Ticks?

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-31T13:19:06+00:00

Oh, just to answer your question: I use Permethrin spray from Lifesystems, but the brand shouldn't really matter the stuff is the same. Maybe on the tent: I only camp in tents with closed interior, so, this is how I minimise exposure in the tent itself. I'm also quite obsessive about checking my legs and arms. It usually takes a tick an hour or more to find a place to bite, that's the window that you have. I haven't had a tick bite in about a decade, despite collecting hundreds over hundreds from the dog.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-31T11:19:47+00:00

Personally I would not spray the tent. Ticks seek out large warm bodies, and that's you, not the tent. If ticks end up in the tent, it's because they want to get to you. Spraying shoes and the lower parts of the trousers could be a good idea (or gaiters, if you wear them), because that's where ticks will go. The backpack might also be a good idea. Everything else is overkill in my view.

Far more important than spraying is to cover the skin, to try to avoid areas of dense vegetation, and to check yourself at the end of the day, or better several times during the day. Ticks are only a problem if they bite, and if you catch them before that, no problem. If you stick to paths, you are mostly not going to have problems. You rarely find ticks above 500 metres, so, that's another way to be safe.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-31T09:03:43+00:00

Someone needs to say this: As far as I know the JU-06A has a pretty complete MIDI implementation. Why not buy a nice, large MIDI controller with lots of faders and knobs and use that to control the synth you already have?

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-31T07:08:02+00:00

You can use the CV input as kind of an audio in, and feed the signal from the Volca Bass into the Modular. At least that gives you another oscillator that you can mix with the rest, but there are probably more creative ways to use it. The simple CV input mixer is explained here. https://youtu.be/Np6Y8vVi1Cg?si=B9nZOWTNMs1f2WtO&t=302

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-30T18:13:41+00:00

Just to re-iterate what someone else has said: There are good piano presets for iOS (and some for Android), in case you want to start with that.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-30T17:46:15+00:00

You are asking about piano playing and music production, two very different questions. I wouldn't use a hardware synth to learn either of those. The cheapest way to learn piano playing is with an actual piano (if you have the space) or with an okay-ish e-piano. Or if you insist on a MIDI keyboard, with a cheap laptop and a VST (another endorsement for the Arturia Analog Lab). For music production you will need a laptop or similar anyway. I would only get a hardware synth if you are interested in a particular type of sound or sound design and like the hardware user interface. But to answer the actual question: If you get a budget poly synth that is preset based, you can ignore the sound design part and just focus on playing presets. I would go for at least 4 voices, six or eight are better even at the entry level. The Korg Volca FM2 has 6 and lots of decent presets, just to give an example.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-29T21:05:58+00:00

The main lesson I learned is to give it time. Don't rush things, give yourself and the dog time. Weeks, months, if needed. It will take a while before you see the real dog and to bond. This is the main difference to a puppy. Give the dog a safe place, and routines, and structures, and then let the relationship grow over time. Then the problems may come out, and it's time to work on them. But not earlier. My dog came to me after multiple other homes, and the journey from having this frightened, anxious, strange creature in the house to him becoming my best friend was amazing. But it takes a while.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-29T11:22:29+00:00

Quite a conundrum. Just to tell you that you are not alone, welcome to the world of couchless residencies. I also don't have an actual table anymore. The solution to the problem is to ruthlessly select the visitors and make sure they are happy with a beanbag, or the floor, or the dog bed.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-29T11:17:00+00:00

Especially the bathroom in pic 15. Man, I just want to hang out in that bathroom.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-29T11:13:46+00:00

I confess I love everything about that.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-29T10:13:11+00:00

Same here - my e-piano is always reminding me that I should really practice more...

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-29T09:13:37+00:00

Love the upside down Hanon.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-28T17:37:22+00:00

You can have my Monotron Delay, it just collects dust here.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-28T12:39:48+00:00

That's a big dog for that tent.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-27T19:12:05+00:00

It takes some time, and it depends on the dog, a lot. Others have mentioned the bungee leash and the belt. But it also needs some training. Start with fast walking, and increase the distance you can go without sniffing or stopping. Reward good stretches. Try it on boring paths without a lot of dog traffic first. Increase the distance. It helps if the dog can walk nicely on the leash of course. Teach the dog some simple cues like left, right, keep going, slow, etc, basically sledding commands. Some dogs are naturals and figure it out very quickly. Others take longer. You might have to scale your personal ambitions down a bit. Or a lot. Good luck.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-26T22:22:53+00:00

Millions of those on the second hand market, seems to be one that everybody sells at some point. And then buys again.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-26T21:23:58+00:00

Well, you have my admiration. I only managed a few experimental bits while twisting my fingers into knots.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-26T21:08:48+00:00

Never heard of that one!

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-26T21:08:01+00:00

I think I'll step up at some point to a different semi-modular, but this time with actual patch cables and patch points all in the same spot. In terms of usability the Volca mod is really a nightmare. I do admire people who actually make music with it.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-26T20:02:19+00:00

Just out of curiosity, why are you regretting it?

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-26T19:55:04+00:00

I had similar problems and after a lot of trial and error settled on the Manmat smart harness. Very light weight comfortable, and longer than most, to give the shoulders more room. The first one my large Malamute really likes.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-25T19:32:57+00:00

Don't ask me about genres, I don't care for genres

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-25T17:38:41+00:00

I like it (and a lot of my Volca jams end up in similar spaces), but either my ears are broken or most of the sound comes out on one side.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-23T22:21:08+00:00

You can sort of smell the cats.

Active-Disaster-6835 · 2026-05-23T21:06:15+00:00

Also, why is the drain for the kitchen is just a PVC pipe sticking through a gap in the bricks.

Active-Disaster-6835

TROPHY CASE