Rain or Snow, what will it be?
Posted By RichC on March 24, 2013
Opened the pool this weekend … before the snow started
Posted By RichC on March 24, 2013
I took advantage of a nice Saturday afternoon to open the pool before the snow started on Sunday. I’m adding water at the moment and am watching the snow at the moment … maybe I should take a swim? 
I’ve finally got the hang of closing with the right chemistry which makes turning things on and cleaning up the dirty and 1000s of worms a little bit easier. There have been years that it is not possible to see the bottom. So far it looks like “at least the pool” will look “ok” for Katelyn and Drew’s wedding next month – April 13th is getting close! Speaking of the wedding, Drew and Katelyn were home for some early wedding photos and another meeting with Beth and Ryan. (Pastor)
Another iPhone panoramic photo (click for larger)
A new iMac, but losing a display shelf by retiring my CRTs
Posted By RichC on March 23, 2013
Taylor’s ceramic artwork “given to me” from 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade
One would think that I would look forward to replacing a couple old computers, the pile of wires and CRT monitors with a new 27” iMac 3.4ghz i7 computer … well yes and no. It certainly is well past time to retire my wimpy Mac Mini, my Mac G4 (still running OS 9) and an old Dell Dimension (still running Windows 2000 and rarely used). Still, these old faithful’s are as comfortable as a pair of well loved shoes — but perhaps the surprise loss is where to put all of the prized art that adorned the tops of my CRTs. These masterpieces have been given through the years by my children and I’m struggling with moving them anywhere else as that new thin screened iMac isn’t going hold my art collection anymore!
A taste of Ben and Teresa’s movie project: One Simple Question
Posted By RichC on March 22, 2013
Sailing friends Ben Eriksen and Teresa Carey, a couple I’ve posted on previously (1, 2) continue to edit and upload video tidbits that I assume will eventually be used in their upcoming sailing movie One Simple Question. The segment below highlights what life is like on a small sailboat on bluewater passages … particularly “watch keeping or watch standing.” Great stuff.
The Volvo V60 plug-in diesel hybrid in the US?
Posted By RichC on March 21, 2013
The Swedish automaker Volvo will be showing their new plug-in V60 diesel hybrid at the New York auto show later this month according to reports in the automotive press. This new information may hint that Volvo is considering bringing their pricey new hybrid to the U.S. after all; initially reports suggested it would only be available in Europe.
The V60 Plug-In features a 2.4L D5 turbodiesel engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear axle, giving the hybrid all-wheel drive. The diesel engine is rated at 215 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, with the electric motor adding 70 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque, netting a total system output of 285 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque. Volvo says the hybrid wagon can accelerate from 0-62 in just 6.1 seconds. The V60 Plug-In can cover 31 miles in electric-only mode and is capable of 130mpg in hybrid mode.
The Jawbone Jambox and testing the WordPress Postie plugin
Posted By RichC on March 20, 2013
The addition of a new bluetooth Jambox speaker has certainly improved the audio quality of my iPad … AND the new Postie plug-in for WordPress looks to be a great replacement for Posterous (shutting down next month).
Here’s a 2 minute snippet from the iPhone of a post to our EAA284 site. Let’s see if the video shows up via Postie.
EDIT: Still had to tweak the code … but I’m learning to post via email.
Impressed with the new half-priced Jambox bluetooth speakers
Posted By RichC on March 19, 2013
Occasionally I make one of those spur-of-the-moment impulse purchases that doesn’t give me buyer’s remorse. I have been wanting a bluetooth speaker to improve the sound coming from my iPhone or iPad without resorting to plugging in the 3.5mm cable or using earbuds. I thought, “hmm, this will work great on the desk and even better when traveling or on the boat.”
So I purchase a small Jawbone Jambox was listed on Ebay for half the normal listed price not really expecting much more than portable speakers, but was instead very impressed … AND it even came in the more subdued black color as opposed to the bright colors (below). Yes, it was still expensive considering its an electronic gadget that will most likely collect more dust that get used, but boy was I surprise by the sound quality when it arrived. Very impressive to this “one eared” guy. Even better, it doubles as a decent speakerphone.
Biggest Sound, Smallest Package
JAMBOX delivers stunning hi-fi audio in a portable wireless speaker so compact you won’t believe it when you hear it. Unlike other portable speakers, JAMBOX is powered by a pair of proprietary, highly sophisticated acoustic drivers, unmatched in their ability to produce extreme high (tweeter) and low (woofer) frequencies from a single, ultra-small dome speaker. They work in concert with an innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure to deliver shimmering highs and thumping lows that you can literally feel – the richest sound all in the palm of your hand.
No offense intended – I skipped posting on Katelyn’s shower
Posted By RichC on March 18, 2013
Cupcakes | Madison and Katelyn with game board
Well just because I didn’t include commentary or photos from Katelyn’s wedding shower this past Saturday, doesn’t mean it wasn’t important; I can take a hint and will include a few of Brenda’s snapshots over lunch today (sorry if I missed someone). As the subject line says: “No offense intended.”
I can’t vouch for the fact that it was a “nice event,” but according to “my sources” they all have a good time (I’m still glad Taylor and I were in Columbus!)
Ashley and Katelyn
Claire, Chris, Beth, Emily and Rachel
Debbie and Barb |Cake topper and fountain
Dining table | Katie and Katelyn
Pam, Cindy, Beth, Rachel and Claire
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.