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James Taylor in Lake Tahoe. He sings the songs he wrote as a young man, only now with an old man’s voice. He has still got it.

And in related "Yes, Dear" news; Joanne said the wipers on the gold car had started to "Clunk". Investigation showed slaved play on both wipers, and that they now traveled below the edge of the windscreen/windshield at the bottom of their cycle. Hence the "Clunk". Known root cause was excessive play due to worn bushings in the linkage - thanks Perplexity and the internet. Understandable after 20+ years. Solution: "Just" replace the worn linkage / mechanism. So for the price of 2 OEM arms with bushings you could get an entire 3rd party mechanism to swap. No assembly required (other than swapping the electric motor) So that's what I did. Just like this. Only slightly slower, and 2 attempts, as although the wipers were in the correct position at the end of their travel, the motor wasn't for some reason on the first attempt. Fixed on the second attempt and much easier 2nd time around. The guilty party. And it's replacement. (Impact drivers FTW) After all that an, Oil Change, some new wipers from Costco, and rain-x for the windows. Joanne reported it all worked on her next commute. As for me? Proof of concept validated adding dimming / smart switch Voice Automation to the Master Bedroom Main Light. So added the same to the office and guest bedroom. And the switch for the front outside lights is now smart, so can be turned on/off if required. And discovered some better TV automation syntax!

I always feel like somebody is watching me...

Hung some prints, that Joanne found at Goodwill, for less than the price of a frothy coffee, in the bedroom. Using AI's advice for the positioning https://www.perplexity.ai/search/7a3f16fd-4297-48d3-b5ff-dac7e352388f The prints are level. Maybe the room, like the lounge below, is no longer true / square. Split the difference?

Signed up for my first (metric) century! I am a little worried about all the climbing, but it is split up into four climbs and a bunch of rollers, none of which are beyond my ability. Should be fun to train for. @Voltron want to come join? https://marincentury.com

My very grown up kids (41 and 37) describe me as the old fart who shouts at clouds. I tell them that I once was a young fart who still shouted at clouds.

New sponsor, new toys

Did you name your dog Rockwell? 😆

Spent about $800 on several hours of work to clear drains. Tree roots, misc. stuff that ends up like dried and hardened oatmeal, etc. Caused my downstairs toilet to back up 3 times in the last ~3 weeks. Had to be done. One of the homeowner expenses I never had to deal with before.....lots of fun </sarcasm> On the "more worse" or "can't be fixed" side, spoke with 2 cousins today, and my aunt who is now in hospice. She's up and down, actually sounded good today but gets tired quickly. So the call was only about 7 or so minutes.... An amazing woman who's lived a long and good life; she was an early woman in tech. One of my cousins told me today what I had suspected but never asked: my aunt is a tiny bit on the autism spectrum. She has always been kind of logical/less emotional, showing a very dry and often-hidden sense of humor, and a compassion that is deep down but you knew it is there. She has her plans/wants for after she dies, and can easily discuss it. An incredible woman, and my favorite aunt. Anyways, too much shit, in some cases literally.

Hemispheres by Rush (1978) https://open.qobuz.com/album/0060254724382 Example: Have I not listened to Hemispheres on headphones? Countless times on my main rig, loud, probably too loud. But on STAX tonight, so much movement and panning. Crazy things going on that I had not caught before. From one of my self professed favorite albums. The 24/192 probably helps as well.

I think friends should check on him.

Nooo, but I should 🙂 Peculiar things about Great Danes: 1º Like Rockwell, a Great Dane will never give you a moment of privacy. Standing nearly 1.90 meters tall on its hind legs, it can easily open doors—including the bathroom door. Sit down to eat, open the fridge... you’ll swear it’s watching your every move. 2. This thing, at 10 months old, already weighs 42 kg and eats almost 1 kg of good quality kibble a day, and despite that, it will always be hungry (remember that Scooby-Doo always had hungry? Well, it's true). 3. It has no idea how big or heavy it is… my ribs can attest to that. 4º It loves to spook postman, Amazon delivery drivers, and others...

One of These Nights by Eagles (1975) https://open.qobuz.com/album/dalvoj1umrs8k Example: New Deluxe Edition dropped, so I thought I would check it out. I grew up with these tunes, but don't really listen to them much at all anymore. I like that they seem to have taken cues from some of the other recent deluxe editions. A new remaster of the studio tracks plus a full concert recording from the 1975 tour. Nothing else - perfect. The remaster sounds good, I feel that remasters are getting more subtle over the years. The old, all sliders go up, approach seems to be fading. The live is very country, leaning towards country rock. Before the 1976 Hotel release, it is the early more country songs (no complaints).

WKRP in Cincinnati

Go by Dexter Gordon (1962) https://open.qobuz.com/album/0060253764804 Example: The 2013 remaster is not as hot as the RVG 1999 version (example), but I think I like the newer one a bit more. It takes a half step back and much less tape hiss. Anyway, too many Blue Notes, so little time...

It was a good time.

Some just never seem to want to die. Hope I'm not jinxing him. Legendary talent with endless imagination and ambition.

Dipping in to the structured workouts on Zwift. What a cool tool. I like how they have little drills built in like working on different cadences or emphasizing different parts of the pedal stroke. Erg mode is also nice to get a feel for what it feels like to hold steady power, something I'm not that good at yet. I'm glad I didn't start out with this and just rode the bike for months, but I can only see it benefitting my outdoor rides.

