Book Review – Sailing Into Oblivion

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Sailing Into Oblivion

A fast-paced reading adventure

by 

Jerome Rand 

 

  How do you know it has been too long since published a book review? When the last review you did was 4 years ago!  In this case Walk The Wire by David Baldacci (https://www.catracing.org/hendrb/walk-the-wire-an-exciting-new-memory-man-mystery-by-david-baldacci/) .

  My hiatus from writing book reviews is certainly not because I have not been reading.  I try to read as often as I can!  I think the reason stems from not only trying to find an excuse to actually get outside, and there was so many places I wanted to see and blog about in Korea that the book reviews went by the wayside.  The other factor is, book and movie reviews are actually more difficult than the activity blogs, because those pretty much take care of themselves.  We went here, I did this!  This activity was awesome, this one not so much.  Throw some pictures together, and you have a blog!  That is not to say these types of blogs are easy.  They still take a lot of preparation, writing, a solid understanding of photography, and post processing the photos.  I just feel it is less cerebral and less subjectivity then trying to put down into words what I gleaned from a novel, or in this case someone’s factual account of their lives epic journey.

 So now that we have my preramble out of the way!  Let’s get down into the meat and potatoes of a very long over due review of Jerome Rand’s Sailing Into Oblivion.  A true to live story of answering ones calling to sail around the world single handed on a 33 ft boat!

  While my contract was winding down in Korea, I was thinking more and more about wishing I could use the money I saved up working overseas and sail from San Diego, north to San Francisco then west to Hawaii.  After working in the customer service field for over 20 years, I really felt like I needed to take a break and get away from people!  What better way to do that, then being alone with one’s thoughts for a month at a time!  I began to watch more an more YouTube videos of single handed cruisers such as Sam Holmes (https://www.youtube.com/@samholmessailing).  Who not only sailed single handed from Los Angeles to Hawaii, but flew overseas and cruised all over Europe!  One of the books Sam Holmes recommended was Sailing Into Oblivion, an autobiographical account from Jerome Rand, who at 39 sailed a Westsail 33 around the world single handed in 2018!

  The book opens on Mr. Rand just miles from the infamous Cape Horn trying to warm his frozen hands over the boats stove.  We are immediately thrown into the authors world of not only trying to mentally survive a year alone on the vast ocean, but physically survive in one of the most storm tossed seas on the planet!  We are then taken back 7 years in the past when the author completed another journey and life challenge of completing the through hike of the Appalachian trail, when the first whispers of his next life’s journey are being planted.   Moving back and forth from getting closer two and rounding cape horn and the months before leaving Gloucester, Massachusetts in a blur of turning pages, you will find yourself unable to put the book down, unable to rest or wait to see what challenge Mr. Rand will face and overcome next!  From seasickness, running low on food and at times water, food poisoning, to dealing with the sometimes completely opposing spectrum of  weather King Neptune can throw at us mere mortals ranging from being becalmed for days to raging gales and hurricane force winds!

  Sailing Into Oblivion should be quintessential reading for anyone dreaming of long rang cruising, or for those who love a good sea yarn!  It is a story of one mans dream, to sail single handed nonstop around the world and past all 5 capes! 

  Mr. Rand’s narrative style will make you feel like you are right there on the Might Sparrow experiencing the everything the author did.  Make sure you set aside a good chunk of time for Sailing Into Oblivion, because you may just find yourself not able to put this one down!

  Sailing Into Oblivion is available on Amazon in the following formats.  Please consider helping Brent’s World by using the links below.  Proceeds from the Amazon Associates program go towards making new content for you, our readers.

Available for purchase at Amazon.com

Kindle Edition – $9.99
Hardcover – $26.99 
Paperback – $16.99 

If you have read or decide to read Sailing Into Oblivion, please consider returning to let us know in the comments what you thought of the book. 

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On The Road And On The Air – Installing the Yaesu FTM-500DR

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On The Road And On The Air

Installing The FTM-500DR 
Yaesu’s flagship DualBand 2m / 70cm Radio.

  One of the things I was most looking forward to once I got settled was getting settled and installing an new amateur radio station ( looking forward to HF somewhere down the road), but any good amateur loved to talk, whenever and wherever they are.  This includes their automobile!  So looking around at radio’s that would be a good fit I settled on the Yaesu FT-500D.  While I liked the bigger screen of the Yaesu FTM-300DR and the FTM-400DR.  There just are not many places to mount the larger screens these days.  Looking at the pictures online, it looked like the detachable faceplate would fit nicely in the center console cubby of the Bronco Sport below the InfoTainment display. 

  I ended up ordering the radio and most of the accessories from *DX Engineering.  The selection and ordering process online was easy and mostly trouble free, (I ended up reversing the shipping and billing address!), fortunately this was caught by their staff who called and politely set me straight!!  100% A+ service by DX Engineering!

  Here is what I ordered. 

