tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342376892024-03-19T04:06:34.259-04:00c1150's random musingsI don't know just yet... Maybe something funny, but probably only to me.c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-55701257428624980332019-04-01T19:53:00.001-04:002019-04-01T19:53:57.334-04:00dbrand Grip case for lPhone XSure it’s been almost 3 years, but here’s something I’m actually excited about. I’ve been looking for a case similar to the discontinued ZuGu Social cases for iPhone, they were silicone but not sticky and low profile. I loved them but for whatever reason ZuGu stopped making them after the 7/8. I looked and looked for a similar case for the X, but anything I found was either too bulky or the silicone was too sticky. I had been using <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B3JXRST/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_j3POCbXH3G5JF" target="_blank">Spigen Classic C1</a> but it was just a little too bulky for me. Enter the <a href="https://dbrand.com/shop/grip" target="_blank">dbrand Grip</a>, to me a worthy successor to the Social. It’s silicone but not sticky, and low profile too. Also they can be customized with Skins on the back. As a protective case it is proud of the front screen to protect the face from a fall on a flat surface (of course, one should use a screen protector as well, and dbrand sells the <a href="https://dbrand.com/shop/prism" target="_blank">Prism</a> which they claim can stop hammer blows, I put one on my X, but I’m not testing that), it also is proud of the rear camera lenses on the back. The sides of the case have a bit of texture on the sides but it’s not too ridged so I’d doesn’t seem like it will attract grime.<div>
In all, my first impression is very favorable, it feels great and looks good. I hope to post an update after sometime with it.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSIEwiSP0F20NHDsHjBZRU-gdsK9OGH3JopQEthsdUQWDvYgama4Rz2INTwve7uqh5BoquND0FMH_JKcTx7VAD6GyGq5Pt9m6UjsML4UxNCU1p1rrMYx2Nc_3L96HtLgJx46k/s1600/D294909F-05B5-4EE6-A1C5-69C71EA3EAC0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSIEwiSP0F20NHDsHjBZRU-gdsK9OGH3JopQEthsdUQWDvYgama4Rz2INTwve7uqh5BoquND0FMH_JKcTx7VAD6GyGq5Pt9m6UjsML4UxNCU1p1rrMYx2Nc_3L96HtLgJx46k/s320/D294909F-05B5-4EE6-A1C5-69C71EA3EAC0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside of the Grip case</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA89sl71vi4xgqxQ0uTlL1r0ms29BvcErV8jUza5m1-IbD55q_nsScUqhVBXvyFCePk7SxGan6Y7Ca_3YdSIMms_4JPW7KJSgQPyggcHWHXqHDjLeKYmh1KxRNWOOv0FK3eYoR/s1600/408F87DF-055C-4C34-B897-03CA69E7A4CA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA89sl71vi4xgqxQ0uTlL1r0ms29BvcErV8jUza5m1-IbD55q_nsScUqhVBXvyFCePk7SxGan6Y7Ca_3YdSIMms_4JPW7KJSgQPyggcHWHXqHDjLeKYmh1KxRNWOOv0FK3eYoR/s320/408F87DF-055C-4C34-B897-03CA69E7A4CA.jpeg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the Grip case with the white carbon Skin</td></tr>
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c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-2848515941251257432016-07-03T21:10:00.000-04:002016-07-03T21:10:22.139-04:00Proline Pro-MT reviewLast night I finished building my <a href="http://www.prolineracing.com/pro-mt" target="_blank">Proline Pro-MT 2WD 1/10th scale monster truck</a>. I wanted to do a build video series, or at least have a series of pictures. However, I was too excited to get it built and I don't have the best video equipment available.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0mq9jmxOdnCqV_2UyfybHR-SruiEuUFqJODzOqUeKpXoIpISy4Nynm6tj2AkgAsYRblXylHVbV5HN2xr9SvYKjDKr1zrvuHwWzuBpuWyK98_W4Cvk3QfFU9DmQqrOKRXzTL3/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0mq9jmxOdnCqV_2UyfybHR-SruiEuUFqJODzOqUeKpXoIpISy4Nynm6tj2AkgAsYRblXylHVbV5HN2xr9SvYKjDKr1zrvuHwWzuBpuWyK98_W4Cvk3QfFU9DmQqrOKRXzTL3/s320/IMG_1552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu5OjazW0GBipfm4pwJYtiK2VjgH2JetFVhJUfoXJflEtvMbQGeCHaV46rAdNXhVuX-pQe0fzKP_G-Guy4lBK-fa2lpvIcWapauv92LyJwuVP7uEcsk0b-Co-gBEVTHBlrxWk/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu5OjazW0GBipfm4pwJYtiK2VjgH2JetFVhJUfoXJflEtvMbQGeCHaV46rAdNXhVuX-pQe0fzKP_G-Guy4lBK-fa2lpvIcWapauv92LyJwuVP7uEcsk0b-Co-gBEVTHBlrxWk/s320/IMG_1554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Thus I only have finished pictures, I don't even have a picture of the body before I painted it.<br />
