Press "Enter" to skip to content

nuxx.net Posts

Geiger Counter Headphone Jack Fixed

Published December 30, 2010

Thanks to my dad, many years ago I came into possession of a fair amount of cold war-era Civil Defense radiological monitoring equipment. One such item is the CDV-700 Geiger counter pictured above. For years the headphone jack had been broken which meant that I couldn’t use it to hear the telltale clicks whenever it detected radiation.

After a friend stopped by tonight to pick up some parts (a box of tubes that had been collecting dust) our conversation had me wondering if some of the things around my house are radioactive, so I set to work fixing the rather odd headphone jack. After fixing it I was able to establish that none of the odd tubes or aircraft equipment in my living room was radioactive.

Hopefully in the next few days (or weeks) I’ll find the time to photograph all of this old gear just to document it. It’s not particularly special or rare equipment, but it was a very physical tool through which I learned about both the fear of nuclear war and how a society can be placated by giving it the perception of control in the face of overwhelming force. I love having this stuff around for both the technical and historical aspect of such detection equipment and the memories of playing around with it while growing up.

2 Comments

Old Computers: Recycled

Published December 29, 2010

With today’s trip to Best Buy to take advantage of their recycling program I have completely done away with all my old computers, cases, and monitors. While I was able to give some away, most of it was dropped off at Best Buy where they (in Michigan) accept up to seven hard drive-less items per day (including CRTs) at zero cost.

Despite not having used some of this equipment in over ten years (such as the Dell Dimension XPS P90 pictured above, the first computer that I ever bought for myself) I can’t help but feel like I’ve given up something important. These are (were?) tools that I’d spent tens of thousands of hours building, using, and maintaining. Still, it’s just old stuff, and getting rid of it is for the best. I was not using this equipment and now instead of being clutter it’s being disposed of properly. Also, it’s probably best for me to dispose of this stuff now instead of in a few years when electronics recycling might not be so accessible or affordable.

1 Comment

Carbonated Coffee

Published December 28, 2010

For my first carbonation attempt I tried coffee. I brewed one serving (about a pint) via the usual method then added another half cup of water, chilled it, and then force carbonated it at ~27psi until it seemed to stop taking gas. After letting it sit in the fridge for 20 or 30 minutes I impatiently tried it, but the initial opening produced a LOT of foam. After dealing with some bottle overflow I tried a couple ounces, and it was both what I expected and something bizarre. It was cold (like iced) coffee, but with an extra bitter flavor likely from the carbonic acid formed during the carbonation.

I’ll drink it tomorrow, likely with breakfast or lunch. It should be colder and less foamy and maybe even enjoyable. After that I’ll probably try making some soda, likely ginger or cream. I feel like I’m getting dangerously close to molecular gastronomy. If I post about acquiring a Dewar and some LN2 please warn me.

(The photo above was taken while letting the bottle sit after a round of shaking.)

Leave a Comment

Carbonating / Kegging Supplies

Published December 28, 2010

While planning a New Year’s Eve party I realized that it’d be particularly handy to have supplies for dispensing kegged beer with CO2. Well, after a run to Cap n’ Cork I now have everything needed: a CO2 tank, regulator, thick-wall PVC line, a corney keg, picnic tap, keg rebuild kit, and ball lock fittings. I also picked up cherry and cream soda mixes and a special cap that allows one to carbonate things in plain plastic bottles. Now I can make carbonated water, juice, milk, or anything else whenever I want. Hmm. I think I could even try carbonating fruit…

Leave a Comment

טרײף ארוחת בוקר

Published December 27, 2010

If my Yiddish subject line is correct, this is today’s forbidden breakfast: a sesame bagel with bacon and mild cheddar, served with a cup of typical-for-me coffee. The bacon is an uncured, nitrate/nitrite free vareity from Trader Joe’s, the bagel is a random item from Meijer‘s bakery, cheddar is some random prepackaged slices from VG’s, and the coffee is typical generic (Sumatran?) dark roast purchased in bulk from Costco.

This is a not-bad meal for a day of working from home, tying up loose ends, and perusing deals on late-spring vacations.

