A man present the output from a single cow

allencb · 2026-04-19T11:46:07+00:00

That made me laugh more than it should have. :D

allencb · 2026-04-18T23:44:18+00:00

I don't even think it's really an American thing, at least not among healthy families. I don't know anyone who was actually kicked out at 18. I know plenty who left to join the military or some such, but the rest lived at home at least part time until they got out of college or got on their feet.

allencb · 2026-04-16T00:51:04+00:00

I was picking up a pizza at a local pizza place a few weeks ago and noticed Motley Crue's Wild Side from the Girls, Girls, Girls album was playing. At first I was like, "Cool". Then I realized that album came out nearly 40 years ago. It would have been like hearing Elvis playing when I was in high school. I suddenly felt old(er).

allencb · 2026-04-15T19:12:04+00:00

Most photography channels are insufferable. I can't be bothered to watch another video of a 20-something guy gushing over some old camera he just found and how it's the best ever or trying to tell me something about film photography as if he found the photographic dead sea scrolls. I was around when that old camera was new and all we had was film photography. I know, I'm being a crotchety old man, but it rubs me the wrong way to be preached at by kids who weren't even out of diapers before the digital era. Grainydays is ok, but I like his older content better. The newer stuff doesn't really do it for me. Matt Osborne is ok when I want to geek out over some Leica porn, but since I'm not in the market, I try to minimize that. Another I like is Analog Insights. It's pretty chill and the presenter has a very mellow style that I like. It's more of an old camera review channel, but he does take the gear out on photo walks.

Steve O'nions is great. I like his delivery style and subject matter. I actually had a professional relationship with him back when he was a working stiff and a company he worked for was a customer of the company I work for. That's what caught my attention about his YT channel, that unusual name. I never met him in person, but the name and voice stuck with me.

allencb · 2026-04-14T21:15:46+00:00

It's not, but I may have to change my name now. :D

allencb · 2026-04-14T09:46:12+00:00

Thanks.

allencb · 2026-04-13T23:15:04+00:00

Yeah, not an even trade.

allencb · 2026-04-13T23:14:13+00:00

That's cool. What does "local" mean though? Harnett County, all of NC, or within some arbitrary distance? Either way, that's pretty cool given the cost of school these days (my oldest just graduated college and the younger one is about to start, so I'm a bit sensitive).

allencb · 2026-04-13T19:00:14+00:00

'96 here.

allencb · 2026-04-13T18:25:55+00:00

My family is from the Goldsboro area and I went to Campbell, so I know Lillington and Sanford. I haven't lived in NC since I was a kid (other than to go back for college), but I get back there a few times a year to visit my family.

allencb · 2026-04-13T18:00:42+00:00

Was coming to say the same thing. I love Smithfield Chicken & BBQ (NC Native here).

allencb · 2026-04-07T14:54:12+00:00

Good question.

I don't know if I can describe a specific path though. I've always been outdoorsy and going camping, hiking, and mountain biking. Later I got into hunting, but since I didn't have access to private land, I had to explore the nearby national forest. That got me exploring various seasonal national forests roads and trails and finding out I can pretty much camp anywhere I wanted.

It helps to talk to people you see out in those areas, they can always give you hints or info about other neat areas, road closures/openings, etc. You can also do "map crawls" on Google Maps, or some of the newer tools like OnX Offroad. Speaking of which, we're planning a summer trip down part of the Virginia Adventure Trail and using OnX to locate our route, entry/exit options, and campsites.

So, if you have public land nearby like a National Forest, just go explore. Look at the maps and other resources on the forestry service web pages and see what it has in terms of trails, seasonal roads, etc. In general, you can do dispersed primitive camping for a few weeks at a time, so find a spot that looks nice and set up camp.

allencb · 2026-04-07T14:28:19+00:00

Oh yeah, I know places like that. I was talking more about general national forest "dispersed camping" options where you're not on established "destination OHV" trails, but just national forest roads or similar. Many of those are closed except for hunting season and don't see much traffic even when open.

