Category: remainders

Remainders 26 September 2026

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One evening, after work and supper, The Girl and I drove south from Denio Junction toward the hot spring. This was one of our views on the way home. Captured with X100VI, 2026-08-25 19:50:17, 23mm, 1/30sec, f/8, ISO-320, light editing in PhotoLab7.

The previous week was too busy to make note of interesting websites that I visited. I started a remainders to hold those few and elected to delay a post for a week.

  • My Zoom subscription is scheduled to renew in November. Given that it is not a cheap service, I started investigating an FOSS alternative. Jitsi came up as a possible. I might want to self-host this software. More work is required to determine what is needed to self-host or if a third party host could be used.
  • I suppose I should list the source that pointed me toward Jitsi. I found a resource at GetVOIP.
  • I have followed Thomas for a long time. In a recent post, he talks about The Uncompromising Compromise. After reading his post, I realized I could have written something very similar.
  • I am a bit of a sucker for cool \TeX things. This web page is an interesting implementation of several TeX-related tools in a browser. Cool.
  • Uninstalling software can be a pain either because no uninstaller is provided or because it is complete. I use AppCleaner on my Mac, but searching for an alternative turned up a manual procedure. It might be old, but it remains a breadcrumb.
  • I am enjoying the Jack Reacher books by Lee Childs. I caught wind of them via the Prime series, which I enjoy. But I readily turned to the books. And here is a list in chronological order, rather than publication order.
  • Jason, KM4ACK, recently pushed this 450w bifacial solar panel for portable charging. The 450w is a lot of power and it is a big panel. I do not think this is for me at this time, but it might be later.

Remainders: 05 September 2026

ruminator
On walkies a few evenings ago, I noticed that the light on these vans was almost perfect. So I made the capture. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-08-14 18:55:39, Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2, 1/2000sec, f/8, ISO-800, in-camera Kodachrome film simulation.

Last week I was out in the field overseeing construction of some stream restoration work. I was not much in the mood for Internet searching beyond tracking the news and keeping up with incoming email. The work was interesting and I was required to apply my engineering knowledge and experience to field fit the proposed amendments.

On return I was busy recovering from the travel (and long days). Of course, there were lots of chores and work-related tasks to catch up on. So, I did not spend much time surfing the WWW and reading.

  • My C.Crane Skywave SSB 2 arrived and is tested before I headed out for field work. The receiver works pretty well and the included wire is helpful for AM broadcast and shortwave stations. I pair mine with a small Anker amplified speaker through its auxiliary input port and it delivers a much more pleasant sound. This speaker also serves and an external speaker for my portable transceivers.
  • One of the radios in my inventory, and the only rig that is weatherproof, is the TX-500. That rig needs some love and might be the best candidate for an emergency communications radio that I have. It is small, makes about ten watts on its own, and I have a 50-watt amplifier to boost the output when needed. Although I have a Digirig configured for it, access to the Robust Packet Radio is not included the best I can tell. Oliver, DL4DK developed a device that implements the RPR protocol, the Link500. Packet is one of the digital modes used for digital communications via radio.
  • DL1GKK provides a lot of content on digital ham radio modes. If that is of interest, his site is worth a view.
  • I was reminded this week, again, of the need to remember the Serenity Prayer. It is, indeed, worth remembering and meditating on.

Remainders: 22 August 2026

ruminator
This mess of disintegrating granite and other flotsam caught my eye. I paused and made the capture. Yeah, I am playing shadow peek-a-boo on the right. Captured with X100VI, 2026-08-07 09:45:27, 23mm, 1/120sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Kodachrome 64 film simulation, light editing with PhotoLab 7.

I began this entry on Sunday morning, 16 August 2026, while enjoying my first coffee and reading a little. I started lightly following Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings at least a decade ago, but never every day. Now and again something she posted would catch my eye (hat tip to Wife) and I would read. She is a combination of cerebral and emotional, an interesting combination. And her post for Sunday caught my eye and so I begin with that as my first remainder for the week.

  • How to Read the Signal of Your Life is an excellent reflection on life and the writing of George Kubler. I think I need to get a copy of the book and read it.
  • I finished my first pass through Ryder Carroll’s The Bullet Journal Method this week. I use the approach to unload stuff from my brain (hat tip to David Allen) and to organize as well as a I can. It is definitely worth a look and a read. Note that the link is to Carroll’s website and not to Amazon. While there is nothing inherently wrong with Amazon and links thereto, I prefer to link directly to the author’s website when possible. They deserve the traffic for all the hard work that they do.
  • The physics of tsunamis is fascinating. Here is a link to a wave tank demonstration of the energy buildup and release that causes them.
  • I know I have posted this before, but Phillip Reeves’ site has an excellent summary of the Olympus Zuiko film era lenses. To date, it is the best site found and one that I hope is maintained for a while. We lost the Tamron Adaptall site to the Wayback Machine sometime over the last couple of years, which is a shame because it was excellent. I hope someone will resurrect that one. I might but do not have time invest.
  • Another source for Olympus film camera information is Olypedia. It is in German, but browser technology is sufficiently advanced that on-the-fly translation works well.
  • And the GAS-afflicted photographer in me loves reading about vintage glass. Aperturepedia is an excellent and previously unknown to me resource.
  • Why have a posted this mess of links associated with ancient Olympus film cameras? Well, a decade ago an old motorcycle friend offered to sell me his vintage kit for a reasonable price. So I found myself with a small collection of Olympus film gear. I have taken up with the tiny bodies and small lenses because I really do not care to carry big glass. I am learning my way around the Olympus system well enough to have a small, carefully curated collection of bodies and glass that do much of what I want to do.
  • It is now Saturday and this will post this evening. As I looked through my archive (on this day), I came across an entry where I reposted an image of Wife in an entry entitled More than a Decade. As I look back on that entry, I recall how I felt three-years ago about the life and loss of both girls. They look so young and vital. That would be true, because both of them are now frozen in time and no longer grow older. So they will forever be the age at which I made the images.
  • That entry pointed back to Seven Years, which was a reflection on Wife and Ki. Now it is six-years later and not much has changed. I still miss them both and few days pass without one or both coming to mind for a few minutes.

I will close this week’s remainders with those last thoughts. Tomorrow (maybe) I will start another remainders entry where I keep a running journal of what captured my attention (either because I was looking for something specific or just wandering the Interwebs). Who knows where I wander.

I remain grateful. Life is good. God is good.

Years ago I made an avatar selfie using my D300 and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 lens. With the addition of my Noct-Nikkor, I decided a fresh avatar was in order. Captured with NIKON D750, 2026-08-17 15:46:13, Noct-Nikkor 58mm, 1/40sec, f/4, ISO-800, post with DXO PhotoLab 7, Tri-X film simulation.

Remainders: 15 August 2026

ruminator
I came across this deadfall while hiking The Girl up near Spooner Summit. I like the play of light and shadow. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-07-02 11:11:15, 35mm, 1/420sec, f/8, ISO-400, in-camera ACROS simulation, SOOC.

Well, I will have a few things to post this week, I think.

  • A couple of years ago, I posted this link to a YouTube video that does a pretty good job of explaining the differences between analog film and digital photography. I know that a lot of bandwidth is consumed by one side or the other trying to justify their position that one is better than the other. Personally, I think they are just different. Better should depend on what the objective of the photographic exercise would be. Some projects might be better served by use of digital equipment. Others might be better for analog film. Although it might be an intellectually interesting question, I find the arguments shallow and mostly useless.
  • I then went down a YouTube rabbit hole and watched a video about different products for detailing an engine. I learned a couple things and this actually makes sense to routinely wash the engine compartment, particularly in this dusty place where I live.
  • I did not realize that Taylor Guitars was sold a few years ago. This video explains what the content creator learned on a visit to the Taylor factory. It is definitely worth a watch.
  • There are groups of young people assembling around college campuses who are asking questions about the role of technology in their lives, particularly regarding social media. They are calling themselves Luddites. This is described by Jared Henderson in this YouTube video. I think this is smart. Also see Newsome’s Digital Minimalism.
  • Over the last few weeks I have been working on my Olympus lens collection. The focus is on refining my collection to a focused, carefully curated selection of lenses for my 35mm cameras. I found this Camera Wiki entry useful, along with Phillip Reeves’ site.
  • My C.Crane Skywave SSB 2 failed. I retrieved it from the radio bag last weekend, thinking I would listen to some AM broadcast band while working on cleaning up and rearranging the bed of the truck. I could not receive any signals on either the AM or FM broadcast bands. The weather band worked well enough. I tried listening to the 40m ham band, but also got nothing. I sent a support request to C.Crane and heard back a day later. I reset the radio according to the instructions provided by technical support. But, as I suspected, the radio failed. C.Crane was kind enough to offer a small discount on a replacement and I will probably take them on up it. The radio has an excellent form factor and provides a solid listening experience. It is not high fidelity, but is not intended to be nor is that what I want from it.