  The Yaesu FTM-500DR a 50W Digital (C4FM) / Analog FM 144m/430Mhz dual band mobile Transceiver. 

  Yaesu Transceiver Mounting Brackets MMB-103 (I ended up not using this! As you will see later.).

DX Engineering RG-8X PL-259 Low-Loss 50-ohm Coax Cable 3FT – (DKE-8XDX003)
* For the MFJ-864 SWR Meter.
 MFJ 864 SWR/Wattmeter
 DX Engineering DXE-281 Communications Speakers. ( I ended up not using this.)
 * Yaesu Seperation Cables CT-132 (See note in blog).
 * Larsen Mobile Antenna Mount NM0MMRPL. (See Notes in blog.).

  So after a couple months of procrastinating, and the radio sitting in the box, I finally set about installing it in my Bronco Sport!

  I had a really good idea how I had wanted to do this!  Taking most of my inspiration from the zero drill installation of the Kenwood TMD-700 in my 1998 Ford Ranger. 

  So the first task, was to find a way to run the power cables from the battery through the firewall.  This was accomplished by a rubber through plug to the left of the brake pedal.  I removed the plug and used the tip of a drill bit to push the power leads through (I punched two holes for each of the positive and negative leads, removing the fuse and fuse holders).

  I then ran both leads under the plastic molding under the door back to where the radio mounts under the drivers seat.

  I then attached the positive and negative leads directly to the battery terminals as pictured.  

I then attached the fuse holders and fuses.

As mentioned above, when looking at the Bronco Sport, I had a fairly good idea that I wanted to mount the remote head  in this space in the center console.  However, I ran into a problem where the remote mounting bracket just would not fit!  So that seemed to be a non starter!

  I then looked around online, and found a video of a Bronco Sport mounting the control head of a GMRS radio using a bracket that clipped onto the plastic of the cubby.  The mounting bracket of the radio, as a “tripod” screw in the middle for attaching to it’s bracket and I drilled out the ProClip to accommodate this, however the screw was too short for the bracket!  Going through my camera gear, I found a bold that would fit, but it was too long, and started deforming the Yaesu faceplate bracket.  So this was another no go!

  I then figured I could use some heavy duty Velcro I bought from Amazon to secure the radio to the carpet under the driver’s seat.  This worked well, but I felt the control head stuck out too far, to be ergonomical to read the display while driving.  It just did not feel right!

  So back to square one!

  My next idea was to make a template of the shape of the top of the cubby, and have a custom piece of plywood made at Home Depot, that I could fix the mounting bracket to and then Velcro it into place inside the cubby.  Then then light bulb went off, and I had a moment of epiphany!  While the mounting bracket would not fit in the space, the back of the control head would!  So if I could cut the Velcro to fit along the top and bottom of the control head, there should be enough of a hold to keep the control head in place during vehicle operation, and also while operating the control head!

  So I cut the Velcro to fit the control unit, affixed the other side to the tops and bottom of the cubby, and proceeded to pray!  VIOLA!!  Not only a perfect fit, but the Velcro held the control head in place! 

  Next came the task of fitting the radio under the drivers seat, I was originally concerned there would not be enough space under the seat due to the power seat mechanism and heating, but there was a sunken out area of the floor, that almost perfectly matched the footprint of the radio unit!

  I thought the placement of the radio looked rather nice once the floor mat was put back into place.

  This is the first of two incidents were reading and understand the manual or the specs before undergoing an installation project comes in handy.  I originally plugged the microphone into the port on the radio unit and was concerned that the mic cable was too short, and under a bit of tension when being operated in the driver’s seat!  I made a mental note to order an extension cable for the Microphone.  It was not until I ran and connected the control cable that I realized there was an additional port for the microphone on the control head!  Problem 1 solved by Yaesu!

  Once that was done, it was time to mount the antenna.  I am using the Diamon Super Gainer 7900.  My only mistake was ordering the Larson 3.5 inch UHF mount, which does not have as much holding power to the roof of the vehicle as I would like!  I will be ordering a 4 inch diameter mount before my first road trip next month!

  The 3rd and final logistical challenge was were I was going to mount the external speaker? I had ordered a DX Engineering DXE-281 external speaker, as the audio would probably be too muffled with the radio mounted under my seat.  This was most likely going to be the biggest headache, as stated earlier the goal was to drill no holes!  I was able to get away with this in my Ford Ranger by repurposing a screw in the back of the cab used to hold the plastic molding in place.  I doubted I was going to have such luck in the Bronco Sport!  Added to that, was all of the passenger compartment airbags, and I was in for heck of time. 

  Yaesu came through AGAIN, with a speaker built into the remote control head!  So, this suddenly became a non issue!

  I am very happy with the radio, it has all of the bells and whistles that I expect for a good Dual Band mobile radio, with the added benefit of a *built in GPS, and TNC (Radio modem) for APRS use.   Below is an Automatic Packet Reporting System “APRS” track of me after leaving church.

