The RETROTECHNOLOGIST Blog

Okay, my many ones of ones of readers... time to completely underwhelm a site. Robert X didn't know what she was in for by granting us access to her RETROTECHNOLOGIST blog. So here is my challenge loyal readers, if both of you will click the link above and read a few of her posts I think we can completely slashdot the Google infrastructure while learning useful things about old radios (did you know they used vacuum tubes in the olden days?!?!), penny-farthings, keys, the (ladder) LineDragon, and (last, but not least) typewriters!

Due Respect

I was moved to tears by this post on Facebook:

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

Tears of laughter. Maybe it was the beer, but I cracked up.

Backyard Gun Ranges

Some morons have setup a shooting range in their backyard. I don't have a problem with the range. I do have a problem when errant shots that hit houses in my neighborhood.

Neighbors worried about backyard shooting ranges

I guess the guys with the range have never heard of Rule 4.

Feel Good Friday

Via Rachel Lucas

Baofeng UV-5R: Officially Old News

Roberta X has a Baofeng UV-5R, so we can now officially say that it is well past the cutting edge phase and is quickly moving toward whatever the modern equivalent of a boat anchor is.

;)

Tanks

But can you find ammo for them?

"The good news is that they report that prices have recently dropped or flattened. So if you can’t find an AR at your local gun shop, you may be able to find a slightly discounted tank."

Not Wearing Any Pants

Funny captions on news broadcasts. The "not wearing any pants" story must be about Rob's pants free lifestyle.

Poor Man's System Status

Some companies have a fancy dashboard where you can view the status of a particular system. For companies that don't, I find that a quick visit to their Facebook page can often give you the same information. Not because the company has posted an update, but rather by looking for complaints of other users. This morning I could not make a mobile deposit to my bank. Turns out I wasn't the only one.

Busy

Sorry for the lack of posting the last few days... life is happening. Nate did send me some interesting stuff about some radios that I hope to post soon.

What Do You Mean If?

George RR Martin is a slow writer. There is now a race between him finishing the books and the HBO series based on his books catching up. This article asks if the show will catch the books. I don't think it is a question. The show will catch the books because George is a writer first and a business man second. The creative process will not be rushed.

Much to my disappointment.

Via Winter is Coming