Hi! Wow, yesterday was a bitch. Absolutely fatigued all day. Hit the sheets about 8:30p and slept until 4am, the back to bed at 7a and slept until 8:30 when Russell decided to wake me up. After 9 hours sleep I feel a bit better. Tried out the antenna tuner this morning and listened to the Voice of Nigeria for 45 minutes in English. Sent them a reception report by email. I used to actually type these reports on areogrammes and wait for the QSL cards. I think I still have the old cards but I have not been able to find them yet. While looking for them I tossed out three large boxes of old papers, time sheets, notes from past jobs, lots of ip addresses, admin passwords, instruction on loading software when I was at Corporate Information Technologies. Guess I won't be needing any of that.
The tuner does appear to help pull weak signals out of the static. My last one seemed to make more of a difference, but I think I have a better antenna design and perhaps a better radio. I was using a Sony ICF-2010 and using two long wire antenna. My long term plan is to erect a second antenna and to get another radio. With the tuner I should be able to switch radios and antennas easily.
One thing I didn't have before was the wealth of information available on the Internet. I was able to pull up the Voice of Nigeria's website while listening to it. Another really cool thing is the information on solar conditions, propogation reports and other listener reports. The new World Radio and TV Handbook (2011) should be ut soon and I've already ordered it.
As the shortbands are pretty shutdown right now, I'm watching 10th episode of Season 8 of 24. No plans for NYE. If recent experience is a guide. I'll be asleep before midnight tomorrow.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
fatigue spell today
10:30am. Wow am I fatigued. Hit, hit suddenly, and hit hard. Added headache for good measure. Felt so good last night that I walked to the meeting and chatted with a new guy and a visitor. Great walk with music and fuzzy hat. Tuned up the radio and spent a lot of time on the 31m band listing to Radio Tunisa, Radio Romania, probably Iran, and the Voice of Turkey. I was also surprised to find the lower bands were active in the daytime. The new inverted-L antenna really shines. The MFJ-595C antenna tuner is on it's way, out for delivery. Excited to try out it out. The Grundig 750 appears to be a competant radio, but I can see that I'll be upgrading to an Icom R-75 or Yaesu VR-5000.
New strings on the Matin D-15. The last set lasted well, which means I wasn't playing it enough, lol. Yairi Dy-40 next. Think I'll sell one of the DY-67's but looks like I've missed Christmas so no rush. No one single person interested in the Piano. Have to post the 1 BR apartment on Craigslist soon, Joel will be out by tomorrow. Hate to see him go, great guy, great tenent.
Dogs in Snow:
New strings on the Matin D-15. The last set lasted well, which means I wasn't playing it enough, lol. Yairi Dy-40 next. Think I'll sell one of the DY-67's but looks like I've missed Christmas so no rush. No one single person interested in the Piano. Have to post the 1 BR apartment on Craigslist soon, Joel will be out by tomorrow. Hate to see him go, great guy, great tenent.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
5:30am
Good morning friends and readers.
I finished reading a novel last night, John Folwes', "The Magus". The first time I'd read it was in the fall of 1983, at the age of 26. At the time I found much, in the main character, Nicholas Urfe, I had common, with the way we dealt with the world. He was a completely self-centered individual who justified every action in his own mind, living solely for himself. A tragically depressed character in late adolescence moving for one relationship to another, running as soon as the emotions became too intense and required him to accommodate the emotional needs of the other. I didn't see a thing wrong with him or his view of life at that time. I pretty much continued living this way until I was over 40 years old, moving and checking like a hockey player, fending off any real emotional commitment with those close to me, especially the women in my life. The urge to mate, then the intense urge to escape would follow all too quickly. I acted and reacted to each feeling I had without remorse. I ran through women's lives like a tornado, causing destruction everywhere I went. I lived for the hunt and seduction. Then flee like a scalded dog when the feelings and situation became too real. It took a series of events that bought me to my knees to help me change. A few months later I met a young woman with whom I fell in love and when it got intense, I stayed and worked through the anxiety I felt. The was the first romantic relationship during which I remained faithful, lasting about 7 years. Then the tables were turned, and I had the chance to suffer what I'd be dealing to others. My next relationship ended with me being abandoned again. That was a year ago. Since then I have been licking my wounds and inventorying my romantic history.
