Deliberate Indecisiveness

First Vlog for Fantasy

2007-10-23T10:22:00.000-05:00

The Hippie Cruiser

2007-05-22T07:43:00.000-05:00

I found this in a shed behind my house. I didn't really look at it until recently, and when I did, I noticed that it was actually in great shape. It's a new hippie cruiser, made to look old. The reason it was left? Taco'd front rim. Well, $25 at the local bike shop is going to fix that, and then there will be white walled tires on the front and the back. From there, don't know where it will go. It has a rear shifter with six speeds. It rides smooooth. I think Danielle would enjoy riding it. Perhaps it will get a basket?

On the other hand it might make a good high ticket item at our garage sale or on craigslist once we get to Raleigh. Any idea how much someone would spend on this bike? Is it worth it to replace the rim? Like I said, other than the bent rim, it's spotless.

Agent Hero

2007-01-16T09:48:00.000-06:00

Last night, Gilbert Arenas drained a three from about 4 feet beyond the arc with a hand in his face and 1.8 seconds on the clock to beat Utah. This was his second buzzer-beater of the month. This guy is amazing, and he's turning in performances in which he simply wills his team to win. Oh, and he's on my fantasy team.

Work (Almost) Complete

2006-11-09T08:14:00.000-06:00

So I build this headphone amplifier from a schematic because I wanted a headphone amplifier and because it was a simple and well documented online project that I could cut my build-from-scratch teeth on. It uses a tube and solid state dections for amplification, and sounds pretty sweet. I can also use it as a preamplifier to beef up the signal from my iPod when I want to play it through my low-power tube amp. Below, the obligatory "in the dark" shot to show off the tube and my totally gamer blue LED power indicator.

My Dream System(s)

2006-09-22T08:35:00.000-05:00

So recently, to avoid facing reality, I have again turned to dreaming about my ideal audio system. The first system is based around the Acoustic Research AR3 speakers, a 3-way system that was a huge innovation when it came on the market in 1958 as one of the first, if not the first, to use a dome-style tweeter. This was on top of their 12" acoustic suspension woofer which was the first of its kind and is how pretty much all speakers still produce low and accurate bass to this day. (Read all about it here)

Anyway, I have heard a pair of these speakers before, and they were incredibly warm and room filling. In the 60s, AR held a bunch of "blind taste tests" in which they used a live string quartet and the AR3s and asked people to blindly choose which was the live music and which was the reproduced sound. Listeners were largely unable to tell the difference. Oh, and, in my opinion, they are beautiful:Acoustic suspension speakers are, by their nature, quite inefficient. And driving a 12" woofer is no easy task either, so these need power. But it needs to be nice clean power. Just to keep it classic, it would be fun to drive these with the Dynaco ST-70 tube power amp:This was the popular amp of the time, and it was probably the best reasonably priced option to drive the speakers. It puts out 35 clean watts per channel, which some might argue is still a little under-powered for the AR3s.

After that it's a bit of a wash. You could go with a record player to stay authentic, but the sound coming out of this pair will be warm no matter what you drive it with. These would not be party speakers, and they may not even be hard, fast rock and roll speakers. These are slowly sipping an aged bottle of scotch or perfect bottle of wine in front of a fire place on a cold day speakers...and seriously, that's how they would sound, especially powered by the Dynaco amp.

The drawback here is that they will lack some clarity and "imaging" that people really are in love with. The upside is that they will sound great no matter where you are in the room with them, whereas most "imaging" speakers require that you sit in a fairly small sweet spot to get the full effect.

I'm also kind of obsessed with this system because I think they would be an endpoint. There wouldn't be a need to add on a subwoofer or something. No need to upgrade anything. Also, they have the whole package because they look good, too. They would blend nicely into a room's furnishing while still making a statement of their own. Finally, their authenticity as a vintage system allows that last bit of completeness that I don't think you can get if you go chasing the hottest new speaker or the most perfectly clear speaker and fanciest new amp, or even the "best" tube amp.

