Today is the Eve of Christmas. Tonight, we attend worship service and get reminded of the reason for the season. Linus gets to the heart of it:
The greatest gift of all did not come from a store.
Merry Christmas.
Newbius
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Princess Sophie Helps Out
Or - a Calico can hide anywhere:
A better angle:
Christmas preps are almost finished, even with the help of the cats...
Pax,
Newbius
Christmas preps are almost finished, even with the help of the cats...
Pax,
Newbius
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Vintage Audio for sale - Update
Pictures:
I have a few more pictures that I can share, but these should give a general idea as to condition.
I have a few more pictures that I can share, but these should give a general idea as to condition.
Vintage Audio for sale
If any of my readers are interested, I have a Fisher 500 800-C tube receiver and a McIntosh tube amp for sale. Both came out of a HiFi set that my dad owned (from the 50s or early 60s), and both are believed to be rebuildable (and no warranty for fitness is otherwise expressed or implied).
I have no idea what their value is. I intend to put them up on eBay in hopes of getting enough for a decent pistol (like something designed by JMB-PBUH).
Some insight into what I am up against is appreciated. Pics can be posted if requested.
Pax,
Newbius
Edited to add: The receiver is a Fisher 800-C and the amplifier is a McIntosh MC-30. There is also a Heathkit A-9C tube amplifier and an Al Davis under-dash AM radio with mounting bracket.
I have no idea what their value is. I intend to put them up on eBay in hopes of getting enough for a decent pistol (like something designed by JMB-PBUH).
Some insight into what I am up against is appreciated. Pics can be posted if requested.
Pax,
Newbius
Edited to add: The receiver is a Fisher 800-C and the amplifier is a McIntosh MC-30. There is also a Heathkit A-9C tube amplifier and an Al Davis under-dash AM radio with mounting bracket.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
More Sound Blogging
Last night I ran the sound board for the praise band again. We are preparing for the Christmas Eve worship service and needed to chase a few gremlins away from the system.
Last Sunday, I was not happy with the mix. The lead singer was muddy and lacked definition, and the back-up singers did not harmonize well. I also heard second-hand that there were significant dead spots around the sanctuary where the vocals were even worse than what I was hearing (and I was chasing the settings all service to fix...). Unfortunately, we got a late jump on Sunday (due to the previous service running long), and could not do as thorough a sound-check as I would have liked.
Anyway...last night's practice went well. I had a chance to get the parametric equalizer adjusted properly, and the vocalists were much more clear as a result. I also had some time after getting the mix nailed down to adjust the side-fill monitors' levels and angles. As a result, I think the dead spots and muddy zones are all but eliminated. We'll see Saturday night.
Finally, I was able to get a board graphic from the lead tech, so that I could map the settings. We have different sound techs during each different service. Several of the channels get used for different things during the earlier service, and I need to be able to replicate my settings in the brief period available to me pre-service. Now that I have a base mapping to work from, it should be easier to spot the issues going forward.
The praise band likes working with me on the board, which is a nice compliment. So far, the congregation is pleased with the changes (even if I am unhappy with some aspects of them). I hope that our Worhip on Saturday goes well. Having the production be transparent lets the message come through much more clearly.
Pax,
Newbius
Last Sunday, I was not happy with the mix. The lead singer was muddy and lacked definition, and the back-up singers did not harmonize well. I also heard second-hand that there were significant dead spots around the sanctuary where the vocals were even worse than what I was hearing (and I was chasing the settings all service to fix...). Unfortunately, we got a late jump on Sunday (due to the previous service running long), and could not do as thorough a sound-check as I would have liked.
Anyway...last night's practice went well. I had a chance to get the parametric equalizer adjusted properly, and the vocalists were much more clear as a result. I also had some time after getting the mix nailed down to adjust the side-fill monitors' levels and angles. As a result, I think the dead spots and muddy zones are all but eliminated. We'll see Saturday night.
Finally, I was able to get a board graphic from the lead tech, so that I could map the settings. We have different sound techs during each different service. Several of the channels get used for different things during the earlier service, and I need to be able to replicate my settings in the brief period available to me pre-service. Now that I have a base mapping to work from, it should be easier to spot the issues going forward.
The praise band likes working with me on the board, which is a nice compliment. So far, the congregation is pleased with the changes (even if I am unhappy with some aspects of them). I hope that our Worhip on Saturday goes well. Having the production be transparent lets the message come through much more clearly.
