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4th and 5

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  1. Continued: yesterday we moved over to Cassis and walked around, and the girls did some shopping, then went to the beach all day. Beautiful town. The “atmosphere” on the beach was nice for dad and 17 year old son. We had a great dinner at Le Defonce. 

    The coastal drive this morning from Cassis to Marseille is one of the most visually stunning drives I have taken  

    We just left the port for a 4 hour Calanques tour with swimming. 

  2. I did tour the palace. About 15000 steps today. Thankfully it rained so it wasn’t so damn hot. Nîmes about killed me yesterday. After Avignon we went back to Uzes for some walking, shopping and beers. I love that little town.  Making some more pizzas right now and more people coming over. Just blew a doobie and picked a row of strawberries and raspberries from our garden. It’s making for some long days. 

    Cassis tomorrow and Friday, then we kick it up a notch. 

  3. Continued: yesterday we toured the city of Nîmes. Beautiful architecture there. The arena dates back to the time of Jesus Christ. The arena is spectacular. Then we went back to Collias and a bunch of friends came over. Some local and others in town from Seville. Three different languages being spoken at the dinner table. We made some awesome pizzas and drank a bunch of good wine.

    Today we are in Avignon for the festival. Lots of performers are in town. We have walked all over the city. The walled city from the 13th century is really cool. I took a bunch of pictures of the buildings and the pope’s palace. I’ll try to post them when we return. 

    Tomorrow we go to Cassis. 

  4. 16 hours ago, thunderlounge said:

     

    Well, shit. I upped the light game after some extensive research and initial testing with some leaf greens. The little china blurple light I picked up will be alright for the seedling tent and it's 4x2 footprint, but with the bigger 4x4x7 it just wasn't going to cut the mustard. So I did a ton of digging, and then more, then talked to a few people that grow indoors as well. In the last month or so I've learned more about indoor garden lighting, PPF, PPFD, PAR, and all kinds of other charts, graphs and shit than anyone should possibly need to know as a hobbyist.

    What I ended up formulating for my space/needs ended up being a light that had as even of a coverage/distribution area as possible. I didn't want something that was really high in the middle right under the light, and then dramatically decrease moving towards the edge of the footprint. I was looking for something that would give at least a 600 PPFD reading at the very edge, while keeping it at about a 1000 reading right in the middle. It took a good while, but I finally found something that really suits my needs.

    Below is a general video of the light, and its PPFD readings at a few different heights.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3g63I-V9AM

     

    For my purposes, I'll probably be running at 18"-21" above the plant canopy at about an 80% intensity once the plants start blooming and setting toms/peppers. If I start to have height issues and need to be closer, I can dim the intensity a bit more to compensate.Toms can get tall, but I plan on keeping it pruned back so it's more bushy than tall and stretchy. While in the initial growth phase, instead of raising the light, I'll just turn it down to about 50%, give or take.

    I picked the light (and controller) up from LED Grow Lights Depot, and the owner (Erik, from the video) could not have been better. Excellent customer service before and after, and just a great business all around. If anyone else wants to get stupid, I highly recommend doing it right from the start and getting a quality light for your plants instead of blindly getting some cheap shit light off of amazon.

    After a ton of research, I had it narrowed down to 4 different lights. They were:

    - Crecer PanthrX
    - HLG 550 V2 R-Spec
    - (2) Green Sunshine ES300's (Each one covers a 4x2 area)
    - Growers Choice ROI-E680

    The ending factors were overall footprint uniformity, spectrum, intensity, dimming capability, and finally best overall bang for the buck. All of the above are great lights, but one was better overall for this ordeal. (A close 5th option was a Gavita 1600 with a controller.)

    The Crecer was my second choice, but it was a little less at the edge and if I wanted dimming I would have to wire up my own. It had the leads, but no control.

    The HLG just didn't quite have the power/coverage I wanted.

    The green sunshine lights are great, but no dimming functionality.

     

    This was a pretty big chunk of change for a hobby project, however spaced out over the life of the fixture (should get a solid 12-15 years out of it) then it isn't so bad long term. The initial hit was well more than I'd planned, but I'm ok with that for the end game and to do it right. Better than finding out the shit light won't grow a good tomato/pepper and the plants are keeling over. Hell, I could have done nothing and ended up with that.