As I re-read the novel, I could plainly see the problems of Nicolas, his denial of his own selfish and self centered behavior and was unnerved and yet could find compassion for his character, an understanding of how he became this way and for his unhappy future. The novel ends with Nicholas learning nothing and remaining unchanged through the whole ordeal. I find myself saddened for him and for myself. I have worked through my part in the these and made amends where I can. But, victimizer or victim, I care for neither role. Guess I might be single for a while.
7:00am. The sky is finally begin to brighten. Even the dogs are asleep. Let's have coffee, they'll get up when they feel like it. Not that I am hopping to take them out in 18 degree weather.
I finished reading a novel last night, John Folwes', "The Magus". The first time I'd read it was in the fall of 1983, at the age of 26. At the time I found much, in the main character, Nicholas Urfe, I had common, with the way we dealt with the world. He was a completely self-centered individual who justified every action in his own mind, living solely for himself. A tragically depressed character in late adolescence moving for one relationship to another, running as soon as the emotions became too intense and required him to accommodate the emotional needs of the other. I didn't see a thing wrong with him or his view of life at that time. I pretty much continued living this way until I was over 40 years old, moving and checking like a hockey player, fending off any real emotional commitment with those close to me, especially the women in my life. The urge to mate, then the intense urge to escape would follow all too quickly. I acted and reacted to each feeling I had without remorse. I ran through women's lives like a tornado, causing destruction everywhere I went. I lived for the hunt and seduction. Then flee like a scalded dog when the feelings and situation became too real. It took a series of events that bought me to my knees to help me change. A few months later I met a young woman with whom I fell in love and when it got intense, I stayed and worked through the anxiety I felt. The was the first romantic relationship during which I remained faithful, lasting about 7 years. Then the tables were turned, and I had the chance to suffer what I'd be dealing to others. My next relationship ended with me being abandoned again. That was a year ago. Since then I have been licking my wounds and inventorying my romantic history.
As I re-read the novel, I could plainly see the problems of Nicolas, his denial of his own selfish and self centered behavior and was unnerved and yet could find compassion for his character, an understanding of how he became this way and for his unhappy future. The novel ends with Nicholas learning nothing and remaining unchanged through the whole ordeal. I find myself saddened for him and for myself. I have worked through my part in the these and made amends where I can. But, victimizer or victim, I care for neither role. Guess I might be single for a while.
7:00am. The sky is finally begin to brighten. Even the dogs are asleep. Let's have coffee, they'll get up when they feel like it. Not that I am hopping to take them out in 18 degree weather.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
bread making problem
OK, closer but no loaf. Rose about 1/2 way. I think my yeast got wet too soon. Trying again soon.
Had a real nice Christmas. Got sweaters. Oh and it is snowing!!! Technically a white Christmas. Can't wait to watch the dogs play in the snow tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, recording guitars with Zoom H2. Part of the string test, are Newtones worth the extra $$$?
Had a real nice Christmas. Got sweaters. Oh and it is snowing!!! Technically a white Christmas. Can't wait to watch the dogs play in the snow tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, recording guitars with Zoom H2. Part of the string test, are Newtones worth the extra $$$?
Christmas morning musing
Up at 6:30a, the curse of going to bed early. Turn on the Weather Channel, as always, to start the day, and low and behold, a completely different forecast in the making. Snow this afternoon,snow tonight, snow tomorrow! Food in the fridge, heat in the house, new Christmas present Roku all hooked up and configured. Puppies out in a balmy 35 degrees, I, as usual, overdressed. Not a sound was heard, no car seen. The quietest morning I can remember. Listened to the BBC for a few minutes. Buffy marathon on the TV (season 3). Eric to come over at 2p and I guess we'll watch another episode of Dexter, and call our mother. The plan is to head to Joyce's for presents and dinner around 4pm. Maybe we'll make over in the snow. If it does snow it'll be the 4th white Christmas in 136 years. Yea, yea, Life in the South.
Next, into the kitchen to make muffins and another attempt at the bread machine. I'm on some weird bread baking trip. I think it is time to revive my cooking skills, which have atrophied over the past couple of years.
My new life plan of acceptance of my current life seems to be working . If it is an energy day or even moment, I get busy on my projects, and if not I don't torture myself thinking I should be doing something. Acceptance. Another part of the "new life" is working on Compassion. So far a dual action of being nice to everyone all the time, avoiding conflict and when I can helping others avoid conflict. Secondly, when feeling judgemental, to remember to imagine myself in their place, to remember that I could be in the others dilemma. You know, a put for the Grace of God thing.
