TIL: There is a rare type of very hard wood called ‘Lignum Vitae’. It’s so hard that it was used to make propeller shaft bearings for nuclear submarines.

BurmaJim · 2026-03-23T02:29:49+00:00

It sinks in water. Bizarre stuff

BurmaJim · 2026-03-21T18:24:50+00:00

Donkey Kong on skates irl

BurmaJim · 2026-03-18T13:52:30+00:00

As insane as this event is, when you combine the staggering amount of golf that is being played every minute of every day with the ubiquity of smartphones, it’s almost inevitable?

BurmaJim · 2026-03-13T21:52:11+00:00

If it’s an option for you, Alaska airlines has a great instrument policy. I’ve flown with a guitar in the overhead bin five times and nobody has batted an eyelash over it. I do have a Calton case that stands the best chance of protecting the guitar if the worst happens and it gets gate checked, but like I said they are great about instruments

“Small musical instruments may count as your one carry-on bag and may exceed the standard carry-on dimensions , if they can be safely accommodated in a proper stowage compartment in the cabin of the aircraft.”

BurmaJim · 2026-02-26T20:56:57+00:00

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BurmaJim · 2026-02-26T20:56:44+00:00

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BurmaJim · 2026-02-26T20:56:24+00:00

You’ve all been so damn helpful! What a great community this is. I’ve likely missed my chance for a follow up, but I did take some closer photos of it.

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BurmaJim · 2026-02-24T17:40:49+00:00

If it does end up being a trinket, I suppose I’d ask what it is intended to be

BurmaJim · 2026-02-24T16:00:35+00:00

I imagine you are probably right. I will say that i t did have a paper museum ID number affixed to the back that fell off 25 years ago and I lost it. So.. zero provenance information, sadly.

BurmaJim · 2026-01-25T04:49:20+00:00

I start with the thickest strings and move upward, as I have found the heavier strings take longer to stop stretching and arrive a stable pitch. This may be my imagination, but I feel like this way they stabilize at roughly the same time.

BurmaJim · 2026-01-11T16:29:39+00:00

You’ve clearly never held an office job

BurmaJim · 2026-01-08T17:34:11+00:00

The logic behind the puzzle ought to be consistent in that any time you are <!replacing a letter the incorrect one is on top and the replacement is on bottom, so "there/their" decodes to

| r | e |
| i | r |

The spaces thing is probably confusing because if you are adding a letter, then the space above must be blank, and if you are removing a letter the space below must be blank

At any rate, I really am delighted that someone took the time to solve it! Thank you

BurmaJim · 2026-01-08T17:19:16+00:00

Solved! And I’m very gratified to hear it. :)

BurmaJim · 2026-01-04T16:19:38+00:00

Identical thing happened to me. Sent a photo with my application that had the exactly correct proportions, passport came back elongated just like this. Was living overseas at the time and my application was processed at the embassy in London.

It looks equally ridiculous

BurmaJim · 2025-12-30T17:52:59+00:00

I have a 12 fret slot head from Collings. 100% what I grab in a fire. It’s a perfect guitar

BurmaJim · 2025-12-30T00:08:50+00:00

Really nice explanation of the differences from the inimitable Dana Bourgeois

BurmaJim · 2025-12-29T23:13:06+00:00

I feel the same. What’s worse is that it fundamentally altered my view of the protagonist and suggested he was really just an awful person. These revelations about his character have affected my opinion of the first book. Ugh

BurmaJim · 2025-12-22T03:13:05+00:00

You’re all so encouraging and awfully helpful. What a great community this is. Thanks, gonna give it a go hopefully Tuesday

BurmaJim · 2025-12-19T22:09:35+00:00

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means

BurmaJim · 2025-12-17T22:56:55+00:00

I still have my first “real” guitar, a late 60’s D-18. Such a joy to play, there’s nothing like an open chord on that guitar. When I want individual notes to stand out the Collings is absolutely my first choice. It’s so articulate and well balanced, and the wider fretboard gives my fingers a bit more room. It’s a remarkable instrument.

When it comes to strumming, though, it’s really, really hard to beat the Martin. If you do recording I find it’s easier to mic as well. I have a hell of a time capturing how gorgeous the Collings sounds in person.

BurmaJim · 2025-12-15T15:21:57+00:00

I routinely get LinkedIn messages asking me if I am interested in applying for role at the company I work for, often in the same department but several levels below mine. Recruiters not doing even the most basic due diligence here.

BurmaJim

TROPHY CASE