    Now if I employ some square foot gardening techniques to this, I could be in for some nice hauls over the winter months. I'll see how it all goes first, and start out semi-small. I think this winter will be 1 tomato, and 3 peppers like the original plan. I don't want to overcrowd it, because then the lower parts of the plants may not get enough light.

     

    So at some point in the not too distant future, the following setup will be put into action:

    - 4x4x7 Gorilla tent
    - Growers Choice ROI-E680
    - AC Infinity Cloudline S6 (inline duct fan to turn the air over in the space)
    - (2) 8" USB powered oscillating fans ( interior circulation)
    - 10" table top fan (floor level, interior circulation)

    Additional supplies:
    - Various meters (PH, TDS, etc)
    - 6" ducting for intake/exhaust
    - cheese cloth for intake screens (bug preventative, just in case)
    - nutrients
    - small in-room humidifier (shouldn't be needed most of the time, but just in case)
    - small dehumidifier

    Heat shouldn't be an issue with this light, but it won't be a zero factor either. I'm setting this up in my basement in the unfinished side as it has the most stable temps in the house. This will allow me to run the exhaust between the floor joists and into my workshop. If that isn't good enough (no reason it shouldn't be, but just in case) then I've been planning to put an exhaust in my workshop anyway for dust, paint fumes, etc. I would simply use a Y-duct to merge this into that, and then vent to the outside in a similar fashion as a bathroom fan. I don't think that will be necessary, but once I put the shop exhaust in anyway, I might as well add that as well.

    Intake will be room air, which stays a pretty consistent temp thanks to, you know, the ground and all. I plan to run about 25ft or so of ducting for the intake, then snake it around the outside edges on the floor. Floor contact, and lots of it, should keep the intake stable. Cheese cloth on the intake as a preventative measure. If for some reason temps get too warm, I have a plan for that. I have an old cooler that I'll turn into an ice box. It can hold up to 6 1gal milk jugs, and 2 of the 1/2 gallon. I plan to put a 6" hole in each end, and connect the intake ducting to that. I doubt more than 3 of the 1gal jugs would be needed, so no problem there. That's more for the intake temp not being able to overcome the heat from the light, but I don't think that should be an issue. Temp in there runs about 70* most of the time, so should be just fine. Always good to have a backup plan though.

     

     

    The narcotics task force will be by shortly. 

    Prepare your anus. 

  5. Continued: today we kayaked the Gardon for about 4 hours, including under the aqueduct at Pont du Gard. The aqueduct is such an amazing feat of engineering. And it is absolutely massive. The Gardon is very clear and cold. It felt great with it being so hot. The kids did some major cliff jumping in the deep spots. I definitely recommend this if you are in the area  

    We slept off the heat of the day and drove to St. Quentin for an awesome dinner at La Cuisine du Boucher.

    • Like 2
  6. Continued: we went to the ancient city of Arles. Walked around the old walled city and then went to the bullfight in the arena (not the fatal one for the bull) . Kids loved it. Then ate out with a bunch of local friends. We drove back to Collias and partied til 200. Then got up too early to go to the market in Uzes. The market is huge. I got my son got a really nice Laguiole pocket knife for his birthday. We bought some lavender essential oils and soap. And some fruit. Then the kids spent some time at the Gardon River. Tonight we are going to a dinner party. 

    • Like 2
  7. Not nearly so clear cut. I think it would be justified at trial. 

    There are use of force statutes in Chapter 9 of the Penal Code for peace officers related to fleeing felons, and he is one when he attempted to evade in a motor vehicle. In some situations force can be justified to terminate a pursuit that endangers others. As there should be  

    Did you all notice the guy was accelerating heavily when he was boxed in? You can hear his tires squealing. That situation may not last long. That truck can push those cars out of the way and run over a cop. The use of deadly force would be justified when the guy is committing an aggravated assault. Accelerating a car at a person is most definitely an aggravated assault. 

    Y’all may not like it but that’s the way it would play out in court. In fact I think a grand jury would no bill the cop..

     

    • Like 1
  8. I’m on this trip now.

    We just flew direct DFW to AMS on points in business. We stayed on a houseboat for 3 nights, which was awesome. Did lots of walking, eating Asian food, semiprivate boat tour, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank house, girls shopped the 9 Streets, went up the Westerchurch tower. And drank some good beer, ate some good bread and cheese, and recovered from the flight. Amsterdam is a cool place. Coffee shops, hot women that are very tall, bikes everywhere, gotta keep your head on a swivel or you will get run over. 

