May 17, 2023

Yesteryear
One year ago today: May 17, 2022, much more than 5%.
Five years ago today: May 17, 2018, no partners, no grumbling.
Nine years ago today: May 17, 2014, azobicarbonamide?
Random years ago today: May 17, 2007, back when $20 was money.

           That’s already enough for the day, here is the north canopy with a work counter, the chop saw in place, and yes, we have electric light. The shade means longer work times between breaks and the area is also more compact. It also makes the laundry more efficient because I’m now likely standing nearby when the washer motor stops. I know these tasks aren’t getting my renovations done any faster but it keeps me limbered up enough, which is normally a barrier once you get much past 60. Mrs. Red kept me company quite a lot of the morning.

           The other picture is the quad box, making the blog because of speed. I am by now a bit of a whiz at wiring these things up and this one was complete and working in twenty minutes. You can just see the finished product in the upper right corner of the saw photo. All of this works off a simple extension cord that runs over to the silo. This represents the limit to length of wiring allowable for 15 Amp service but the saw does not even dim the lights.
           Serendipity, I threw the ceiling panel for the silo onto the laundry deck to keep it out of the rain. It’s propped up by the outside rail, but guess what. It has cured most of the leaf problem. It’s still open three sides, but I no longer have to sweep leaves to get on the deck. Standing at the new north canopy, the birdbath is visible, so I was reminded to turn it back on a lot more often. Sure enough, the birdies are pleased. I again missed the shot but I think the two Downeys were bothering a squirrel. The woodpeckers are not often seen together but I saw them swooping. When I got up and looked, it was the fat squirrel. (Actually, he just looks that way when he squats.)

           How’s this for foresight? In 1996-1997 I saw the rotten route that Google was taking and set up 49 fake accounts. They have been used up over the years or giving away where deemed needed. I’d handily spotted Google’s moves to get everybody on file and build a false trust that Google was safe and secure. The accounts gradually ran out and the last was used to open my Gab account a few months ago. Sure enough, Google has announced they will be closing all unused accounts, saying they were being used for “malicious” content, meaning non-Google approved activity.

           They are also “purging” unused content, but not to worry, it will never really be entirely gone. As of December, Google will not longer allow the opening of “unsecured” accounts, meaning those where the user cannot be identified. So much for your on-line privacy. I tried to warn people but they just send me pictures of someone wearing a tinfoil hat. Don’t fret over me, Google is moving against unused accounts. I still have a supply that never went dormant.

           Here’s such a neat idea, a bicycle that rides the rails. I used to ride trains because the narrow roadbed made for much more interesting scenery. I hope this guy markets this device before some idiot tries to ride it on the Amtrak rails. I repositioned a clock radio in the work shed and took the memory battery out. It’s a rare radio which I prize in that they remain on when the power fails. To many new ones have to be turned back on. Why the battery? So that the clock starts when I flick on the light and tells me how long I’ve been working. Careful to take regular breaks, I used one to examine potential routes to Nashville. I’ve never driven up the west side of the Mississippi, but I sure would like an overnight in Charleston. There is a $281 travel budget and gas is around 2/3rds, so all options are open.
           The alternate media, some of whom have truly prospered due to the blatant misconduct of the mainstream, are not letting go of that New Hampshire incident. Where CNN got their arse handed to them for trying to troll Trump. He’s got their number, the minute they try to turn a debate into a witch hunt, he turns it into a campaign rally. There’s been little news of Trump’s tour since, indicating they’ve backed off. The irony is they are being sued by Trump yet are so desperate for ratings they are forced to cover him. You gotta love it.

Picture of the day.
Mostly vacant downtown Galveston, TX
Remember to use BACK ARROW to return to blog.

           A better view of my saw pony inventory. These are the latest design and they are very sturdy though I don’t recommend standing on any sawhorse. Side-by-side, it is easy to spot the new 24” model. It’s the same height, but easier to saw plywood with. I’m all for assembly lines but I’ve found it is best to keep similar batches of lumber together. That’s batches by age, color, and slight variations in dimensions. I’m going to throw a layer of foil backing over the canopy roof and leave it until the hillbilly shows up again.

           Neanderthals, it seems, were no longer extinct from the same causes. The documentaries are subtly replacing the words so that they now died out due to climate change. Have you seen the new toroidal propellors? They decrease cavitation by curving the tips back onto the shaft. Very logical and very expensive, as in ten times more. But according to users a 20% gain in efficiency makes it pay for itself in fuel savings. Anyway, just a product to keep an eye on. I found several articles that were about drones and how to lower their noise. Apparently drones, with the same frequency as a baby crying, are one of the most hated modern sounds.

           The newly installed lights allow me to work well past dark with major tools. The original work shed is great, but its maximum width means with large pieces, you are still bumping into things. What a boon with the big tools outside now. The table saw is alongside the white shed, the compressor has its own lean-to, and now the chop saw is tucked away under the trees. That last area works all off extension cords. It is easy to dismantle if that ever becomes necessary.
           The freed-up space lets me get to things I’ve put aside. Today I remade the soldering caddy. It’s half again the size but has space for spools and a better spot for the timer. I’ve such a bad habit of forgetting soldering irons that this caddy has a cut-off timer. I took a closer look at that pressure gauge from the Tennessee parking lot. I was expecting some kind of bladder inside, but instead it is this ring, see photo. You can see how the ring moves a tiny toothed lever that operates the dial. It’s a mystery, I’ll see if I can find anything on-line, but you know what on-line is like for any obscure or useful info.

           The gauge was easy to find, brand name Measureman and a price tag of $14. The ad says liquid-filled, but not the one I found, it had been driven over who knows how long. I tried Wiki and found a very extensive treatment, listing at least forty different variations. I believe this may be known as a Bourdon type. I specified animation in the search and found what I think is the answer. See that copper ring around the outside of the brass parts? It is hollow. Let me watch the video.
           Later, we got lucky, the video I chose shows quite some detail. The Bourdon uses an elliptical ring that tries to become circular as pressure increased, making the tube attempt to straighten. (Similar to those coiled party whistles that unwind when you blow and curl back up after.) Watch the video, you’ll get it. That’s the unusual learning part for today, I know I have two or three of these gauges around the place which I can now find a use for.

           It was past 9:00PM when I quit for the day. While there was no heavy lifting, it was for me a workout. I move gear around and also dismantled some old fans. I have a plan to use the metal casings but there are tons of other more important chores. Tampa reports a pickpocket in Palm Beach stole $30,000 worth of rare coins and changed them in a Coinmaster for $30. Did you catch the lawyer for the dead career criminal who got choked? “Nobody asked him if they could help. Nobody asked if they could meet his needs.” Probably something to do that he was threatening to kill them.
           Have you ever replaced kitchen element control switches? I’ve had all four of mine act up at once, including two that just quit working. How will I ever have my muffins now. No wait, the oven works. We’re saved. I priced the controllers for the elements. They want $25 each for them. Yeah, maybe a new stove is in the works. Something fancy. Other than Tennessee, 100% of my meals are home-cooked. Now, I if I cancel the holiday and drive straight to Nashville that would save $100 in gas right there. Except, I need burners now and don’t know if she’ll even call.

ADDENDUM
           Now, if you are really bored, here is the Hulk Hogan Polka.

Last Laugh