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Found some motivation this morning. Weather was fantastic. Calories were burned so beer will be drank.

Condolences, Todd. The more I live, the more convinced I become that life is often complicated and rarely simple. People are often seen as one thing but that is seldom, if ever, the truth.

You can't fool me, that isn't a woofer.

Giving the Everybody STILL Digs Bill Evans CD box set a listen.

Finally... I can't resist.

Glassworks - Expanded Edition by Philip Glass (1981) https://open.qobuz.com/album/0827969039427 Example: It has been some time since I have listened to this. It occupied a bit of my brain in the 80s.

Tuesday sourdough za. Tried something new and baked it on the pellet smoker.

Vive L’Espagne!!

Unfortunately, the dusty haze kept me from capturing the full moon. It's normal here ☹️ I had planned to go to one of the highest points on the island on thursday to try and take some pictures of the Milky Way... I have confidence in my equipment but not in my abilities. Some photos with the RF 35mm F1.4L usm. I really like how this thing catches the light.

Finally finished UFO, starting Space: 1999.

RIP, RIP

A bit of excitement, and met more neighbors, thanks to this. Due to this Watch DutyWatch Duty - Wildfire Maps & AlertsReal-time information about wildfire and firefighting efforts nearby https://web.pulsepoint.org/?agencies=21105&incident=2513876157&tab=3 Watch DutyWatch Duty - Wildfire Maps & AlertsReal-time information about wildfire and firefighting efforts nearby

Last week I finished assembling the Super Carbon, and it's now up and running. The first listening impressions are very encouraging, but there is still some audible background noise that needs to be eliminated. At the moment I suspect it's related to the power supply compensation, possibly an oscillation. On the schematic, around the STN0214, there is a 470pF/1kV capacitor. I initially installed a 5pF/1kV capacitor there, so it's possible the compensation at that node is simply insufficient. I'm currently waiting for some mica capacitors to arrive so I can experiment with the compensation network. While simulating the circuit in LTspice, I measured approximately 540V VCE across the STN0214. Based on that, I don't think the PBHV2160(VCEO = 600V) is an ideal substitute for the STN0214, especially if you're targeting output voltages significantly above 600V. On another note, I also performed the initial testing of the D&G 211 filament supplies, and they appear to be working as expected.

I was rooting for France because I think Mbappe is a class act. Spain was the superior team, I mean only one goal scored on Spain the whole tournament? That’s crazy shit. I am definitely rooting for England tomorrow, for many reasons but a Mbappe vs Messi clash could be epic.

Wayback playback:

Flea, fleaing it up, clothes remain on.

May your good memories of your father be a blessing. Condolences Todd.

I didn't even know it existed until just now. Looking forward to it.

Caught some Hooded Orioles masquerading as Hummingbirds They're not fooling me .

The fun part about cycling is his rivals could form an uneasy alliance when he goes on these long range assaults, but they are too busy squabbling over the remaining two podium spots to work together to bring him back. Unless he just has an off day he is nearly impossible for the other GC guys to beat one-on-one. The only guy to get him this year was Wout.

Damn that was nuts. I thought Jonas was going to hang in there with him but he clearly couldn't. My French cousins who are avid cyclists and Tour fans are essentially boycotting the last couple of years because Tadej is ruining it for them. Either he's doping or otherwise cheating and/or he's making it boring because there is no suspense.