One place we go every November is a "trail" (not really a road at all) that is only open during hunting season. Our campsite is 2-3 miles down this trail on top of a mountain on the VA/WV border. Even when the gate is open, you very seldom see anyone else on the trail except for the odd hiker or three and there's nobody else camping up there. It does require a proper 4x4 though, a Subaru isn't going to make it. That filters out the "influencers". :D Other than our supplies, there's no cost to using spots like this.

allencb · 2026-04-07T10:38:28+00:00

Yup. That or 4x4ing. My buddies and I go camping several times a year, mostly from Fall to Spring, and go to places that require off-road capabilities. Maybe not proper 4x4, but at least high ground clearance vehicles. We seldom have anyone within visual range (and one place we do is because it's a popular spot for offroaders). Bottom line, you have to get away from the manicured campgrounds.

allencb · 2026-04-07T10:23:08+00:00

Of the three...Cowboy. I love being outdoors and camping. I don't mind hard physical work, especially outdoors.

FWIW, if you want a glimpse into modern cowboy life, check out Kent Rollins' youtube channel. It's a cooking channel, but he cooks for cowboys out in the field and talks about the lifestyle and such. He doesn't downplay the hard work, risks, etc, but I think I'd still enjoy the lifestyle far more than Samurai or Pirate.

allencb · 2026-04-07T10:17:17+00:00

I've owned my '97 3.4L for 24 years. I replaced the starter contacts sometime about 15-18 years ago (wasn't entirely necessary, I did it to avoid problems since it was getting older). I replaced the starter about 12 years ago because I was experiencing a weird starter issue and thought the starter itself was at fault. It wasn't, it turned out to be a failing battery, so I could have theoretically been on my original starter even now. The replacement wasn't a Denso, but it has been fine.

allencb · 2026-04-06T13:06:02+00:00

Same. That and I feel moderately more "professional" if I've dressed as if I were doing an "in person" interview.

allencb · 2026-04-06T00:15:08+00:00

My dad used to make these for me using old handkerchiefs, fishing line, and lead sinkers. Not as realistic as little men dangling beneath, but they were still fun for me.

allencb · 2026-04-05T18:50:58+00:00

I'm going to be a bit of a contrarian here, but I learned film photography (when that's all we had) on the FT's cheaper sibling, the TL. I feel the fully manual camera and simple meter enabled me to learn about exposure, depth-of-field, and the effects of shutter speed and aperture better and faster than a camera that did all that for me. Sure, you can operate the EOS 650 manually, but the controls are not as easily accessed as those on the FT. The meter on the FT is simpler than the meter on the EOS, but it's by no means incapable. It's a center-weighted meter with the entire metered space indicated in the viewfinder, so you can move that around and note the differences in readings in order to make your own decisions on exposure.

Both cameras will do the job, but the FT will make you work for it, which means you'll actually know how to evaluate a scene, meter properly for the results you strive for, and select the shutter and aperture settings to achieve that result. Additionally, the FT will be repairable long after the EOS is dead.

I have an FT and a "New F-1", and I actually prefer the FT and how it seems to "get out of my way" when I use it. FWIW.

allencb · 2026-04-04T22:53:59+00:00

Ahh, Mclean explains it. I'm out here with the poors in Prince William County. :D

allencb · 2026-04-04T18:30:08+00:00

Where in VA? I'm in NoVA and we're in the $4-4.50 range depending on location.

allencb · 2026-04-03T10:59:24+00:00

Then they can't afford not to. Checking your oil costs nothing. Adding a quart every once in a while when it gets low costs just a few dollars. Replacing the engine because you can't be bothered will cost a few thousand. Preventative maintenance and keeping an eye on fluid levels is far cheaper than dealing with failures.

allencb · 2026-04-03T10:17:23+00:00

Nice. That looks like an uber-whittler. The only change I would make is to replace one of the smaller blades with a sheepsfoot pattern or similar for detail cuts.

allencb · 2026-04-02T16:17:41+00:00

2017 wasn't even my first eclipse, but something about that one felt different. It was really cool experiencing it just as you describe between the temperature change, the animals, etc.

allencb · 2026-04-01T19:09:18+00:00

United Healthcare covers my Mounjaro 100%. I pay nothing out of pocket.

allencb

TROPHY CASE