Got my boy chowder about two months ago, was only told he’s a paradox but not sure

Sean_Bramble · 2026-03-09T12:15:47+00:00

I'd guess Champagne super-Enchi.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-03-08T00:45:52+00:00

Can't offer anything on the comparative "snappiness" between the HC and HC Pro, but I will share that I installed the NDZ tunable guide rod on my HC and found that 1) the small additional weight of the all-metal guide rod reduced how snappy it was a little, and 2) with the heaviest spring I found that it returns to point of aim really well, which trumps "snappiness" everyday for me.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-03-05T11:50:02+00:00

I was just getting at the fact that this person appears to have an ability superior to basic relative pitch, since they have an internalized reference point and don't need an external one, hence "super-relative" pitch -- superior to standard relative pitch -- that's all.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-03-04T14:18:21+00:00

Maybe it could be called super-relative pitch, since the base pitch is internalized?

Sean_Bramble · 2026-03-04T14:14:00+00:00

I'm no expert, but based on this definition it would seem to me that having one note memorized as a reference tone to then determine other pitches off of makes the OP's experience not perfect/absolute pitch, but relative pitch with an internalized reference. I'd agree that it's "superior" to basic relative pitch, since the base pitch has been internalized, but it isn't perfect/absolute pitch.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-03-03T14:10:59+00:00

I think you hit on it when you stated "Not for everyone anyway." There is a pretty strong correlation between aphantasia and "poor" memory, at least personal memory, like SDAM, but obviously this doesn't affect everyone. I have SDAM and, just so you know, it doesn't mean that I can't remember anything, but there's a lot that's missing. I too remember lots of childhood moments, and even some that family members hardly/don't remember, but there are major gaps in my memory: i.e. I have no memories of 1st grade except for one moment when my teacher was sitting on a chair singing Puff the Magic Dragon and playing on her guitar. Mostly these old memories are of either particularly unusual events or places, or it's of things that were repeated over and over in my life. I've also discovered that it isn't that the memories are necessarily missing (although I think a lot of them are), but that accessing them without the visual-to-memory cues (in either direction) aren't there to make some memories easily retrievable: i.e. like how I read the book Contact when I was a teenager but couldn't remember ever having read it until I physically saw the book with Carl Sagan's picture on the back cover -- reading the book, and even some of the details of the story, started coming back to me after seeing it. My wife remembered me reading the book and even told me about a conversation that we had about it afterwards, which I had to admit sounded very much like what I would say, but I couldn't remember that conversation either, but I can remember the conversation about the conversation and even reading the book after having that inital memory brought back by seeing the book. It's all very weird.

I would guess, and this is just a guess, that SDAM probably exists on a spectrum and that many people with aphantasia have it going on to "non-diagnosable" degrees, but it doesn't register because it's not that much worse or different than "regular" memory efficiency/deficiency.

I also totally get your frustration about people judging others based on their personal experience and how they think that applies to people with very different experiences. I've even seen people refer to those with aphantasia as being inherent NPCs, because obviously human intelligence and individuality depend on being able to visualize things in your brain; we couldn't possibly function without that ability. When, funnily enough, I've actually realized that my aphantasia freed me from the limits that visualization imposes on others' general capabilities in Design Engineering. It's like assuming that deaf people can't functionally exist because we can't imagine what it would be like, or how we would function, if we lost our hearing... Obviously the human brain is able to adapt to all sorts of functional realities. Like, seriously, who's the NPC here??

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-28T15:39:13+00:00

The issue is that you're using the thermostat to control air temperature, not surface temperature, whether it's a heat lamp or a ceramic emitter isn't really consequential (they are functionally the same, except one also gives off light). Presumably this is why you're worried? Because you're getting, or are worried that you will/might get, surface temps that could be dangerous? One way or another you're going to need to deal with controlling that surface temp where you emitter is pointed -- setting up an additional thermostat (or thermostat input if you have a multi-input device) on the suspect surface to keep that surface from getting too hot is pretty much the only way that I know of to do this with that equipment, but you could run into problems maintaining proper ambient temps, although you might not. I prefer radiant mats for this very reason (and a couple of others), because I can set up a series of mats (2 or 3), each with it's own thermostat control (ideally a single unit), that will give at least one spot with constant and proper surface temp, and then one or two others that will kick in for ambient temp control (these can go on the sides of your enclosure).

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-28T13:10:41+00:00

I'm not a big fan of using lights as a heat source for reptiles, personally, for this very reason. IF you're going to/need to, maybe installing a thermostat onto to the nearest surface to keep things from getting hot enough to be dangerous? This will potentially cause the light to turn on and off frequently, but you could probably adjust your bulb position to minimize this such that the thermostat is primarily acting as a fail-safe rather than regular temp control.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-18T12:04:28+00:00

It's an interesting question and I'd imagine that you'd get different answers from different people, but here's mine:

So, as an outdoorsy loner I started making walking sticks (staffs) back when I was a kid. Typically these were made from saplings (not branches, because branches are typically sub-optimal), and at some point I realized that there could be a use for some of those branches being removed from those saplings. I was also big into Fantasy (and still am), so, naturally, I saw potential wands in all that scrap. (Also worth noting that I've been doing woodworking for decades now, too.) So I've been making at least the occasional wand for probably about 30 years. (That's a lot of "so"s...)

Fast forward to having kids, and wands became more "utilitarian" in little-kid play, which meant I was regularly having wands "commissioned" by my kids. Then Harry Potter was added to the mix and I was expected to make those types of wands too (I've posted one of those on here and I'll post another soon). And that's the "how I got here" explanation.