    We flew to Marseille yesterday, KLM via Chase points. Rented a car via the Costco app vial Alamo was the cheapest. They fucked up our rental and ended up giving us a Mercedes to drive so that was nice. We are a few miles from the Pont du Gard acqueduct. They had an awesome light show on the aqueduct last night. We are staying with some friends at their rural house. We picked strawberries, raspberries and tomatoes to eat today. They also have other things in their greenhouse. If you know what I’m saying. There is a cold creek with a swimming hole right out the back door. Beautiful property. We will be exploring this area for a week, going to the Calanques and Cassis, before we move on to our next destination.

    To be continued.....

    • Like 3
  9. 1 hour ago, MAROON said:

    Beretta Neos 22 caliber (Cabela's addition).  Local law dawgs just have to grab a list of who bought that ugly thing from the Buda location.  He better lite out for the territory pronto.

     

    33333.jpg

    You’ve cracked the case right here on surly, while they’re working in shifts!

  10. On 6/23/2019 at 2:33 PM, thunderlounge said:

    I’ve tried twice (different suppliers) to get lavender out front with some of the ornamentals. It’s crapped out both times. Guess it doesn’t like the dirt there. Maybe next year I’ll try it in the rail box and see how it goes. Don’t typically have issues there, but did find a hoard of aphids under leaves on one branch of cilantro. Cut it off then checked the rest of the plant, and sprayed a little insecticidal soap on the whole box. 

    It time here for the annual reenactment of WW2. I play the part of the Allied forces, and the Japanese beetles.... well, you get the idea. Wish there was a break long enough in the rain to break out the nuke option, but so far no luck. Starting to feel like Seattle, but knowing my luck the water works will turn off and won’t be rain for months.

     

    Lavender needs good drainage, plenty of sun and not to be over watered.

    • Like 1
  11. Weber all burners on high. Get scalding hot. Throw ribeye in middle. Give it 2-3 minutes, flip, then turn middle burner off to eliminate flare ups. Bout 4 minutes, flip back to side one and turn the grill off. Give it 1-2 minutes and done. Should be about 10 minutes for a nice thick steak. Let it rest. 

  12. Going to have about 48 hours in Paris with wife and two teens. Grateful for any restaurant recs and things to do. None of us have been there. Staying right by the Louvre. Trying to squeeze in as much as possible in what little time we have. Thanks in advance. 

  13. On 6/17/2019 at 4:53 PM, crash_davis said:

    vibrio, or the reason i won't fish the texas coast from the late spring to early fall.

    i wish they had 2018 data.  i don't know if the increase is because of better reporting or if the shit in the water is getting worse.  maybe both.

    https://www.dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/disease/vibrio/Vibrio-Infections-Data.pdf

    this poor dude stuck his foot in the water and got the shit.

    https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/texas/article/Man-undergoes-life-saving-surgeries-after-13972901.php

    i always read that it affects people with already compromised immune systems but then i also read about perfectly healthy people getting it.  last and the previous summers, i would get all kinds of worried if i got any nicks or cuts kayak fishing on the coast.  i would wash the area well with soap after i loaded the yak and got off the water, also soaked in half bleach, half water solutions when i got home, but the nicks/cuts would continue to be red, sensitive to the touch or even burn for a few days.  always worried the shit out of me.  and i'm an extremely healthy guy, or at least i think i am.

    summer fishing the flats sucks anyway because usually by mid morning, the heat drives the fish off the flats or has them lock jaw and lethargic.  since i'm making a same day, back and forth trip from austin, that's a long ass drive for a small window of fishing. that combined with the vibrio shit, i decided to take off this and future summers   i'm storing the poles until late september.  imo, not worth the risk.

    am i being too big of a pussy?  

     

     

    Actually I was going to respond that you were being a pussy earlier in the week, but I never got around to it

     

    Then last night I got a text from a friend that an older gentlemen we’ve known for years is in critical condition with a vibrio infection, multiple amputations and unlikely to survive. He was fishing but not wading. Near Galveston.

  14. 9 hours ago, T’Boo Ted Marshall said:

    We are replacing the appliances in a rental we are selling. Wife posted pics on Facetron and had been doing all the communication.

    She set up for the fridge to be picked up today and casually asks me to bring my 9 mm. Who the hell have you been talking to?

    She's been talking to me, must have got us confused cuz she always asks me to bring my 9

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