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I am pleased with the result of my first kit build in over 12 years. Most Radio Control vehicles now a days are Ready to Run, or RTR. this means they're already built, and at most you have to provide a battery. The Proline Pro2 and Pro-MT kits require building, but they are considered "partially assembled" because the shocks, transmission and steering rack are built and in the latter two cases installed on the chassis.<br />
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Having those fiddly bits already built is a very nice feature, especially as the build quality from Proline is top notch.<br />
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That doesn't mean there are no gotchas or things to look out for in the kit. I have always had trouble with turnbuckles, and I still do. I can never get the two sides exactly equal, they're always off by at least a few 10th of a millimeter. Maybe it doesn't matter, but i always feel like I'm letting the engineers down if I don't get it 100% correct.<br />
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Proline has adopted a no e-clip design philosophy that I whole-heartedly support. E-clips are evil and tend to fly off randomly. Granted the nuts used in place must weigh several times more than an individual e-clip, but the ease of assembly and maintenance make it worth while.<br />
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Let me layout the equipment I used:<br />
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<a href="http://www.prolineracing.com/pro-mt" target="_blank">Proline Pro-MT 2WD 1/10th scale monster truck</a> of course.<br />
<a href="http://www.castlecreations.com/products/sidewinder_sct.html" target="_blank">Castle Creations Sidewinder SCT combo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.futabarc.com/systems/futk3100.html" target="_blank">Futaba 3PRKA Transmitter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gpdealera.com/cgi-bin/wgainf100p.pgm?I=FUTL7603" target="_blank">Futaba R203GF receiver</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gpdealera.com/cgi-bin/wgainf100p.pgm?I=FUTM0311" target="_blank">Futaba S3152 Digital Servo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.robinsonracing.com/index.html" target="_blank">Robinson Racing 19T Pinion</a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.hot-racing.com/index.cgi?partnumber=SHM25M01;c=603" target="_blank">Aluminum Lock Servo Arm 2h M3 Mount M3 25t Fut</a></span><br />
That's the needed items to get the truck into stock trim.<br />
<br />
I did add a full set of <a href="https://www.prolineracing.com/tires/prime-1-10-truck-premounted-2-8-front" target="_blank">Proline Pre-mounted Primes</a>, because I live next to a parking lot that is empty 90% of the time.<br />
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Here's a <a href="https://youtu.be/DWBQtyXTQF0" target="_blank">link to a Running Video at YouTube</a> of the stock truck with the stock Trencher tires at an off-road track not too far from me. The track is very dusty, and not well maintained, but the Trenchers hooked up almost too well, doing wheelies if I punched the throttle too hard.<br />
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Here's a <a href="https://youtu.be/B9cse7cyKAc" target="_blank">running video</a> in the 'fore mentioned parking lot. Also a lot of grip for nearly slick Primes, more wheelies and some traction rolls. It is a fun setup, and I think the tires will lose some of their grip as they get used, so we should be able to slide it around a bit more.<br />
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All in all, this is a great kit, with terrific production values. The only caveat I would note is at least here in eastern PA, there isn't great support for parts in local shops. But the same can be said of anything not from Traxxas or Axial, there's not much HPI support or even Team Associated or Losi parts on walls, also it seems locally the crawler is king... which I don't find interesting at all. <br />
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c-1150<br />
<br />c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-48751476309550767512015-12-26T20:44:00.002-05:002015-12-26T20:44:28.393-05:00Happy Holidays, or RPG.net seems to attract a bunch of whinersHappy holidays to all, I don't think many people read this anymore, but what the hell?<br />
