Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Gardens 2014
Remodel 2014
Above photo, with cabinet doors and bases being painted, floor stripping process, followed by the uncoupling layer of Ditra (orange stuff), which is thin set into subfloor. 1 foot tiles for kitchen and downstairs half bath, 6 inch for two upstairs full baths. Replaced lighting and plumbing fixtures, new stone sinks, new low water (higher seating) toilets, all cabinet hardware was removed and replaced with new brushed silver knobs & hinges.
Repainted much of the existing furniture that was previously painted non matching colors. Granite countertops were installed for the kitchen. The countertop installers would not level the existing kitchen cabinets. This was a challenge for me. With the help of a 360 laser level, a digital caliper and some tapers I made with my table saw, the job was completed.
Bottom photo is the look getting near completion last week. Rug is not rolled out, but the new paint and ceramic tile is a fresh look for us. I'm hoping to get this phase of the remodel finished by fall '14 :)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
QSC K12 seem to be killer diller
Just purchased the QSC K12's and after 2 gigs of DJ work I think they are really kickin' for the size and weight of these bad boys. I need to get a few more gigs under my belt to rate them adequately.
I'm also going to be using them with my 4 piece rock band for live shows. This will be the real test as live music is much more demanding than recorded.
Updated review to come.
I'm also going to be using them with my 4 piece rock band for live shows. This will be the real test as live music is much more demanding than recorded.
Updated review to come.
Killer on the Road...Popular theme to a creepy idea.
Having read James Ellroy's "Killer on the Road". The motoring public may be more familiar with Hollywoods' version of Ellroy's "LA Confidential" or his "Black Dahlia" among others. I think KOTR is most definitely the creepiest fictional book I've ever read. Stephen Hunter's "Dirty White Boys" a not even close second. KOTR was written by Ellroy in the mid 80's. 10 years earlier another James, Morrison recorded the song "Riders on the Storm", one of his last recordings. Both of these Jim's were LA kinda guys.
Some accounts say Jim of the Doors would hitch hike to Florida to see a girlfriend, others think the seedbed for the errie lyrics was 1950's spree hitch hike killer Billy Cook. Cook's spee starts in LA.
I found myself humming and singing "Riders on the Storm" and started to wonder if Ellroy was a Doors fan. After all his story is about a wacko serial killer in a van. A killer on the road. The common ground of these Jims being: LA, infatuation with death, creative art, over the top personalities, parental youth issues.
"mother I want to..." and he walked on down the hall. Ellroy's mom was murdered in LA when he was still very young. His Mom's unsolved murder having personal connections in his "Black Dahlia", a story about a sensational LA front page murder of a woman.
It may all be coincidence, these strange, LA Jims. Granted, the theme has been popular in LA (Hollywood). The HBO series the Hitcher, a 50's Hitch Hiker, and modern version of different hitch hiker themes. All killers on the road. It's weird and creepy stuff that just leaves your brain...uh, sorry, squirming like a toad. Why does it sound so silly when I write it?
Some accounts say Jim of the Doors would hitch hike to Florida to see a girlfriend, others think the seedbed for the errie lyrics was 1950's spree hitch hike killer Billy Cook. Cook's spee starts in LA.
I found myself humming and singing "Riders on the Storm" and started to wonder if Ellroy was a Doors fan. After all his story is about a wacko serial killer in a van. A killer on the road. The common ground of these Jims being: LA, infatuation with death, creative art, over the top personalities, parental youth issues.
"mother I want to..." and he walked on down the hall. Ellroy's mom was murdered in LA when he was still very young. His Mom's unsolved murder having personal connections in his "Black Dahlia", a story about a sensational LA front page murder of a woman.
It may all be coincidence, these strange, LA Jims. Granted, the theme has been popular in LA (Hollywood). The HBO series the Hitcher, a 50's Hitch Hiker, and modern version of different hitch hiker themes. All killers on the road. It's weird and creepy stuff that just leaves your brain...uh, sorry, squirming like a toad. Why does it sound so silly when I write it?
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Mac DJ revisited
After working with my mac DJ set up for almost two years I've settled into a working routine and feel comfortable (finally) with my setup. It's actually quite different than the pictures posted over a year ago (I will post pics of my new setup soon).
I purchased a wheeled and handled (imagine a suitcase) CD case and converted it to my iMac DJ case. My laptop case also got the same type treatment. I purchased the upgrade to NI Traktor Pro and have a few pros and cons regarding that upgrade. I've also been using another piece of German software for the Mac DJ simply called Djay by Algoriddim software. This program design is kinda the opposite of Traktor in it's use of a simple as opposed to Traktor's "deep" GUI. Djay relies on iTunes and works nicely with it. The price is also part of the contrast with Native Instruments. $50 as opposed to $300 plus.
When I post the pictures of my redesigned setup I will cover my likes and dislikes of both softwares.