I'm thinking of buying one of these two so I can take it to Ale's waterpolo matches (last year he started playing in the national league). I'm drawn to the F4 because it's small/light because I'm a little tired of carrying around the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L

^ I have the RVG edition.... I really like that recording

Today I became an official 'Old Fart'. In reality that happened on my Birthday in February, but since my local SS office was too backed up to do my Medicare application at that time, it became official today with a Medicare phone application. I'm now the proud recipient of Medicare part A. Since I'm still employed with medical insurance, I don't need to apply for Medicare part B until I retire or stop receiving outside medical insurance. I believe at that time I can have the part B cost pulled directly from my Social Security payments. I do believe full heartedly that I've absolutely earned said 'Old Fart' title. My Doctorate in wood remains 'til the time of my demise, so it's Dr Wood Old Fart from hense forward. Can I get that official title posted under my avatar please?

Meanwhile:

Pretty amusing how much F1 and the team leaders kept trying to tell us that the racing was great and we are wrong to criticize it. What a complete waste of a season. I worry this doesn't even come close to enough to restoring actual racing. It is just so bad right now. https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/48711882/f1-reveals-latest-tweaks-rules-2027-moves-away-5050-engine-split

No other place to put this. Just fun with bassoons.

The Mary Onettes have a new album... checking it out right now: https://themaryonettes.bandcamp.com/album/sworn

Back to the raw and gritty style of their early stuff. Enjoyable, if not remarkable. Qobuz: https://open.qobuz.com/album/gkphye0rw4wtb ex.

You'll fuel up with appropriate cheese stops, right?

It sounds like too much for my old body but I will be out of state then anyway. Good luck with the training and have a great time riding in West Marin.

Or just your food?

More STAX testing. Sibelius: Violin Concerto - Lemminkäinen Suite by Ava Bahari (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/eipd34vton1nt example: Nice recording - performer I didn't know. And a leftover from listening to MTT (rip) Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 & Contredanses, WoO 14 by Orchestra of St. Luke's, Michael Tilson Thomas (1989) https://open.qobuz.com/album/g8dw9cvvp4q0a Example: Also a good recording it has been a long time since I have listened to it (all owned by Sony now).

Happy Birthday, Shelly!

Godspeed, Kyle Loftis.... Creator and host of 1320Video. I had the pleasure of meeting him at Houston Raceway Park, our 1/4 mile drag strip in Baytown that is no more during a Texas Speed Syndicate track rental. He filmed me making passes in my Challenger while I was getting data for the standing mile. He subsequently posted the vid which surprised me. Very kind gent with a genuine curiosity. HS https://www.hemmings.com/stories/in-memoriam-kyle-loftis-the-video-visionary-behind-1320video/?uemlid=5a40c51c3d4254d5f58319200ca2ac8bb44b94437291b38bd1d989d5554293b0&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EDaily Friday 2026-05-08&utm_term=eDaily Newsletter - All Weekly Digest

Queens of the Stone Age riff rizz with 2 drummers and a baritone guitar what an unusual formula, I love it. Originally discovered them through this clip:

Even further back.

https://altonbrown.com/recipes/homemade-granola-bars/

Spring is the perfect time to get out on long rides before the staggering summer heat comes my way. LOVING the 40mm tires. They are maybe a little sluggish on accelerations but they ride so smooth and are ace on descents. I'm also starting to love climbing on this thing. You really have no choice but to put down the power once the grade gets to be over 8-9% and you are already in the little cog.

I have a (not so) secret soft spot for yacht rock. That one blonde backup singer looks familiar, it's almost like she has... TV appearances that aren't lip syncs are a treasure.

Watched the OKC Comets (AAA Club of Dodgers) lose 3 - 2 to the Tacoma Rainiers. Have not been to a Baseball game in ages. It was a lot of fun.

Having delivered Margaritas, yesterday to our Brit Mother and daughter neighbors, Today I made good on our offer of the previous owners TV and mount, starting at a civilized time. So out with their previous owners old TV and mount (not shown). It was so old it was small, thicc, 1080, and had composite inputs on the back. So off it came Lasing ... Ok Time for lunch, a local Mexican take away plus Usual, and bubbles for the ladies. It all went well until disaster struck The previous occupants when making room for their TV had cut through the wall and studs to run the cables and just replaced / patched the dry wall - the brown area. So no studs / adhesion for any of the top right anchor bolts. 💩 🤬 I couldn't really abandon them, or rebuild the wall that day. What to do? Apparently there were still studs higher up in the wall. Maybe just maybe, A trip to Pini Hardware, and a conversation with some very helpful staff later ... It's like it was meant to be! You can't really tell in the up position. Watching position, just watch the TV, OK Ok, set up Wifi, Xfinity, etc. What's on Telly? WAT? At least I got some cadburys mini eggs and endless cups of tea out of the deal. They seem happy with it.

I've been cleaning the house and doing some organizing. I'm maybe 5% of the way there..... 😮 Karen would always call me a hoarder....and she's right, for certain things (like audio gear). But today I gave the second of two sets of wicker baskets away. Twenty-seven baskets given. Twenty-fucking-seven! I have a long road ahead of me. But it's feeling good to clean, and lots of goodies being given away. I've had 8 visitors collecting things between yesterday and today. I think one, maybe two more tomorrow; and one Monday. That's if I don't add any more stuff, which will likely happen. Twenty-seven fucking wicker baskets....🤣 EDIT: pics of 21 of the 27 (a few look the same, but not repeats), the others I had in another area and brought them over when one person came by

Ted Turner died. Of the many things he did, my favorite by far is Turner Classic Movies. Also, the way he shook up professional wrestling in the 1990s.

Scott Lee of DIY music electronics company PAiA has died. The PAiA website currently has a memorial up for him: https://paia.com/ I never made an PAiA kits, but I was a ware of them for many decades. From Theremins to TB-303 clones to full-on modular synthesizers, PAiA had something for any would-be synthesist handy with a soldering iron.

I hate that 2014 was 12 years ago already.