a burst of sustained energy today

Out running errands today. Big, huge, fat burrito for lunch. Then bought my brother's birthday present. Grocery shopping, post office and home to walk the dogs. Walk took about 1 1/2 hours to campus and visited with the students. Two loads of laundry. An awful lot of activity for me.

Home to test new beta software for the radio. Not much out there to listen to, maybe due to the solar flare bursts from the sun.











I think the good mood was due to a phone call this morning.

making that connection

There is nothing like connecting with another soul. An open and honest exchange of ideas, thoughts and emotions with someone who I can communicate on multiple levels simultaneously. I have found this only rarely in this world.

I shared parts of my life that I never share, without fear or shame. It just seemed so right.

A new friend.

so nice

So nice to have company.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis

 

I live with my two Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Syke is 11 1/2 years old and Russell is 2. They may be small in stature but they are large in life. They were bred over 1000 years ago as herding dogs. They are excellent dogs off-leash and are always watching their master for commands. Skye has slowed down a bit and Russell loves to run. We take long walks everyday and often play ball in the backyard. Due to my friendly neighbors the puppies have about 3 acres in which to roam without crossing the street. I want to get another one, once I grow and third arm to hold the leash.

Warning: Extreme Geek Content --- Software Designed Radio

As I posted previously, the world (haha) of shortwave radio has changed so much since my last entry into the hobby of World Band Radio. The basic ideas of shortwave broadcasting stations, a receiver and an antenna haven't changed much. The ability to access to information about broadcasts is simply amazing. Even on the early 90's all I had was a newsletter, "World of Radio" which came twice a month, and the book "Passband to World Radio" published yearly. I would turn on the radio and turn the dials listening for signals, then look up what I may have been hearing.

The week I loaded a freeware program called, "Shortwave Log," It is intended to be a place to log your dx (long distance listening) but in fact is a SQL database back end where one can load data from many sources and display in several views. In fact I loaded the databases of the "World Radio and TV Handbook," and the "English Language Broadcasts.

If that isn't enough, there is a new type of radio called Software Designed Radio. The is a small box containing a DSP (digital signal processor) and it takes the analogue signal from the antenna and through to a computer where is processing of the digital signal takes place. The computer becomes the front end and control of the radio and the interface for the listener is the keyboard and mouse.

I will use my Dell 105 quad dual processors and 8GB of RAM. Plenty of processing power I think. There are several software control applications to test. These devices will also display other transmission types, SSB, CW, RTTY, even satellites.

It's on the truck to be delivered today. Another trip to Radio Shack to get a few connectors.

The scheme is 27m inverted - L antenna > stepdown balun > to coax to the house > MFJ 959C antenna tuner > RFspace > computer > graphic equalizer (to reduce noise) > headphones.

Sounds like fun for the ultra geek in me.

On another topic:

Yesterday I went electric on with my Martin D-15 and recorded a few songs on my Zoom H2 digital recorder.  I am happy to say I sounded pretty good. A few memory lapses here and there but overall quite well done. Next project is to learn to use the audio engineering application so I might record the vocals, guitar(s), and bass in separate tracks.

Now sitting quietly awaiting the UPS guy.

the way insurance works

So I get this bill for an MRI and CT scan. I get these twice a year now. Total so far, over 20. So the bill comes (I have new insurance and the cheapest rate I could find was $1,000 per month) and I see that the charge for these two procedures is over $11,000. Because I have insurance, the hospital deducts $10,000. Over 90%. Without insurance I would have been charged the entire $11,000. Now we can assume that the hospital isn't losing money on the deal by accepting only the $1,000, ergo the $11,000 charge is completely bogus. However that is the charge. So, who is less likely to have insurance (who puts the screws to the hospital to change a more  reasonable fee)? The poor, the unemployed and underemployed,  those whose employment does not offer insurance. The game is so rigged against those least able to pay.

So, for a six month of insurance coverage I pay $6,000 and a deductible of $1,000, to get the insurance discount at the hospital of $10,000. My insurer paid $5.81.

My advice, don't get sick and if you do, don't survive, or be very rich.

Hypnosis

After taking a decade long break from doing hypnosis, I had my first subject tonight. I thought it went fairly well. Trance was achieved, post hypnotic suggestion made. I was able to see a few things right away, on which I can improve. Not quite the "like riding a bike" experience but certainly a adequate performance. A few more practice sessions and I'll be open for business.

 At this point my goal is a very small practice focusing on; stop smoking, reduce anxiety, reduce panic attacks, relieve test anxiety, pain relief, reduce headaches and headache pain, increased concentration, confidence, weight loss, and relaxation.