I purchased a wheeled and handled (imagine a suitcase) CD case and converted it to my iMac DJ case. My laptop case also got the same type treatment. I purchased the upgrade to NI Traktor Pro and have a few pros and cons regarding that upgrade. I've also been using another piece of German software for the Mac DJ simply called Djay by Algoriddim software. This program design is kinda the opposite of Traktor in it's use of a simple as opposed to Traktor's "deep" GUI. Djay relies on iTunes and works nicely with it. The price is also part of the contrast with Native Instruments. $50 as opposed to $300 plus.
When I post the pictures of my redesigned setup I will cover my likes and dislikes of both softwares.
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Macintosh DJ
Thought I'd post some photos of Tz DJ rig. I thought this may be handy for other DJ's to gather ideas for there own setups. When I was putting this DJ arrangement together I was searching the net for photos of other DJ's cases. I couldn't find any other photos or ideas to work off, so I was left to come up with my own design.
My setup may be a bit unique because I'm using a "17 iMac as my main system. The iMac posed some interesting challenges to modifying an existing DJ rack. Most PC based DJ's I've seen just use a laptop which is a bit easier to arrange a setup for. The Macbook on the left is my backup machine. It is also handy as a third and fourth song queue.
A slanted 1/4" plywood shelve holds the Audio Kontrol 1 USB interface and 8 channel Peavey mini mixer. The Logitech Marble Mouse or some other small trackball is the only way to go. I mounted the mouse on its own small "1/4 platform. The lighted keyboard gets its own shelf on the highest level above the mixer and interface shelf. The firewire hard drive (music files) and wireless mic transmiter are out of sight below the shelves with a powerbar. Viola! Computer DJ. The macbook has its own firewire external drive.
I've got a future project to make a "down and dirty" quick macbook laptop mini setup. Feel free to send me any photos or ideas of a setup you're using. T
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Great site to get your music off your iPod
I found this very informative article on copying music FROM your iPod back to a computer. This is a scenario that comes up from time to time for folks who don't know how to back up there iTunes files or just don't backup at all. The articles is at:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-computer/
If you don't back up and your computer hard drive crashes, you'll be singing a sad, sad song. "How can I get my music off my Pod?" This article will help you out. Please notice in the article, the bit about using you ipod as a hard drive. In iTunes preferences (ipod general) you click the box that says "Enable disk use". This is a very handy way to have your iPod be an external drive. If you read the article well, you'll see what to do. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-computer/
If you don't back up and your computer hard drive crashes, you'll be singing a sad, sad song. "How can I get my music off my Pod?" This article will help you out. Please notice in the article, the bit about using you ipod as a hard drive. In iTunes preferences (ipod general) you click the box that says "Enable disk use". This is a very handy way to have your iPod be an external drive. If you read the article well, you'll see what to do. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The worlds largest Theater pipe organ...awesome!
Just back from Scottsdale/Phoenix. Airlines continue to be the bane of travel. Our red-eye flight on Delta left us with a promise we made to ourselves to drive or take the train next summer. Sheesh!
The organ at Organ Stop Pizza (don't be put off by the name) is just amazing to listen to and experience. Granted, I'm a pipe organ geek, but this is the largest and most gorgeously retro fitted, and reclaimed, restored 1920-30's antique. It is one of a kind. Organ Stop is in Mesa, AZ, so if you want to see and hear it, I recommend it. http://www.organstoppizza.com
The organ at Organ Stop Pizza (don't be put off by the name) is just amazing to listen to and experience. Granted, I'm a pipe organ geek, but this is the largest and most gorgeously retro fitted, and reclaimed, restored 1920-30's antique. It is one of a kind. Organ Stop is in Mesa, AZ, so if you want to see and hear it, I recommend it. http://www.organstoppizza.com
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Google going for Solar
This is a smart and well run company. Google and Apple are two US companies to be proud of.
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Can you just imagine all of the power that the Google servers eat up in a days time. I’m sure their electric bill isn’t pretty. Google is usually on top of things though, and they are in this situation with the use of solar power, in particular “solar trees.”
Technorati Tags: alternate fuel, green
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Friday, May 18, 2007
Roundabouts and Hammerlanes
A couple of complaints and wishes for driving on highways in the US. It's a pet peeve of mine (and I'm sure others) that the passing lane on a highway two lanes and higher is invariably clogged with putzes who don't understand the "hammer lane" concept. The far left lane or "passing lane" is, no matter what name you give it, FOR PASSING the slower paced cars on the right! When you have people driving the same speed in all lanes, clogging and bottle necking them up, no one can pass.
