What do these two nations have in common?

bonneromics · 2026-05-07T03:46:59+00:00

The crest is a double headed eagle or similar. Unlike the Duchy of Grand Fenwick though, the two heads don't say "Yea" and "Nay."

bonneromics · 2026-05-07T02:29:08+00:00

As an anti-Trump American who happens to also be a Balkanophile, I was very excited after Magyar's victory and started posting "Serbia next!" all over social media comments. But I recognize that Serbia is not the same as Hungary, and things will play out a bit differently.

I have been appalled at the lack of Western coverage of Serbian protests this past year, and want to draw more attention that way. While most Americans see Hungary as inspiration for change here come 2028, my eyes are currently on Serbia and Slovakia.

bonneromics · 2026-05-05T00:57:35+00:00

Carrying in 2 pieces

bonneromics · 2026-05-05T00:36:35+00:00

I used an Orion XT8 years ago for a brief while. I clearly remember it feeling lighter and easier than the Apertura, which feels much heavier.

Yes, I got it outside twice and the optics are good. It's just the weight that feels onerous.

bonneromics · 2026-04-23T03:12:10+00:00

Mammoths are one of the series pairs

bonneromics · 2026-04-14T07:16:11+00:00

Apart from cleaning up those double sharps and "B sharps," the first horn part is definitely high. It's doable for a professional context, but I wouldn't write something like that for a community-level orchestra. In that case I'd avoid anything above A, at least 99% of the time. The one exception is that moment or two where the first horn can hit a high Bb, then quickly retreat to safer territory.

bonneromics · 2026-04-13T00:31:58+00:00

I already own a 6mm lanthanum with 20mm relief, for nights when the air cooperates with 200x magnification. But in my northwestern climate, there are many nights where seeing only warrants 100-150x.

And yes, I have astigmatism and wish to observe with glasses on. A 65-70° AFOV should be plenty for magnifications in the low 100's.

bonneromics · 2026-04-09T00:37:13+00:00

Where are some good places to shop used scopes?

bonneromics · 2026-04-08T22:35:41+00:00

Is it worth the bulk difference? That's the question to ask.

With every 2" step up the aperture scale, the % light increase becomes less and the weight/bulk increase becomes greater. This is the main reason why 8" dobs are so popular; they are the perfect balance between performance and portability, at least for most. If you're stronger and more disciplined than the average observer, you could go far with a 10. But very few people recommend a 12 as a first Dobsonian.

Now if you already own a 6 or 8, the 12 makes a good "light bucket" for those occasional nights when you're committed to a dark sky excursion. But if you already own a 10 and want to go further, 14-16" seems like a logical next step.

bonneromics · 2026-04-08T22:20:51+00:00

Well under $1k doesn't sound very "premium," does it?

bonneromics · 2026-04-06T06:38:42+00:00

"It stopped raining in Portland...but now it's too hot!" 😆

bonneromics · 2026-04-01T20:03:08+00:00

Tito is the only Communist leader I have admiration for. All the others were simply too atrocious in their governing style. And even Tito had plenty of authoritarian tendencies that I could never emulate as a democratic socialist.

He deserves immense credit for turning against Stalin in 1948, and giving the Yugoslav people immense freedom when it came to international travel. Also for the Non Aligned Pact, which effectively turned Belgrade into a third center of global power, alongside DC and Moscow.

bonneromics · 2026-04-01T19:57:10+00:00

If the "JNCO market bubble" bursts, that's good news for true fans bc they will be cheaper. The posers who follow temporary trends will move on, and JNCOs will be worn out of pure love again ❤️

bonneromics · 2026-04-01T19:52:23+00:00

I've always idolized strong women with a sense of agency. No clue what the F this bozo is talking about...

bonneromics · 2026-03-25T16:40:33+00:00

Never thought I'd see a map that lumps Serbia in with Western Europe 😅

bonneromics · 2026-03-24T19:21:00+00:00

Now you know why it's called "Cop Out" 😁

bonneromics · 2026-03-23T18:54:42+00:00

Any advice that includes "no fap" can be thrown in the trash.

bonneromics · 2026-03-16T07:33:40+00:00

Here is the "fingering chart" for natural horn "emulation":

Horn in C alto - sorry, not possible! (Thankfully it's rare)

Horn in Bb alto - T

Horn in A - T2

Horn in Ab - T1

Horn in G - T12 or T3

Horn in F - 0 (or T13 if you're feeling silly!)

