phonostage

Convergence : 20100609

2010-06-09T07:16:00.002-04:00

A while ago I separated my cycling from my Life And The Universe blog. This proved a little ambitious and Life And The Universe suffered. So having found out how to combine the blogs I've put everything together under one banner; Oh! That British Bloke ... Everything that was on either VeloStage or PhonoStage is now here. They've been consigned to posterity ... One or two transparent graphics

Save BBC Radio 6 Music

2010-03-08T17:42:00.004-05:00

This is a radio station with no demographic. That is, unless that demographic includes everyone who loves music. For some reason the BBC believes that all tastes, other than classical music (Radio 3 is untouchable regardless of cost per listener), are covered by Radios 1 & 2. Hmm, teenie-boppers and carpet slippers. No, BBC, keep Radio 6 Music!!! Listen here. And for another station under

Plymouth Sound Webcam

2010-03-02T09:45:00.001-05:00

This is a view from the BBC Spotlight Southwest

Shiny Discs

2010-03-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

Part of the pleasure of 12" BVDs - Black Vinyl Discs - is the scale of the artwork. CDs never really could compete in this aspect of the pleasure of owning a minor work of art in a gatefold. I mean, have you ever tried to read some of the tiny print in a CD booklet? I suspect that single attribute is a significant element in the resurgence of the LP as a music source. However, now even the CD

HiFi : Source III : Home Music Server

2010-02-21T14:06:00.003-05:00

The third source element in my music system is the digital music server.In a nutshell, all my music files are held elsewhere on my home network. Music is accessed via a laptop computer and the digital stream is fed out through a DAC to the amplifier.The set up consists of three elements:Laptop : Currently, this is a Dell with one or two issues, like turning itself off or freezing after an hour or

HiFi : Source II : Digital Disc

2010-02-21T12:40:00.006-05:00

This article sets the digital disc playback into the scheme of things.So far I haven't explored the world of BluRay and other exotic disc systems, and at this stage I'm unlikely to given the success I'm starting to have with digital playback from computer music files ... more about this later.However, like vinyl, I think CD will be around for a while yet.The CD playback trail here consists of two

HiFi : Source I : Turntable

2010-02-21T10:09:00.007-05:00

I've covered the setting up of my turntable previously. This article is to put the turntable in context in my set up.The analogue trail consists of three elements:Cartridge: Ortofon 2M RedTurntable/arm combination: Pro-Ject Classic CherryPre-amplifier: Pro-Ject USB II BoxAs I said, I've already covered aspects of the turntable/cartridge set up and some tweaks remain to be done.I noted before some

Been Around World : Phonostage Visitors

2010-02-17T07:00:00.004-05:00

I kept this list in the sidebar, but it's become unwieldy so here it is for the last time.Africa: Egypt : RSA : Johannesburg, Parow, Pretoria Asia: Hongkong : India : Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi , Patna Indonesia : Bandung, Bekasi, Jakarta Israel : Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv Japan : Nagoya, Nishinomiya, Yokahama Jordan : Amman Korea : Seocho,

Pro-Ject Cherry Classic | Ortofon 2M Red

2010-02-16T19:11:00.020-05:00

So far the Pro-Ject Cherry Classic turntable with its original Ortofon 510 cartridge have served well. But tucked away in a box somewhere around here has been an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. Not a major expense, very cheap even by US hifi standards, but I anticipated a significant upgrade from the 510.I also had a very useful cartridge alignment tool especially for Pro-Ject tonearms so I dug it all

After the Storm ...

2010-02-11T14:15:00.004-05:00

Storm's over ... morning after images here ...

HiFi : progress report II

2010-02-10T18:46:00.003-05:00

Okay ... the Quads are back ...Despite their (only) slight lack of bass, the Quad 11L2s are so much more clear than the Infinity RS4001s. To use a hackneyed phrase from the hifi press, it's as though a veil has been lifted.Besides, they're not that short in the bass department anyway. I really think I'd like to try them with a sympathetic sub. In the UK I was using Mission 76s - I think. These

HiFi : progress report

2010-02-10T12:50:00.012-05:00

The bad weather has given me an opportunity to sort out the hifi.The biggest development has been to move the sources from between the speakers and to the side of the room. Why? More later ...At the moment I have the Infinity RS 4001s connected using some sort of basic Monster Cable speaker wire. I have a pair of UK-sourced Quad 11L2s to use instead, but I'm thinking that they'll do better with

Snow Day

2010-02-10T12:07:00.003-05:00

This is about the most snow I've seen since living in the US. Last night about 6" settled on top of the 4" remaining from last weekend's fall. In fact it's still snowing now, with a blizzard forecast for this afternoon, so I'm resisting getting out on the drive with the snow-blower for the moment.This is the view out the front door at the moment ... roll on spring ...

