Thursday 18 August 2022

[Don]

Good morning all  - we are over the hump for this week. Still early here with a threat of rain I think. I was able to get in a short ride yesterday morning though. I've got my eye on another motorcycle but i am trying to resist. It's a 2021 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic. I never thought I would be looking at a Harley.

I've got a load of clothes in the washer and will be packing this morning for a trip over to Huntsville, Alabama for a "Hamfest" - Ham Radio convention thingy. I usually try to attend that one every year. The Hamfests of today just aren't like they used to be though. Patty, does your DH ever go to them? I don't really need anything but it is always fun to stroll though the used stuff. One year someone had a stereo microscope for sale and I wish I had bought that. Never know what you might find.

Hope all have had a good week with more to come.

[Don]

Ha - this old poster from 10 years ago popped up in my FB page this morning, from back in the day when I actually played out some.

[Rich]

Good morning Don and all who follow!
Been beautiful weather in South Dakota. Sturgis Rally is over, interstate has less traffic and School started here yesterday for k-12.
The rally figures were just below 500K. Not all at one time though. They come and go all week. How much beer do you think was sold? If I hear I'll let you know! Don, the rally talk must have got you interested in a Harley!

I haven't been to a Hamfest in years. I am out of the loop so I don't know if we still have them.
Would a stereo microscope be like a stereo photo viewer? That would be cool.
Blast from the past on the poster!!

I had a prehistoric meal last night. My son in law caught his first Paddlefish this spring. You are allowed one. Special season. The filet was very good. A mild white fish. Had the chew of a rib eye steak. I grilled it with a lemon, caper, butter, garlic sauce. Have another filet left for next week!

[Don]

"Don, the rally talk must have got you interested in a Harley!"

I was actually interested in an Indian, the Super Chief LTD. Most reviews were good, but several things I didn't like - the gas tank is too small, a lot of heat from the engine (air cooled, not water cooled) and the throttle response was slow, ie, a delay from the time you twist the throttle until it goes. So, I saw a YT video comparing the SC LTD to the 2021 HD Heritage Classic and the HD pretty much ticked all the boxes. Of course, DW isn't too keen on the idea of trading my 2020 model Kawasaki, so there is that.  The local Indian/Kawasaki dealer has a 2021 HD Heritage Classic in stock.

[Dave]

Hi Don. Assuming you buy the Harley (And why not?), I'm looking forward to seeing photos.

It's nice to hear from old friends. I just learned that one of my best college friends now lives about 50 miles from me, but I don't have an address or any contact info.

BTW, I think today is the 18th, not the 17th.

Rich, I'm happy for you that your weather has been pleasant.

I had a vague idea that the paddlefish is large and related related to the sturgeon, and has been around for a very long time. Wikipedia confirms this and notes that the American Paddlefish is the lone surviving species of its family. Very prehistoric-looking.

Today's early morning walk didn't offer a dramatic sunrise, but I found the yellows vs purples in this shot quietly pleasing...

   

Have a good day, everyone.

[damar]

HI Don!
Good to see ya!
No, we haven't been to a HAM Fest in awhile (or Field Day)... I would not want to go now because
we are trying to thin out the "stuff" around the house because we know the kids aren't going to want any of it!
Chainsaw's, CB Radios, Sewing Machines, Pumps, small motors...nope...no more! Gotta go!
Columbus Unplugged: do they still host this event?
Nice poster!
Harley--Mmmmm The Indian would be cool too. 

I can very well imagine you bringing the HD home!
At least go take a few pics of it! (to help convince your DW!)


Hi Rich!
Ever think about just getting a small handheld radio and seeing what you can pick up locally? Do you have any repeaters nearby?

Dave, that is a pretty sky!

Well since we are no longer under the WC terms of service (and please let me know if this is inappropriate regardless)
This is one of my sons photos. He was given a pit-pass (by a freelance photographer) up at the Road Atlanta speedway (I think it was) and brought home some really cool photos. This was probably over 10 years ago.

   

[Don]

"Well since we are no longer under the WC terms of service (and please let me know if this is inappropriate regardless)"  Terms of service??? We don't need no stinkin' terms of service!!!   Not sure what WC terms of service were, but I do remember getting chastised not long after I joined because I had put a link to a web page showing some hand made jewelry that I had done. I don't think I linked to anything after that. But I think that with this small  of a group we don't have to worry too much about "rules".  Great race photo by the way. I remember going to motorcycle races in the late 60's, when that was my only transportation.

Nice sunrise Dave. I really need to start back walking. One reason I hesitate (among many) is that since buying my Versys, I have put between 1500 and 2000 bucks worth of extras on it, and I am sure I would take a pretty good loss if I traded.

Rich, all I know about a stereo microscope (not even sure if that is the correct terminology) is that it has 2 eye pieces rather than 1. I don't recall how much they wanted for it, but I did consider it so it couldn't have been too much.

Patty, as far as I know that was a short lived thing. It was held in a corner coffee shop, which is still there, but I don't think they have live music now. That was back in the day when my buddy owned half of the building (yeah, he's one of those) and had an office on the second floor. Three of us used to meet on Wednesday afternoons to write songs and play. He has since sold his half though.

[Rich]

Best of luck Don on the cycle trading!
Yes, I asked All seeing/knowing Mr. Google about the microscope. Interesting. I had stereoscope in my head.

Thanks Dave! Definitely a golden morning in southern CA! Nice

Patty, I think we still have a 2 meter repeater. When I was active, all summer long it was tourist using it and usually asking for directions. With GPS today not needed. We weren't a talkative bunch so in the winter it was used very little except for blizzard warnings. Probably not worth buying into a hand held. I still have my 2 meter crystal controlled rig.

That cycle photo is amazing!! Very professional, perfectly panned! Very sharp and I like the diagonal presentation. You taught him well! WoW !

Found an adjustment in PS elements called colorize photo. A couple of clicks and I had this! Another view of the old gas station.

[damar]

WC did not allow us to post any photos that were not expressly our own.
No TOS is fine with me! But I do respect international copyright laws.

“Half of a building”
We knew someone who owned half of a chicken house! They drew up a new property line and it ran right through the chicken house! LOL…each owner had one half. Ridiculous.

Rich the gas station treatment looks good! I like it!
7Up! Love the green.
DH goes through spells where he’ll set up his radio and antenna listen in for awhile then take it down. We’re not supposed to have antennas in the neighborhood. (No one ever said anything)
He used to do the weekly “nets” but is easily bored with food chat! LOL

Our son inspired me to upgrade my P&S camera…we went to an airshow and he was hauling his 2 camera bodies and lenses and there I was capturing Vapor trails with my little nikon point and shoot (shutter was too slow)!
No planes in my photos! Just vapor!
So that Christmas he told DH which (Nikon) camera to get me for Christmas.
He is a great photographer and never uses a dedicated camera anymore. Just his cell phone.
He is a hobby chef/pit master. He loves working with food so that’s his hobby for a long time.
If he can’t travel it’s easy to get bored with local photography and move on.

[Rich]

Thanks Patty, yes I think that is why I got out of hamming. Same old---same old.

That surprises me that your son just uses a cell phone. I don't think I could get rid of my dedicated camera. Good he enjoys hobby chef!

Playing with the gas station. Came up with this. I like it a bit better. Easier than the old hand coloring method but not as much expense for materials.