The Germans do it right, I think. Here's how the LAWful way works there. First off, the autobahn is mostly two lane highway (in Southern Germany anyway). In the US most highways are much larger with up to four or more (clogged) lanes. Germans make the autobahn work with mostly two measly lanes. Here are a few simple autobahn rules: If you are in the passing lane, YOU MUST BE ACTUALLY PASSING or overtaking other vehicles. There is no speed limit on most parts of the open (not near large cities) autobahn. Rush hour, has required Germans to impose police camera controlled speed zones at rush hour near large cities like Munich. If you are in the left (hammer, passing) lane doing 120 mph and someone is coming up on your tail. You MUST let him pass, it's the law. I love it. It works beautifully. You pull into the passing lane and approach a slower moving car and, guess what, they get out of your way and let you pass! What a concept! No games, dangerous lane zig zagging, flipping the bird, ect. To experience it is nirvana. Returning to US rules is a bummer. Italy and Portugal are similiar but I'm not sure of the legalities in those countries. If you want to learn about the spyche of those countries and prepare before you visit and drive there. Take your car to NYC and drive around Manhattan for a week. You'll get the idea. Aggressive comes to mind.
OK, second peeve. I've spent much time driving in Massachusetts. I would occasionally find a rotary to negotiate a multi direction junction. You may find a rotary or two in your state at really crazy confluences of major and/or minor roads. The British love rotaries. They call them roundabouts (traffic circles). It's a bit weird for a US driver to get used to them while driving in the left hand lane. In Italy and Spain they drive in the right hand lane, the way we do, and use rotaries everywhere. Traffic circles really shine on secondary roads. Imagine driving into a intersection that has no traffic and not have to stop. Imagine the same intersection with more traffic, and all the drivers may stop IF REQUIRED, or may just simply have to just slow down and yield to the other traffic. Everything keeps moving, it's smooth, things may bog down if busy, but the DRIVERS dictate the stops and movements. Not a stop sign or red light that requires moving lanes to stop when the other lanes are clear. Traffic circles are the utlimate no brainer. US local and state goverments love to put up stop signs and traffic lights.
As a musician, I've spent countless late nights on the highways and byways. The minutes ticking away like hours as I sit at endless array's of traffic lights stopped. Not a soul on the road. Deserted streets, alone burning fuel, trying to stay awake. Boring. Oh, imagine that, my fifteenth stop sign to stop for no one as I snake my way home through neighborhoods with stop signs every other deserted block.
Here is another testimonial to diesel and autobahn I found today
The Germans do it right, I think. Here's how the LAWful way works there. First off, the autobahn is mostly two lane highway (in Southern Germany anyway). In the US most highways are much larger with up to four or more (clogged) lanes. Germans make the autobahn work with mostly two measly lanes. Here are a few simple autobahn rules: If you are in the passing lane, YOU MUST BE ACTUALLY PASSING or overtaking other vehicles. There is no speed limit on most parts of the open (not near large cities) autobahn. Rush hour, has required Germans to impose police camera controlled speed zones at rush hour near large cities like Munich. If you are in the left (hammer, passing) lane doing 120 mph and someone is coming up on your tail. You MUST let him pass, it's the law. I love it. It works beautifully. You pull into the passing lane and approach a slower moving car and, guess what, they get out of your way and let you pass! What a concept! No games, dangerous lane zig zagging, flipping the bird, ect. To experience it is nirvana. Returning to US rules is a bummer. Italy and Portugal are similiar but I'm not sure of the legalities in those countries. If you want to learn about the spyche of those countries and prepare before you visit and drive there. Take your car to NYC and drive around Manhattan for a week. You'll get the idea. Aggressive comes to mind.
OK, second peeve. I've spent much time driving in Massachusetts. I would occasionally find a rotary to negotiate a multi direction junction. You may find a rotary or two in your state at really crazy confluences of major and/or minor roads. The British love rotaries. They call them roundabouts (traffic circles). It's a bit weird for a US driver to get used to them while driving in the left hand lane. In Italy and Spain they drive in the right hand lane, the way we do, and use rotaries everywhere. Traffic circles really shine on secondary roads. Imagine driving into a intersection that has no traffic and not have to stop. Imagine the same intersection with more traffic, and all the drivers may stop IF REQUIRED, or may just simply have to just slow down and yield to the other traffic. Everything keeps moving, it's smooth, things may bog down if busy, but the DRIVERS dictate the stops and movements. Not a stop sign or red light that requires moving lanes to stop when the other lanes are clear. Traffic circles are the utlimate no brainer. US local and state goverments love to put up stop signs and traffic lights.
As a musician, I've spent countless late nights on the highways and byways. The minutes ticking away like hours as I sit at endless array's of traffic lights stopped. Not a soul on the road. Deserted streets, alone burning fuel, trying to stay awake. Boring. Oh, imagine that, my fifteenth stop sign to stop for no one as I snake my way home through neighborhoods with stop signs every other deserted block.
Here is another testimonial to diesel and autobahn I found today
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Talapia and Greens Pan Steamed
•4 pieces of Talapia
•Greens to fill half of large fry pan
(Your favorite dark greens: mustard,
spinach, swiss chard, collards, ect.)