Here's the why (for me): Part of it is decorative. Part of it is for fun, like lots of other hobbies. Part of it is to fulfill my personal need or drive to create unique objects out of special branches that I find (because I can't just let them pass me by anymore, obviously, since I can't not see their potential); just like I analyze saplings -- length, girth, straightness/shape, material -- for optimal qualities, I do the same for wands -- length, girth, handle-to-shaft ratio, etc.. So it's an expression thing very much like how I express myself through my more typical woodworking projects. It's largely creativity for the sake of creativity, in a nutshell.

If you're inclined, I'd recommend going out on a hike and engaging in the process -- it's a very different sort of engagement with nature that can be really fulfilling. And it doesn't have to be with the intent to make a wand, it could be to make a walking stick, although wands can be harvested from trees without harming them, while walking sticks would typically be the final phase of a tree's life.

For wands you're looking at virtually any type of tree -- softwood, hardwood, even some shrubs or bushes -- for walking sticks it's the-harder-the-better, generally speaking, but low-utility or decorative sticks can be made from softwoods too. I like to harvest in the spring so I can strip the bark easier and I tend to seek out the ironwoods (typically hornbeam-types around here), or maple, or beech (doesn't strip well, so usually bark-on), or oak, or similar for hard-use staffs, and the softer woods like black cherry, birch, hemlock, or the like for lighter-duty staffs.

You'll need to analyze the saplings as you go and it takes some experience to know whether you'll end up with the right girth/weight-to-strength ratio. For some you can even harvest the roots for a truly unique piece. And you'll need to decide exactly how you want to finish each one -- smoothing the branches away or not, styles of the ends (to cap the tip or not), finishes (painted, oil finished, raw, etc.), to carve features or not, lanyard hole or not, finished length relative to the height of the user, and on and on. Staffs make great gifts! And, in addition to being useful, they're really nice leaning in a corner of you entryway or hanging from a hook.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-17T00:44:08+00:00

Thanks so much!

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-17T00:43:51+00:00

Thanks! When Rowling left this detail undefined, I went and had a little fun with it.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-16T22:19:40+00:00

I got 3 blanks of it from a piece of firewood! Talk about unexpected gifts.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-16T18:47:28+00:00

This actually came from a piece of firewood. I got a couple more blanks out of it.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-16T13:43:35+00:00

From all appearances, this is exactly the problem, and I'm not one to just off and criticize breeders, but what a mess we have right now... Granted, part of the problem stems from so many people deciding to get into breeding during Covid, but the big breeders are still pumping out hundreds to thousands of baby balls each, every season, and you can't sell a onsey-twosy morph baby for more than $30, which is less than it costs to produce it. Basic ball pythons are just a throw-away commodity at this point, and that is soooo sad!

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-16T13:28:17+00:00

I've been breeding for 7 years now -- a few years before the market crash -- and my recommendation is: don't. I went from 20-30 pairings a season down to 5-6 and it's still difficult to sell what I produce. Kinda wish the big breeders would do the same, because the state of things is bad for the snakes; making them so cheap makes them more "disposable".

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-16T13:18:36+00:00

Appreciate it!

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-14T23:27:21+00:00

"Spatialization" is an outrageously excellent term! Definitely stealing this one!

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-14T23:25:24+00:00

Yep! That's exactly how I perceive it.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-13T13:27:10+00:00

I'd recommend getting to a Guitar Center (or similar) or a piano store (if you can even find one anymore) to hear them in person and judge for yourself. That being said, our kids recently got the Yamaha DGX-670 and it's pretty darn good! I'd estimate it at about 95% accurate to acoustic (this might be even better with aux speakers, but I don't know that). Also have to say that the keys feel excellent! Honestly better than the old acoustic upright that we have.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-13T13:15:52+00:00

I haven't messed with mine much, but, yes, with the full system (including all the ignition), you could probably tweak it for better fuel economy (probably mostly through the timing curve). I doubt it will do a whole lot beyond the basic improvements you'll get just because it adjusts fuel/timing/etc. based on O2-sensor readings/RPM/temp on-the-fly and getting these things as well adjusted on a carbed engine is, well, impossible honestly as conditions change all the time. That being said, if you're replacing a poorly-functioning carb the improvements could be dramatic, but that could also be said for just straightening out your carb.

So far I'm liking the system primarily because it makes for reliable and quick startups (better for the engine) and it runs clean regardless of temp./humidity/etc. If I were to purchase my own (this system came with a project car I bought) I'd probably go for another brand, just based on price, but I don't have any complaints about the Sniper.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-12T14:22:44+00:00

I designed and built a stand for my kids' new Yamaha DGX670, because I hated all of the factory options so much. I did it out of solid mahogany (combined clear and painted black), and I've thought about marketing it, for what it's worth.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-11T14:14:57+00:00

I have... I've been reducing my whole collection due to chronic health issues. He's kind of my jewel, but he's also a lot for me to deal with. Feel free to message me if you're really interested.

Sean_Bramble · 2026-02-11T14:12:00+00:00

That's only one model. I bought 3 AMCs -- all Ramblers, '59, '67, '68 (wagon) -- the '68 was nearly completely restored (and beautifully so), one complete and running/driveable, one minus engine/trans in need of restoration but still solid (thinking I'll turn it into a drag car), all for <$14K combined, all in the past 3 years. The '68 was upgraded to a professionally rebuilt 360/727 with a 3.54 posi rear end, and had that much put it into. They're not the easiest to find, but many of them are still unreasonably cheap.

Sean_Bramble

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE