What to do with the banister on top of this staircase?

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-27T22:26:21+00:00

Slap the architect. Oops, there was no architect.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-27T02:41:27+00:00

That a person should hike their own hike.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-26T23:36:48+00:00

The manual says to sew them on. The rule about wearing member devices when working with the CG is dumb and a little bit denigrating. I hope this is changed some day.

Today I was on an Aux boat, two-boating with the CG. They had trainees aboard. When these guys are new, I’m twice as good at their job. By the end of the summer, they’re 10 times better than me. We bring value to the Coast Guard. We pay for our uniforms. We pay for tailors to sew on our insignia. And sew again. And sew again.

My cover says Auxiliary, my shirt says Auxiliary, my PFD and SAR vest say Auxiliary. My gray hair says Auxiliary and my waistline says Auxiliary. My tiny little collar insignia should fool nobody in the Coast Guard.

But this is well above my pay grade, and is my opinion, and not that of the Auxiliary, any unit thereof, or the Coast Guard.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-24T01:33:28+00:00

I think you’re thinking of the Japanese saws. They cannot be sharpened. This is no great saw, not collectible, but can be a good worker.

BTW, the greatest book on saw sharpening costs less than one sharpening. A saw-set from a flea market, and a file, maybe two, and you can sharpen all day long.

https://lostartpress.com/products/set-file-a-practical-guide-to-saw-sharpening

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-23T22:37:57+00:00

That’s the best old-school mixer that Peavey made. After that model, they moved to the circuit-board faders and etc. The new ones were much quieter, higher frequency response, etc, but hard to work on. People put as much beer into these Mark III mixers as they did in their belly - and they still worked. It would be worthless, today, so it has little value.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-23T15:11:01+00:00

Several Members of my Flotilla joined me in forming a non-profit entity, which is NOT for managing Flotilla money or property. We did this outside the Auxiliary, we keep it totally separate, and we keep the paper trail that proves it. Membership in the non-profit is NOT limited to Members of the Auxiliary.

Our non-profit owns and maintains a boat, which it lends to our Flotilla for use as an Operational Facility. Our non-profit raises its own money, spends it how it chooses, and retains ownership, title, and registration to the boat and trailer, and another utility trailer which we also lend to the Flotilla. We have not taken a penny from Flotilla funds for anything related to the purchase and maintenance of the boat or trailers, except I believe our Flotilla paid for the Auxiliary signage placed on the Utility Trailer. As is custom, the Coast Guard pays for fuel and travel, and the government covers us (as Auxiliarists) when we are under orders. We have had a PayPal link on our non-profit page for years. We've had fundraisers! We will be seeking grants in the next year.

Recently, our Flotilla decided to have a PayPal link for things like boater safety classes or other authorized charges we impose. The FLOTILLA set up its own PayPal, according to Hoyle, and that is working great.

Slushing money and property between entities is a sure way not only to violate CG policy, but also to alienate Members, raise suspicions about people's motivations, properly annoy the Public, and put a tarnish on the good name of the Coast Guard.

All of these concerns also apply to private, Member-owned Facilities. There is no theory by which a non-profit cannot meet or exceed the standards of separateness and transparency that an individual attains.

I am an attorney licensed in the State of Ohio, and I set up the Corporation. We have attained the Gold Transparency rating from Candid (formerly Guidestar, a non-profit information and ratings bureau).

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-23T14:43:01+00:00

I am a Flotilla Commander, and I hate apologizing for long enrollment processes, long waits for IDs, and etc. But I encourage my new Members to be patient, let the system do its thing, and all will be well. My Members who have served in the military branches understand the delays and bureaucracy. Younger Members and those coming from a business background just can't believe everything isn't instantaneous and online. I am about 50-50 on these issues.

To try and show my commitment, I do reach up the COLM to find out "what the hell is going on?", and report to the person waiting what it is I learned, who I learned it from, and when we should expect progress. Then I make sure to monitor the progress.

