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Damor

Certifiably Surly
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Posts posted by Damor

  1. We're all different in how we respond, so it's totally to be expected that kids will be too.  That does make it hard to give advice, though.

    This book was very helpful for our then-5yo when my mom died.  I think I mentioned it once on the old scattergories site.  Be advised it has religious themes if that's not where you are.
    51QW1CJMNTL._SX468_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

    Kids do tend to do better when it's expected and they can ask question beforehand, so you're on on the right track.  That made a big difference for our son (well, that and my wife was a child life specialist in a previous career), but even then, the road can get rocky.  Just be there as best you can.

  2. 6 hours ago, deft said:

    Any temperature control?

    Unfortunately, my current temperature control consists of the darkest-coolest-interior-closet system.  That's going to put me at about 71-72*, but aside from destroying my electric bill for the next couple weeks, I'm not sure how to mitigate that until I can get a fridge to modify (which I can see will need to be my next investment).  Any recommendations to get this batch by?

  3. Evidently he did well enough for Herman to speak his name in the postgame presser.

     

    I shall be satisfied by nothing less than him declining an invitation to the Playboy Mansion by season's end.

     

     

    • Like 1
  4. Your words frighten and confuse me.  I salute you and hope one day to understand them; for now, I'm still working through Palmer's 'How to Brew.'

    I'm going to do another kit from Austin Homebrew today.  Planning on having family for Thanksgiving, so making a simple-appearing stout.  We'll see if I continue the family tradition of ruining Thanksgiving.

  5. This seems to be one of those subjects which is difficult to effectively research online, as pretty much every site is pushing a product with religious fervor or is a 'review' site littered with referrals, and a lot of the 'user' reviews make some eye-rollingly subjective claims (Soft water will kill your children in their sleep!  Soft water cured my fibromyalgia!).  There also seem to be a lot of companies like Culligan who are gunning to get you on a service contract with cheap proprietary equipment (ADT model).

    I have a reputable local guy (Tommy Dorsey) coming out next week, and I understand he pretty much sticks with low-maintenance Fleck salt systems.  In thinking about my ultimate goal, though, it's primarily to decrease scaling in appliances/fixtures (a clogged bidet orifice puts us back with the savages, after all).  I'm not particularly bothered by the other typical hard water complaints, and in fact I'd prefer that the taste of the water not get altered.  That got me looking at the non-salt systems like the Pelican, even though it kind of sounded like voodoo at first (and I'm a little wary of the direct sales route).  That said, we do have pretty hard water, and I see vague statements that non-salt systems aren't effective in those situations, though nobody provides any numbers.

    Does anyone have any real-world experience with the difference between salt and non-salt systems? 

  6. Ok, made my first foray today. An AHB American IPA my BIL and I brewed a few weeks ago, after having the equipment for years and not ever using it. My wife ordered the kit, so I can be held blameless in all regards.

    It turned out drinkable, which I'll take as a victory for my first batch. Got a stout kit or on order for round 2 to prep for Thanksgiving.

    Nothing heroic, but it was fun to get started .9d03ace76103648ce2dc2996f726eaf2.jpgbaa8695e0dd024d3a2d37ae91f8839ef.jpg

  7. RE:  Absinthe, any tips on choosing seating?  I understand they all have a good view since it's a small venue, but I was looking at one of the back tables toward the bar so as to not be crammed in with the hoi polloi.  But I also don't want to particularly make myself a target for ridicule (I can do that without any help).  Any reason to choose the 8p or 10p show?

    Also, any thoughts on Zumanity?

  8. Yeah, you have to think about your needs and how you'd use it, but for us the tanning ledge has been useful.  But at our builder's recommendation we made it deeper (12") than most, so you can set a lounger in the pool instead of sitting on the surface if you want.  He also put in umbrella sleeves to add some shade, though we haven't gotten one yet.  We also plan on being in this house when grandkids come along, so that's a little more playable depth for little ones (for now, the new pup likes it).

    That said, they do take up space, so I can see how they might be a waste for some people.

  9. On 8/7/2018 at 8:00 AM, HenryJames said:

    71eapn5WN0L._SY679_.jpg

    Only problem with Jarritos is that I have to hide them from my boys or I won't have any left.

    I'll also recommend the Central Market grapefruit Italian soda for Palomas, if you want to fancy-pants it up.

  10. HL Mencken is another gold mine.

    Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

    Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.

    Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

    • Like 2
  11. Cross-posting from the Pup thread for some requested info, hope the pics come out.

    This was my new buddy Rupp's first outing.  He did pretty well, even though my yak doesn't have the best spot for a noob pup to sit (he settled on my drink holder, which obviously isn't going to work long term.

    05f4c3347415540ccaf442d42fff6ba7.jpg31398181985c6d35548a8ef2333bffa2.jpg2f4561c91d70346d7a61ae78aff008ca.jpg

    In answer to some inquiries, this was on Salado Creek, just upstream from the low-water crossing bridge (Mill Creek Dr).  It's low right now, but I assume that the trade off is more clarity as it's pretty much just spring-fed at present.  There is some decent fishing (I'm terrible at it, but even I can catch some Guads and small largemouths) and it's nice to look at.

    The big drawback is that there are several areas you'd have to drag, especially as low as it is right now.  I'd guess the navigable stretch in those pics is only about a half mile.  I know there are some other floatable areas once you get out of town, but it's been years since I've been that way to know how much of a pain it would be.  So I don't know how good of a destination this would be as a day trip, unless you're just looking to relax and do some light fishing.

    The good news is that this is literally in the middle of town.  One bank is a park, so there's easy access to put in.  And when you're done, you can stop for a beverage at Barrow.

    Feel free to PM if you want any more info.

    • Hook 'Em 1
    • Like 2
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