I used to believe that telling people what they needed to hear was a good thing. Maybe it was but at such a cost to myself. I am detaching from that notion and trying just to be inviting. If someone wants my opinion, they can ask. No more inviting myself.
Back to meditating more and looking to a greater conscious contact. Through bread making, lol. Time to mix ingredients and preheat the oven.
Next, into the kitchen to make muffins and another attempt at the bread machine. I'm on some weird bread baking trip. I think it is time to revive my cooking skills, which have atrophied over the past couple of years.
My new life plan of acceptance of my current life seems to be working . If it is an energy day or even moment, I get busy on my projects, and if not I don't torture myself thinking I should be doing something. Acceptance. Another part of the "new life" is working on Compassion. So far a dual action of being nice to everyone all the time, avoiding conflict and when I can helping others avoid conflict. Secondly, when feeling judgemental, to remember to imagine myself in their place, to remember that I could be in the others dilemma. You know, a put for the Grace of God thing.
I used to believe that telling people what they needed to hear was a good thing. Maybe it was but at such a cost to myself. I am detaching from that notion and trying just to be inviting. If someone wants my opinion, they can ask. No more inviting myself.
Back to meditating more and looking to a greater conscious contact. Through bread making, lol. Time to mix ingredients and preheat the oven.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve Day
Listened to the shortwave last night for a few minutes. 49m through 19m bands open. The new inverted L antenna preformed well. I got an email saying the antenna tuner was on it's way and should be here next Tuesday. I hope they have it fixed. As the solar activity remains low and so only the stronger stations are being heard. The conditions should be improving over the next three years or so and better overall for the next 5 years. So, while it is low now, I look forward to an increase in conditions and reception of distant station.
Yesterday was a productive day. Breakfast with Eric, then we both got haircuts, grocery shopping, finished up the antenna installation, moved furniture to set up the radio "shack" and the wiring.
Waiting to see if we get any snow tomorrow. No plans for tomorrow (Christmas Day) until 4pm when we all meet at my step-mother and her sister's apartment for presents and dinner.
Merry Christmas!
Yesterday was a productive day. Breakfast with Eric, then we both got haircuts, grocery shopping, finished up the antenna installation, moved furniture to set up the radio "shack" and the wiring.
Waiting to see if we get any snow tomorrow. No plans for tomorrow (Christmas Day) until 4pm when we all meet at my step-mother and her sister's apartment for presents and dinner.
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Christmas week
Had breakfast at Toast (of course) with my friend and sponsee, Mitchell. He has been busy with health issues in his family and has been out of state for several weeks. This was the first time I've seen him in a long while. After an hour and a half, we weren't finished talking and plan to have breakfast again tomorrow. Thursday morning brother Eric and I are headed to Asheville to see our mother for the day to celebrate our Christmas with her. We shall celebrate with our other family on Christmas evening.
Tried a new guitar string, Newtones, from England, on the J-200 and the Yairi WK-1 12 string. Wow, what an improvement. I can't wait to try them on the Yamaha, the Martin D-15 and the Yairi Dy-40. Unfortunately they are about twice the price of the D'Addarios (and I have about 12 packs of those). On the Gibson they are slightly higher tone but more even. On the 12 string they toned down the jangling of the higher strings. On both they give a sweeter, richer sound.
Two days ago, one of my neighbors brought 4 8 year old girls to my door bearing a small bag of Christmas cookies. I haven't had a chance to talk to her (I don't even know her name) to tell her what a sweet thing she had done. Seems she invited the girls over to her house to do the baking. I believe they were stopping at all the houses nearby. I was touched by the gesture.
A bit fatigued today, some muscle pain. Hoping for a burst of energy to go play with the puppies and the guitars.
Tried a new guitar string, Newtones, from England, on the J-200 and the Yairi WK-1 12 string. Wow, what an improvement. I can't wait to try them on the Yamaha, the Martin D-15 and the Yairi Dy-40. Unfortunately they are about twice the price of the D'Addarios (and I have about 12 packs of those). On the Gibson they are slightly higher tone but more even. On the 12 string they toned down the jangling of the higher strings. On both they give a sweeter, richer sound.
Two days ago, one of my neighbors brought 4 8 year old girls to my door bearing a small bag of Christmas cookies. I haven't had a chance to talk to her (I don't even know her name) to tell her what a sweet thing she had done. Seems she invited the girls over to her house to do the baking. I believe they were stopping at all the houses nearby. I was touched by the gesture.
A bit fatigued today, some muscle pain. Hoping for a burst of energy to go play with the puppies and the guitars.
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