Screenshot

  As I use the Yaesu FTM-500D on a couple of upcoming road trips, I will be able to provide a more indepth review.  Until then please enjoy more blogs from Brent’s World! 
73 de KF6HDJ!

  If you wish to discuss this, or other blogs from Brent’s World, head on over to our free forums by clicking HERE!

  If you are considering purchasing equipment for a mobile ham radio station, Please consider supporting Brent’s World by ordering through the Amazon Affiliate Program.

  Yaesu FTM-500DR 50W C4FM/FM 144/430MHz Dual Band Digital Mobile Transceiver.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLSGMLPC/ref=nosim?tag=catracing1-20

Diamond NR7900A Dualband Mobile Antenna (UHF Mount
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F43HD8Y/ref=nosim?tag=catracing1-20

 Other parts needed, not through affiliate program.
Diamond Antenna Magnet Mount (UHF Mount)
 https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dmn-k702m

Yaesu SCU-62 (10 Ft Separation Cable)
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-scu-62

If you need a longer separation cable (20Ft) order the CT-132).
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-ct-132

I hope you enjoyed the latest technical blog on Brent’s World!
Please visit next weekend for more new content.

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In The Kitchen – Finally able to bake bread again!

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In The Kitchen 
Finally able to bake bread again!

   Back in the 80s, when my dad was putting together survival rations at our property in Julian he needed to learn how to bake bread, and for some reason I would always want to help with the processes.  I loved the feel and the process of kneading the bread, watching it rise, and the smell of a fresh baked loaf!  As this was simply a means to an end for my dad, I continued with it through my late teenage years and into adulthood.  The process just relaxed me, and it was a great break from the normal routine. 

   The cost to start making bread does not need to be expensive. You just need to decide if you are going to use a stand mixer, or if you go the bread machine route.   I have done both, including my last 6 months in Gunsan due to our apartment not having an oven.  The stand mixer gives you a lot more flexibility, but you can still use the bread machines dough setting for the specialty bread recipes.

  What you will need to get started.

  A stand mixer with dough hook attachment, KitchenAid and Bosch both make very capable mixers.  I have always used the Bosch Universal Mixer and current use the Bosch Universal Mixer Plus.  You can also use a bread machine, but I do not recommend this route for the beginner.  I feel that it is important to fully understand the process to make better loaves in the bread machine.

  You will also need!

A Teflon spatula
A good set of measuring cups.  I use a 1 cup measuring cup, and a 2 cup measuring cup.
A set of measuring spoons, with at least a Tablespoon, a Teaspoon, ½ and ¼ teaspoon.
2 loaf pans (9x5in)
A large Pyrex or similar bowl to allow the dough to rise.
A kitchen towel.

  Common ingredients.

Bakers Yeast (I use Fleischmann’s, other people swear by Red Star)
White Flour ( I use All Purpose, other’s recommend ONLY using enriched bread flour).
Whole Wheat flour (If making wheat bread). 
Sugar
Salt (You can NOT leave out the salt.  This is needed to keep the yeast growth in check).
Butter (Some recipes call for vegetable or olive oil).
*Milk (Some recipes, especially bread machine recipes) only call for water.  I find milk makes for a better texture.  The reason bread machine recipes do not use milk is in the event that you are using the delayed baking feature and they do not want the milk to spoil.  In most bread machine recipes if you are baking right away, you can modify it by using half milk and half water.    For instance, if it calls for a cup and a half of water.  Use 1 and ¼ cup water and 1 and ¼ cup milk.

Bread making tips.

  Warm all your liquid ingredients.  Placing your water and milk in the microwave for about 40 seconds is adequate to warm your liquids to a temperature suitable for the yeast to do its thing.  A yeast thermometer is a good device to have (Especially when just starting out), but testing with your finger is also acceptable (As long as your hands are clean!).  You want the temperature to be between 105- and 115-degrees f. 

  If you are baking during the colder months, place a pan of hot water in the bottom of your oven.  This creates a great place for the bread to rise!

  You can do most of your kneading in the mixer!  However, much time your recipe calls for the dough to be kneaded by hand, you can go ahead and knead it in the mixer.  I would mix for a minute or 2 and check the consistency and add a little bit of flour as needed (No pun intended!), for the first 10 minutes of the kneading process, then take it out of the mixer and knead the last 5 minutes by hand.

 There are plenty of bread recipes online for you to try, though you might also want to try one of the classics.  The recipe book my dad bough and that I still use is called The Bread Book (The Complete Book On Making Bread) by Lou Seibert Pappas.  The book has gone out of print but you can still find it used on Amazon and eBay.

Click here for a recipe for Honey Wheat Sandwich Bread.

Here I am making the above recipe!