•1 tomato
•1/3 cup of white wine
•2 talblespoons balsamic vinegar
•2-3 leaves of fresh basil
•1 teaspoon of olive oil
•squeeze of lemon juice
•Greens to fill half of large fry pan
(Your favorite dark greens: mustard,
spinach, swiss chard, collards, ect.)
•1 tomato
•1/3 cup of white wine
•2 talblespoons balsamic vinegar
•2-3 leaves of fresh basil
•1 teaspoon of olive oil
•squeeze of lemon juice
This is a Very quick recipe. It is also very healthy and extremely low in fat. The olive oil is optional, if you want to stay Low fat.
Wash and rinse greens, fill 2/3 of a large skillet with greens. We sometimes mix various greens from the garden. This adds interesting variations to the texture and flavor. Spread talapia fillets on top of the greens (fresh or frozen).
Dice tomato and sprinkle atop fish and greens. Pour wine over all of this and add remaining ingredients.
Cover and cook at medium to high heat till the greens drop. Use a spatula to lift each piece of fish with greens and tomato out of pan to dish. Salt or pepper to taste.
Serve with a slice or two of your favorite breadmaker white bread recipe and a glass of Portugese Vinho Verde or German Reisling Kabinett.
Talapia is a fresh water fish and has the very mild flavor of say, catfish. As a child we most ly breaded and pan fried our lake fish in oil. This recipe has that fresh fish flavor without the heavy oil and breading. The steamed greens/tomato adds a great new dimension to the fish flavor. I've never had an issue with bones from the Talapia fillets I've purchased. Enjoy.
Wash and rinse greens, fill 2/3 of a large skillet with greens. We sometimes mix various greens from the garden. This adds interesting variations to the texture and flavor. Spread talapia fillets on top of the greens (fresh or frozen).
Dice tomato and sprinkle atop fish and greens. Pour wine over all of this and add remaining ingredients.
Cover and cook at medium to high heat till the greens drop. Use a spatula to lift each piece of fish with greens and tomato out of pan to dish. Salt or pepper to taste.
Serve with a slice or two of your favorite breadmaker white bread recipe and a glass of Portugese Vinho Verde or German Reisling Kabinett.
Talapia is a fresh water fish and has the very mild flavor of say, catfish. As a child we most ly breaded and pan fried our lake fish in oil. This recipe has that fresh fish flavor without the heavy oil and breading. The steamed greens/tomato adds a great new dimension to the fish flavor. I've never had an issue with bones from the Talapia fillets I've purchased. Enjoy.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tz Bla Blah Blog moves to Blogger.com and Firefox, ScribeFire.
Just updated my Bloggee stuff to Blogger.com. I originally started with iWeb on my Mac to get this site up and running quickly. Iweb did just that, and quite well. Without a .mac account the blog process was just a little too cumbersome. The quick publishing ability of Firefox browser with a small extension to Firefox called ScribeFire makes the publish to my Bla Blah Blog a bit easier than with iWeb.
This is actually the first installment using the ScribeFire extension in Firefox. Let's see how it goes. Cheers for now.
This is actually the first installment using the ScribeFire extension in Firefox. Let's see how it goes. Cheers for now.
Useless airlines...USAirways.
Well, air travel just wears me out. Aside from check in lines, anti terrorist policies (1 quart plastic zip lock baggies to hold liquids and 9 million other products you need on a trip), searches, shoe and belt removal and all the things in a long list of things to slow you down for security sake. You’ve got weather, early arrival and perhaps the unkindest cut of all “bad airlines”.
Airline personnel are a cross section of people. It’s the same for all businesses, you get some great employees who elevate the company they work for and some employees that just drag the whole thing into this deep pit. Talk amongst my travelled friends and a recent trip to Italy put U S Air at the lower dregs of the bottom of that pit. In the future I will try my best to steer clear of this embarrassment to the name U S. No drawn out tirade on the inadequacies of US Air and it’s employees. Just trust me and try another carrier.
I heard of the recent apology by a power that be of Jet Blue Airlines. It seemed to have to do with travelers locked into a Jet Blue airplane for 10 hours. Our US Air, Rome flight was 6 hours on the ground at Philly airport with one serving of water during that time. This is no big surprise to me. Twenty years ago I spent 5 hours on a packed United 747 on Honolulu airport’s 90 degree tarmac. In preparation to sit in the same bulkhead (non reclining) seat for an endlessly arduous flight to Chicago.
Not much changes. It just gets worse and worse. I would recommend Am Track for 10 to 12 hour travel from your home base. I’ve recently done a couple such trips via railroad and feel it to be a very viable alternative to alleviate air travel blues syndrome or ATBS. TTFN.Airline personnel are a cross section of people. It’s the same for all businesses, you get some great employees who elevate the company they work for and some employees that just drag the whole thing into this deep pit. Talk amongst my travelled friends and a recent trip to Italy put U S Air at the lower dregs of the bottom of that pit. In the future I will try my best to steer clear of this embarrassment to the name U S. No drawn out tirade on the inadequacies of US Air and it’s employees. Just trust me and try another carrier.