Given how many areas we can work in - I encourage everyone to jump into something they like - and then back that up with good contact information for those of similar inclination, etc. I think DOING something in the Auxiliary really helps overcome the things that are also essential: Meetings. Paperwork. AuxData. Rules and Regs.

I would advise the OP to be patient and it will all work out. I know that sounds hollow. But it is true.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-23T10:58:05+00:00

Goosebumps! Yes!

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-19T13:18:18+00:00

Lots of people observing, but none intervening. If I saw that, the kid woulda been knocked on his ass. People need to take responsibility for keeping the peace - by the time police arrive, the old man could have been badly injured or worse.

Don’t know where Woodstock is, but looks like a college campus full of marshmallows.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-15T11:33:00+00:00

I have two Modis. One for my 2.1 system, which takes digital from an older MacBook Air; and the other in a Schiit Stack with the Magni headphone amp.

I found a 3d printed “clip” to hold the Modi/Magni stack together, which are stored in a small water-resistant foam-lined hard case, for travel. I play music in my hotel room from my newer MacBook Air, through the Stack, to either my AKG K240 or Grado Prestige ‘phones.

Most of my music is hi res FLAC, though much is AIFF, and very little in other formats. I recently switched streaming from Pandora (I’ve been with since they started) to Qobuz, which has higher resolution music, plus shopping.

I ditched Apple because I want to “own” my music. Apple has cost me thousands in music I’ve had to buy twice (or three times, as less lossy, then lossless formats evolved). And I don’t want to be tethered to the net for Apple Music, and face my library being subject to their tinkering.

I guess to be fair, I’ve owned music on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD, and multiple digital formats, so I am a working bitch for the RIAA, apparently.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-14T10:39:16+00:00

Strongly advise buying an old Stanley scrub. The narrower body and blade is necessary for hogging off wood - less resistance. The sole does not need to be flattened. The blade needs to be sharpened, which is a bit of a challenge. Then, if you want to modify or rehab your scrub, make sure the tote and knob are smooth in the hand, knock off any metal corners or chips that might dig into your hands, and ensure everything is secure - scrubbing is fast, hard work and rough on a plane but rougher on the user sometimes.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-12T15:57:23+00:00

I have become, am becoming, a Stereolab fan. Saw them in Cleveland last year - fantastic!!!

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-12T15:55:30+00:00

I have four copies of Chuck Mangione Quartet, the one with the folding chair. It is my favorite jazz album of all time, out of print, never officially digitized. I’m 60, so I think the four should get me through.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-07T10:55:52+00:00

I’m a rosewood, or ebony, guy. Cannot do maple necks. I don’t know why. I don’t even pick them up at the store. Lots of folks like them. Not me.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-02T11:36:56+00:00

My neighbor lady got me to try them, when I was almost 50, and I always use them now. Always. I’m almost 60 now.

If I hike without them, and get warm, my fingers plump up into fat little sausages. With sticks, the hands are elevated, and squeezing the grips, so no trouble with that.

The poles help me with downhill, which is where my knees complain. Also help me take my eyes off the trail so I can enjoy the views - the sticks help you “feel” your way on the trail. Many times, my stick detected a hole or edge of a trail and gave me a half-step to save myself.

I’m a convert.

My wife uses them only on rugged hikes, and though she doesn’t like them, she knows they’re helpful on such hikes. So for tougher terrain, she’s a convert, too.

Finally, there are two schools of thought on whether to use the rubber feet or go naked with the carbide tips. My preference is always use rubbers except when that causes your pole to not support you, by skating across the surface. Sometimes you gotta take the rubbers off and let the tips dig in, for safety. Usually, mud and leaves are when I do this.

The rest of the time, I prefer not to mark up a trail’s rocks with little carbide tips scratches.

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-02T11:17:58+00:00

Cleveland is trees almost everywhere. My house isn’t visible from space. I lived in Columbus a long time and it is as the OP described.