Note on images: I made this capture while hiking with The Girl at one of our favorite summer sites, Spooner Summit. It is generally cooler there, although not so much during the latest heat wave. (I noticed there was a temperature inversion and early it is actually warmer at 7,200 feet than in the valley.) I could not make up my mind which image I prefer.

I came across this deadfall while hiking The Girl up near Spooner Summit. I like the play of light and shadow, plus the addition of just a little color. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-07-02 11:11:15, 35mm, 1/420sec, f/8, ISO-400, SOOC.

Remainders: 08 August 2026

ruminator
The Girl and I walked a different route last Saturday. I had the truck at the service center for an oil change, so we walked the big block around that area. This Chinese joint caught my eye. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-07-25 08:13:57, Voigtlander Color Skopar 18mm, 1/1600sec, f/5.6, ISO-400, processed in DXO Photolab 7.

I have not done a remainders post in a long time. My energy has been used up by other tasks of higher priority than maintaining my weblog. Yet, my weblog remains a part of my life and is important to me, for reasons I do not really understand. I see things, I read things, I make photographs, and somehow my brain amalgamates this material and the results need to go someplace. Decades ago I created this space to hold those results. So, here we are.

  • In looking through my archive this week, I came across a story: Play Misty for Me. I read it and remembered the day, clearly. The encounter was striking and as I write this I wonder what happened to Misty.
  • Another story came up on the same day as the line above about Ki. I think the writing is pretty good, for what it is. It is worth sharing.
  • I am a sucker for just about anything made from G-10. Well, this slingshot is calling to me.
  • I think I mentioned that I am keeping the 4Runner for use as a daily-driver and the occasional trail run. Well, that means there are a few things I want to do that I should have done. The dash is certainly in need of a cover. Covercraft seems to be the place to go for a dashmat.
  • I will do some small things to make the truck work better for me. The glove box organizers from Open Trail Creations will provide useful cubbyholes for keeping the generally loose s*$t from being, well, loose.
  • I also have in mind upgrading the fuel tank to a 60-gallon tank. I am still working on that.

Well, that is a restart of my remainders practice. It will be seen if I can maintain it.

Regardless, I am grateful. Life is good.

Remainders: 30 June 2025

ruminator
One the way back down the Ash Canyon Trail, I paused to make this image of Washoe Lake. Captured with TG-7, 2025-06-24 13:26:36, 5.79mm, 1/160sec, f/9, ISO-100.
  • This essay on options is very good.
  • The Pudding has a lot of interesting topics that are presented in such a unique fashion. It is worth a look.
  • I am working on my Linux computer again. The instructions for installing R are found here.
  • I found another (old) set of instructions that include R-Studio here.
  • I do not recall if I wrote about it, but I am working with an install of Linux Mint. It is used by a number of amateur radio operators whom I trust and Jason, KM4ACK, uses it as the base for his ham radio software distribution.
  • One of the issues I am faced with is migrating a long list of Evernote notes into my Linux system. Evernote has abandoned development for the Linux OS, so another software is going to be necessary. It might be Obsidian. I found a thread on migrating to Obsidian from Evernote here.
  • Another set of directions is found on the Obsidian website, here.
  • I have a copy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights produced by National Center for Constitutional Studies. It is pocket sized and very well produced. It is recommended.
  • I added a contact page to my weblog using Contact Form 7.
  • I added a plugin to add data from the EXIF files in a digital image to add data to my photograph captions using EXIF Caption and EXIF Details.
  • The Professional Citizen Project has some good information for prepper types (and the curious).
  • Grayl makes excellent water filtration systems for hikers. They also make a pack system that looks interesting. This is serendipitous given I just wrote about my milsurp patrol pack.

