My birthday was earlier this month. Geogal had great sense in getting her gift-giving inspiration from looking at what I'd saved in our Amazon shopping cart.
Clearly the inverter generator (3000-watt version) wasn't feasible given camping season is all but over around here. Besides, hauling that thing around in the Suburban while the camper is hitched would be problematic as that truck's rear door doesn't clear the camper's electric jack. (Camper generators and the accompanying gas can are much better suited for a pickup truck bed.)
Nor was the Shop-Vac foam filter (great for vacuuming up anything wet) bound to be a present resulting in the "oh, wow!" exclamation.
She did, however, locate another item I've been wanting for some time. It's a Sangean PR-D5 radio.
For a few years I've known I needed a replacement for the venerable Radio Shack DX-375. I've had that device since Christmas of 1995 and used it to listen to AM, FM and short wave in many locations around North America. While it's been reliable and given me hundreds of hours of joy in pulling in distant stations it is clearly showing its age. The power cuts out periodically which then requires a shake to bring it back to life (obviously a problem with the internal circuitry) plus the headphone jack, while designed for stereo capability, has only been functional in one channel for at least 10 years. Time for something new.
I learned there isn't quite the selection of quality AM/FM/short wave units as in the past. The Grundig Yacht Boy is no longer being made and some of today's offerings scream cheap. Looking around the 'Net yielded a few options for under $100. I found the Sangean had good reviews and some noted they were impressed with its ability to pull in the distant AM stations. Even in today's streaming and on-demand world I still often prefer the old-fashioned Ancient Modulation as an entertainment choice.
So, the big day arrives and Geogal surprises me a day early with a 49-inch smart TV. The "day early" bit was due to it arriving at the house on that date and Geogal having no place to hide it. Then on the real anniversary of my birth I was treated to the radio.
So far I'm liking it. I was surprised to learn it was somewhat larger than the old Radio Shack tuner. However the larger size likely explains why it does well in receiving distant AM stations as the compartment has room for a longer-than-usual internal ferrite antenna. The Sangean also feels just downright solid. When you hold it it doesn't give the impression of cheaply made. I also like using a rotary knob to tune the frequencies although sometimes I did miss the ability to go to a keypad and punch in a specific station. However the preset buttons should make going to a particular kilohertz or megahertz frequency easy enough.
Since we're now well into autumn I've enjoyed the nighttime AM offerings that are more plentiful due to the decreased solar interference. Favorite stations from Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, Louisville and Detroit are easy catches. I've also heard north of the border broadcasts from Manitoba and Ontario and to make sure our other neighbor doesn't feel left out, tried and grabbed both XEW from Mexico City and XEROK from Juarez.
Last Saturday morning I even got one that was a true surprise. Clicking around the dial I landed on 750 AM and heard a very clear garden show. I thought, no, couldn't be. Went online and sure enough, it was Atlanta's WSB. Confirmed it a bit later with local weather and traffic reports. While WSB is one of the blowtorch AM stations in the southern U.S. I've never been able to receive them until now.
Daytime reception is also indeed a bright spot. Last Saturday (I really bonded with that gadget that day, didn't I?) while spending time cleaning up the garage I enjoyed listening to the play-by-play of the Nebraska Cornhuskers game. KXSP from Omaha came in almost sounding like a local. Even Geogal was impressed.
So farewell, my DX-375. You served me well for lo these many years. Time to make way for the new blood.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
From The Idiot Box
One more point to make from the July road trip:
That Suburban is the best vehicle to use for expeditions (wait, isn't that the Ford version of the large utility vehicle?)....excursions (wait, another Ford product of the same variety which is no longer manufactured)...uh, journeys? (Think we're OK there.) Plenty of room, comfortable ride, numerous amenities. And the ability to put E85 fuel in it when we're in corn country makes for a cheaper fill-up.
Now the child needs to make her college choice. Won't be an easy one.
___________________________________
A couple of weeks ago I did something I haven't done in I don't know how long. I watched the premiere episode of a TV series on its first airing on the network.
The promos for "Manifest" looked interesting enough to catch my interest. And so far, so good.
That's saying quite a bit as I'm something of a tough customer when it comes to TV viewing. I've decided to only watch what's worthwhile and drop a series when it's obviously getting stale. (Learned that lesson from "The Simpsons" and "Cheers.") Of course I thought the pre-season promos for "Dark Angel" (remember that show?) looked equally awesome but that program turned out to be a royal piece of fecal matter.
As with everything, time will tell if Manifest holds my interest. Sorry to say I had near-equal anticipation for "New Amsterdam" but all it took was my watching the first installment to decide I was done.
I don't even want to get into the reasons why.
