Useful Thoughts and Actions Taken

Open Laptop

Interesting idea of making a laptop based on an ARM processor occurred to me.  I phoned the Center for Internet Research and they lept into action.

Research Links

If you have never heard about hacker, engineer, and activist Andrew ""Bunnie"" Huang, author of reverse engineering classic Hacking the XBox and the hardware lead on Chumby, you owe it to yourself to follow his story on our blog and elsewhere.   One of the hacker movement's most talented young engineers, equal parts the web's prized ""professor"" of reverse engineering and full-scale inventor, most conversations around Bunnie tend to start with: "What's Bunnie up to now!?" He's always up to something, and some of these things are products we'd like to carry, collected here. Stay tuned for new additions as they appear — rabbits pulled out of Bunnie's hat — as when he creates something new, we always take a look.

By Fudgy McFarlen, ago

Bi Phase Electronic Attenuator

MiniCircuits has a bi phase electronic attenuator that uses a PIN diode ring in what is normally a balance mixer configuration. They range from 8 to 23 US Dollars.

Research Links

By Fudgy McFarlen, ago

Elevated Heart Rate After Exercise When I do not Ingest Fuel Before

I have noticed an elevated heart rate after my 15 mile ride when I do not ingest any food beforehand.   This elevated rate does not seem to end until after I have fallen asleep.  I also feel fatigued afterwards.  I eat afterwards as I am naturally very hungry but yet my heart rate stays slightly elevated until after I am asleep a while.  This is whether I ride slow or really push it and go fast.

If I ingest a bottle of soda pop with 64 grams of sugar which is the equivalent of 240 calories there about I find that after the ride my heart rate quickly goes back to normal.    In addition I do not feel fatigued when I return home.  A representation of how much sugar that is shown here.  It is significantly more than I put in any of the teas I have tried using in place of the soda pop

.colas

There are only 2 things this can be:

  • low blood sugar 
  • dehydration

Another symtom I was seeing was consistently waking up with a minor headache and of course not sleeping well.  

I suspect it is probably due to the hormones required to pull energy out of fat tissue.  This would not dissipate quickly once I return home even if I eat or drink till back on energy or water balance.   The ride is much more pleasant when I drink the soda pop.

Update:  Latest theory is that the glycogen levels in the liver store go down as I exercise. In order to extract energy from the liver at the same rate the heart has to flow more blood per unit time.

 

By Fudgy McFarlen, ago

Recipe: Leek Soup

Potato Leek Soup Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutesCook time: 30 minutesYield: Serves 4-6.


INGREDIENTS
3 large leeks, cut lengthwise, separate, clean. Use only the white and pale green parts, chop. (See How to Clean Leeks)
2 Tbsp butter
2 cups water
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)*
2 lbs potatoes, peeled, diced into 1/2 inch pieces
Marjoram – dash
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Tabasco sauce or other red chili sauce
Salt & Pepper
*If cooking gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free broth.

METHOD
1 Cook leeks in butter with salt and pepper in a medium sized sauce pan. Cover pan, cook on low heat for 10 minutes. 
Check often. Do not brown the leeks.

2 Add water, broth, and potatoes. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Scoop about half of the soup mixture 
into a blender, puree and return to pan. Add marjoram, parsley, and thyme. Add a few dashes of chili sauce to taste. 
Add some freshly ground pepper, 1-2 teaspoons salt or more to taste.

By Fudgy McFarlen, ago

Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds butternut squash, halved, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups diced onion
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 (13 3/4-ounce) cans chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup light cream or heavy cream
  • garlic

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine squash, onion, carrots, broth and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, 
about 40 minutes. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, 
shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Squash is much more sweet than I imagined
  • No carrot, butter, sour cream was added 
  • turned out very good

 

Research Links

By Fudgy McFarlen, ago

Registering My Car in Missouri

Notes – 9.18.13

  1. safety / smog inspection: airbag light is not included in this.  Must have 100 miles on car after a "check engine" light before you can pass this test
  2. To register you must show receipt of payment of property taxes for the car ( or are they using as an enforcement mechanism for ALL property taxes?).  In case of 2 year you have to show for both years.  I went to main building at Tucker and Market / Clark so I could visit the tax office first.  Oh Joy.  They hold a non stop Tai Chi class there.  They are a slow moving bunch.
  3. After getting the tax receipts go to room 111 in the same building.

As much fun as a trip to the DMV.  Because it was a trip to the DMV.  Oh joy.

By Fudgy McFarlen, ago