I heard of the recent apology by a power that be of Jet Blue Airlines. It seemed to have to do with travelers locked into a Jet Blue airplane for 10 hours. Our US Air, Rome flight was 6 hours on the ground at Philly airport with one serving of water during that time. This is no big surprise to me. Twenty years ago I spent 5 hours on a packed United 747 on Honolulu airport’s 90 degree tarmac. In preparation to sit in the same bulkhead (non reclining) seat for an endlessly arduous flight to Chicago.
Diesel you say? That's right America.
This is the third time Lori and I have rented a diesel auto in Europe. No, not a Mercedes or other high end vehicle. Two VW’s in Germany and a Fiat this year in Italy. These cars rock! They have great power and speed. AND, most importantly, the are fuel efficient. Our makeshift quick figures got us in the 50 mpg category with our Fiat Idea, a good size (VW Passat-ish) wagon/sedan. Currently, here in New England, diesel is costing more than high test gasoline. Why is that? In Germany and Italy regular diesel was about 20% LESS than regular gas! Does this bother you? It sure gets my throttle elevated. If you’re an average American, you usually only know about pickups, Mercedes sedans or tractor trailer trucks being diesels. Check out this quick 5 minute blurb on Jay Leno’s sight. Let the first 30 seconds or so run before the video gets into the interview.
http://jaylenosgarage.com/video/index.shtml?vidID=58552
Who’d have thunk it, eh? Hey, let’s get into diesel. Or, let’s give green incentive tax breaks, a lot of brew ha ha and pump up the hybrids with limited power, $7000 battery sets, goofy aerodynamic frog designs and, oooh, 50-60 mpg.
I don’t mean to really knock hybrid. It’s all good as far as I’m concerned. Anybody remember the 70’s gas shortages and rationing, lines and fist fights? Horn honking on the highways by other motorists if you exceeded 55 mph? Hybrids, diesel... anything that gets us off the petro tit. I’m for it.
Diesel is better than hybrid. Right now we have great technology that’s proven and working. It’s kicking MPH butt. I can attest to it. Read this Money.CNN article on the “Axis of Diesel” http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/16/8390259/index.htm check out the other links at the bottom of this article.
As the Jay Leno video says, we are looking at 70 to 80 mpg NOW. If you get 18 to 30 now this could keep big bucks in your wallet if you drive any distance at all per year. The Germans have been behind diesel and seemed to have seen the light for some time now. They have worked out many of the kinks and R and D. I’m not real sure but I think diesel needs much less refining than gasoline. So, the big question is...why don’t we see it here in the United States?
Why is diesel so expensive here when it’s so cheap in Europe? They even have different grades of diesel at many stations in Europe, especially, Germany where I saw bio diesel for sale.
UPDATE: Honda announces New clean diesel Accord:
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9712548-7.html
Keep your eyes and ears tuned into this diesel movement. I predict it will be appearing soon at your nearest car dealer and filling station. It’s an awesome thing.
here’s a little more info.
http://horisly.blogspot.com/2007/05/diesel-cars-return-to-us.html
http://www.dieselforum.org/where-is-diesel/cars-trucks-suvs/
http://greasecar.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15319803/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/01/how_to_convert.php
http://jaylenosgarage.com/video/index.shtml?vidID=58552
Who’d have thunk it, eh? Hey, let’s get into diesel. Or, let’s give green incentive tax breaks, a lot of brew ha ha and pump up the hybrids with limited power, $7000 battery sets, goofy aerodynamic frog designs and, oooh, 50-60 mpg.
I don’t mean to really knock hybrid. It’s all good as far as I’m concerned. Anybody remember the 70’s gas shortages and rationing, lines and fist fights? Horn honking on the highways by other motorists if you exceeded 55 mph? Hybrids, diesel... anything that gets us off the petro tit. I’m for it.
Diesel is better than hybrid. Right now we have great technology that’s proven and working. It’s kicking MPH butt. I can attest to it. Read this Money.CNN article on the “Axis of Diesel” http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/10/16/8390259/index.htm check out the other links at the bottom of this article.
As the Jay Leno video says, we are looking at 70 to 80 mpg NOW. If you get 18 to 30 now this could keep big bucks in your wallet if you drive any distance at all per year. The Germans have been behind diesel and seemed to have seen the light for some time now. They have worked out many of the kinks and R and D. I’m not real sure but I think diesel needs much less refining than gasoline. So, the big question is...why don’t we see it here in the United States?
Why is diesel so expensive here when it’s so cheap in Europe? They even have different grades of diesel at many stations in Europe, especially, Germany where I saw bio diesel for sale.
