Covid19 Spare time

Donstar · December 22, 2020

1 hour ago, Bash74 said:

My spare time is being used up on the wife talking about the new electric Hummer I reserved for her. Almost missed out but got in just in time for the EV Edition 1 version. I am probably going to hate it and it's limitations being electric, but we will see.

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I also look forward to your review. We have looked seriously at EV's for our next primary vehicle but my preference is a traditional looking pickup. I am sure the Hummer would be my wife's preferred choice. I was shocked but OK with the TESLA prototype but.... I am optimistic that Electric motors will be on the option list in our favorite trucks soon!

Bash74 · December 22, 2020

I am a traditional truck guy but the wife always liked the Hummer. Had one a long time ago so she wanted another, so I figured why not. My concern is that sometimes it gets to -50 where I am at, and digital screens and electronics hate it. Also curious about charge loss in so much cold weather. I know Tesla does winter testing not to far away from me and there has been some charge loss seen but improvements are always happening.

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Donstar · December 24, 2020

My granddaughter in New Zealand will be waking up in a couple of hours to Christmas morning! We will have a virtual unwrapping of presents. It is something we have done for several years and I look forward to it with great excitement! I am thinking many families will be doing a similar activity for the first time this year. I want to assure you, if you're one of these people, it is not nearly as good as in person but it is still a very happy experience! Tomorrow we will be doing the same with our American grandchildren! The happiest part for me is knowing everyone is safe in their homes! Fingers crossed a visit will be in 3D in one of their homes (or ours) next year! One significant take-away from the countless hours of alone time generated from this pandemic is a heightened appreciation for the time with family. There is a huge difference between not visiting for awhile and not being able to visit! I want to sincerely wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

txab · December 24, 2020

99silveradoz71 · December 24, 2020

Donstar, you nailed it. Ive found myself really appreciating the days I'm off work and just able to spend more time with the kids.

Donstar · December 27, 2020

This Christmas has every grand child equipped with personal technology to receive individual correspondence with their grandparents. The communication since has been constant! I think they are experiencing some extra free time and are using some of it to catch up with us old people! It's amazing when we discover that old people are actually grown up young people. Seniors, surprisingly, can relate to many of the key struggles and joys faced in youth! When I was a young teen, communication with my European grandparents was through the mail service. Although we usually opted for the more expensive "air mail", the 3 or 4 week turnaround for a reply discouraged me from seeking advice to current dilemmas! I appreciate that internet access for their children can be a challenge for parents but I believe the advantages for youth are worth the challenge. It wasn't too long ago that I believed the opposite!

KARNUT · December 27, 2020

I spent more time making a media room out of a bedroom. Any dark room will do, as I discovered. The bedroom wall a cheap projector does the trick. A spare stereo finished the project. I usually I start most projects on the cheap to see if I like it. In this case the projector was a gift. Every thing else I had. A HD projector runs a couple hundreds bucks. The one I got was under 100$. If you have a spare bedroom the set up is much cheaper than a decent big screen tv. I’m hooked.

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Bash74 · December 28, 2020

I have spent time running ethernet lines to the rooms. Also setting up a new HAM radio base station and antenna. Next project is to install a transfer switch kit to run the house off generator power when need be. Staying busy with projects is a good thing.

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Donstar · December 29, 2020

On 12/27/2020 at 5:17 PM, Bash74 said:

I have spent time running ethernet lines to the rooms. Also setting up a new HAM radio base station and antenna. Next project is to install a transfer switch kit to run the house off generator power when need be. Staying busy with projects is a good thing.

You're so right about keeping busy with projects. Early on in the pandemic I ran an ethernet cable to our bedroom. I can place our router anywhere in the house but it doesn't want to accommodate our room. It is very strange as every other room gets great wifi with our basic router! Yesterday I took an older 32" flat screen and set it up with a camera and microphone combo. I simply plug the TV into my laptop via a hdmi and a usb plug whenever I want to Zoom without being glued to my laptop!

Colossus · December 30, 2020

On 12/27/2020 at 6:17 PM, Bash74 said:

I have spent time running ethernet lines to the rooms. Also setting up a new HAM radio base station and antenna. Next project is to install a transfer switch kit to run the house off generator power when need be. Staying busy with projects is a good thing.

Good deal. Would love to see some photos of your shack and antenna(s) when you have a moment.

mikemcclain8 · December 30, 2020

On 12/27/2020 at 10:01 AM, KARNUT said:

I spent more time making a media room out of a bedroom. Any dark room will do, as I discovered. The bedroom wall a cheap projector does the trick. A spare stereo finished the project. I usually I start most projects on the cheap to see if I like it. In this case the projector was a gift. Every thing else I had. A HD projector runs a couple hundreds bucks. The one I got was under 100$. If you have a spare bedroom the set up is much cheaper than a decent big screen tv. I’m hooked.

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Hey KARNUT, if you haven't already done it, I'd recommend a surge protector for the projector. Mine is ceiling mounted so putting a surge protector appeared cumbersome. However, I blew two power supplies within the unit so I found a surge that plugs into the outlet directly and have it in now. Did you go with a dolby Atmos set up or the traditional 5.1 or 7.1 ( or .2 for that matter) ? Next step is to automate the entire start up including light dimming, electric screen, stereo input set ups, etc. A bit of work but I like that stuff and pushing one button to get the movie experience set up is worth it to me. What PJ did you get?

KARNUT · December 30, 2020

Hey KARNUT, if you haven't already done it, I'd recommend a surge protector for the projector. Mine is ceiling mounted so putting a surge protector appeared cumbersome. However, I blew two power supplies within the unit so I found a surge that plugs into the outlet directly and have it in now. Did you go with a dolby Atmos set up or the traditional 5.1 or 7.1 ( or .2 for that matter) ? Next step is to automate the entire start up including light dimming, electric screen, stereo input set ups, etc. A bit of work but I like that stuff and pushing one button to get the movie experience set up is worth it to me. What PJ did you get?

It was a gift. The cheapest one at Walmart. About 60$. It was appreciated no less. It’s not high definition. It is still a unique experience. I will upgrade soon once my research is completed.

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Donstar · December 30, 2020

3 hours ago, KARNUT said:

It was a gift. The cheapest one at Walmart. About 60$. It was appreciated no less. It’s not high definition. It is still a unique experience. I will upgrade soon once my research is completed.

Your talk about projectors reminded me of when my kids were teens. I had a projector for my laptop that I used for presentations in classrooms and assemblies. A rented movie from Blockbuster projected on a wall of our living room was a special family event! I look forward to hearing where your research takes you. We lost interest in projected video with larger flat screen TV's becoming so affordable. Sitting in our recliners in our cozy(small) living room facing a 65" screen currently meets our needs. Of course we said the same about our 32", 40",and 55"! Oh hell! Now you've added another project for me!

mikemcclain8 · December 30, 2020

well Donstar, I have a 70" TV in the same room as the projector but "movie night" requires the projector. It's currently at 120". I also use it for outdoor movies by the pool in the summer so it serves a dual purpose. I still like the "Movie Theater" feel to it but TV's are truly catching up quickly.

KARNUT · December 30, 2020

well Donstar, I have a 70" TV in the same room as the projector but "movie night" requires the projector. It's currently at 120". I also use it for outdoor movies by the pool in the summer so it serves a dual purpose. I still like the "Movie Theater" feel to it but TV's are truly catching up quickly.

I was going to go from 55 to a larger screen after the holidays. Taking advantage of sales. After my research is completed on projectors for bang for the buck. It will be that instead.

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