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Also, completely unrelated, RPG.net is as ever the home of the ineffectual "Screw you guys, I'm going home" farewell post. Every month or so, some user gets all bent out of shape over usually a fairly innocuous bit of moderation, or policy and leaves in a huff with a "parting shot" of a goodbye post. Sometimes it's the awesome "You can't handle the truth" justification of why some user should be allowed to say whatever they want. Other times, it's the time honored conspiracy theory that the administration is "silencing unpopular opinions that don't mesh with the hive mind" with the unstated supposition that the opinion is objectively correct and true. Another favorite, which honestly I haven't seen in years, the personal grudge against some member of the volunteer staff that bubbles up and leaves most of the population scratching our heads.<br />
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Always it just strikes me as odd, the rules of the forum are very clear, when there is a change in policy sometimes options of the users are solicited, often they are not. It seems like Greek tragedy levels of hubris are needed to believe that a community the size of RPG.net would benefit from one's goodbye letter.<br />
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c1150<br />
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<br />c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-8227439287133211182015-04-25T18:14:00.000-04:002015-04-25T18:34:03.202-04:00Watch review<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000617221599" href="https://www.facebook.com/bojarskic" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Christopher Bojarski</a> asked for a review of the Watch, so here goes:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">I've only been wearing it for a day and a half now, with recharging it last night around 19:00 for a little over an hour, to get to 93% or so, then I wore it to bed. I'm currently at 36% so I'd say 18 hours of mixed usage is definitely achievable.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #cccccc;">I, of course, got the 42mm version. it doesn't look nearly as big as I thought it would on my admittedly rather dainty wrist, for a man.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">I also went for the stainless steel version, with the Milanese Loop band, which has a very strong magnetic closure that feels very secure. Yet it also slides just enough to keep it comfortable on the wrist. The mesh is very fine, and doesn't pinch skin or pull hair.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">Functionally, the notifications are subtle, a light "ping" and a gentle tap on the wrist for email or texts. Other App notifications are easily managed from the "Apple Watch" App in iOS 8.2 and 8.3. Notifications are easily dealt with, and in keeping with Apple's commitment to positive user experience, there aren't any redundant notifications. That is, if your iPhone is unlocked the watch assumes you are looking at it and doesn't make a sound or tap, likewise, if your iPhone is locked it doesn't make any noises or vibrate while connected to the watch.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">The only issue I have right now, I can't find a watch face with enough complications for everything I want. Modular is close, but the analog faces look so nice, Mickey is cute and I wish Solar was customizable. But switching between watch faces is so easy, I think it won't be a problem. All in all, with a bit more 3rd party apps, and Apple opening up some of the current restrictions it places on Watch apps, it is going to be a very powerful productivity tool. Currently, it's probably too limited for anyone but technology aficionados like me. But we're probably the only ones who got up at 3 in the morning to order it anyway...</span></div>