Pax,
Newbius
Monday, December 19, 2011
Range after-action
This morning I took advantage of the beautiful weather and empty calendar to go to the range. I had invited another local blogger, "A Girl and Her Gun", to come shoot the XDm-45 (since she had expressed an interest in the 5.25" Competition model), and met up with her right as the range opened.
Once into our lane, I explained the manual of arms, stapled up a paper plate, handed her 5 magazines, and turned her loose. She is a very good shot.
I encouraged her to run a lot of rounds through the gun (I had brought over 600) to get comfortable with it, and kept the magazines reloaded while she shot. She did not disappoint. Strong hand, weak hand, one-handed, no matter. Target after target, everything was center mass. Her instructors should be proud.
Grins all around. It was a very fun time. All in all, It was a good morning. I hope yours went as well.
Pax,
Newbius
Once into our lane, I explained the manual of arms, stapled up a paper plate, handed her 5 magazines, and turned her loose. She is a very good shot.
I encouraged her to run a lot of rounds through the gun (I had brought over 600) to get comfortable with it, and kept the magazines reloaded while she shot. She did not disappoint. Strong hand, weak hand, one-handed, no matter. Target after target, everything was center mass. Her instructors should be proud.
Grins all around. It was a very fun time. All in all, It was a good morning. I hope yours went as well.
Pax,
Newbius
Range Day today
Heading over to the local range today to do an 'after-repair' run on the wife's 1911, and also to meet up with another local blogger. A Girl and Her Gun will be there to try my XDm-45, which I have offered to her to use, to help her decide about one for herself (in 9mm IIRC). I am looking forward to meeting her. An After-action report should follow.
Pax,
Newbius
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, December 16, 2011
Computer crashed - Update
Got a call from a Customer Service "Case manager" last night. The laptop is being replaced (and upgraded, too). Apparently, the source of all the trouble is a defective CPU and CPU cooling system (system because it involves the CPU shell, heat pipe, radiator, and fan) which was allowing the CPU to stay at or near 90C most of the time. Heat-related side effects took out some of the video card memory and the HDD controller (which then took out the hard drive). Anyway, HP is doing right by me, and is replacing the whole thing (with an upgraded video card and 2 extended-life batteries tossed in for my trouble). The new laptop should ship around Christmas.
Well-played, HP.
Newbius
Well-played, HP.
Newbius
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Computer crashed
My new (~6 months old) laptop is in the shop getting vital bits replaced. I have been down since last Friday at 5:00 PM. With the Holidays, and parts availability issues for my custom-built steed, it will be after Christmas before I have my own computer again.
I am still trying to get into the vacation groove. Work-related stress has carried over into my off time. I think I need to take more, short, vacations instead of saving it all until the end of the year. For sure, I need to do more recoil therapy.
Blogging will be light until the computer is back from the shop. In the meantime, go check out the people on the sidebar. I do.
Pax,
Newbius
I am still trying to get into the vacation groove. Work-related stress has carried over into my off time. I think I need to take more, short, vacations instead of saving it all until the end of the year. For sure, I need to do more recoil therapy.
Blogging will be light until the computer is back from the shop. In the meantime, go check out the people on the sidebar. I do.
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, December 9, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Working hard, blogging little
Still here. Getting ready to take the rest of the year off beginning Friday. Lots to do before then...
Read the sidebar, then go give a loved one a hug. Or the other way around. :)
Pax,
Newbius
Read the sidebar, then go give a loved one a hug. Or the other way around. :)
Pax,
Newbius
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Bottom's Up Pizza, Richmond VA
Took OldestSon out to dinner tonight pre-birthday. We went to Bottom's Up Pizza in Richmond. Bottom's Up is the place that is consistently voted the "Best pizza in Richmond" and has won the State Fair competition several years running. They are VERY GOOD at what they do.
The restaurant itself has an industrial feel to it, and the decor is a mixture of modern, art deco, and brick warehouse. Somehow it all works. It is a very pleasant place to eat, but is not fancy. This was my second trip there, and the food was just how I remembered it. They make a nice pizza with a light crust, and toppings are under the cheese.
Last February when we went there, I was searching for ways to improve my pizza recipes. Eating there was an eye-opener. A lot of the changes that I made to my recipes this year were done with an eye towards being as good as Bottom's Up. Chasing this target has made my food much better.