That Suburban is the best vehicle to use for expeditions (wait, isn't that the Ford version of the large utility vehicle?)....excursions (wait, another Ford product of the same variety which is no longer manufactured)...uh, journeys? (Think we're OK there.) Plenty of room, comfortable ride, numerous amenities. And the ability to put E85 fuel in it when we're in corn country makes for a cheaper fill-up.
Now the child needs to make her college choice. Won't be an easy one.
___________________________________
A couple of weeks ago I did something I haven't done in I don't know how long. I watched the premiere episode of a TV series on its first airing on the network.
The promos for "Manifest" looked interesting enough to catch my interest. And so far, so good.
That's saying quite a bit as I'm something of a tough customer when it comes to TV viewing. I've decided to only watch what's worthwhile and drop a series when it's obviously getting stale. (Learned that lesson from "The Simpsons" and "Cheers.") Of course I thought the pre-season promos for "Dark Angel" (remember that show?) looked equally awesome but that program turned out to be a royal piece of fecal matter.
As with everything, time will tell if Manifest holds my interest. Sorry to say I had near-equal anticipation for "New Amsterdam" but all it took was my watching the first installment to decide I was done.
I don't even want to get into the reasons why.
Wednesday, October 03, 2018
I Wouldn't Mind Having A Drink With This Fellow
Continuing where we left off yesterday...
My week away from work draws to a close, but there's one more destination to be had.
As a family, and on my own a few times (work-related), we've been to Kansas City. So while this visit doesn't entail any first-time experiences in regard to the metro area, the Geofamily has never been to the Harry Truman Presidential Library and Museum. (For shame...)
Therefore Saturday afternoon found us at said site, following a lunch at Five Guys. Family readers of this blog know I'm quite the history nerd and I truly have no excuses for being dilatory in visiting this site and the Eisenhower Center in Abilene.
While aware of Truman's background and knowledgeable of his presidency, including his decision to use the A-bomb on Japan and pulling off a surprise victory in the 1948 election, I sure learned much more about the man during this visit.
And I loved seeing his office, even if it was through a window.
Even though we wouldn't agree on everything, I left this place with the desire to sit down and have a glass of bourbon with Truman. Don't know if I can say that about any other occupant of the Oval Office. I came away with the impression he was a very likable man. Honest, humble and not afraid to speak his mind.
Later, back at the hotel, I viewed portions of his funeral on YouTube. I then remembered seeing at least some of it on live TV, at our house in Baltimore. Mom had it on and at one point said to me:
"You see that American flag?"
"Yes."
"Harry S Truman is under it."
For a few moments I felt creeped out, taking her comment literally. Thinking the flag was draped over a dead body. Shortly I realized he was in a casket, under the flag.
The things I remember.
The next day Geogal and I visited the neighborhood where Truman's house is located. While we couldn't enter the former president's house we were delighted to go across the street to the Noland Home (his cousin's house) and view the exhibits there.
Then it was time to head home. Not a bad way to spend a week.
My week away from work draws to a close, but there's one more destination to be had.
As a family, and on my own a few times (work-related), we've been to Kansas City. So while this visit doesn't entail any first-time experiences in regard to the metro area, the Geofamily has never been to the Harry Truman Presidential Library and Museum. (For shame...)
Therefore Saturday afternoon found us at said site, following a lunch at Five Guys. Family readers of this blog know I'm quite the history nerd and I truly have no excuses for being dilatory in visiting this site and the Eisenhower Center in Abilene.
While aware of Truman's background and knowledgeable of his presidency, including his decision to use the A-bomb on Japan and pulling off a surprise victory in the 1948 election, I sure learned much more about the man during this visit.
And I loved seeing his office, even if it was through a window.
Even though we wouldn't agree on everything, I left this place with the desire to sit down and have a glass of bourbon with Truman. Don't know if I can say that about any other occupant of the Oval Office. I came away with the impression he was a very likable man. Honest, humble and not afraid to speak his mind.
Later, back at the hotel, I viewed portions of his funeral on YouTube. I then remembered seeing at least some of it on live TV, at our house in Baltimore. Mom had it on and at one point said to me:
"You see that American flag?"
"Yes."
"Harry S Truman is under it."
For a few moments I felt creeped out, taking her comment literally. Thinking the flag was draped over a dead body. Shortly I realized he was in a casket, under the flag.
The things I remember.
The next day Geogal and I visited the neighborhood where Truman's house is located. While we couldn't enter the former president's house we were delighted to go across the street to the Noland Home (his cousin's house) and view the exhibits there.
Then it was time to head home. Not a bad way to spend a week.
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
Summer Summary
Summer vacation?
In the Geohouse the closest we got was loading up the Suburban and heading to Minnesota to visit a few institutions of higher learning. Geoana is now in her senior year of high school and while Kansas State University is still on the table, she thinks she'd be better in a small liberal arts college.
