James

James, 8 months ago (edited 8 months ago) to random

I love having the privilege of being able to work from home most days. However, this week we have a big in-person meeting in our office that I have to attend. I'm excited about the meeting itself, but it also means I have to commute in every day. It's only 7 miles away, but it's a 45 minute drive by car, an hour by Metro, or an hour and a half by bike. Maybe I'll do all three throughout the week!

How should I go in?

James, 4 months ago (edited 4 months ago) to random

Patrick and I have been together for 15 years, but we're not married. I'm always a little at a loss as to how to refer to him with others. I've been told "husband" would work better, but that feels weird since we're not married. What's your opinion?

James, 6 months ago to random

I love wearing leather. For some reason, this feels like a revelation.

James, 6 months ago to random

Seeking help on a weird home automation thing. I have a single Zigbee bulb that has suddenly refused to obey. I'll turn it off, but almost exactly 7 seconds later it'll turn back on. No Home Assistant automations are triggering it. Could it be a bad bulb?

@motoridersd @john

James, 7 months ago to random

Cleaning up the garden for the fall, tearing out so much English ivy that's been climbing over from my neighbor's yard. I need a flamethrower for this scourge.

James, 7 days ago to random

I am trying my first "real" cheese! I've made ricotta a few times, mozzarella twice, and paneer once, but now I'm trying my hand at a more aged cheese. This is my attempt at a Bel Paese, which conveniently ripens at refrigerator temperatures (4C/42F). No need for a separate cheese fridge/cave yet!

As for this attempt, the rennet didn't set the curd as well as I was hoping, and the surface remained rough after "pressing". But we'll see in 3 weeks! Pic is from right after brining.

#cheesemaking

James, 4 months ago to random

Called it quits for MAL earlier yesterday afternoon. Excited to go again next year, where maybe I'll stay the whole time. But for now, I've just got to get through these post-MAL blues.

James, 3 months ago to random

It is both a personal and professional goal to shout the truth from the mountaintops:
"ISO 8601 or GTFO"

James, 6 months ago to random

It might not be jocktober anymore, but I just got this new jock in the mail and it made my day just a little bit better.

James, 1 month ago to random

I realized recently that the power monitor I had on my desk setup was off by a factor of 10. I subsequently realized that my work laptops and dock, at idle, draw 100W. I had been leaving them on 24/7 😬

James, 8 months ago to random

One of my favorite parts of my work day is sitting down at my desk with a cup of tea and opening up my notebook. Partly for the rush that an open day brings, but mostly for the smell of the leather jacket in which I have it wrapped 🤩.

I'm a sucker for scents, and the two that get me going the most are fresh cut red cedar and leather.

Journal, opened to a blank page with bookmark ribbons and a pen resting on the opened page, sitting on a desk

James, 4 months ago to random

I may finally break down and create a new Facebook account just so I can interact with groups and events. All of the local leather events (and my new leather family) coordinate almost exclusively on there, but I deactivated my account 8 years ago.

It's probably just going to be an alt (with no main).

"Keep it gay" from The Producers (GIF)

James, 6 months ago to random

Although it's only a little bit of an increase in my weights each week, I still love setting personal records on a regular basis with my main lifts 😍

Though deadlifts always have my lower back screaming at me when I go heavy. It gets so tight and threatens to spasm. I gave up on my volume sets after one set so I could go do some stretches/yoga poses and then hopped in the hot tub! Not sure if this means my form is bad? I'll try to capture a form check video next time.

James, 1 month ago to random

My yard is overrun with lesser celandine. I'm trying a "might or might not work"* broadleaf herbicide that combines three types of herbicides that was recommended by an extension agency for controlling this stuff in lawns.

It seems to be working, somewhat. But I might have oversprayed a little on my raspberry bush which was just starting to leaf out... And now the leaves are all misshapen. I think I killed it 😭

*The only thing guaranteed to kill it is glyphosate, this stuff is resilient!

James, 1 month ago to random

Out at the Clontarf promenade, waiting to check in to the hotel.

James, 4 months ago to random

Tapering off the prednisone and the pain is coming back. I'm going to be out of prednisone entirely before my first day back at work on Tuesday, which has me very worried.

I'm also finally succumbing to the cold Patrick had over the past week. So no new year's eve parties for me.

Headspace has started going to shit.

James, 6 months ago to random

Do I go to bed early knowing I'll have a busy day tomorrow, including a late night in Baltimore at the Maryland Leather Weekend.... Or do I stay up late playing BG3?

James, 7 months ago (edited 7 months ago) to random

Did squats. Didn't die. New PR!

*Edit: considering I posted a video, form checks accepted. Always trying to improve!

James, 3 months ago (edited 3 months ago) to random

Going to the barber/salon later this afternoon for a beard trim. It'll be my first fancy beard trim/shaping, but I'm not sure what direction I want to go: do I get it cut shorter, or do I just shape it and keep the length going?

James, 3 months ago to random

Patrick and I are headed to Europe (Dublin and Paris) for a week in late April. We're still trying to figure out what to do, does anyone have any suggestions on things to check out? Primarily in or around Paris?

James, 24 days ago to random

The one thing that seemed to be ubiquitous and baffling during my trip between Dublin, Paris, and Copenhagen, is the fact that Carhartt is EVERYWHERE.

When did Carhartt become a fashion brand?!

James, 3 months ago to random

Another weekend solo, and another weekend with no plans. Assuming we don't get slammed with a bunch of snow, I'm thinking maybe Korean spa tomorrow?

James, 2 months ago to random

Since I mentioned to my PT that retracting my arm for squats was the main thing that aggravates my neck, he suggested switching to front squats and kettlebell squats. He insisted I do kettlebell squats in the activity space so he could watch my form. And then had me do 3 sets of 10 to "verify".

I wasn't expecting to do squats. Also wasn't expecting to have a thirsty PT 😂

James, 2 months ago to random

Finally went through my documents and prepared my tax returns. Claiming mortgage interest and property taxes always makes itemizing deductions worth it -- but also this year I'm getting the Residential Clean Energy Credit for my solar PV system I got installed last year!

James, 1 month ago to random

Spending the evening upgrading components on my Framework laptop! Replacing the top cover with a CNC aluminum one and installing some stronger hinges. Next up will be the main board and WiFi card!