense of the Baltimore Ravens. Even with injuries, Brady is able to find new targets and amassed 400 yards to win on a Monday Night Football game. The Ravens didn’t give up as they fought back in the second half, but there wasn’t enough time for Joe Flacco to mount a final drive. I’m not a fan of Brady or the Patriots, but they know how to win. Wish I could say the same for the Bengals.
NE Patriots 30 – Baltimore Ravens 23
Posted By RichC on December 12, 2016
One of the pleasures of winter and colder weather for me is hanging out and monkeying around in my garage shop with a fire in the woodstove. It has worked out perfectly for those weekends that I know it is going to be "just me" at home …or when I need a man cave (really dislike that term) to escape to.
This past weekend I worked on a long overdue project (update on that later this week) and probably ended up sitting in front of the fire more than I should have, but I did finish our annual Christmas letter … an arduous task considering it gets reviewed, edited, changed and criticized by my wife. She holds final "veto" authority and always contributes the closing paragraph. Our original letters were all her doing (just like her mom) but nowadays we share the duty – the way it should be.
Although … sometimes I can get the temperature a little too hot (or maybe the Packard thermometer is hanging in an inappropriate place???)