<div style="display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">One last thing, there's no difference in the hardware between the different versions of the Watch, the only differences are the case and the screen material. They otherwise have the same S1 chip and 8 Gig of RAM.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29CbDrjSaSjqKJdyqIGb2oMRnYngT82SkIYEaOUUX1FpDNdNs-uA3OLD93V0kPjSsEzUlsl5L44-dkAixxp0B4qsOK3LNTx-5aSW82MQZaksBgMNOhLSg4Fti9fohGkyriRIV/s1600/IMG_0003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29CbDrjSaSjqKJdyqIGb2oMRnYngT82SkIYEaOUUX1FpDNdNs-uA3OLD93V0kPjSsEzUlsl5L44-dkAixxp0B4qsOK3LNTx-5aSW82MQZaksBgMNOhLSg4Fti9fohGkyriRIV/s1600/IMG_0003.png" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">MODULAR</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaoGuh2jjqdubHseFOEfzTL4s3Gq1XjNXeZ6YaaQJOrtjCpRolwjIBvvznbla-NtAoeXtclzhOEjF7Ogc1Rhajr_YsuCO_Bi8a2r0K7r79WMJm1_tRUkLVsPCymnpS7IJ0XDG/s1600/IMG_0004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaoGuh2jjqdubHseFOEfzTL4s3Gq1XjNXeZ6YaaQJOrtjCpRolwjIBvvznbla-NtAoeXtclzhOEjF7Ogc1Rhajr_YsuCO_Bi8a2r0K7r79WMJm1_tRUkLVsPCymnpS7IJ0XDG/s1600/IMG_0004.png" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">UTILITY<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmrVjNBJN_6P9wrG9YntHmbG7aMVBJV88SG19__qT8Lkva8Jr3_-uTTzsAUcg43FSCHXTez_-gJtJXXtri7BgJB93psbGcp3rKOSK1hZoQyqCixIA6kL0Poj-F8tl7dVJcdsQ/s1600/IMG_0005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmrVjNBJN_6P9wrG9YntHmbG7aMVBJV88SG19__qT8Lkva8Jr3_-uTTzsAUcg43FSCHXTez_-gJtJXXtri7BgJB93psbGcp3rKOSK1hZoQyqCixIA6kL0Poj-F8tl7dVJcdsQ/s1600/IMG_0005.png" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">SIMPLE</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQIaNdSqjgqmM5lcAO7CxJijSUCxqTc9Oiw5McQU7-YOv9fhzlvMVcGB6Zo3BEHt4SyUH-8t9uDZMh-obs09FUI_Lj8xezNMEhFeYLkweO7Au4fr1V29ByMDkIJH5FHAgqKFA/s1600/IMG_0006.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQIaNdSqjgqmM5lcAO7CxJijSUCxqTc9Oiw5McQU7-YOv9fhzlvMVcGB6Zo3BEHt4SyUH-8t9uDZMh-obs09FUI_Lj8xezNMEhFeYLkweO7Au4fr1V29ByMDkIJH5FHAgqKFA/s1600/IMG_0006.png" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">MICKEY</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDMBUwrq8fbgMQZ3FMVHKe124U-ADsGi5xil6uzSdCEJqe3NqjMnlSq15FzbETruTjd9inDQqE7lEFRfJZb2-dSeiVUjFrBqW4_p8lichkvobC8DBOUH6Az6pGHwPzi-2zXrg/s1600/IMG_0008.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDMBUwrq8fbgMQZ3FMVHKe124U-ADsGi5xil6uzSdCEJqe3NqjMnlSq15FzbETruTjd9inDQqE7lEFRfJZb2-dSeiVUjFrBqW4_p8lichkvobC8DBOUH6Az6pGHwPzi-2zXrg/s1600/IMG_0008.png" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">SOLAR</span></td></tr>
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c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-27859654818297221132013-04-12T21:03:00.000-04:002013-04-12T21:03:27.118-04:00My History with Electronic CigarettesFirst a little history:<br />
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I'm a heavy smoker, I don't really know why. As a kid, my parents didn't smoke in front of me, I had uncles that smoked, but it wasn't appealing to me. I never smoked in high school, but in college I started smoking.<br />
<br />
After that I felt like I was born in the wrong decade. I wished I had come of age in the late 50s or early 60s when one could smoke anywhere. I love the old editions of Emily Post etiquette books when it was considered rude to not provide individual ashtrays at the dinner table for each guest.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
As we all know there are health concerns associated with smoking, both for the smokers and those around them. So in fall 2009 I ordered my first E-Cigarette from <a href="http://www.blucigs.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blu</a>, partly for the apparent health benefits and partly to avoid the recent PA smoking ban. From there I graduated to 510 style batteries.<br />
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The issues with the Blu, for me, were short battery life, and the automatic only battery style. As I said, I'm a heavy smoker and even with the Blu charging case, the kit wouldn't last for a work day without having to charge. Even with the 510 style I ended up carrying 5 or 6 batteries, and still continually charging batteries as they died.<br />
<br />
Along with the battery issues, the Cartridges then were small. Usually holding about 1 mL of fluid, but they leaked, the fill used could dry with heavy use and possibly get scorched. The low volume and leaky carts meant carrying bottles of fluid. Not a horrible situation, but if I wanted to have a few flavors available it meant more bottles in my pockets. It got to be a chore carrying all of the chargers, bottles, and cartridges around, and if I ran out of any of the three, I was out of luck. Being able to get a pack of cigarettes literally anywhere was much more attractive, so after about 3 months, I went back to regular smokes.<br />