  I hope you try your hand a bread baking!  If you used this blog to get started in the wonderful hobby or are a seasoned baker and used the recipes found here, please leave a comment, or visit our forums!

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Support Brent’s World!  Good content costs money…  If you wish to support Brent’s World, please consider purchasing the recommended equipment in this blog by using the links attached…

BOSCH Universal Plus Kitchen Mixer (Wire Whips, Dough Hook & NutriMill Dough Hook Extender Bundle).

This Old Radio – Replacing Memory Battery on the HTX – 202 & HTX – 404

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This Old Radio

Replacing memory battery in the RadioShack HTX-202 and HTX-404 Transceivers.

  One of my goals when coming back to the United States was to finally upgrade my Amateur “Ham” Radio License to Amateur Extra class.  I have been wanting to upgrade my license from a General Class license since the late 1990s.  I just could not get the advanced math in the radio theory down. 

   With the help of Gary Wise’s (W4EEY) Amateur Extra License YouTube classes I was able to get the theory down enough to go take and pass the exam in February 2024! 

  Now that I was a certified Extra Class Ham Radio operator, I figured it was time to actually do some Extra Class activities, such as fixing some older radio equipment.  I have 2 old Radio Shack 2 meter, and 70cm (440MHz handheld transceivers.).  I like these radios because they actually look like radios, and are almost indestructible!  However, being so old, their mercury button type batteries that hold memory settings have long gone the way of the dodo, and produced an Er1  1 message on power-up.

  Using the instructions on Craig LaBarge’s (WB3GCK) blog, I ordered the parts and a new soldering station on Amazon and set aside the time to replace the batteries in my radios. 

Soldering Station
Button Battery  Holder 
4 pack of CR2032 3 Volt Button type batteries
CRAFTSMAN  Precision Screwdriver Set
  • Support Brent’s World.  If you purchase from Amazon using these links, proceeds will be used to support the blog and new content!

So, let’s get down to business!

First I remove the Belt Clip from the back of the radio using the no.1 (2.5′) Phillips head screwdriver from the CRAFTSMAN precision screwdriver set.(2 of my radios did not have these attached, as I used them in a radio holder on a utility belt.).

Next I remove the 4 screws, latch and battery rail from the bottom of the radio Also using the 1 (2.5′) Phillips head screwdriver, Pay close attention to how the plastic latch assembly sits on the radio.

Once this is done, it is time to remove the 5 screws holding the back of the radio on, use the No.0 (1.5″) Phillips head screwdriver, and carefully remove the screws.  If the smaller #0 driver feels too loose in the heads of the 4 corner screws you can use the larger #1, but not on the center screw which is smaller. (The screws are very soft, and you might not be able to find replacements!). Once the screws have been removed, lift the back off the radio.

Carefully life the top circuit board out of the lower casing, and set it beside the radio.  Be careful as it is still attached by a ribbon cable.

You can see the mercury battery used to store the memory settings.

We will now heat up our soldering iron (I set the temperature to 670F), You need to be careful not to get things too hot! 
When the tip is hot enough to melt the solder, desolder the negative lead on the left side of the battery. (It is just soldered to the aluminum shielding seen in the picture.).

Next cut the positive RED wire as close as you can to the metal lead and remove the battery (It is secured to the metal shielding using a foam adhesive.)

This is what it will look like when removed.  I used rubbing alchohol to remove as much of the adhesive that might be left on the shielding as possible.

We will now place the button battery holder into the radio. Bend down the negative terminal of the battery holder so it naturally makes good contact to the shielding.  Using tape or double sided tape, secure the battery holder to the metal shielding inside the radio.  Then solder the negative terminal to the shielding making sure it makes good contact.  Now strip the insulation off the red positive wire and solder it to the positive terminal of the battery holder.  NOTE: I used electrical tape to tape the ribbon cable to the side of the radio out of the way, as I did not want to damage it soldering the negative lead of the battery cable onto the shielding.

Place the battery into the battery holder.

Remove the electrical tape holding the ribbon cable to the side of the radio (If used).

Carefully reassemble the radio, once reassembled, attach the battery back, and hold down the function, and D on the keypad while powering on the radio to clear the Err 2 message.  Turn off the radio, and power on again.  If everything is working as it should.  You will no longer receive the Err 2 message!  (NOTE: Yes, I am using the 12v 600ma wall adapter to power the radio enough to test for the Err 1 message.  There is not enough current to tx using the wall adapter, so do NOT try to TX, doing so may damage the radio!”

I hope you enjoyed this weeks blog!  Please be sure to come back next week for more exciting content.  If you wish to be notified when new content is posted, please consider registering, by clicking here.