BBC Music beta

2010-01-25T17:18:00.005-05:00

Just found this on the BBC website ... could be interesting ... try my music player to the right >>>

Happy New Year All!!!

2010-01-01T15:16:00.003-05:00

A Happy New Year to all!!!And I promise to update my blog more often. In the meantime try FaceBook ...

Argyle Til I Die

2009-12-30T15:32:00.002-05:00

A new Plymouth Argyle football forum I've found. It has a section for people living abroad too here.I just hope they can scrabble out of the doldrums soon ...

Google Chrome : Issues ... fixed?

2009-12-23T09:13:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been possible to fix the below issues to some extent; from Dashboard>Settings>>> opt for new editor.This works to some extent in that it is possible to attach a URL to the image, but it throws up alignment issues with the graphic. So for the moment I'm sticking to FireFox and the old BlogSpot editor to compile these articles.The music streaming issue has been more successful, by adding

Google Chrome : Issues?

2009-12-23T06:28:00.012-05:00

Recently I've started using Google Chrome as my browser. Generally I find it very good, but I have found a few issues with it.The most general problem is that, occasionally, pages will not load and the screen stays blank with no reported error. Even a reload doesn't fix this.However, I am finding a more specific problem using this blogspot editor with Chrome; it doesn't seem possible to compile a

Retro Vintage Blog

2009-12-22T13:59:00.009-05:00

Just found this blog ... reminds me of my Connoisseur turntable and Audio-Technica arm ...PS: can't seem to link graphic to web address, so try this: http://itishifi.blogspot.com/

Found; a home for my hifi

2009-12-15T06:14:00.003-05:00

So far so good. I'll go through the components individually a bit later on.It's distinctly British looking; small stand-mounted speakers - Quad 11L2s - and components tuned to the European ear, although manufactured by Marantz.Most stuff has been brought in from the UK, suitcase by suitcase and powered through a 110v>220v converter.The turntable, a Pro-Ject Classic Cherry, has had a new 110v/60Hz

Okay ... so I didn't try that hard ...

2009-12-14T17:27:00.003-05:00

... but I am back ...Big developments on the computer/digital interface front and my hifi has found a home.More soon ...

Poor neglected PhonoStage

2009-08-04T06:55:00.004-04:00

Hmmm ... six months without a post. I really should try harder.However, I have started posting more regularly on my cycling blog; velostage.blogspot.comNot much development with the hifi situation either, although I probably have enough stuff collected for a bijou cd/lp/digital playback setup.Maybe I should start about getting it all together.

Daylight Saving Time

2009-03-09T09:06:00.003-04:00

So, we've sprung forward and we're in summer time.It means that for a couple of weeks the time difference between EST and GMT is just four hours rather than the usual five and sunset will now be around 7.00EST this evening ... a bit longer and I'll be able to cycle to and from work.

Indianapolis, IN

2009-02-26T10:21:00.005-05:00

Here I am, currently in rather grey, but unseasonably mild Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.I flew in yesterday, into Indy's very new and rather nice airport. Nice, that is, in the way any airport could actually be nice ...I am here for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. I'll be running the show's web presence. You can visit the show's website here, or the daily blog here.Indianapolis calls

Today, I am, again, mostly listening to ...

2009-02-15T10:13:00.008-05:00

I still think internet radio is the best thing since, oh, I dunno, sliced bread, colour tellie, synthetic inserts for cycle shorts ...Anyway, here are one or two of my favourite internet radio stations:RemoteDJ.com - rare R&B, plus broken beat, bossa, etc ...SomaFM.com - over a dozen minority interest stations, including; Secret Agent, Beat Blender, Illinois Street Lounge and the very, very cool,

The Van Dike, Exmouth Road, Devonport

2009-02-08T08:48:00.006-05:00

It's funny how things suddenly come to mind. There I was just trolling the depths of the interweb when I came across this word; quintessence.Quintessence: the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies; the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form ...But to me that will never be

Liquid Lounge

2009-02-05T08:20:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Liquid Lounge ... my own music collection. You can listen directly to a random selection of music streamed directly from my music server. You will need a music player which can interpret .pls files. WinAmp, MediaMonkey, Real or iTunes should do it if your player doesn't work. You will end up on my ShoutCast server page and have to click PLAY - I think. It's along the top row of

Thank You For Contacting Me

2009-02-05T07:30:00.005-05:00

Thanks for contacting me. I'll get back to you soon ...Click here to get back to Phonostage.

