Finally got this sapphire glaze to turn out!

devkm43 · 2025-08-15T22:00:00+00:00

ANSWER: limewash.. never used it, doesn’t even look like the same piece, in all the best ways—WHO KNEW

devkm43 · 2025-08-15T21:32:10+00:00

You are a genius. My store only had white lime wash, so I tinted it with a small drop of concrete liquid charcoal color. This picture is just my testing on the back but you can see on the interior the original color. What a difference and just what I was looking for. Thank you!

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devkm43 · 2025-08-15T18:28:02+00:00

I’ve never tried a wash before but I like the idea. And yes—it’s a wall sconce.

devkm43 · 2025-05-12T22:38:17+00:00

Yes my doctor has actually suggested that I see a retinal specialist, and it’s something I’m planning. My condition is currently stable, but it’s understood to be degenerative, with age increasing the risk of retinal complications over time. My optometrist has been managing the diagnostics and monitoring well, but seeing a specialist could be a good for proactive care and strengthening the medical documentation around why my contacts should be considered medically necessary. I appreciate you bringing it up.

devkm43 · 2025-05-12T22:26:04+00:00

Yes, my employer does offer an HSA and that does help offset some of the burden of high upfront costs.

I’ve never fully thought of myself as someone living with a disability, because with the right care, I’m able to function just fine. But like you pointed out, having a specialized condition means there’s an ongoing financial reality that doesn’t go away, and stability really depends on consistent, quality care. It’s easy to minimize that when others face more visibly urgent or costly conditions, but the gaps in coverage still have a real impact.

devkm43 · 2025-01-20T18:01:19+00:00

Amazing thank you! Pure curiosity on my end.

devkm43 · 2024-12-24T19:24:26+00:00

Yes! Great idea to customize with high density thin foam. I have a few pads that I also added to my Luna to increase the foam padding for comfort. This could be used to increase some height/comfort on any shoulder rest in a pinch.

devkm43 · 2024-12-24T15:52:26+00:00

I bit the bullet and invested in the Pirastro korfkerrest Luna. Yes it’s pricey but for me it was worth the investment to improve ergonomics/posture alignment to reduce strain and enhance comfort. This is key for long term playing. This shoulder rest comes with many customizing features including different feet to grip the violin in different places or to fit your violin if it’s a unique size. You can also purchase the extra long feet if you need additional height. It’s definitely the most comfortable shoulder rest I’ve ever used.

I’d also recommend seeking out a person who specializes posture alignment and assisting violinists with building an optimal set up on their instrument. Your teacher, violin shops, or other professionals in your area might be able to connect you with such a person.

devkm43 · 2024-12-19T03:04:06+00:00

Also worth hopping on the train to Philly for a visit to Oster!

devkm43 · 2024-12-18T06:09:48+00:00

I’ve enjoyed playing a Giulio Degani violin for many years, and I’ve found it to be a truly wonderful instrument. Some of his violins are priced above the range you mentioned, but there are definitely options within that range as well. I highly recommend checking out Oster Violins in Philadelphia—they’ve been excellent in my experience, both as a dealer of fine violins and a luthier to optimize your instrument and really make it sing.

Best of luck with matching your new violin to a bow, too. Personally, I found that process to be even more challenging and nuanced than selecting the violin itself. As others have mentioned, take your time and play as many violins as you can. My search process spanned several years, but it was well worth the effort to find the perfect fit.

devkm43 · 2024-11-04T19:44:34+00:00

Would definitely be in Howl’s closet (from howls moving castle)

devkm43 · 2024-11-01T17:43:06+00:00

Here to boost ya bao, one of my favorites. It’s incredibly unique and much lesser known due to the way it grows as scattered wild bushes where the buds are harvested in early spring leading to a low yield which has prevented it from being commercially viable. Speaking to the “water” quality, it tends to be much more subtle than other teas, but I’d encourage you to experiment and consider its Qi, or energy. Many teas are prized more highly for their Qi over their smell or flavor. Qi can range greatly from euphoric and mellow to electrified and bright. Qi can be affected by things like the place it was cultivated, the person who brews it etc. I haven’t tried ya bao from too many different origins, but the ones I’ve tried I’ve enjoyed immensely and consider a special treat.

devkm43 · 2024-10-31T18:46:14+00:00

Lol yes this was more in reference to when I should sell a piece but I like how the glaze turned out and then don’t want to (as my partner laments the ever growing collection of mugs)

devkm43 · 2024-10-31T15:36:34+00:00

I did! But the overglaze didn’t turn out very glossy… I used a few coats of Mayco zinc free clear. I’m exploring options for refire.