Out and About In Pensacola – University of West Florida – West Campus Trail System

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Out and about in Pensacola

University of West Florida – West Campus Trail System

  I have been extremely busy since moving to Florida in late February, and between starting the new job, buying a new car, and finding a place to live. I needed something to do on the weekend to get our and let off steam.  I found a series of hiking trails near the hotel I was staying near the University of West Florida Campus.  The trail system has multiple trailheads, and several loop trails of varying skill levels and lengths the shortest (The Yellow trail, which starts on Pate Street), and the longest being almost 12 miles which starts either at the Pate Street trailhead, or at the Edward Ball Nature Trail on the UWF campus.   This blog shows pictures from the Edward Ball Nature Trail, the Yellow Loop trail, and a modified Red and White trail from Pate Street.

  The trails are multi use for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

We start out at the Edward Ball Nature Trail, near Thompson Bayou.  I have not yet laid eyes on the Alligator.  Should I be relieved there is only one?

This Trail takes you along this wooden platform where you can identify various plants on the Thompson Bayou, and you can observe some fish and turtles that make the Bayou their home.

You will soon leave the elevated walkway and into the heart of the hiking trails. (Looking back at the  elevated walkway.)

The trail then parallels the Bayou for a bit, which makes for some great photo opportunities.

There quite a diverse growth of foliage on the trails, which provides quite a bit of shade, from pine trees, to majestic oaks, you will find peace along the trails.

There can also be quite a bit of wildlife along the trail, such as this squirrel. 

There is no potable water along the trail, so be sure to being plenty of your own.

I enjoy using my time hiking to talk on the ham radio.  Either using the EchoLink app on my iPhone to join in the Alaska morning net, or talking on the local repeaters on 2 meters using the Handi Talkie.

The UWF trail also hosts a virtual scavenger hunt game to keep your children entertained, the goal is to hike the trails looking for these signs with various animals on them, make note of the numbers on the signs or use your smart phone and record them on the UWF website. https://uwf.edu/academic-engagement-and-student-affairs/departments/recreation-and-wellness/outdoor-adventures/uwf-trail-maps/scavenger-hunt/ .  The goal is to collect at least 5, or collect them all.  If you can locate at least 5, you can download a certificate to record your accomplishment.

If you are looking for some outdoor activities in Pensacola, I highly recommend the UWF trails.  For either hiking, or bike riding you will not be disappointed.

How to get there?
For the Edward Ball Nature Trail Side –
 Apple Maps – Search For Edward Ball Nature Trail (Ferry Pass)
For The Pate Road Trailhead –
GPS Coordinates: 30°33’5.526″ N 87°14’35.268″ W
Apple Maps: Search For 11969 Pate Street.
Turn in and park where you see the other cars.

Fall – A gripping thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

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Fall  – A gripping thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

 

  While on a recent trip to Seoul, I had the opportunity to watch Fall, an adventure/survival thriller released in 2022. 

  Fall a recent film by Scott Mann, stars Grace Caroline Currey, who plays Becky Connor, a once larger than life, outgoing and adventurous young adult who retreats from the world after the death of her husband Dan in a mountain climbing accident the previous year.

  Becky’s estranged father played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is becoming more and more concerned that his daughter’s life is becoming more and more out of control as she is developing more and more of a drinking partner contacts Becky’s once best friend Shiloh Hunter an avid adventurer, world traveler, and social media star.  Shiloh shows up and invites Becky to come with her to climb the B67 broadcast antenna tower, which stands at over 2,000 in the middle of the desert, and was once one of the tallest manmade structures in the US.

  At first Becky refuses, afraid to go climbing again, however after looking at what her life has become she agrees to accompany her friend, realizing if she does not push herself put of the rut her life has become she will soon die anyway.

  Becky and Shiloh make it to the top of the tower, and celebrate their accomplishment, 2000ft above the desert floor.  Soon it is time to commence the long climb down, only to have the dilapidated external tower complete fall off, leaving them stranded.

Not sure if and how they will be rescued, they have a bleak and uncertain future, how will they attract attention to rescued?  Will Becky completely be able to overcome her fear of heights?  Becky and Shiloh must reach deep within themselves and rely on each other to make it off the tower.

    What did I feel about this film?  This is the third film in the relatively new survial thriller genera.  Compared to Adrift, and Frozen I enjoyed Fall the most.  The film was fast paced and contained several really good an unforeseen plot twists.  The cinematography of the tower and tower climbing left you on the edge of your seat.  The soundtrack fit very well with the film and added to and complimented the suspense.

  If you are looking for a good thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat with sweaty palms, I highly recommend Fall.  Available to rent or own on Amazon Prime, and AppleTV. 

  Trailer –

  If you have seen Fall, please stop by our forum and participate in the conversation by clicking HERE!

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A Hipstamatic Adventure – Sculpture Park of Keumkuwon In Buan

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  A Hipstamatic Adventure: Sculpture Park of Keumkuwon In Buan

 

Back in 2018, I blogged about a photo app I installed on my iPhone called Hipstamatic (See the blog HERE.).  Hipstamatic is an iOS and Windows Phone app that applies hip looking filters to your photos, giving them a unique, hipster look like you might find using an old fashioned film camera.

