Monthly Maintenance: All Charged Up
Posted By RichC on July 16, 2016
Use these tips for properly charging and monitoring AGM batteries to maximize their efficiency, output and lifespan.
My Kickstarter Pine64 single board computer finally arrived
Posted By RichC on July 15, 2016
It has been a long time in coming, but the PineA64 Kickstarter project that I backed in January finally arrived. As start-ups, this one 
was not as smooth as it could have been. The team promised deliveries in March, then April and finally no later than May. Eventually June and finally July for the last few Kickstarter backers (something to do with shipping from China and a few accessories some of us ordered — in my case the 64GB SD card with Remix OS).
Nevertheless it arrived and I quickly unboxed and fired it up with Remix OS … yuck .. I’ll be imaging Linux, although not sure of the flavor? No time at the moment to play with it so it will sit on the back burner for a while. More to come.
And you thought Airstream trailers had a classic style?
Posted By RichC on July 14, 2016
For Volkswagen fanatics who like travel and camping, there aren’t many better ways to show your VW love than a Dub-Box Trailer.
These lightweight trailers are unique and beckon back to day when the roads were open and free … so as long as you have a few bucks for gas and were not in a hurry (VW Camper Buses and Vans were not the fastest or safest vehicles on the highways). Pretty cool.
A beautiful Cincinnati area Ohio River evening
Posted By RichC on July 13, 2016
My son Taylor gets his after work exercise taking long walks or bike ride from his place in East Walnut Hills and sending or posting a few photos. It is surprising just how much beauty there is in Southwest Ohio that I take for granted. Nice!
Found an authentic Hawk emblem for the Packard
Posted By RichC on July 12, 2016
A week or so ago I posted a "to do" list item that I really should helped my dad with when he asked. He loved all old cars and in particular showing his off. 
I remember him asking if the Internet could be used to help search for a missing a trunk emblem for his (now mine) 1958 Packard Hawk. I regret now that I didn’t put in a little more effort into finding one for him — he would have appreciated it.
After my buddy Tim posted a link in the comments, I decided rather than take the easy way out and buy an aftermarket knock-off, that I would do a little more serious shopping to see if I could find an authentic emblem. The discussion on a few old car forums is that most re-makes aren’t even close to the original, so I really wanted to hold off a bit. As is common with older parts if you find them, they are usually less than perfect.
I found one on eBay from a guy who collects and sells them and decided to offer $15 and keep looking. Sure enough, he accepted the offer without even countering and didn’t even ask me to pay for the shipping? As a millennial would say, "SCORE." 
I think with a little TLC that this one will be perfect. (thanks again Tim, your link was the swift kick I needed to put a little effort into searching).
The 2010 BMW X5 35d is finally ready to be my daily driver
Posted By RichC on July 11, 2016
Spent a few hours under our 2010 BMW X5 35d this weekend to finish up the rust treatment and before reinstalling the shields and skidplate. The procedure was the same as I used on the old Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel, Skyco’s Oxypho, except the BMW only has a little light rust on the frame. I’m really partial to the Oxypho product, particularly for treating after wire-brushing and/or grinding any loose rust and before paint.
Once completely dry, a light wiping with paint thinner then the black Miracle Paint in order to to protect the rust spots from reappearing all over again (new paint photo below). Too bad I didn’t take care of Brenda’s old Rav4 like this in the earlier years?
While under the car I also took a photo of the new stainless steel exhaust (left) after replacing a couple of parts (60 lbs worth!)
I think all the projects are finished for now … she is ready to drive.
Before passing more laws, enforce existing ones!
Posted By RichC on July 10, 2016
If liberal politicians really wanted to reduce gun violence, they would enforce existing law in the cities suffering the most … and the complicit left leaning media would be holding their feet to the fire. Instead, the ultimate objective is obvious: dismantle the 2nd amendment granting the right to bear arms to all law abiding citizens.
https://youtu.be/qgr2lj7jwr4
Archive: A relaxing night on the backporch with a fire
Posted By RichC on July 9, 2016
What a beautiful night to hang out on the backporch with a fire in the outdoor fireplace. The air is cool, the moon out in a clear sky (in top of photo above) and bugs are at bay.
Unfortunately I’m looking at my iPad … hm, if I can only learn to put down these tech gadgets! 🙃
Music: Who was Kent LaVoie? Look at that hair!
Posted By RichC on July 9, 2016
This content is restricted.
My anger is boiling over today after the killings in Dallas
Posted By RichC on July 8, 2016
I can’t stomach posting anything polite today after the horrendous targeted sniping of police officers in Dallas, Texas Thursday night. It is an 
absolutely senseless murder of 5 police officers (6 wounded) after a relatively peaceful Black Lives Matter protest/rally. These were officers who were just doing their job of crowd control and keeping citizens safe, even if the movement was critical of their profession. There is no justification imaginable for any American to condone or try to justify the act of killing police officers … yet there are plenty attempting to do just that on social networks – it is disturbing! I’m doing my best to contain my anger and frustration, particularly towards those politicians, from President Obama on down, who continue to divide the country at every turn; they are fanning flames of hate.
I don’t know if there is any reasoned 
or subconscious motivation behind dividing America along our many differences … I don’t want to believe that our elected politicians or my fellow citizens would purposely do such a thing? Unfortunately it is seeming more and more likely that the teachings in "Rules for Radicals" are being implemented by the extreme left as a way to achieve their ultimate objective in the United States.
There was a time I thought these Sal Alinsky principles were used by those on the political "right" to neuter their left leaning opponents (like article below), BUT I’m starting to believe there might be something more to it? Those who have studied or written about Sal Alinsky (Obama, Clinton) … or those who justify their own ethical consequentialism and aggressive political activism … may believe the ends justify the means? Scary stuff to think this might be happening.
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.