Snow

2009-02-04T10:25:00.003-05:00

This winter has seen considerably more snow here than last year.There have been several falls, about 75-100mm, and more nasty, freezing rain.Anyway, here are a couple of pictures to show how pretty it is.

facebook : today I am mostly social networking ...

2009-02-02T09:26:00.004-05:00

Okay ... I admit it ... I have a facebook page.To tell the truth, it's better that you're here than there.And it's amazing to find out who your friends are ... well, in facebook anyway.But feel free to take a look ... here.

News Aggregators

2009-01-28T11:59:00.010-05:00

Spending too much time perusing your favourite blogs, news websites, boards and whatever else floats yer boat? Then try a news aggregator.I use Google Reader, but there are other equally good, if not better ones like BlogLines and even msOutLook.Most blogs, news and boards will have a RSS feed marked by an icon similar to this: non-workingClick it and your chosen aggregator will do the rest and

VeloStage

2009-01-25T08:08:00.004-05:00

Don't forget to visit my VeloStage blog here ...

Today, I am mostly listening to ...

2009-01-24T12:02:00.002-05:00

Sonic Universe on SomaFM.Try it ... You'll like it ...

Internet Radio : update

2009-01-19T10:54:00.006-05:00

Internet radio, for me, has turned out to be one of the most useful developments on the interweb, along with stuff like Skype and ... put your favourite web application here.I have two internet radios; a Noxon iRadio and a Sangean WFR-20. The radios work independently of a computer, basically looking like a sometimes rather bulky transistor radio or table radio.The Noxon iRadio was one of the

Positively F-frigid

2009-01-18T08:35:00.007-05:00

The last few days have been very cold indeed. A couple of snow showers of an inch or two, but but very, very cold. Early morning temperatures have read down to -14C from the car on the school run, exceptional, even for here. In addition, snow either falls and partially melts or freezing rain covers everything in an often thick layer of ice, so-called ice storms.Since US electrical utilities

Back on the Blog ... Again ...

2009-01-18T08:28:00.002-05:00

Yes ... It's been a while ... I really must do better. It's not like nothing ever happens.Of course, there's a ton of stuff going on; job, music, hifi, internet radio, cycling - not, Court & Social, etc ...So make it my New Year's Resolution ... I will maintain my blogs.

The Wire

2008-12-03T08:50:00.004-05:00

I don't know how I managed to do this, but one of the best crime series I've ever seen was on TV and I didn't know about it.The Wire has been feted as the best TV crime show ever ... I don't know about that, but it is surely up there with the best.And, in the best tradition of British TV, it's over after five seasons; unusual for US TV.I don't think I've seen a TV series which so examines the

The Internet Radio Forum

2008-11-26T07:45:00.009-05:00

Living as an Englishman abroad, it's nice to have those reminders of old Blighty.McVitie's Digestives, Taylor's Yorkshire Gold, Private Eye and the Guardian crossword ...... and, of course, the BBC.Isn't the interweb a wonderful thing? Now, via the wonder of internet radio, it's possible to listen to BBC Radio 5Live and hear about lane closures on the M32 or an incident on the Circle Line.Anyway,

August - November 2008 : Stuff

2008-11-23T10:46:00.003-05:00

Whoa!!!! What a gap!!!I mean, it's not as if a lot hasn't happened; a part-time job, visitors from the UK, trip to the UK.So, here I am ... back on the block, as it were ...Let's get going again.

Grand Unification Theory

2008-08-24T13:40:00.006-04:00

I found this just the other day ... seems to answer all life's questions.Anything else? If you need further clarification click here.

Summer Night's Dream ...

2008-08-18T16:38:00.006-04:00

... Well, maybe not a dream, but not a nightmare either ...The Princeton super-group, Rackett, played a local gig at the Community Park North Amphitheater, Pettoranello Gardens, to a small, but perfectly formed audience of aficionados and curious passers-by.As usual, sports' jackets featured in the on stage presence, leaving me in a quandary as to whether I should include an apostrophe.But more

Wha' Happening?

2008-08-07T06:03:00.004-04:00

It's been a little while since I've contributed to this blog, not because nothing's happening, but most stuff has been about cycling, which I cover in velostage.blogspot.com.But the intervening time has seen me get one year older ... you know? Birthdays used to be something to look forward to and now they also seem all too frequent ...But having said that, Linda and the girls helped me celebrate

NYC Waterfalls

2008-07-29T09:34:00.007-04:00

I took some time out last week and popped down to New York to take a look at The New York City Waterfalls.Well, it was interesting, although I guess some of the power of the installations was dissipated by our few days at Niagara Falls.Nevertheless, the view of a waterfall thundering from under the Brooklyn Bridge was intriguing and curiously unsettling, although for me the technical aspect of

My Panama Hat

2008-07-15T09:32:00.011-04:00

In my journey towards fogeydom I have long cherished the ambition to own a Panama Hat.I don't know why. I have no ambition to look like Harry S. Truman or Doctor Who - DH7 - for that matter. Nor even a secret hankering to look like I'm on my way to a Crown Green Bowls match in my Honda Civic ...So, the other day, I was idly browsing through eBay when I saw an offer of Panama hats direct from the

Steam Radio ...

2008-07-04T07:53:00.008-04:00

Whatever happened to old-fashioned radio?Of course, it's still around. Small boys still listen to short-wave under the bed clothes ... don't they?For me, one of the biggest developments on the web in the last couple of years has been internet radio. This is especially true since the introduction of stand-alone, wifi devices such as the Noxon iRadio and Sangean WFR-20.I mean, listening to BBC

Doctor Who : Ooooooooh!!!

2008-06-29T08:27:00.006-04:00

Yes, I can see that Doctor Who is an acquired taste. It helps to be British, of course, and have watched it for 40 years ...And here we are at the finale of the final episode of series 4 with several characters from the past, Doctor's assistants and the universe on the brink of obliteration at the hands of Davros and what does the Doctor - only River knows his real name - do?Regenerates.That's

velostage

2008-06-28T12:56:00.004-04:00

I'm moving my bicycle related stuff to a new blog, velostage.Previous stuff will stay on phonostage.Time will tell if I can keep two blogs going.

Tyre Damage : Doh!

2008-06-24T14:43:00.004-04:00

Okay ... so I am stupid. Yes, I do cherish my bikes ... yes I know them intimately ... Of course I do!!!!This afternoon I showed the very helpful Jason up at Halter's Cycles and it turns out these are wear indicators; ie: they show how much the tread is worn. Clever, huh?So thanks Jason. I will buy something worthwhile from your really rather good bike shop some time soon.* see my Bike Index here

Tyre Damage : Continental GP4000

2008-06-22T12:04:00.009-04:00

Can anyone identify this tyre damage or possible flaw?This Continental GP4000 tyre has done about 200 road miles at 120psi on the rear of my bike. I weigh about 190lb.I noticed this after climbing a local hill which has been recently relaid. At the time I noted to myself that the blacktop seemed to incorporate a lot of what appeared to be glass granules, about the same sort of size / appearance

Giro di Jersey 2008 : Results & Images

2008-06-22T10:20:00.014-04:00

These are the latest results:Day One, 20.06.2008 : Ringoes ITTComplete results stage 1 in .xls formatDay Two, 21.06.2008 : Rocky Hill Cycling ClassicPro 123 through stage 2 in .pdf formatWomen through stage 2 in .pdf formatCat3/4 through stage 2 in .pdf formatMasters through stage 2 in .pdf formatJuniors through stage 2 in .pdf format * problem on results website with this fileDay Three,

Giro di Jersey 2008 : stage 3 The Corner House GP

2008-06-22T09:06:00.009-04:00

The third and final day of the 2008 Giro di Jersey took place on a 4km circuit on Bunn Drive and Mt Lucas Road towards the northeast of Princeton, NJ.It was a bright and early start although about 5 minutes before the race started I was beginning to think nothing was happening.But it did ...Not such a good day as yesterday and it threatened to rain once or twice, but it held off. This was good

Giro di Jersey 2008 : stage 2 Rocky Hill

2008-06-21T13:58:00.016-04:00

So, on to day two of the Giro di Jersey; The Rocky Hill Cycling Classic.Not quite a classic yet, but on its way. The weather was fine, but not too hot. In fact, just right.This is a big deal for Rocky Hill. In fact, it's one of the biggest prizes in its category in the United State in only its second year. So well done to Rocky Hill.There were a whole series of races today, from Juniors to Men's

Giro di Jersey 2008 : stage 1 Ringoes ITT

2008-06-20T15:17:00.018-04:00

Yes, the Giro di Jersey, not quite the Tour de France, but very entertaining ... and typical of the world's cycling fraternity ... and sorority for that matter.The first stage of the GdJ took off today; an Individual Time Trial on the roads around Ringoes, NJ, USA.The ITT is a very European event, but it was obvious to see that just the same guys turn up as turn up on those cold, windy days on

Netherland : Joseph O'Neill

2008-06-19T08:03:00.014-04:00

Netherland : Joseph O'NeillThe ultimate post 9/11 cricketing novel ... or at least something like that.Linda wasn't able to make her book club last night, so I bashed through this book in about three hours in the afternoon while barbequing lemony chicken for the bring-a-dish, end-of-term dinner.It was no burden. I'd intended to read this book anyway. I'm no book reviewer, but it was eminently

Stuff : 18.06.2008

2008-06-18T06:02:00.006-04:00

I'm still looking for a job. Anyone out there want a charming Englishman? I'm going to have to consider collecting supermarket trolleys soon ...Anyway:Went on a 25 mile ride yesterday evening. It was called the Griggstown Grinder. It was a grinder alright. Some long, slow hills had my legs complaining. A small, pleasant, eclectic group, including a guy who actually likes British beer, warm and

Esbjörn Svensson : 1964 - 2008

2008-06-15T21:33:00.007-04:00

I was very sorry to hear of the death of Esbjörn Svensson of EST, in a scuba accident near Stockholm, SWE.I can't recall how I came across the music of the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, but something about them resonated with me and I just got to love their free-flowing jazz influenced music which somehow also embraced other genres without patronising yet with a wicked sense of humour..I was lucky

WWKiP Day : 14.06.2008

2008-06-15T12:07:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was World Wide Knit in Public Day.Linda and I trolled on down to Princeton North Shopping Center where the ladies, and some gentlemen, were occupying the bandstand and brazenly knitting away in full view of the public!!!!So Linda dug out her current project, a knitted lace shawl, took her place amongst the knitters and spent a pleasant hour en tricoteuse (?) and chatting about fibre to

Niagara Falls, Ontario, CAN

2008-06-13T08:00:00.010-04:00

We have just spent a few days at Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side of the border. Niagara is a great place to go ... easily as impressive as its reputation suggests. You won't be disappointed.However, it has to be said that you shouldn't go if you don't like getting wet.Of course, Niagara is a tourist hub of world class proportions. That said, early June is a good time to go. The weather was

WiFi 04a : Sangean WFR-20 - Streaming

2008-06-08T06:49:00.009-04:00

Okay. I sorted the local streaming thing.Of course, it was really a case of RTFMS!!! Oh well ...The problem was I couldn't link the Sangean to my wlan SHOUTcast broadcast. The Noxon radio has its own configurable webpage on the device to facilitate this.The Sangean stores its stations and streams on the Reciva server. So you need to register the radio with Reciva.com - the radio's configuration

WiFi 04 : Sangean WFR-20

2008-06-07T16:05:00.011-04:00

I've had the Sangean WFR-20 a couple of days now and I'm beginning to find my way around the thing.In many respects it compares well to the Noxon iRadio, particularly in terms of sound quality and volume, but in some areas it is either lacking or I just haven't figured how to do it.The Sangean was quite easy to get up and going. On initial turn-on the unit first of all updated its station list,

New Jersey : 07.06.2008

2008-06-07T06:36:00.008-04:00

So. What's new in the neighbourhood?US Route 206 passes just to the west of where we live. Imagine if you will, traffic from the M4 funneled through the old A38 with potholes, traffic-lights every mile or two and trailing through every village and town in the vicinity.The local council has tried to ban heavy vehicles from the route but their decision was overruled by the state authorities and so

Stuff : 04.06.2008

2008-06-04T21:28:00.009-04:00

A week has zoomed by. Unfortunately dogged by illness ... get well soon, Linda. Anyway:The Sangean WFR-20 has turned up from Sangean ... about the same time as Amazon said they'd send me another one. Hopefully I won't end up with two. However, so far it seems good, sounds good, although it would be nice to be able to configure favourites through a web interface like the Noxon iRadio. On the other