I do not often shoot pictures with my phone, so to be different I decided to shoot only with my phone during a recent trip to the Keunmkuwon Sculpture Park in Buan.  To be really different I decided to shoot using the Hipstamatic app.  Shooting with a phone is just not something I do much, and while the process of visualizing what you want to do, and the actual composing the mechanics are completely different.  For instance, holding a 10lb camera, with a 1.4lb lens hanging off the front is completely different than a phone weighing less than a half a lb, that is a flat rectangle.  So how did I do?

 

   I like to shoot with the random film/camera option (Think random filter options.).  

This had a nice black and white look, and a nice strange compression going on the right-hand side.

 

  This is a good example of always take multiple shots!  Get closer!  The most surefire way to say you are a beginner photographer, is being too far away from your subject (Unless of course your subject is a distempered lion.).  I like this version of this statue, as I like the white “old style” boarder and the washed out matte colors.  

 

  There are some really interesting pieces, like this detailed sculpture of the human hand. 

  One of the downsides of the Hipstamatic, is that sometimes it is hit and miss with the framing.  While the framing is acceptable normally, the in app crop comes out unusable.  Which leads to mentioning another common mistake of a new photographer.  Awkwardly cutting off body parts (Usually it’s limbs or the entire head, but an eye in this case.).

  Here is another drawback of the Hipstamatic app, while I do love the old-fashioned boarder, it prevents you from easily cropping the photo in post production.

 Let’s say I like this photo, but I do not like the car in the background, this breaks a cardinal rule of good photos, “If it doesn’t add to the photograph it detracts from is.), but what to do?!  I can’t move the car, and as it belonged to the staff member of the park, I probably cannot wait it out!  Normally we would just crop out what we don’t want and save the picture.  Fortunately, Hipstamatic does save a version of the photo without the filters applied.

Sometimes the filter’s save you from yourself.  Errant people in your photos?  Not a problem with the Hipstamatic..

  Then sometimes the Hipstamatic is your worst enemy.  Though today is the day we are putting those photography maxims to the test, “I am a photographer, I shoot people and sometimes I cut off their heads!”

 I think this statue was cursed!  It just did not want me to get a proper photo of it.  Which leads me to another frustration I have about taking photos with my phone.  I often get my danged finger in the picture, which something I do not have to worry about with a real camera!  With a lens sticking out in front of the body, I would have to work at making this mistake!  Again with the filter boarders, I cannot just easily crop that out!

 I did finally get a good shot, but the framing is not as good, I think someone’s eyes will be  drawn to the exhibition house, and not the statue.

  I took multiple pictures of the head encased in rock.  I liked this sculpture, because it reminds me of the head in a jar trick art painting. 

  Another interesting thing when shooting with the Hipstamatic, You find yourself shooting and liking pictures that you normally would not.  For instance, I find this shop too cluttered, with the 3 other statues in the photo.  However, it is the best of the alternatives, unless I decide to use the phtoto without the filter. 

  Another nice thing about the old photo boarders.  It nicely takes care of having too much head room in the picture, however I like the fact that you you don’t have as much of the statue base like in the previous photo.

  I could not tell if the arm of this statue got damaged, or if it never had one to begin with. Looking at the jagged ends, it looks like it was broken off.

  Eventually you do get used to framing within the app, it with such a crop from the original picture, and without the ability to zoom with your fingers.  It is just like shooting with a prime, or the Holga lens. This is also a great example of how much better your pictures can be, if you just move a little closer!  Even if you look like a perv getting so close to naked statues.

 

  There were a couple of pictures were the unfiltered picture looked better.  Here is one.  I love how the lens flare makes it look like the beam of sunshine is coming from the hole in the clouds.

  I love the vibrant and over saturated greens in the picture, with the flat muted blue of the sky in this picture.  If you could do this in a portrait oriented photo, it reminds me of the tacky post cards you could buy on those long family trips.

 

  You never know what you are going to get when using the random settings on the Hiptamatic.  I love the contrast in this photo!  The only gripe I have is the top of the statues butt is cropped into the boarder, but other than that small nitpick, I love this photo.

 

  Here is the photo with no filters.  I think it works much better with the black and white filter.  Would be interesting to see what I might be able to do with it in Lightroom manually cropped, and with a good black and white preset.

  You have to love how a good contrasty sky can come out in black and white.

  Rules are meant to be broken!  One might say there is WAY to much headroom in this photo be a “portrait”, but I think it works and does add some perspective and personality that is lost in the close cropped shot.  Please comment and let me know which photo you think would make a better portrait!