<br />
The E-cigarettes weren't all bad, however. After a few weeks of using only E-cigarettes, it was like I had quit smoking. My senses of taste and smell got better, I felt healthier, and there wasn't ash everywhere around me. The inconvenience was just too much for me at the time.<br />
<br />
About a year and a half after I gave up on E-cigarettes, I found <a href="http://www.smokelessimage.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smokeless Image's</a> Volt 808 style small battery kit, with a charging case and cartomizers, rather than separate cartridges and atomizers. The battery life was a little better, but all of the accessories I had for the 510 style weren't compatible. So I didn't use it much past the point that the sample carts in the kit ran out.<br />
<br />
At that point, I didn't see much improvement over the situation I was in before. Two years later, a friend at work was using a <a href="http://www.bloog.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bloog</a> 650 kit. The batteries are <i>much </i>bigger, and they can use clearomizers. These are tank style fluid holders that don't leak like the old style carts, don't use fill, and hold 1.6 mL of fluid. It's a much nicer system than the past.<br />
<br />
So now I'm back on E-cigarettes, for now. I ordered the Bloog 650 Starter kit last week. I used it all weekend and didn't have to charge the battery until Monday afternoon. That sold me. This week I ordered some custom fluid from <a href="http://www.heathersheavenlyvapes.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heather's Heavenly Vapes</a> and two more batteries from Smokeless Image. The new fluid is amazing, I forgot how much better small batch fluids are than the industrial fluids usually included in starter kits.<br />
<br />
The batteries are the X2 which are comparable to the Bloog 650s, but have more variety in color, mAh capacity, and styles. Smokeless Image has passthrough style which let you use the battery while it's connected to its USB charging source and Spinners, which allow you to adjust the voltage going to the heating coil. I just got these today, but so far they seem to perform just as well as the Bloogs. I will say however that the Bloogs feel like a more polished product, the manual button feels nicer under the thumb, and it has a series of LEDs that indicate the level of charge left. They are a touch more expensive than the SI offering, and as I said only come in one mAh size, 650, and one color, black. If Bloog eventually offers larger capacity, adjustable voltage, or both, I would probably order exclusively from them. A choice of colors would be nice, but thats not really a priority for me.<br />
<br />
Now, things still aren't perfect in the land of E-cigarettes. I still have to carry bottles of fluid to have a choice of flavors available. The batteries last longer now, but also take longer to charge, naturally. In getting my new setup, I spent what I would have spent in 3 weeks on regular cigarettes.<br />
<br />
But now that I have the setup, continuing costs will be much lower, the price for fluid vs. cigarettes is ridiculously cheap. I hope to continue with the Ecigs for the foreseeable future.c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-26875369016505136272013-02-09T15:03:00.001-05:002013-02-09T15:03:43.482-05:00Et Viola!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpo192V628Y/URaqrCVTCRI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Jr4pnOgCyAk/s1600/IMG_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpo192V628Y/URaqrCVTCRI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Jr4pnOgCyAk/s320/IMG_0368.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Just got it, so the white is still pink, from the trauma.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxG8fK2_QGU/URaqrvwLcII/AAAAAAAAAv0/NbxO2xXwCxg/s1600/IMG_0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxG8fK2_QGU/URaqrvwLcII/AAAAAAAAAv0/NbxO2xXwCxg/s320/IMG_0369.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