So while there may be other complements of stereo equipment I could see myself wanting, I would probably sell everything else I currently have if I could get my hands on this system.

Finished Product

2006-05-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of close-ups of my finished speakers, and then I'll be done with boring speaker posts. I rubbed on Tung Oil with rags after sanding them down quite a bit and removing as much glue as I could. The nice thing about an oil finish is that it is incredibly easy to apply and repair if scratched. Or in my case, since I didn't get all the glue off and you can see that, I can go back in and sand some more and not have to worry about ruining the finish. I'll just add a little more oil and it will blend right in. I chose Tung Oil over the more popular Linseed oil because it is supposed to cure faster and I'm impatient. The oil has really made the grain pop.

Speaker Porn

2006-05-11T23:56:00.002-05:00

Work Complete! Well, except for sanding and staining. I built the tall skinny speakers in these pictures. The sound is amazing, especially considering the drivers are only 3 inches wide. Still, an acquired taste in this day and age of bass heavy system. Bass is simply audible and musical instead of boomy and overpowering. Not that I'm knocking bass heavy systems; they have their place. And hell, I even miss hearing the room shake for some things. But as far as accurate and clean reproduction with a little warmth, these things are a joy. Sorry to bore with the jargon...a close up:

New Speakers

2006-04-05T08:53:00.000-05:00

Since moving to my new house on Fairfax I have realized that my old pair of speakers were simply too large. They take up too much space in my bedroom, and they're too ugly/big to put in the living room. While I'm sure I will find a use for the drivers at some point, the boxes have to go. Which led me to a different project.

I bought some 3 inch full-range speakers that I will build small cabinets for as soon as Home Depot decides to put enough people in their lumber department so that I can get someone to actually cut down plywood enough to fit in my car within an hour of my walking through the front door. I'm sorry, but an hour is my limit to spend waiting on someone to take care of my wood, if you know what I mean. But seriously, fuck you Home Depot. I can do it...without your help.

Until I do get the lumber I need, I have rigged up the speakers in temporary housing.
They actually get quite decent bass in this set up as long as they are close to the back wall. It's not booming bass or anything, but it's musical bass that I can hear. That is, I don't have to strain to hear the individual bass notes. Got the idea from the internet and it works pretty well. The full set up right now, with some animal at the bottom.

Yay for Reading

2006-02-07T08:19:00.001-06:00

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed ..."

That's from a little known document called the Constitution. Perhaps you have heard of it. That foresight is amazing. I know we cultural theorists aren't really comfortable with universal truths, but this one sure seems accurate in describing our own reality.

I pulled the quote from a Kos post, but it didn't address that last line from what I read. I guess I'm just really torn up right now about the Abu Gonzalez hearing and the media that reports on politics.

I make things...

2006-01-08T16:03:00.000-06:00

Just finished building a subwoofer. Total cost was around $60 not counting some of the tools I bought. Sounds great. I did the trim and staining myself. Hooray for DIY.

Speaker spikes look cool.
This makes the place go thump.
The new setup

More pots, Wilco, etc.

2005-11-16T10:16:00.000-06:00

First of all, the new Wilco live album that came out yesterday is pretty solid. I need to give it a few more listens, but I think the newest stuff is better played live than off the album, and Live in Chicago is mostly stuff of Ghost. If you make it to Best Buy today it may still be on sale....

And pots:
Platypus Pitcher
Vases
Tea Bowl Sets

More pictures of the new resident.

2005-11-15T08:26:00.000-06:00

Pretty Penny Pudding and Pie....Danielle sure picked a good one.

New Dog

2005-11-12T17:49:00.000-06:00

Oh lord, we got a dog. Its name is Penelope, Penny for short.

Pots for Sale

2005-11-01T12:44:00.000-06:00

I have been making pots for a Christmas sale that is coming up. Here are a few.
Raku pots...the white one has a crackle glaze you can't see.
A big bowl that is all purpl-y inside.
Some rice/noodle bowls with a place to set your chopsticks.