  I will draw this blog to a conclusion, I am very happy that I chose to shoot this outing with my phone using the Hipstamatic app.  99% of my photo and blog work are done with a dSLR.  Which makes it awkward when I am put in a situation when I have to use the camera on a phone.  Usually when someone asks me take their picture.  Most of the time this leads to me trying to use the same process to frame the picture, lighting, etc.  This leads to the inevitable, “Why are you getting so close.  Stand back..”, “You don’t need to hold the phone like that..”  Etc. Etc. Etc.  Or as I have shown here, getting a finger or 2 in the frame, because that is just where I used to putting my left hand!  It is great to know, I can take great photos with a phone still.

  If you are interested in checking out the Sculpture Park of Keumkuwon, mappable phone # and address for Naver Maps are provided below.

Mappable Phone

063-584-6770

Mappable Address:

861-20 Docheong-ri
Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun
Jeollabuk-do

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Gunsan Restaurant Review – Gaehwadang

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Gunsan Restaurant Review – Gaehwadang

(French cuisine in Jigok-dong

  Looking back through the blog, I cannot believe that it has been almost 2 years since I have done a restaurant review in Korea!  Well, time to break the slump and review a quaint, romantic restaurant I found in Gunsan!  The strange thing is I have never really had much experience with French Cuisine, outside of French Toast and French Fries ( I can just picture my good French Friends Florence and Dennis rolling their eyes!).  So I was not quite sure what to expect. 

  One of the dangers with trying new food in Korea, is that you are never sure just how authentic it is!  Gaehwadang was no exception!

  During my first visit, I ordered the mushroom salad to start, with a fresh baked almond baguette with olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.   As someone who bakes bread at home, the bread was awesome!  It had a moist crumb, and surprisingly a soft (not hardened with steam) crust that most Americans would associate with French bread.  I am hoping someone with more experience or a native of France can comment if a bread has to have a crunchy or hardened crust to be considered real Banquette.

 

  Ahh.. I got completely side tracked by the bread, back to the mushroom salad.   I cannot heap enough praise on this salad.  I love mushrooms, and this work of art did not disappoint.  The 2 types of mushrooms flavor complemented each other, and went very well with the romaine lettuce and parmesan cheese!  If you are a fan of edible fungus, I highly recommend this for your appetizer. 

  Also on my first visit, I ordered a French Lasagna, Yes..  I know. I did a double take as well, and thought Lasagna is Italian!  Okay, it Italian, but the French have introduced a key twist, while Italians use Parmesan cheese and Ricotta.   The French would use Comte or French Emmental.  Additionally, to season the pasta dish, herbs de Provence is used along with the traditional Italian herbs of oregano and basil.

  The lasagna was rich and hearty flavored, and had a nice smooth texture, the mean went perfectly with the house red wine.

  My dinner companion had the Beef Bourguignon, which joking I though just looked like a beef pot roast with potatoes, I did get to sample a few bites, and I must say it was delicious!

  We found out that there is a special beef en croute on the menu, but you must call ahead to reserve it.  I do apologize to my French friends once again, because I keep comparing the dishes to dishes from other countries and I must do so once again.  The dish to me looked like simply a beef wellington without the mushroom duxel.  Though in a sense it is, a filet mignon or beef tenderloin wrapped in puff pastry.

  Again, the dish was delicious, it was cooked a perfect medium rare, the filet was tender, perfectly seasoned and went really well with the puff pastry.  I just with the service size was larger.

 

  For desert we were offered a chocolate mouse, and a plate of blue berry cheese.  Both excellent.

Gaehwadang is a nicely furnished, quaint “hole in the wall” restaurant, perfectly styled for a nice romantic dinner for 2, or a quick bite to eat by yourself.  There is also a large semi private table in the rear that would be good for larger parties. The atmosphere is quiet, nicely decorated, and clean.  If there is anything to nitpick about, is that I wish the serving sizes were larger! 

  I highly recommend Gaehwadang.

Hours –
Lunch 1200 – 1500
Dinner 1730 – 2000

Phone Number 063-464-7057

 

Mappable Address-
566-7 Jigok-dong, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do

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Technical – Adding PETSCII ‘Keyboard Colors’ to MuffinTerm

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Technical – Adding PETSCII ‘Keyboard Colors’ to MuffinTerm

Using MacOS Keyboard Shortcuts

  Last week we took a look at MuffinTerm, a telnet terminal emulator that supports PETSCII or Commodore Color Graphics.  This week we will demonstrate how to add “Keybaord Color” functionality using the MacOS Keyboard Shortcut’s feature in System Preferences.

   “Keyboard Colors” refers to the ability to select any of the Commodore 64/128’s text colors by a key sequence, either using the CTRL plus numbers 0-8, or the Commodore (C=) key and numbers 0-8.  CTRL + 9 or 0 would enable or disable reverse text.  Commodore BBS programs allowed you to change text color in their editors either by embedded commands (such as C-Net and Images MCI commands), or fully supported the keyboard method described above (Image BBS 1.1, and C-Net DS II).  While MuffinTerm does not support this functionality out of the box, you can simulate the key combinations through MacOS.  In this weeks blog I will show you how.