And it's shiny because I just put some Ointment on it.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OP70PKt6ilI/URaqq-OrIII/AAAAAAAAAvk/FomWbGzp2JM/s1600/IMG_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OP70PKt6ilI/URaqq-OrIII/AAAAAAAAAvk/FomWbGzp2JM/s320/IMG_0370.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
It's tender too, but I'm told that shouldn't last more than half a day.c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-78289604241558082292013-02-09T12:37:00.002-05:002013-02-09T12:37:35.404-05:00Whatever could be under the Bandage?The unveiling will be around 14:30 EDT to day<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVic7OlkAgk/URaJKBh6F0I/AAAAAAAAAvI/X4MGzFKL-Wk/s1600/IMG_0366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVic7OlkAgk/URaJKBh6F0I/AAAAAAAAAvI/X4MGzFKL-Wk/s320/IMG_0366.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Duh duh Daaaaah!c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-43104895418047393532013-02-01T19:54:00.000-05:002013-02-01T19:54:05.155-05:00About to get a bit more EvilSo I have an appointment to get my Evil Hat tattoo done on Saturday the 9th of February. Voila:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunPJYI1aJlVkNyaXazNHPXgIRDL1hgKsY3i3X7Xo-9AtaUr4nxTSP52RdaVVIfNoxnH1kC_qm1FeTK91CxtYcdm_1GSWJIDvy_CL-CspFYwXz_F-_9RMw43Jzokw7ofgPpGUn/s1600/Tattoo+-+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunPJYI1aJlVkNyaXazNHPXgIRDL1hgKsY3i3X7Xo-9AtaUr4nxTSP52RdaVVIfNoxnH1kC_qm1FeTK91CxtYcdm_1GSWJIDvy_CL-CspFYwXz_F-_9RMw43Jzokw7ofgPpGUn/s320/Tattoo+-+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I intend to document this as much as possible.c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-61877964560232467992012-07-03T20:42:00.001-04:002012-07-03T20:42:21.738-04:00So over 8 monthsI haven't really been blogging much, as one can see. I have been doing the twitter thing, I think the 140 char limit keeps me honest, or concise at least. I am, however about done with Facebook, that shit's lame.<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Spinnerstown%20Rd,Quakertown,United%20States%4040.439015%2C-75.436818&z=10'>Spinnerstown Rd,Quakertown,United States</a></p>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-40157669033132488832011-11-16T21:19:00.001-05:002011-11-16T21:21:24.810-05:00New look, same old crapSo I changed the template here, but really much else to see here.c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-66408756554549121942011-10-20T23:55:00.000-04:002011-10-20T23:55:27.653-04:00Help me pick my new glasses<a href="http://www.pearlevision.com/eyewear/emailVote.action?userId=1349899112">Help me pick my new glasses</a><div><br /></div><div>Three options three votes, one each, not much help.</div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-86075467752057817922011-03-29T21:55:00.002-04:002011-03-29T22:32:41.441-04:00My brush with historySort of,<div><br /></div><div>I keep forgetting that on my ninth birthday, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reagan_assassination_attempt">Hinckley attempted to assassinate Reagan</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know how I keep forgetting, especially as when I am reminded it all floods back;</div><div><br /></div><div>I rushed home from school to watch cartoons on WLVI 56 Boston, notorious for the Flintstones and other syndicated cartoons and sitcoms, nothing educational.</div><div><br /></div><div>But all I saw when I turned on the TV was news on the cartoon channel. What's up with that?</div><div><br /></div><div>I turned to the other independent station in Boston, and news there too. News everywhere, most disappointing for a nine year old.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I ended up watching reports of the president's surgery all afternoon, not the day I had planned.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now 30 years later, I'm more shocked that it's 30 years later than I was when the president was shot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where did they go?</div><div><br /></div><div>c1150 -- Reflective on my birthday? Only with my <a href="http://www.longleafbicycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/nathan-refl.