Stuff : 29.05.2008

2008-05-29T05:48:00.007-04:00

So far? Arrived back from the UK earlier in the week. Had a wonderful time with family ...Good stuff:Fish and chips - Brixton Fish Bar ... yummyPlymouth Navy Strength Gin - you have to be legally able to drink alcohol to enter this sitePimms - also yummy ...Devonshire ice cream - yummy too ...Clotted Cream - more yummy ...Real cider - scrumpy - scrummy ...Coffee at the Kiosk on Plymouth HoeVW

Beryl Cook : 1926 - 2008

2008-05-28T09:51:00.009-04:00

Beryl Cook lived in Plymouth, UK, and recorded ordinary, yet extraordinary people living and enjoying themselves in and around Plymouth's Barbican district.The Dolphin Hotel just happens to be one of my favourite pubs.Steady, ladies ...

Stuff : 22.05.2008

2008-05-22T06:00:00.006-04:00

Off to the UK today. I have a little shopping list and hope to bring back some of my stuff.Otherwise:No word from Sangean :-( I hope no-one is looking to this blog for advice on the Sangean WFR-20. I've had other stuff from Sangean and it has been fine ... but Sangean, please get back to me ... or the puppy gets it ... or at least I'll keep posting bulletins on this blog ...Not much in the way of

Bike 06 : MTB - Six Mile Run Reservoir Site

2008-05-18T12:57:00.014-04:00

It was a nice morning so I dug out my mountain bike, a black/silver Trek 6000 and headed for the hills.I've already done a couple of small upgrades on the bike this year; a new, slightly longer, slightly higher stem; and some narrower, straighter and lighter handlebars.This morning as I set out, the bike still had 1.5" inverted tread road tyres on. I'm fitting 2.2" Continental Mountain Kings in

WiFi 03 : Music Server

2008-05-18T07:02:00.011-04:00

Despite the disappointment with the Sangean WFR-20 so far, one of the past year's best buys has been the Noxon iRadio.Apart from its obvious use as an internet radio, it also has a talent for playing music streamed across your wlan and can even act as a music server along with your digitised music collection.The free server software associated with the iRadio has the rather odd name of

Stuff : 16.05.2008

2008-05-16T06:00:00.004-04:00

It's been a funny old week. Okay, not really:Still heard nothing from Sangean. I know the radio got there okay. US consumers have a way to go ... I'm calling later today to express my outrage.No badminton ... 4th grade party in the gym or something. And none next week either. Yes, I'm not here but even so ...Speaking of which, back to Blighty next week. I'm busy compiling our shopping list;

Bike 05 : Princeton FreeWheelers - Wednesday Evening Ride

2008-05-15T07:56:00.012-04:00

Many years ago I joined the Cyclists' Touring Club. I managed two rides with them.It must have been like that riding with the Clarion Cycle Club in Victorian times ... military style, discipline, follow-your-leader.I don't suppose either organisation is like that now. But it was with some trepidation I set out on my first ride with Princeton FreeWheelers. I mean, the logo for a start, bears a

Fir Cone Pattern Lace Shawl

2008-05-14T10:53:00.006-04:00

For the past couple of weeks, I've watched while a skein of rather beautiful fine wool was transformed into an even more beautiful shawl.On occasions I had to do some maths to estimate if the amount of fibre left was enough to complete the shawl - it was ... by 5 grammes. But mostly, all I had to do was watch Linda skillfully knit together this rather fine garment.I didn't know that when you knit

Bike 04 : More About Punctures ... or not

2008-05-13T16:38:00.018-04:00

Well, so far so good. From the point of despair; ie: a puncture every twenty miles or so, I've now pedalled well over 100 miles without incident.Undoubtedly this is down to two things:Continental GP4000 tyres - cool website ...Sludge tyre sealant - hmmmm ...Anyway, cool websites or not, these are two products which do exactly as they say on the can.Firstly, the Contis.These are very nice tyres

Bike 03 : 5 Boro Bike Tour : images

2008-05-09T14:16:00.013-04:00

Well, brightroom.com did manage to take some pictures of me during the tour. In fact, I think I'm looking pretty purposeful though I say so myself.More images here. My report here.* see my Bike Index here