UPDATE: Honda announces New clean diesel Accord:
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9712548-7.html
Keep your eyes and ears tuned into this diesel movement. I predict it will be appearing soon at your nearest car dealer and filling station. It’s an awesome thing.
here’s a little more info.
http://horisly.blogspot.com/2007/05/diesel-cars-return-to-us.html
http://www.dieselforum.org/where-is-diesel/cars-trucks-suvs/
http://greasecar.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15319803/
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/01/how_to_convert.php
Timeshare • Consider it a toy
There is a T shirt that says: “He who dies with the most toys, wins”. It seems many people tend to subscribe to this thinking. If you are very rich and want to have every toy under the sun “God bless you”. I think the average working person needs to be savvy and careful about every item you buy. Necessity or toy, buy wisely. For the average guy this T shirt slogan is pure bravado and ludicrous.
It seems reasonable to me that with todays hectic life you may only have time for one or two “toys”. If you don’t have time for a toy anymore, get rid of it, or never buy it in the first place. Otherwise you may be part of the chapter 11 crowd.
My wife and I really like the “weeks” timeshare we purchased seven years ago. It has been an influence and enabler to take great, reasonably priced vacations. Timeshares aren’t for everyone. If you are interested in the concept of timeshares, do yourself a favor, and study the concept. I intend to drop some thoughts on the pros and cons of timeshare in the Tz Blog. More than likely, on individual issues of timesharing, each in its own blog installment. This installment will be focussed on timeshares being one of life’s toys.
I have lots of hobbies and interests. Gardening is cheap and saves your health and money. Computers and Keyboards (music) are expensive but (in my case) make me money. My two real “toy” hobbies/interests are Harley riding and travel. They both tend to be quite expensive. The obvious need is to keep your costs minimal. If I find I’m not traveling, the timeshare should be sold. If you don’t ride or use your toy, get rid of it.
Timeshares are expensive to buy, and “spendy” to keep. So vacationing should be in your yearly schedule or budget if you are to own a timeshare.
Timeshares are also a bad investment. If you can’t put yourself on a minimum of ten years of non-stop use by vacationing to recoup your loss, don’t even consider buying. I’ve heard it said, you lose twenty cents on the dollar for timeshare resale. This may even be conservative if you bought a bad deal to start with.
To purchase a decent timeshare expect to spend about as much as you would on a new car. That is, if you buy it from a the builder or from the timeshare property developer. I’d recommend buying from an owner who is selling and not the developer. You’d immediately could save 50% or more if you know what you want and what to look for. There are many, many timeshares up for sale on the internet. It has become big business. I’m not familiar with some of the sharks swimming in this pool, so again, you need to educate yourself.
Here’s some of the things I feel you need to look for to help make your timeshare purchase optimum.
Deeded property: there is small print here too, but deeded is a must.
RCI or II rating: Look for a property with “Gold Crown” for RCI or “Five Star” for Interval Int’l
Property includes a lockout: You buy a unit that can be divided and broken up to double your time.
What is the maintenance fee? After you buy, this little annoying bill returns each year to haunt you. This fee
is very similar to condo fee. To me, this fee can be the deal breaker. It usually goes up yearly too!
Weeks or points? Points started coming into vogue a few years ago. Personally, I’m a weeks only guy. Too
long and draw out discussing why. It seems to work for some folks, I think it’s a bad concept.
Weeks: Is your designated week floating, or assigned? Each resort has a white, blue, red calendar mockup,
Basically, this points out high, medium and low season for the resort location. Low season is cheaper, but
less desirable. Resort and resort status and season designation will be given the handle “trading power”
by developers. It’s a favorite slogan rattled on endlessly by sales fins.
Resort location: Is your resort in driving distance to you? If so, are you going to use your weeks at your resort
or trade to travel to other resorts? Now we are getting to the part of timeshare ownership that is more
based on you and your vacation preferences. Do you want to fly to your resort, or drive only? If you DON’T
want to bank your weeks and swap to other resorts and you only want to drive, this would narrow down
your needs considerably. Families with children may find it less stressful and cheaper to drive.
Most timeshare developers have sales “come ons”. They put you up at the resort or a nearby hotel/motel for two nights and maybe give you meal or check for $50 in return for putting up with a sales pitch about their resort. This is an excellent way to find out about timeshares. It can also be a tad irritating as these sales guys are as sharky as they get. By the way, the sales meetings are never 90 minutes. Figure a minimum of two to three hours. The deal they offer you will only be offered that day. Unless you have gone to, at least, eight to ten or more of these timeshare sales spiffs, DON’T buy. Even then you need to be educated and understand what you are getting into first. That’s the only reason to try out these annoying freebees. I would suggest, if and when you feel you are ready to buy, you look into buying from someone selling, rather than from a sharky developer.
Here’s a lifestyle notion that works for Lori and I. The majority of timeshares have kitchen facilities in each unit. Many more have gas grilles on a deck or somewhere around the grounds. If you like to cook your own meals, as Lori and I do, you can save a ton of money and eat better on your vacation. We consider this to be a major advantage with timesharing, as opposed to putting up in a hotel and eating out. If you have a big family (kids) the savings is really obvious. Your expensive toy can now be considered vacation budget tool.