A little while back I posted somewhere on here about a very exciting project. Some of my work at a San Fransisco book store just happened to have been noticed by Linda Ronstadt and her longtime friend and carpenter. That carpenter happens to live in Fairfax, and is a regular customer of mine at the lumber store. Once my name was mentioned by the store owner ( this owner has become a great friend, and I've now done two of her homes, and her book store), this carpenter said " wait, I know him. He works at Fairfax Lumber. " Long story, still long, he talked with me about collaborating on a large set of bookshelves for Linda. Linda's health isn't great, and that has affected the scheduling of this project. However, we are now into this project. I have not yet met Linda personally, but we have started working on the shelves at Andy's shop. He took great measurements of the space. Usually the sign of a good carpenter, and I'm sure he is. But for me the most difficult part of the project thus far has been slowing him down. He wants to hurry through and get it done. I want to build the best shelves that I can build. Time, though maybe an issue in the long run, isn't really an issue now. She's not pushing this to be quick. Money clearly isn't an issue, so I think I'm winning this little battle. I've made it clear that I'm not interested in blowing out some average shelves. I want to make something that I'm proud of, especially considering the client. We've spent two whole days working together in Andy's shop, and I think he's starting to get it. He's around 80 years old and I'm very respectful of my elders, except when it comes to sacrificing my quality. We will continue working tomorrow and I'm guessing about two more weekends. Then most likely at least 1 day of install. That's when I'm going to meet Linda. That'll certainly be a fun day for me. As most things concerning music or movies, my trivia knowledge is vast. Ask me something about anything important and I'll come up blank, but ask me about a music or movie artist and I can talk forever. This is even tenfold for me on Linda, because the Laurel Canyon crowd, and the beginning of the Southern rock genre really peak my interest. All of the crossovers of the people of this era are just fascinating to me. Linda met Graham Parsons early on, who I consider the Father of this genre. Graham discovered and then worked with Emmylou Harris, another favorite singer of mine. Linda met Emmylou and Dolly Parton at different times, and then introduced them to each other at lunch one day. They of course started harmonizing on favorite songs, and were so impressed with the melding of their voices that they decided to create music together soon. Soon turned into more than a decade, but the results were phenomenal. Linda was also a guest on the Cher show back in the 70's, and started a lifetime friendship. I being a gay man of course adore me some Cher! And anyone who is an Eagles fan owes something to Linda, because she had a lot to do with putting that band together. I could go on and on, but I'm hoping that I can reign it in a bit on the day I meet her in person. Although I doubt that I'll be successful there. Anyway, this project is coming to fruition, and what a way to crown a career that I have deeply loved for over four decades now. This will be a story that I will, well I guess I'll have to tell your Grandkids about it, because I won't have any, but I'm sure that I'll have to be told to "shut up about it already ". I will certainly try to take pictures upon install. More to come later.

Similarly we skipped Mountain View & the San Francisco Symphony and Santa Clara & the World Cup stragglers to head to the occasional DMZ of Milpitas. Not sure the band’s horns to pants ratio was correct.

PetaPixel re-reviews the first consumer (under $1,000) digital SLR camera, the 6MP Canon EOS 300D from 2003:

Congrat to Espagne. Looking like the best team of the tournament.

I actually think Phil has been more coherent than he was a couple weeks years ago. He's on some good brain supplements or something. It will be a sad day when he hangs it up.

CONFESSIONS II by Madonna (2026) https://open.qobuz.com/album/l00mdxqzi41sa Example: The Example gives you a smattering of what is on the album. (also a reminder, don't look at the sources of the green lasers). It is pretty much a Stuart Price joint. Dance music all around, mostly on the EDM side of the fence. Is there great singing? Na, Is there great lyrics? Na. Is there drops and beats and drops and beats? yup. Sounds good and I bopped along. And there are some colabs here and there.

Please accept my sincerest condolences, Todd. Godspeed, David.... Sam

Condolences Todd.

"Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, Dies at 71 Mr. Graham died of a “brief and sudden” illness on Saturday evening, his office said". https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/politics/lindsey-graham-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xFA.JhOs.28lT6RPd5YNm&smid=url-share Also: Mitch McConnell mystery deepens as health questions remain unanswered https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/11/mitch-mcconnell-senator-health?CMP=share_btn_url

My relationship with my own Father was certainly complex, but we did have some really in depth conversations in my adult life. I cherish those, because I do feel as though I started to understand him better. I'll never forget the worst times, but I've long since forgiven them. Luckily before he passed. I will never have the chance to use what I learned to do a better job at parenting, but it's quite apparent that you absolutely did! So sorry for your loss Todd.

My condolences Todd. I am so glad you reconnected with him.

My condolences,Todd.

My condolences.

My Condolences, Todd.

Condolences, Todd. I'm glad you got through the baggage and love him for who he was. You're a good man.

My deepest condolences, Todd. The important bit is that he was a good man. There aren’t many, so his passing is a loss for all.

Not to keep pushing The Rest Is History, but they have a four-part series on the Ku Klux Klan that is quite informative. https://therestishistory.com/episodes/the-rise-of-evil-part-1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rest-is-history/id1537788786?i=1000755744707

Some moar webz pics. Found a fun FB group for interesting signs.....

Dirty Cello @ Music in Place,Sonoma Plaza

Went all the way to Tiburon in an abortive attempt to see the 4th July Fireworks on The Golden Gate Bridge. Abandoned the attempt, due to the Bridge being enveloped in fog. So we came home. To watch YouTube Happy Birthday America

Such a great day. The best group of people. I think Rini and Dorothy made some new friends of my coworkers.

Quite funny!

Finally made it to the top of the local climb without blowing up. Key change was grinding out the steepest pitches sub 60 rpm to keep my heart rate out of the red. I was worried I’d be going too slow to stay upright, but it was fine. Also helps that I’m also slowly but surely getting more fit. I feel a lot better about the climbing on the Marin metric century now that I’ve finally been able to get up and over this thing. Nate is right, 32mm is the sweet spot. Put some on and they felt amazing.

This is a pretty cool take on a console system....could also go in Amp Porn but I like the wood on this one.