Stuff : 07.05.2008

2008-05-07T19:13:00.015-04:00

Another day in Paradise:Went out this morning for a quick ride; maybe 90 minutes or so. Felt good, but I really need to go out with other riders so I'll check Princeton FreeWheelers' ride list.Bought a Sangean WFR-20 Internet Radio.It looked very good but was D.O.A. Oh for the Sale Of Goods Act; Fit For Purpose. Anyway, Sangean USA have taken delivery so I'll keep you informed.After 5 Boro Bike

Bike 02 : 5 Boro Bike Tour : 04.05.2008

2008-05-05T06:27:00.024-04:00

I did it.Of course, so did thousands of others, from kiddies on fairy-cycles to guys on unicycles.The morning started grey and threatening. I emerged from MiL's brownstone on Upper West Side and wondered if I really had to do it. It was cold, it was mizzling, had I put enough miles in? Was that puncture stuff really any good?Well, I was committed now, so I pumped up the tyres hard and headed for

Stuff : 02.05.2008

2008-05-02T08:55:00.006-04:00

Okay; some odds and ends:5 Boro Bike Tour: I haven't got in as much riding as I would have liked, but I have managed a 30 mile medium pace ride and a fairly hard 20 mile hilly ride. I managed the hill on Zion-Dutchtown Road, partly because my feet were fixed in the clips and I couldn't get them out, so it was better to keep going than fall over. My knees are a little wobbly, possibly because ...

One Thousand!!!

2008-05-01T08:29:00.003-04:00

Yes, phonostage has just clocked up its 1000th visitor.So, thank you visitor from The Bronx, New York, NY. I hope you found it interesting ...

Anyone for badders?

2008-04-28T16:11:00.004-04:00

Well, I've survived three or four weeks of badminton, American style.American style? Actually, it's just the same as everywhere else. First Monday nights, then Wednesday's, then move to a new location for a couple of weeks, then back to the original venue, but on a Friday night.Yes, just like British badminton ...As for the players; the Monday night guys are pretty keen, and there are a few very

Humphrey Lyttelton : 1921 - 2008

2008-04-26T19:51:00.003-04:00

ISIHAC | humphreylyttelton.com

LP ... CD ... Blu-Ray ???

2008-04-21T06:00:00.008-04:00

SACD, MD, DVD-A, DAT ... 5.1, 7.1 ... DTS ... What is the fascination with the Long Playing Record?It's scratchy, poppy, clicky and dusty. But some of us still love it.More here.

PAFC : Business As Usual

2008-04-18T08:41:00.004-04:00

So, Plymouth Argyle didn't make the playoffs ... quel surpris!!!I wonder if they really want the big time. I wonder if Plymouth does too.Never mind, there's always next season. And maybe things are on the up. A new deal with a Japanese company, an announcement on the Mayflower stand in the offing ...Let's hope.

Bike News : Index

2008-04-15T17:33:00.025-04:00

Bikes: 0a : On Yer Bike0b : 5 Boro Bike Tour01 : First Ride Of The Season ... and punctures02 : 5 Boro Bike Tour : 4.5.200803 : 5 Boro Bike Tour : images04 : More About Punctures ... or not05 : Princeton FreeWheelers - Wedneday Evening Ride06 : MTB - Six Mile Run Reservoir Site07 : Giro di Jersey 2008 : stage 1 Ringoes ITT08 : Giro di Jersey 2008 : stage 2 Rocky Hill09 : Giro di Jersey 2008 :

Bike 01 : First Ride Of The Season ... and punctures

2008-04-15T16:25:00.010-04:00

Well, last week I went out for an hour or so. And today I rode for two hours. I covered close to thirty miles. Not bad considering ...I was using my road bike, the Trek 1200. As I've mentioned before, I ride a frame smaller than normally recommended for someone of my height - 1.90m / 6ft 3". This means the seatpin is pretty much at full extension, and I've rotated the stem 180 degrees to raise

Stuff 05 : Sansa®TakeTV™ video player

2008-04-06T09:18:00.009-04:00

I have had one of these devices for a few months now, and I have to say it's one of the best things since sliced bread, particularly if you download UK - or any other, of course - tv shows and would like to watch them on the big screen rather than hunched over your computer.The Sansa®TakeTV™ video player enables you to copy video media files from your computer, via its USB port and then play them

Stuff 04 : Princeton Record Exchange

2008-04-06T07:24:00.016-04:00

By happy serendipity, Princeton has one of the best sources of new and used BVDs - Black Vinyl Discs - anywhere.Princeton Record Exchange.In fact, the BVD sales sector is one of the few that is increasing its percentage of the music media market.What is it about records in these days of Blu-Ray and music downloads? I've blogged elsewhere on why I still cling onto this apparently outmoded, yet

Badminton

2008-04-02T07:49:00.024-04:00

There are a number of world sports which tend to be under the radar here in the USA. Notably; cricket (bigger than baseball); rugby (bigger than gridiron football); and, of course, football (not soccer - bigger than anything).Then there are sports that are virtually unheard of, at least at a competitive, international level.That's not to say that it's impossible to play those sports in the USA.