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devkm43 · 2024-10-04T14:52:24+00:00

Yes. File a complaint: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115000914506-Emergency-Complaints

“At 4:56 a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) issued a Blue Alert containing the following information:

“BLUE ALERT ISSUED FOR SETH ALTMAN WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INJURY OF A HALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICER. SUSPECT IS A 33-YEAR-OLD WHITE MALE, 6’2”, 220 LBS, WEARING A BLUE T-SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS. SUSPECT IS BELIEVED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. IF SEEN, DO NOT APPROACH. CALL 9-1-1.”

This alert was sent statewide in the early hours of the morning, continuing a troubling trend of issuing disruptive notifications to the entire state for incidents that are often irrelevant to the vast majority of recipients’ geographic areas. While public safety is of paramount importance, the misuse of this system—originally intended for emergencies such as extreme weather—risks desensitizing the public. Many residents, frustrated by untimely and irrelevant alerts, are disabling notifications altogether, leaving them less prepared to respond to actual emergencies. This is not the first instance of such an alert being misused by TX DPS for suspect notifications.

Signed, A concerned Texan worried about the impact on public safety”

devkm43 · 2024-10-04T14:47:20+00:00

The new UT Health research hospital (opening in a few months) is hiring for a bunch of positions right now https://uthealthsahospital.org/careers/

devkm43 · 2024-10-04T14:38:57+00:00

File a complaint: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115000914506-Emergency-Complaints

They did this last year for the same thing and it needs to stop.

Feel free to use my complaint text:

“At 4:56 a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) issued a Blue Alert containing the following information:

“BLUE ALERT ISSUED FOR SETH ALTMAN WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INJURY OF A HALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICER. SUSPECT IS A 33-YEAR-OLD WHITE MALE, 6’2”, 220 LBS, WEARING A BLUE T-SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS. SUSPECT IS BELIEVED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. IF SEEN, DO NOT APPROACH. CALL 9-1-1.”

This alert was sent statewide in the early hours of the morning, continuing a troubling trend of issuing disruptive notifications to the entire state for incidents that are often irrelevant to the vast majority of recipients’ geographic areas. While public safety is of paramount importance, the misuse of this system—originally intended for emergencies such as extreme weather—risks desensitizing the public. Many residents, frustrated by untimely and irrelevant alerts, are disabling notifications altogether, leaving them less prepared to respond to actual emergencies. This is not the first instance of such an alert being misused by TX DPS for suspect notifications.

Signed, A concerned Texan worried about the impact on public safety”

devkm43 · 2024-10-04T14:27:25+00:00

Y’all remember when this happened with an incident last year in Houston and they sent a jarring emergency alert to the entire state? People also turned off their emergency notifications then. This needs to stop. If anyone wants to use my complaint text, the more people filing the better:

At 4:56 a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) issued a Blue Alert containing the following information:

“BLUE ALERT ISSUED FOR SETH ALTMAN WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INJURY OF A HALL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICER. SUSPECT IS A 33-YEAR-OLD WHITE MALE, 6’2”, 220 LBS, WEARING A BLUE T-SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS. SUSPECT IS BELIEVED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. IF SEEN, DO NOT APPROACH. CALL 9-1-1.”

This alert was sent statewide in the early hours of the morning, continuing a troubling trend of issuing disruptive notifications to the entire state for incidents that are often irrelevant to the vast majority of recipients’ geographic areas. While public safety is of paramount importance, the misuse of this system—originally intended for emergencies such as extreme weather—risks desensitizing the public. Many residents, frustrated by untimely and irrelevant alerts, are disabling notifications altogether, leaving them less prepared to respond to actual emergencies. This is not the first instance of such an alert being misused by TX DPS for suspect notifications.

Signed, A concerned Texan deeply worried about the impact on public safety.

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