-dots-n-dashes1.jpg">safety dots</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>[Those from NH in the 70s - 80s will note these aren't quite right but I can't find the proper square 4 dot images, but Dr. Y showed me a painting in New Haven that looks like the rest of the sticker after the dots are removed, how's that for cryptic?]</div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-15365528808964629752010-02-07T21:59:00.001-05:002010-02-07T21:59:51.651-05:00Saints winThe Saints bested the hated Colts. Very happy!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=William%20Penn%4040.339195%2C-76.421646&z=10'>William Penn</a></p>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-91953403447315101732010-01-06T14:04:00.001-05:002010-01-06T14:04:00.430-05:00Testing new appLooks good so far. But I've had bad luck with these types of apps in the past. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-30025145061801294782009-08-15T22:28:00.005-04:002009-08-15T23:02:38.793-04:00More Caricatures by NeilMore pictures done at the William Penn:<div><br /></div><div>The black and white one is from last month.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1cuDjHMdWJyeoRkrHoKPPecv25ZfIQtSnSAl3KgszY0LOnIvjMiNimfYjHMjp6wAWF5fJwBi1C79Qq1kSviX-Fx1xxe22NFApfRklcreCa3EaDV917LvFhN0fGtFQ4SuPwmE/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1cuDjHMdWJyeoRkrHoKPPecv25ZfIQtSnSAl3KgszY0LOnIvjMiNimfYjHMjp6wAWF5fJwBi1C79Qq1kSviX-Fx1xxe22NFApfRklcreCa3EaDV917LvFhN0fGtFQ4SuPwmE/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1cuDjHMdWJyeoRkrHoKPPecv25ZfIQtSnSAl3KgszY0LOnIvjMiNimfYjHMjp6wAWF5fJwBi1C79Qq1kSviX-Fx1xxe22NFApfRklcreCa3EaDV917LvFhN0fGtFQ4SuPwmE/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The color one is from last night</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrdCjtNe20nQrJY6YO11XFYj4WZMPTX2asUJ9q77uoGM4oddWTPt5nt1FkO_MGjKzZo_F8TFcpkvu0daRjUacAsmQwRXLcrYkhd_ROgJj9GRWunBw-_AMeqqYy10AJiyZf8gY/s1600-h/IMG_0201.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrdCjtNe20nQrJY6YO11XFYj4WZMPTX2asUJ9q77uoGM4oddWTPt5nt1FkO_MGjKzZo_F8TFcpkvu0daRjUacAsmQwRXLcrYkhd_ROgJj9GRWunBw-_AMeqqYy10AJiyZf8gY/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" border="0" alt="" style="clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I like them, he does nice work. Also I'm looking less like George Lucas, so that's good.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">c-1150 all cartoony</div></div></div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-56657466639855452222009-07-25T22:04:00.002-04:002009-07-25T22:26:56.741-04:00Even More Movie Reviews No One Cares AboutSo I watch <i>The Watchmen </i>just now, finally. I'm sure most know it's by the same director that did <i>The 30bei0, </i>which was an amazing panel by panel retelling of that story.<div><br /></div><div><i>The Watchmen</i> takes a different path, but I think it works. It's already almost 3 hours long, and that's with several subplots excised. Even then, there are a lot of nods and easter eggs from the graphic novel. I could recognize the chapter breaks and there were recreations of specific panels.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed the film, to me it's a nice compromise between being faithful to the source and being a 12 hour miniseries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Too bad Alan Moore is so opposed to his work being translated to film.</div><div><br /></div><div>c-1150, licensed comic nerd</div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-46529109018887480522009-06-08T19:19:00.003-04:002009-06-08T19:28:42.477-04:00Apparently I'm a young George Lucas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3bWENl62FF6M5nsaZ7s4DmGfWhXJfpJ8iaNjXnOMSPnwyy9oBW-0ME635lPyOrKbxIqDo9_avhmcmTRTboswo82lsnvbQcrmgFNqyQueDxdRldwMN5ZPjnejWAN-DvDxhGv8/s1600-h/IMG_0200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3bWENl62FF6M5nsaZ7s4DmGfWhXJfpJ8iaNjXnOMSPnwyy9oBW-0ME635lPyOrKbxIqDo9_avhmcmTRTboswo82lsnvbQcrmgFNqyQueDxdRldwMN5ZPjnejWAN-DvDxhGv8/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345101025993237234" /></a>This was done at the <a href="http://www.thewillip.com">William Penn</a> in Lebanon.c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-45073229191780005462009-04-07T21:29:00.001-04:002009-04-07T21:31:28.377-04:00Two things:<ol><li>Jack Coleman is the muthafukkin bomb<br /></li><li>I'm in muthafukkin nerd heaven</li></ol><div>That is all</div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-14476310030663103342008-12-04T21:55:00.004-05:002008-12-04T22:08:51.612-05:00Now and ThenSome of you [is there anybody out there] may remember when I looked like the second photo. But many may have missed the hairiest phase of my life. And, yes, it all got much longer over the course of the year 1993.