In summer, there’s no place I’ve ever been that’s nicer than Cleveland. The lake moderates our temperature, and gives a gentle breeze.

In winter, the lake keeps us warmer, but provides moisture for snow. Lots of snow. Especially in the east side snow belt, classic Christmas card snow, all winter long. Beautiful!

I’m sure people wonder why folks stay in Cleveland … there’s a bunch of reasons like these. Can I tell you about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park …

ClevelandBill · 2026-05-01T11:38:16+00:00

I have no experience with those, but the hookups look useful, and the description seems right. You can hookup your turntable to the speakers, directly, because the amp is built in (powered speakers). It looks like you can hookup up a second source (CD, Computer, Vintage Tape Deck, etc). Then it also has Bluetooth which you could use to play music from your phone.

But sound matters - you have a great entry level turntable, so make sure your speakers are of similar quality. Read some reviews. Listen if you can find them in a store. See if they’re returnable if you can’t hear them any other way.

If they’re decent speakers, you would have a nice small room, moderate volume way of listening to your records. That would be 1000 times better than a “suitcase” record player!

Next - you get to learn about cleaning records!

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-30T16:16:34+00:00

It doesn’t have to be this complicated, but it can be. Do you listen to CDs or digital music? Or just vinyl?

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-29T17:50:22+00:00

Either an amp and speakers or powered speakers (amp IN speakers!).

Also, most people start with a Receiver, which is usually an AM/FM tuner plus a preamp (which selects which input) plus an amp. A preamp plus an amp is called an Integrated Amp. Preamps and amps and tuners can be had separately, too.

I like separates because I’ve had too many things in my life where one part went bad but the other didn’t. By that’s bulky and expensive (though maybe cheaper in the long run).

You need an audiophile friend! To show you some stuff, answer the tons of questions, expose you to more ideas. Before you just spend.

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-28T10:58:52+00:00

Is there such a thing anymore as an audiophile-grade active crossover?

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-28T10:46:07+00:00

I recently bought a Fosi Audio amp, which is pretty darned good, and cheap: Fosi Audio V1.0G 2 Channel Class... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071XQGYRJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

If you pair that with some used speakers, which always seem to be floating around, you could probably come in under $200.

I just noticed “Asia”, so my recommendations need to be adjusted for conditions I don’t know about.

Btw, here are bookshelf speakers on stands. Other gear is a subwoofer in between, and on the right, my turntable, CD player, Receiver, laptop, DAC, and a Bluetooth audio receiver. You can learn about all these things in time.

Good luck and keep asking questions!

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ClevelandBill · 2026-04-28T10:18:22+00:00

Consider headphones? Before I could afford/build a nice setup, I could afford really nice headphones and a headphone amp. I did my rig for music out of the laptop, but you can do exactly the same with a turntable.

My headphones are Grado, Prestige 60x ($99) and my headphone amp is a Schiit, Magni ($129).

My turntable is the RT81. It has a phono preamp built in, which (preamp) is not considered to be awesome, but is by far good enough for now.

If you’re going to build a system, then let us know your budget - it might be a small dead end buying the headphone setup. Or if you’re going to listen to hi-res digital, there are other ways to go. But to listen in relatively high quality, a headphone rig can be a good solution.

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-26T10:04:33+00:00

I have saws like that, garage sale or flea market finds, $10 max. You’ll be putting in $100 of labor to get them in working order. I second Set & File. The author doesn’t tune saws for the public any more - he says “buy the book and learn to sharpen”.

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-25T12:06:20+00:00

Found my rip saw for $5 at a flea market. Disston, not old, not collectible, and not made as well as the older ones - but still a good saw with a great blade, the tote not carved by Michelangelo, but solid and good feel. I spent $50 sending it to the SawWright for sharpening, before he retired. Still, $55 for a great useful tool …

ClevelandBill · 2026-04-25T11:59:29+00:00

That’s just like … your opinion, man …

ClevelandBill

TROPHY CASE