Leave a Comment

Vegetable Biryani for Boxing Day Dinner

Published December 26, 2010

For Boxing Day dinner I made vegetable biryani for Danielle and I. I ate mine with a bottle of Rogue Yellow Snow IPA and Danielle had hers with Magner’s Cider.

I used this recipe from the wonderful Manjula’s Kitchen; an outstanding online resource for both Indian recipes and videos showing them being prepared. Despite leaving out the mint and not preparing any raita it was quite tasty, and roughly half the dish is left. It’ll be excellent for lunch this week.

Leave a Comment

Bottom Bracket Replacement in the VooDoo Dambala

Published December 25, 2010

After the bottom bracket issues on the single speed I ordered a new FSA Platinum ISIS bottom bracket to replace the failed RaceFace SRX. This evening after a shorter than expected Christmas I fitted the new bottom bracket and now the drivetrain is working just as it should. Installation went smoothly and after cleaning the chain and slightly readjusting the tension it’s ready to ride.

Now to wait for spring time to come and single speed weather to begin again… Or maybe my neighbors (spanning the four miles to River Bends) will properly clear their snow…

Leave a Comment

Walkies!

Published December 25, 2010

As she’d been cooped up mostly in the house for a few days I decided to take Roxie for a Christmas afternoon walk at River Bends. We walked a bit of two track, all of the non-seasonal single track, and back via the pavement. There was one tree down on the single track and a bunch of deadfall, but nothing major. I was able to break the downed tree in two then drag it off the trail, and (as typical) the rest of the deadfall was kicked or tossed aside.

The photo above shows four (or maybe it’s really five?) downed trees on the first piece of two track. There’s quite a few downed things on the two track that’ll need clearing. All are ridable / easy to step over, but the park will definitely have it’s work cut out for it.

Leave a Comment

Toilets of the World 2011

Published December 24, 2010

Someone, signing their name as S.C., and mailing from the Flint ZIP code has sent me a 2011 calendar containing photos of numerous toilets from different places around the world. Immediately upon seeing the return address being the same as the from address I knew something untoward was awry. Knowing a few folks up Flint way I have my suspicions about who this might be, but I’m not (yet) sure.

This will be perfect to hang up at work where I’m (almost) constantly needing a calendar to glance at.

Leave a Comment

Thanks for the Snow, Neighbors!

Published December 23, 2010

Today I headed out for an afternoon ride up to River Bends on the Titus fitted with studded tires. Thanks to my neighbors who seem to feel they have no obligation to clear the path/sidewalk that runs along their house, much of the riding near my house was absolutely terrible. The lack of snow clearing was not the issue as I can easily ride through 5″ of snow, but with most of the sidewalk being partially frozen, lumpy footprints covered with dusty snow riding on this segment was simply unfun. Due to the balance, constant pushing, and careful pedaling required riding this stuff was more difficult than the hard climbs at Holdridge.

After making it to River Bends the ride was rather uneventful and typical for the park. The pavement was snow covered but smooth, and the two track had a nicely worn 12″ wide flat section perfect for riding. I attempted to ride the single track, but it was snow covered, soft, loose, and generally unfun. I think I’ll leave that to the hikers until things thaw or melt a bit.

While out in the park I saw fresh trails and the car of a friend who I know from MMBA group rides, but I wasn’t able to catch up to him and only saw him driving out of the lot as I finished riding through the park. It’s good to know that there other folks who are getting out there to ride this time of the year, even if it’s not on the single track.

As residential streets and some sidewalks (mostly business and township-owned) were cleared the rest of the ride was uneventful. I encountered the typical surprised drivers who didn’t expect to see someone at a crosswalk, much less someone on a bicycle, but there were no notable encounters. Weirdly cars seemed very cautious about passing me on the residential streets, but perhaps they saw me riding on icy patches were afraid of me falling in front of them. I’m really glad they chose to be cautious of just plowing past.

Final stats for today’s ride were departing at about 14:30, traveling 13.08 miles over 1:22:50 for an average of 9.47 MPH with a max speed of 19.97 MPH.

Leave a Comment