(The following blog used MacOS Ventura (13.4.1)

  MacOS  allows you to setup keyboard shortcuts for any or specific apps in the Keyboard System Settings Pane.

Open your system preferences and select Keyboard, then click on the Keyboard Shortcuts… button.

   Click on App Shortcuts on the left hand side.

 Click the + button under All Applications.

 Under Application, click the arrows to the right of All Applications and select MuffinTerm.

  Use the following chart to assign the correct key sequences, as they would be found on the Commodore 64 or Commodore 128 computer. The Command Key (Or Windows Key if using a PC keyboard will be substituted for the C= key.  In the below example, we will assign CTRL – 1 to send the key sequence in MuffinTerm to change the text color to black.

  In the ‘Menu Title’ field, enter the value from the MuffinTerm Menu column, in this case “Black”.

  In the Keyboard Shortcut field, hold down your Ctrl key, and press number 1 at the same time.

  When your screen looks like the above, click Done.

You will be taken back to the App Shortcuts pane, and will now see an entry for MuffinTerm,  If you click on the > symbol to the left, MuffinTerm will expand and you will see the Shortcut you just assigned to the Black menu.

  Repeat the steps above, for each line in the Keyboard Color chart.  Once you are finished your App Shortcuts pane will look like the picture below.

  Once you are satisfied that all shortcuts have been created.  Click Done.
Now it is time to test our hard work.

Launch MuffinTerm.
Select Edit > PETSCII Special Key > Color Codes.  You should see the Keyboard Shortcuts we assigned to the right of the menu items now.

Now Select Edit > PETSCII Special Key > Commands and verify that Reverse On and Reverse Off have Keyboard Shortcuts assigned to them as well.

We are now all finished!  You can now connect to your favorite Commodore BBBS, such as The Rat’s Den (bbs.catracing.org 6400) and enjoy the functionality of Keyboard Colors!

Unfortunately, iOS does not have the ability to add custom Keyboard Shortcuts to apps yet so the above instructions will only work if you are using MuffinTerm on a MacOS computer.

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Technical – MuffinTerm – A Full Featured Terminal Emulator For MacOS and iOS

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MuffinTerm – A Full Featured Terminal Emulator For MacOS and iOS

Back in October of 2014 I blogged about the Electronic Bulletin Board System, or BBS for short and its resurgence on the internet and accessible via TELNET (If you missed it, click HERE..  This blog was followed up in May of 2017 with detailed instructions on how to compile a terminal program called CGTerm for Mac OS, which allowed you to connect with BBSs run on a Commodore 8 bit computer, and use the PETSCII (Also called C/G) character set and color graphics for Mac OS.  This worked well until MacOS Monterey, which had issues with the SDL library would cause the application to crash when entering full screen. (Blog linked HERE.).

  Enter MuffinTerm, released in September of 2022 by Molly Black.  MuffinTerm is a full featured terminal emulator for MacOS (Intel and Apple Silicone) and iOS devices. 

MuffinTerm fully supports ANSI color and screen commands, the IBM Code Page 437 ,PETSCII, and ATTASCI character sets.  Not only is PETSCII supported, but a 40 Column Commodore display is authentically reproduced. 

 

If you wish to see your BBS session in crisp 80 column a CGA, EGA, or VGA emulated display can also be selected.

File transfers are also support using X-Modem, X-Modem-1k, Y-Modem, Y-Modem-G, and Z-Modem protocols.

 

  For the Mac OS users out there, I highly recommend using MuffinTerm for your BBS experience, It has everything CGTerm was missing, and has a fully developed UI (No more remember key sequences, or messing with config scripts!).  It will also work on your iPad or iPhone so you can connect to your favorite BBS on the go!   If you want a good laugh, type ATDT <enter> before connecting to a BBS.

  MuffinTerm can be downloaded for free from Apple’s App Store.  If you use your Macintosh to connect to retro BBSs, especially Commodore 64/128 or Atari systems, I HIGHLY recommend this application.  The Author Molly Black has promptly replied to any questions I have had regarding the use of the software, and has provided a great App for the retro BBS community!

  Please visit the Commodore64 BBSs used in this blog.  Nero’s Domain (nerosdomain.online 6400), and The Rat’s Den (bbs.catracing.org 6400).

  Thank you for visiting Brent’s World, and I hope you enjoy the content, tune in next week for another technical blog, where I will walk you through mimicking the original Commodore 64/128 layout for changing color and reverse text using Keyboard Shortcuts in System Settings.

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  Also be sure to visit our phpBB forums, by clicking on the forum tab at the top of our page, or going to www.catracing.org/hendrb/forum

DISCLAIMER: TELMET is an unsecure nonectrypted protocol.  ALL information sent and received is done so in plain text, use at your OWN RISK!  Do not use passwords on these systems that are shared with ANY other personal account.