Being touristy in LA

Only in Hollywood

I saw this billboard on the side of a building in West Hollywood last week. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that this "religious beacon" looks alot like a marquee since many of the most well known proponents of it are movie stars. Regardless, the sight of it did make me throw up in my mouth a little bit...

New Motorized Grain Mill

I have been crushing my grain the hard way ever since I bought a hand-crank 2-roller barley crusher from Northern Brewer a years back. Recently I'v ebeen using a portable drill to speed up the process but it's still a P-I-T-A. Luckily for me, that's all over now. I saw an article in December's Brew Your Own magazine for a homemade motorized mill and decided to start compiling the equipment needed to make it happen. Found a 1-hp motor on Craig's List for $40, bought the sheaves and belt from Grainger for another $40, and spent about $4 in other assorted hardware. All the wood is scrap or leftovers from the shop. Finished assembly and testing over last weekend. Here's a few photos:

The motor is controlled by the mounted switch and the sheaves cut the speed of the motor down about 8:1 to a speed closer to what is recommended by the manufacturer (200 rpm). Gave it a test run last night and it works great. No more 2-hour grain crushing sessions!

Cheers.

Can't We All Just Get Along :-)

This is an overture to everyone on the subject of spirituality and faith. I ask anyone who looks at this blog to read the essay at the link below with an objective, open mind. You will have an enhanced understanding of why some people embrace atheism. It's all about logic, science, and the difference between faith and god.

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/

Exploring Idaho

I decided to take a drive out of Boise on Sunday to see a bit of the surounding country. I went east out of town on Route 21 past Lucky Peak reservoir and toward Idaho City. It was a great drive along winding roads with scenic views of tall ponderosa pines, river valleys, and the surrounding foothills. I took the following photos along the drive.

This is Lucky Peak reservoir, which was made by the US Army Corps of Enginners by damming up the upstream flows of what becomes the Boise River. There are two generating dams east of Boise that regulate the flow oif the river through town. The second photo is looking west from Lucky Peak at the beginnings of the Boise River.

I went on to Idaho City from here. I didn't do any research first or perhaps I wouldn't have bothered... So after about a 30 minute drive on beuatifully scenic mountain roads, I come into a town with a population of 498 (at least that's what the sign said...) Turns out idaho City is an old prospecting town that I'm guessing doesn't look too much different than it did in 1850. As drove down the main street in town, I could picture horse carriages going up & down the street and pulling up to old general stores and saloons.

This place defies description. I saw this building at the end of the main street. It's the equivalent of a one of those theme restaurants you see where the owners give customers crayons and tell them to write anything they want on the walls. Except this is on the outside. I did see a sign for Trailways Bus Lines but I'm not sure it that was real or not.

I'm going to head north next time on Route 55 toward McCall. Can't wait to see what that trip has in store...

Go West Young Man

This is a photo Beth took of the moving truck at the end of a grueling day yesterday.  The fact that they drove the Toyota right onto the truck was a bit of a surprise but I guess it makes perfect sense.  All of Beth's hard work in packing up the house will soon be my problem out in Idaho. The truck is scheduled to arrive at the Boise house on Monday for the off-load.  Then I get the joy of unpacking all of those damn boxes ;-) 

This whole relocation adventure didn't really sink in until I saw this photo.  The reality of seeing all of your possessions on a truck definitely drives the point home!  However, before long, I'll be firing up tools in my new and very much improved shop.  These thoughts alone are enough to make me giggle with excitement like a little kid...I'll post photos of the house and shop when things begin to get settled.

Posted from a wireless device

In the home stretch

Headed back to NY for the weekend to help Beth finish packing up the house before the big move to Idaho.  Movers are scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday to load and drive all of our shit cross country.  Thank god for my new company's generosity in picking up our re-lo costs or Beth and I would be faced with some SERIOUS downsizing.  It's amazing how much crap you can accumulate over 15+ years.  It also doesn't hurt to have more square footage than 2 people really need...We both hope this is the last big move we do for the rest of our lives.  This whole packing, purging, and stressing thing is exhausting.  However, there is that big carrot hanging out there and it's a new & exciting lifestyle in Boise! 

Now...if anybody wants a great old house in the historic Hudson Valley in NY, please let me know!