When gas was way over $3 a gallon, I tried to use my motorcycle for around town errands. These are examples on how to try make your toys less expensive.
Finally, consider this: Have you taken at least one big vacation a year up to this point in your life? Count them up. Figure a good life expectancy is 80 years old. Subtract your age from 80. Now, figure one great vacation a year till you reach 80. Add that to the vacations you’ve already taken. Do you find the sum of those numbers comforting or just plain scary?
Now,reconsider this: Try to make every day a bit of a joy. Take more weekend and smaller mini vacations. If not timeshares or travel, find time to vacation somehow. Plan for it and just do it. Life’s too short for all work and no play. The saddest line I’ve ever heard: “We’re gonna travel when we retire”.
It seems reasonable to me that with todays hectic life you may only have time for one or two “toys”. If you don’t have time for a toy anymore, get rid of it, or never buy it in the first place. Otherwise you may be part of the chapter 11 crowd.
My wife and I really like the “weeks” timeshare we purchased seven years ago. It has been an influence and enabler to take great, reasonably priced vacations. Timeshares aren’t for everyone. If you are interested in the concept of timeshares, do yourself a favor, and study the concept. I intend to drop some thoughts on the pros and cons of timeshare in the Tz Blog. More than likely, on individual issues of timesharing, each in its own blog installment. This installment will be focussed on timeshares being one of life’s toys.
I have lots of hobbies and interests. Gardening is cheap and saves your health and money. Computers and Keyboards (music) are expensive but (in my case) make me money. My two real “toy” hobbies/interests are Harley riding and travel. They both tend to be quite expensive. The obvious need is to keep your costs minimal. If I find I’m not traveling, the timeshare should be sold. If you don’t ride or use your toy, get rid of it.
Timeshares are expensive to buy, and “spendy” to keep. So vacationing should be in your yearly schedule or budget if you are to own a timeshare.
Timeshares are also a bad investment. If you can’t put yourself on a minimum of ten years of non-stop use by vacationing to recoup your loss, don’t even consider buying. I’ve heard it said, you lose twenty cents on the dollar for timeshare resale. This may even be conservative if you bought a bad deal to start with.
To purchase a decent timeshare expect to spend about as much as you would on a new car. That is, if you buy it from a the builder or from the timeshare property developer. I’d recommend buying from an owner who is selling and not the developer. You’d immediately could save 50% or more if you know what you want and what to look for. There are many, many timeshares up for sale on the internet. It has become big business. I’m not familiar with some of the sharks swimming in this pool, so again, you need to educate yourself.
Here’s some of the things I feel you need to look for to help make your timeshare purchase optimum.
Deeded property: there is small print here too, but deeded is a must.
RCI or II rating: Look for a property with “Gold Crown” for RCI or “Five Star” for Interval Int’l
Property includes a lockout: You buy a unit that can be divided and broken up to double your time.
What is the maintenance fee? After you buy, this little annoying bill returns each year to haunt you. This fee
is very similar to condo fee. To me, this fee can be the deal breaker. It usually goes up yearly too!
Weeks or points? Points started coming into vogue a few years ago. Personally, I’m a weeks only guy. Too
long and draw out discussing why. It seems to work for some folks, I think it’s a bad concept.
Weeks: Is your designated week floating, or assigned? Each resort has a white, blue, red calendar mockup,
Basically, this points out high, medium and low season for the resort location. Low season is cheaper, but
less desirable. Resort and resort status and season designation will be given the handle “trading power”
by developers. It’s a favorite slogan rattled on endlessly by sales fins.
Resort location: Is your resort in driving distance to you? If so, are you going to use your weeks at your resort
or trade to travel to other resorts? Now we are getting to the part of timeshare ownership that is more
based on you and your vacation preferences. Do you want to fly to your resort, or drive only? If you DON’T
want to bank your weeks and swap to other resorts and you only want to drive, this would narrow down
your needs considerably. Families with children may find it less stressful and cheaper to drive.
Most timeshare developers have sales “come ons”. They put you up at the resort or a nearby hotel/motel for two nights and maybe give you meal or check for $50 in return for putting up with a sales pitch about their resort. This is an excellent way to find out about timeshares. It can also be a tad irritating as these sales guys are as sharky as they get. By the way, the sales meetings are never 90 minutes. Figure a minimum of two to three hours. The deal they offer you will only be offered that day. Unless you have gone to, at least, eight to ten or more of these timeshare sales spiffs, DON’T buy. Even then you need to be educated and understand what you are getting into first. That’s the only reason to try out these annoying freebees. I would suggest, if and when you feel you are ready to buy, you look into buying from someone selling, rather than from a sharky developer.
Here’s a lifestyle notion that works for Lori and I. The majority of timeshares have kitchen facilities in each unit. Many more have gas grilles on a deck or somewhere around the grounds. If you like to cook your own meals, as Lori and I do, you can save a ton of money and eat better on your vacation. We consider this to be a major advantage with timesharing, as opposed to putting up in a hotel and eating out. If you have a big family (kids) the savings is really obvious. Your expensive toy can now be considered vacation budget tool.