Life is good!

Remainders 31 May 2025

ruminator
After the flower comes the fruit. Desert peaches, shot with Fuji X-T5 and the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 at f/8, SOOC.

For now, a weekly schedule of remainders is too ambitious for me. I have enough required project work that my fun stuff has to take a lower priority for the season. Nonetheless, I will want to post items of interest that come up during my day once in a while.

  • The Ghost Phone is a real thing for individuals who want to reduce the amount of spying by Big Tech (and perhaps others).
  • This article on wisdom is worth a read.
  • I have an affinity for aphorisms. Hanlon’s Razor is one of my favorites.
  • The Classical Guitar Store is just what it sounds like. This is interesting.
  • Neil Armstrong’s Speedmaster sold for $2.2MM.
  • I have long thought I would like a Solo Stove for camping and for the house.
  • Omega Speedmaster watches are among my favorites. I really like both the 1957 Reissue and the Moonwatch.
  • This Aliner camper is kitted out to be a communications trailer.
  • A suitable object of lust.
  • I do not post about politics, as a rule. However, sometimes something makes me think about my beliefs and values. In general, I consider myself a Libertarian. However, I am more like a Classical Liberal. The term liberal has been subsumed by the far left to mean something other than what it really means. Such is the nature of language, I suppose, despite my disdain for perverting good words.
  • I sometimes (often?) forget how to subset a R-Project variable. This is a reminder of one way.
  • Another vital package for my R work is zoo. It provides functions for working with time series. A lot of hydrologic work is working with time series data.
  • I do a lot of analytical work in R. Part of what I like about the tool is that it produces very nice graphics, with some work. For an analysis I am working on, I needed a graph with dual y-axes (dual ordinates) for two variables that I think are related. Not knowing how to do this, I found some direction here.

Well, that will finish the month of May. I will start another Remainders list for June shortly.

Remainders 26 April 2025

ruminator
I am unsure what the new sign will be, but they were working on it Friday morning. I will walk by there sometime soon and check it out. Shot with Fujifilm X100vi and Tri-X 400 film simulation.
  • I removed everything Microsoft from my MacBook Pro. This webpage provided the directions necessary to finalize the removal. This phase completed the removal of Office 365 from my Mac, which I thought I completed when I did the original uninstall a week ago. Apparently, the updater remained installed outside of the Applications directory. I got it, though.
  • I have been using my Yaesu FT-897D quite a lot in the field. It is a good radio. Hank thinks so, too.
  • The Sinn 104 series of watches look very practical for someone like me.
  • This YT video is so crazy and cute. They are very creative.
  • 1Password has a version for Linux. This will need to be installed on my Linux test box.

Remainders: 19 April 2025

ruminator
El Charro Avitia is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Carson at the moment. The food is authentic Mexican, best I can tell. The Margaritas are very, very good. Shot with Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon 18mm f/2 at f/8 using in-camera Kodachrome 64 film simulation.
  • SignalStuff is still a go-to for handie-talkie antennas and supporting parts.
  • Because tariffs are now a thing, I am monitoring them.
  • Lorier watches are a microbrand that are made in the U.S. based on a Japanese movement (at least some of them). They are worth a look if one is interested in mechanical watches.
  • Lochby recently posted an interesting look at journaling prompts that is definitely worth a look at.
  • I am a Flying Pig.
  • This list of 100 best SciFi movies was recommended to me. It is good.

Remainders: 05 April 2025

ruminator
On my way out the the Delaware Town Access SCA, I stopped at Tony’s Place in Nixa, MO for breakfast. The breakfast burrito was good. Shot with the Fujifilm X100V at f/8 using Reggie’s Portra 400 film simulation and SOOC.

The image: Last year about this time I was in Missouri visiting family (and having the camper repaired after a serious blowout tore shit up). One morning The Girl and I headed out to activate a park and I stopped for breakfast at Tony’s Place in Nixa, Missouri. It was good. The activation got done, too. It was a good day.