biffnix

joined 1 year ago
[–] biffnix@discuss.online 12 points 5 months ago

Precisely. I live near Yosemite National Park, and it would be an absolute disaster if there were enough hotels, campgrounds, and amenities to meet the demand. The demand FAR exceeds its capacity for tourists, but it would destroy the very reason for that demand if that actually happened.

So what did they do? Set rules for the number of tourists allowed in the park per day, and stuck to it.

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 17 points 8 months ago (6 children)

Honestly, this baffles me. I work in K12 as a CTO, and when hiring techs or network admins, I always let applicants know during the interview when I will make the hiring decision, and they will receive an official letter of regret if they are not hired. I always keep resumes on file, as you never know if other opportunities come up. Why would any organization want to burn bridges with potential hires?

Maybe it’s just me being Gen X, but not hearing one way or the other would prompt me to pick up the phone, and at the very least check back to ask if they’ve made a decision after a week (maybe two) if I’ve interviewed…

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 1 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Very nice. Did it come with those bellows, or was that aftermarket?

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 2 points 11 months ago (8 children)

I also have the Virtuoso+, which was my first step beyond the blade grinders I had always used, and it's a big upgrade. You're going to really notice the difference in brews. Congratulations!

 

The nice thing I just learned about the Sette 30 ( which I just received as a Christmas gift) is that you can upgrade it to the micro-adjustment ring from the Sette 270/270wi model, and it's a direct replacement. This allows adjusting the grind between the "steps" on the adjustment ring.

The part is $90 (plus tax/shipping), and it does make it nice to fine-tune your grind between steps. The adjustment ring is easily removed (just press up slightly, and spin it out). The burr assembly pops right out, and you just replace it in the new assembly (press it until it clicks), and reinstall. Easy peasy, with no tools required.

The Sette 30 also came with shims to raise the burr, as it can be reset after extended use. I haven't installed the shim, since I don't need it yet, but it's nice to know that Baratza will sell parts to repair/replace over time.

Happy new year, my fellow caffeinated lemmings!

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 2 points 11 months ago

I did see this: Baratza single dose hopper with bellows. I don't have one, but that may be something I get later. I suppose a bellows might be decent at getting the last bit of coffee out of the burrs. It's not too expensive, so perhaps I'll give it a try...

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That’s the first guitar my parents ever got me - a 1983 Aria Pro IIrs “Wildcat.” Made in Japan (in the famed Matsumoku factory), it’s a Strat copy with dual humbucker pickups, and a push-pull volume knob that will coil-split either, for a good single-coil sound as well. For an inexpensive instrument (I think it was around $200 in 1983) it’s very well built. That’s why I’ve kept it all these years…

 

My wife gifted me a Baratza Sette 30 grinder this Christmas, after last year's first espresso machine, the Gaggia Classic Pro. Using the 'ol reliable Virtuoso for grinding was ok, and I could pull decent shots from the Gaggia, but the Sette 30 makes it so much easier. I love being able to put 18.5g of beans into the grinder, and get 18.5g out (usually). I did just pull the trigger on the 270 Adjustment Assembly, so I'll be able to dial in the grind even better soon.

I think I've reached my level in terms of coffee gear for now. I've got good options for a quick cup with the Moccamaster Cup-One, and when I'm in the mood for espresso or a latte, I've got the Gaggia.

I haven't tried grinding drip coffee with the Sette yet, though. I'll be giving that a try later this week. If that works well, I guess I'll have to take the Virtuoso to the office, and maybe donate it to replace their cheap blade grinder...

Happy holidays, all!

 

I've seen this phenomenon many times over the years, while walking the dog out behind our house. The cables wiggle between these two particular power poles, but NOT between the adjacent poles (or any others, along this pole line). There is no wind, no earthquakes, no herds of animals or large vehicles/machinery anywhere nearby when this is happening. I honestly have no idea why this happens sometimes. Thoughts? I mean, sure, it's probably ghosts, right? But any other explanation would be appreciated...

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Time After Time is underrated. Mary Steenburgen and Malcolm McDowell. McDowell, playing H.G. Wells, invents the Time Machine, and then Jack the Ripper uses it to go to the future. H.G. Wells follows him to stop him, and he meets Steenburgen in “modern” times (the then-current 1980’s.)

Fun movie - a sci-fi thriller, I guess you’d call it. Still one of my favorites, too.

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 1 points 11 months ago

Thanks. I'm fortunate to live in the area, and just happened to be able to pull over and take this one. Not too bad for handheld, I think.

 

I drove to Sacramento for a work conference this week, and snapped this photo as the sun rose over Mono Lake. Cheers.

[–] biffnix@discuss.online 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Thanks - I've never been to Maine before, so this was a fun trip. It was a bit cloudy when I was there (although not raining), and the colors weren't as vibrant as they could be, so I made a choice to develop in black and white. But, here's on in color, from the same day...

 

I had a chance to visit the Portland Head Light lighthouse and Fort Williams park in Portland, Maine recently. I thought it looked nice in black and white. Canon R5, RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens. We saw it at low tide, so I thought I'd try to capture the texture of the rocky foreground.

Portland Head Light lighthouse info