There are still things that I do differently than they do, but understanding the 'why' has made me much more confident in my product. Important to note are these:
My sauce has a bolder, more complex flavor. I use roasted garlic, lots of herbs and spices, and aged balsamic vinegar in my sauce. Most people like it, but a few do not. Bottom's Up has a much milder tomato sauce, has no garlic (might have garlic powder but it was not prominent), and is more of a straight tomato-basil construct. I have been toying with the idea of making a milder red sauce, and I think that having that option might improve marketability.
My dough has more developed gluten and a higher protein content, which makes the dough more hearty. My dough cooks up like a hearty Italian bread with an open structure. Bottom's Up uses a lower protein content flour. Their dough cooks up with a finer crumb, almost like a focaccia bread. We age our doughs differently as well. They age theirs 12 hours from prep to service. Mine is aged much longer to allow for a more complex flavor to develop, almost like a sourdough in flavor and texture.
Bottom's Up Pizza is well worth the trip. If you are ever in Richmond, VA and want a nice casual meal and some outstanding pizza, GO THERE. You will not regret it. I have eaten there twice, and both times learned something important about the way that they do things. They use quality ingredients, prepared with care. Their end-product is consistent, and consistently good (my experience tracks with some locals I know who eat there regularly).
Ten months ago I ate there and changed most of my recipes as a result. I had placed them at the top of my list of places whose food I wanted to equal. Their food made me want to make mine better, and I had already experienced success with my old recipes.
Today, I made myself a mini pizza for lunch to cement the flavor profile in my head before eating at Bottom's Up again. So, tonight I got to make a close comparison to my goal. I am happy to say that I think I have achieved what I set out to do. I am still going to tweak things. There are always ways to improve the product or broaden the appeal. I do think we have a winner here. In the meantime, if you want a great pizza (and assuming I am not the one cooking it), go to Bottom's Up!
Pax,
Newbius
FTC Note: I paid cash for my meal, and left a nice tip for the very pleasant girl (Leah) who was our server. If the food had sucked, I would have written that instead.
The restaurant itself has an industrial feel to it, and the decor is a mixture of modern, art deco, and brick warehouse. Somehow it all works. It is a very pleasant place to eat, but is not fancy. This was my second trip there, and the food was just how I remembered it. They make a nice pizza with a light crust, and toppings are under the cheese.
Last February when we went there, I was searching for ways to improve my pizza recipes. Eating there was an eye-opener. A lot of the changes that I made to my recipes this year were done with an eye towards being as good as Bottom's Up. Chasing this target has made my food much better.
There are still things that I do differently than they do, but understanding the 'why' has made me much more confident in my product. Important to note are these:
My sauce has a bolder, more complex flavor. I use roasted garlic, lots of herbs and spices, and aged balsamic vinegar in my sauce. Most people like it, but a few do not. Bottom's Up has a much milder tomato sauce, has no garlic (might have garlic powder but it was not prominent), and is more of a straight tomato-basil construct. I have been toying with the idea of making a milder red sauce, and I think that having that option might improve marketability.
My dough has more developed gluten and a higher protein content, which makes the dough more hearty. My dough cooks up like a hearty Italian bread with an open structure. Bottom's Up uses a lower protein content flour. Their dough cooks up with a finer crumb, almost like a focaccia bread. We age our doughs differently as well. They age theirs 12 hours from prep to service. Mine is aged much longer to allow for a more complex flavor to develop, almost like a sourdough in flavor and texture.
Bottom's Up Pizza is well worth the trip. If you are ever in Richmond, VA and want a nice casual meal and some outstanding pizza, GO THERE. You will not regret it. I have eaten there twice, and both times learned something important about the way that they do things. They use quality ingredients, prepared with care. Their end-product is consistent, and consistently good (my experience tracks with some locals I know who eat there regularly).
Ten months ago I ate there and changed most of my recipes as a result. I had placed them at the top of my list of places whose food I wanted to equal. Their food made me want to make mine better, and I had already experienced success with my old recipes.
Today, I made myself a mini pizza for lunch to cement the flavor profile in my head before eating at Bottom's Up again. So, tonight I got to make a close comparison to my goal. I am happy to say that I think I have achieved what I set out to do. I am still going to tweak things. There are always ways to improve the product or broaden the appeal. I do think we have a winner here. In the meantime, if you want a great pizza (and assuming I am not the one cooking it), go to Bottom's Up!
Pax,
Newbius
FTC Note: I paid cash for my meal, and left a nice tip for the very pleasant girl (Leah) who was our server. If the food had sucked, I would have written that instead.
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