She's probably right. Despite the sometimes-downright fun atmosphere of the larger schools (such as Saturdays during football season) I think her personality would be a better fit for a small pond. And she doesn't care much for athletics anyway.
So we journeyed towards the Land of Paul Bunyan but first we waited for the child to take her ACT at K-State. (She took it during the spring but wanted to better her score. It was a good call.) After she finished that task it was hit the road! Quick late lunch at Wendy's in Topeka then get on the turnpike into Kansas City. Skirt around the north end of the metro area (and realize how much I don't miss city traffic) and reach I-35 which will take us all the way to the Twin Cities.
But not all in one pop. Given the lateness of the day we planned an overnight stop in Des Moines. Late supper at Zombie Burger followed by hitting the hay at the hotel.
From that point on it's the familiar route. North to Ames (fill up Suburban with E85--yesss!!), then pass by Clear Lake before entering the Land of 1000 Lakes. Exit at Faribault and snake through the town before taking highway 3 and reaching Northfield.
We have a leisurely lunch at Hogan Brothers, then explore the downtown area.
Later in the afternoon we head to our hotel in Burnsville. But the next day it's back to Northfield. Yes. The first college visit is to St. Olaf.
Takes a good chunk of the day but we still manage to get in a visit to....
Of course. The Mall of America.
The next day sees us darken the doorstep of two schools. Concordia and Macalester, both in St. Paul.
Now we're to Wednesday and it's back on I-35, going south this time. Ames, Iowa is the destination. Time to make a second campus visit to Iowa State (go Cyclones!!)
That takes most of Thursday. Our original plan was to drive from Ames to Kansas City then stay the night to allow Geoana a chance to meet up with her friend and attend the Halsey concert. However, since Geoana scheduled the Iowa State visit for Thursday instead of Friday and Halsey would perform on Saturday, we elected to head straight home from Ames once we finished with the ISU business.
Followed the same route described earlier in this entry. However timing was now my friend, as we were in Kansas City around the dinner hour.
You know what that means.
BBQ!!
A stop at Arthur Bryant's hit the spot.
In the Geohouse the closest we got was loading up the Suburban and heading to Minnesota to visit a few institutions of higher learning. Geoana is now in her senior year of high school and while Kansas State University is still on the table, she thinks she'd be better in a small liberal arts college.
She's probably right. Despite the sometimes-downright fun atmosphere of the larger schools (such as Saturdays during football season) I think her personality would be a better fit for a small pond. And she doesn't care much for athletics anyway.
So we journeyed towards the Land of Paul Bunyan but first we waited for the child to take her ACT at K-State. (She took it during the spring but wanted to better her score. It was a good call.) After she finished that task it was hit the road! Quick late lunch at Wendy's in Topeka then get on the turnpike into Kansas City. Skirt around the north end of the metro area (and realize how much I don't miss city traffic) and reach I-35 which will take us all the way to the Twin Cities.
But not all in one pop. Given the lateness of the day we planned an overnight stop in Des Moines. Late supper at Zombie Burger followed by hitting the hay at the hotel.
From that point on it's the familiar route. North to Ames (fill up Suburban with E85--yesss!!), then pass by Clear Lake before entering the Land of 1000 Lakes. Exit at Faribault and snake through the town before taking highway 3 and reaching Northfield.
We have a leisurely lunch at Hogan Brothers, then explore the downtown area.
Later in the afternoon we head to our hotel in Burnsville. But the next day it's back to Northfield. Yes. The first college visit is to St. Olaf.
Takes a good chunk of the day but we still manage to get in a visit to....
Of course. The Mall of America.
The next day sees us darken the doorstep of two schools. Concordia and Macalester, both in St. Paul.
Now we're to Wednesday and it's back on I-35, going south this time. Ames, Iowa is the destination. Time to make a second campus visit to Iowa State (go Cyclones!!)
That takes most of Thursday. Our original plan was to drive from Ames to Kansas City then stay the night to allow Geoana a chance to meet up with her friend and attend the Halsey concert. However, since Geoana scheduled the Iowa State visit for Thursday instead of Friday and Halsey would perform on Saturday, we elected to head straight home from Ames once we finished with the ISU business.
Followed the same route described earlier in this entry. However timing was now my friend, as we were in Kansas City around the dinner hour.
You know what that means.
BBQ!!
A stop at Arthur Bryant's hit the spot.
After gorging ourselves and packing up the remnants in a to-go box, we are back home in a little less than 90 minutes.
Nice to sleep in one's own bed and get some laundry done. And on Saturday we again packed (just an overnight bag this time) and made our way to K.C.
I'll detail that portion of our "vacation" in a different entry.
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