When gas was way over $3 a gallon, I tried to use my motorcycle for around town errands. These are examples on how to try make your toys less expensive.
Finally, consider this: Have you taken at least one big vacation a year up to this point in your life? Count them up. Figure a good life expectancy is 80 years old. Subtract your age from 80. Now, figure one great vacation a year till you reach 80. Add that to the vacations you’ve already taken. Do you find the sum of those numbers comforting or just plain scary?
Now,reconsider this: Try to make every day a bit of a joy. Take more weekend and smaller mini vacations. If not timeshares or travel, find time to vacation somehow. Plan for it and just do it. Life’s too short for all work and no play. The saddest line I’ve ever heard: “We’re gonna travel when we retire”.
Mutiple Keyboards or not? Not.
My keyboard set up for the 70’s was no picnic. Hammond organ with two leslies, electric piano, analog synth plus a guitar rig. Phew! Bottom right photo illustrates the simplicity of todays setup. ONE keyboard, and one amp. By the way, the Barbetta amp I’ve used the last 5 years is a powerful and compact package that keeps me happy most of the time.
More powerful AND lighter amp and speaker designs make the time and effort of dragging a front system around sooo much easier too. Technology is great. Making performing is less stressful and gut busting.
Korg Triton Pro classic • Tz Review
I’ve been using the Triton approximately 4 - 5 years as the main/only keyboard in my Tirebiter Band setup. My previous Ax was the Korg 01w which I basically wore out in about 10 years of averaging 175-200 gigs a year. Now, the Triton is probably in the 150 gigs a year use range. I bought extra RAM for the sampling section but have yet, never used a single sample. The sequencing section is of no use to me either.In ensemble (bass, drums, guitar, keys) playing my requirements have been simple. Give me great pianos (acoustic with and without strings, electric), organs, clavinets, horns and a few synth and rock guitar patches. I don’t have the Moss card but I did purchase the Concert grand piano (PCM08) and the classic keyboards (PCM01) PCM cards. Listening at home the Triton seemed to have gorgeous patches. In the real performing world the sounds that seemed luscious and expansive at home were just unusable when competing against mid range guitar and low end thunderous bass and drums.
The stock patches seemed to have no punch, cut or volume. I had to tweak EVERY patch I wanted to use in extreme ways. Boosting EQ’s, volumes and filters. There was plenty bass in the patches but no mid or treble cut and volume. “No Balls” is probably the most fitting colloquialism.
When you need to move over to a different synthesizer you have to say “Thank God” for programs like Soundiver by Emagic. At the time I was converting to the Triton. Soundiver was the only working Triton librarian in town.
I, long ago, decided to use my own numbering convention for patch type assignments. For instance, in an 10 patch to a bank scenario, 0’s are pads, 1’s are acoustic piano, 2’s are electric pno, 3’s are synth sounds, 4’s are clavs, 5’s are strings, 6’s are organs, 7’s are horns, 8’s are solo sounds including heavy guitar, 9’s are ethnic and odd sounds, vibes, harmonica, steel drum ect. General MIDI’s numbering was out for me ‘cause it wasted banks on bass and drum sounds I don’t use in performance.
I can take a new synth out to a gig and perform respectably with that one new synth as long as I generally know what kind of patch to expect in any given bank. One thing that really would throw me for a loop at first, was just that. The arpeggiator loops built into so many of the Triton’s combi patches. They had to go. I’d hit a patch and this monster drum loop or worse would come blaring out into the front system. I do like the arpeggiator. I could envision some uses for it in performance. Soundiver was invaluable in reassigning and building a performance group of banks.
The Korg 01w had a better engine and sound architecture for my purposes in band, ensemble playing. All the patches on the Triton are working ok now but leave a bit for me to be desired. I like the patch search on the press screen. It’s handy but not perfect for many reasons.
I prefer Korg and Yamaha keyboard hardware to Roland. Roland tends to feel cheap to me. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 the best. I give the Triton a solid 7. I am curious about the tube gizmo and other upgrades Korg has built into the Triton “extreme” models. Extreme model would be an obvious upgrade path for me.
Last Mango in Paris...a recipe in sweet.
I want to share a Great, but simple recipe that a good friend gave me.
Buy a ripe mango
Barcardi’s frozen Pina Colada Mix (can)
small amount of berries (black, blue, rasp)
Peel the mango and slice it anyway you like. Arrange mango slices on small dishes. Spoon a tablespoon of pina colada mix onto each dish. Garnish with a few berries and maybe a sprig of mint. Viola! This is a simple but tasty palate cleansing dessert after a heavy meal. Refreshing in hot seasons. One average mango seems to serve 2-4 depending on serving size. I like it to be not too large a serving, so it works for four in our house.
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