<br /><br />Now-ish: Oct 2008 at Brandt and Maggie's wedding, I'm on the right<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2pwIeJ2rrz04D3AOh3ndBCGZZ-GaTKnWryQwR-PaheuApLFLpmpumDa5ZGmGbxaQNJwXfryi3tNVedLVaScQyXYLyujAAxm9OXLBRLc0mK6BxNlE9Hfvh4YfmCdV6iH3fOi7/s1600-h/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2pwIeJ2rrz04D3AOh3ndBCGZZ-GaTKnWryQwR-PaheuApLFLpmpumDa5ZGmGbxaQNJwXfryi3tNVedLVaScQyXYLyujAAxm9OXLBRLc0mK6BxNlE9Hfvh4YfmCdV6iH3fOi7/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276135565567659186" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then: Dec 1992 exorcising the demons from my cousin, again I'm on the right<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3X1AdsTY_kdpAMCHsMOdLdzkmkIbegcXudB49rIM5AbxgrAOD1U71A3rXIoxOQl5Rp17EOL7GYEAxFbxMlG6F9qwZV49NeabTz3VzS9hcQeb2t1mZSk-cH0lreiU_4oO6Ljj/s1600-h/carl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3X1AdsTY_kdpAMCHsMOdLdzkmkIbegcXudB49rIM5AbxgrAOD1U71A3rXIoxOQl5Rp17EOL7GYEAxFbxMlG6F9qwZV49NeabTz3VzS9hcQeb2t1mZSk-cH0lreiU_4oO6Ljj/s320/carl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276136570771681890" /></a><br /></div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-35658802173576088052008-11-22T10:47:00.002-05:002008-11-22T10:50:19.801-05:00Oooh, annoyingSo I updated my iPod touch to version 2.2. It then seemed to enable my passcode lock, which I don't recall using, ever. so now I've restored it to factory and am now reloading al of my data. USB 2.0 is fast but not fast enough.<br /><br />c1150 -- look at the progress bar goc1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-31081229325579222092008-11-20T21:48:00.001-05:002008-11-20T21:50:48.854-05:00Another Quiz<div>Another quiz, via MACk:</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.bbspot.com/News/2008/11/arcade_quiz.php"><img src="http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2008/11/retrocade/gauntlet.jpg" width="300" height="90" border="0" alt="You are Gauntlet. You are a team player, but often end up destroying your teammates' chance for survival. Badly." /><br />Which Classic Arcade Game Are You?</a>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-41543275346542007802008-11-20T14:29:00.001-05:002008-11-20T14:29:59.812-05:00Boring PostBut I'm thrilled that my car will be paid off the first week of December. It'll be nice not having that outlay each month.<br /><br />c-1150 -- inching towards solvencyc1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-64776559126715875012008-11-08T20:52:00.003-05:002008-11-08T20:57:34.468-05:00It's official...c1150 doesn't understand wimmin.<div><br /></div><div>I thought we connected, and apparently we did, just not on the level I thought we did. She wants to be friends, of course, and I'm not sure I need anymore friends. I think what I need is someone to feel the same way I do about them. Also a cleaning lady that actually cleans.</div><div><br /></div><div>c1150 - back where we started</div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-63031429973625256892008-10-27T01:10:00.002-04:002008-10-27T01:17:58.495-04:00I have ridden the mighty marsh worm!So I spent the weekend in Georgia [USA] at the wedding of my dear friends Brandt and Maggie. Amazingly I remembered my camera and actually used it. The album is <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/carlmcl/BrandtAndMaggieSWedding">here</a>. I had a great time and the ceremony was beautiful.<div><br /></div><div>c1150 -- traveling man</div>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237689.post-40826980158073108622008-09-22T22:22:00.001-04:002008-09-22T22:22:24.460-04:00I Don't Often Live BlogBut holy shit! I can't believe the reveal at the begining of Heroes tonight. Also, it's nice they didn't leave us hanging forever on the cliffhanger from last season.<br /><br />c-1150 -- nerding it up, old school<br/><br/>Posted with <a href='http://lifecast.sleepydog.net'>LifeCast</a>c1150http://www.blogger.com/profile/09690580224887866902noreply@blogger.com1