RAD

2005-10-11T13:15:00.000-05:00

RAD was my favorite movie until I was about 9 or 10. It is a gnarly movie about a BMX biker who makes sweet jumps. Lori Laughlin is the love interest; you might remember her as Jesse Tanner's girlfriend/wife from Full House. I wish there were a way to have a RAD party. Any ideas?

World,

2005-10-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

the time has come to.......GALVANIZE!

Recipe for a Great Morning

2005-10-10T08:43:00.000-05:00

1) Drink some whiskey late at night before going to bed. A nightcap if you will. Mix it with Coke if you want, doesn't matter, just make it a drink you'll feel.

2) Wake up the next morning and do your thing. Eat, shower, etc.

3) Once at work, drink a coffee or similarly caffeinated beverage.

4) Head immediately for the nearest stall because you're going to have a bowel emptying shit in about 2 minutes.

And boy will it make your morning.

Boys Named Sue

2005-09-29T15:56:00.000-05:00

My season is over, but here is a picture of the Boys Named Sue right after we won the Gulf Coast Sectionals tournament by defeating TurboDog out of Baton Rouge 13-11. I will be traveling with the Boys down to Florida for the South Regional tournament and cheering/heckling from the sideline. Wish us luck.

Joke's on me...

2005-09-27T21:41:00.000-05:00

See, I thought I was going to get to play some seriously fun ultimate in Florida with some friends. I thought I was going to get to put to use the months of training, running, and speedwork I have been investing in and setting aside everything else in my life for. But, lucky me, I get to have a cast instead. Thanks broken foot. Don't adjust your monitor...it really is hot pink. I don't really have anything clever or disparaging to say about this. Ultimate frisbee has been the focus of my life for the past 6 months. I suppose regionals wasn't the main focus of that 6 months; friends in LR and being active were important too. I would say pure love of the game is part of it as well, but pure love of the game is the reason I wanted so badly to play at regionals. I won't have a chance to play that level of ultimate again for at least a year, but more likely much longer considering most of the Little Rock guys won't be in Little Rock next year. Perhaps I shouldn't be here either by then. Maybe all this sitting on my ass will help me figure out where it is I should be.

Marketing

2005-09-23T15:33:00.000-05:00

Check out this hot emo boy in the trucker hat. Sure, trucker hats aren't cool anymore, but this is a special hat. Notice the front...that's a plastic sleeve in which cards and other items can be insterted. That means your hat is customizable. Insert a card that says Sue to let them know who you are; insert a picture of yourself handpacking a disc for intimidation; try a picture of yourself drinking the night before and see if your students figure it out!
Seriously, we're selling these hats with laminated card that have our team logo and name on them. Trying to pay off our E-Z Up Tent. In other news, my ultimate team is a 7 seed in the South Regional Tournament. 7 is a great number if you're an ultimate player.

It's a Celebration, Bitches!

2005-09-18T22:41:00.000-05:00

Boys Named Sue won their section and are on their way to regionals in Florida. Do y'all know what this is? It's a celebration, bitches. Some pics of me now, a team pic of the champs to come.

I'm in the white Nike hat of course...check out the sexy lean and the hot rainbow shorts...

Expensive Hobby

2005-09-13T00:10:00.000-05:00

Here are pictures of my completely functional headphone amp. It is a cMoy design I found on the internets installed in a Wintergreen Altoids tin. It uses a single OpAmp chip to drive both channels and runs on the two 9V batteries shown. I have Danielle's iPod plugged into it as it drives my Grado 60s headphones. I plan on making another amp soon with some minor tweaks to make it more compatible with my Grados and to get rid of the hiss at high volumes. Also, I want an iPod nano that I can mount on the altoids tin. And a pony. This amp powers my headphones better than my old Pioneer stereo head unit.

The set up minus headphones, plus goat that came on a Nicaraguan beer.

Out of focus guts

More out of focus guts...blame Danielle's camera.

Be nice and/or give me money and/or sexual favors and I'll probably make one for you. Joel, if you read this, I'm trying to figure out how to cram a 1/4" jack in there so you could plug in your cans. Wekk, would you like one that you can plug your guitar into?