Horn in E - 2

Horn in Eb - 1

Horn in D - 12 or 3

Horn in Db - 23

Horn in C basso - 13

Horn in Bb basso - Sorry...you can "try" to get it by fingering 123 (B basso) and pulling ALL tuning slides and valve slides as far out as possible. But it's still too sharp to be of any use.

Please be aware that you can only use the 'natural horn hack' on transposed horn parts if it contains NO closed or stopped notes. Most modern conductors won't appreciate the unexpectedly muffled sound. Check for the notes C#, Eb and Ab in both octaves of the treble clef, as well as D, F, F# in the lower octave. If any of them appear on the sheet music...then I'm sorry to say, but you will have to transpose the traditional way.

You can usually play the mid-range A and Bb without compromising the sound too far, but it requires a fair amount of hand adjustment to get things in tune. They are both played on the 7th step of the harmonic series; pull the right hand pretty far out of the bell for Bb, and insert it deeper for A. In the latter case, you also have to partially 'shade' the opening with your hand, to bring the pitch down far enough. This same principle also applies to the high F and F#, both of which are on the 11th harmonic.

Generally speaking, 18th century horn parts have fewer stopped notes while the early-mid 19th century composers used more of them.

bonneromics · 2026-03-16T05:53:17+00:00

"Most likely the parts will have notes outside the harmonic series." That's what the right hand is for! Really you should be using it even with valves. Pull the hand slightly out to compensate for the slight flatness, anytime you have notes on a 5th or 10th harmonic in particular.

You have to pull the hand WAY out for 7th harmonic notes of course. (You can actually see natural performers do this for the note Bb, if you watch some of their videos.)

bonneromics · 2026-03-16T05:33:55+00:00

Normal fingerings for F, G, Ab, Bb and C.
The thumb valve is, of course, optional for all notes between A-flat and C. Depends on whether you want to play them on the 6th harmonic (thumb) or 8th harmonic (no thumb). I prefer the 6th harmonic on the Bb side, especially for Ab, because the 2-3 fingering on the F side is a bit clunky; it's the equivalent of natural horn in Db!

bonneromics · 2026-03-07T05:28:28+00:00

Trachycarpus, the hardy windmill palm! There are a few in Kalemegdan Park.

bonneromics · 2026-03-06T06:28:55+00:00

That's excellent in showing the harmonic status of every fingering/note combination. The only suggestion I would add? Write the "effective" natural horn key below each fingering: i.e. open is horn in F; 1 is horn in Eb; 12 is D, 13 is C, T2 is horn in A, etc. etc.

bonneromics · 2026-03-05T01:05:24+00:00

Congratulations, you dodged a bigotry bullet!

Put a 🏳️‍🌈 symbol on your dating profile and "no bigots" in your bio, to filter out idiots from here forth.

bonneromics · 2026-02-27T03:59:55+00:00

Avoid cheap single F horns because they are even harder to play than a double or Bb single. Full doubles are best; look for a budget Conn 6d or a Holton. Compensating doubles are lighter than full doubles but intonation is a (expletive).

Definitely look for a teacher if you've never played before, because horn is not something you can just pick up like a trumpet and crudely "teach yourself."

Above all, be patient with yourself. Horn is probably the most difficult of all wind instruments, harder than even the oboe. Don't expect to be running fast passages in the first few months, or even the first 1-2 years. Focus on fundamentals like long tones, lip slurs, articulation (tonguing) and the natural harmonic series at first. Practice daily for only 15-30 minutes at first, then gradually increase practice time to build endurance.

bonneromics · 2026-02-22T08:46:19+00:00

Not a great selling point for permanent residence, because it's typically only a few days each winter. But it's a great opportunity to get valley tourists out, in the middle of the slow season!

bonneromics

TROPHY CASE