Stuff 03 : Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones

2008-03-24T07:34:00.007-04:00

Despite having mentioned my Rio Karma does a good job of driving the Sennheiser HD580s, I do not normally bowl down the North East Corridor Line with a pair of giant cans on my ears.The Sony MDR-EX71SL Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones are a massive step up from the nasty things which come with most iPod/mp3 players. Oh, the ones that came with your player are very good? Well, try some after-market

5 Boro Bike Tour, 2008

2008-03-20T14:13:00.012-04:00

Hmmmm ... received my rider number and bib today.I really need to get back on my bike!!!Anyway, if you happen to be there look out for rider 38495. That will be me then.Gulp ...* See how I got on here.* see my Bike Index here

Adele : Joe's Pub NYC, part III

2008-03-18T12:47:00.007-04:00

Can you believe my luck???After breaking my neck to get tickets for this gig I went down with a bad attack of the lurgy ... bad stomach, bad head, like 'flu only not as nice ...So I missed Adele at Joe's Pub ... Can someone leave a review here so I can feel even worse?NYT review here ... another here.

Stuff 02 : RioVolt PSX100

2008-03-14T07:56:00.005-04:00

I think I'm over being an Early Adopter. I am now convinced never to buy software before version 3 or after version 4. Wait until the hardware I like is superseded by the latest megagiga whatsit ... and the item is in the remainder pages.Having said that, I have been fairly lucky on the early adoption front in many respects; Sansui AU-317 amplifier, the Rio Karma, wifi and my old RioVolt PSX100

Musée des Beaux Arts : W.H. Auden

2008-03-11T21:27:00.008-04:00

The Old Masters; how well, they understoodIts human position; how it takes placeWhile someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waitingFor the miraculous birth, there always must beChildren who did not specially want it to happen, skatingOn a pond at the edge of the wood:They never forgotThat even the dreadful martyrdom

HiFi 07 : Sennheiser HD580 Headphones

2008-03-11T08:21:00.005-04:00

When the Sennheiser HD580 headphones came out in the UK they had a couple of bad reviews.Consequentially, a few months later I just popped into my local hifi store and was offered these at an absolute bargain price. I mean, a fraction of their original cost. How could I refuse?Well, I found nothing wrong with them. In fact they went on to be regarded as one of the top high-end headphones and are

Spring iz sprung; the grass iz riz ...

2008-03-05T20:29:00.013-05:00

... I wonder where the cyclists iz?I've gone and done it now ... 42 miles around New York's Five Boroughs; Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.The Five Boro Bike Tour is the USA's largest bike event. 30,000 riders converge on NYC for the chance to ride on closed roads and visit each of the boroughs which constitute the city.The die is cast. I've paid my entry fee so I'm

HiFi 06 : Marantz CD5001

2008-02-28T07:58:00.007-05:00

I like hifi, but those mega-buck systems generally leave me cold. I mean, the music is the message, isn't it?Okay, I know a system has to be good enough to convey the nuance, subtlety and dynamics of the sound so that the music can be appreciated, but many high-end systems seem to me to have more in common with a SUV rather than a Prius ... Yes, you could say Maserati rather than an Aztec, but

PAFC : Plymouth 3 - Burnley 1

2008-02-24T07:36:00.008-05:00

Well, things are looking up after the wobbles at the start of the year. It hardly seems possible that Argyle have worked themselves back into the playoff zone.Having said that I'm not certain that another year consolidating in the Championship wouldn't be a good idea, but hey, strike while the iron's hot!!!Go for it!!!Because hasn't caution always been the line? The Board really would have to put

Gratuitous Newfie Reference

2008-02-23T11:10:00.005-05:00

What's this? An unprincipled bid to raise traffic on my blog?Well, yes. Here's Bella and me. Bella is the intelligent looking one. She's seven years old and a very big Newfoundland. Passers-by often refer to her as a bear.Now I've always been a cat person, but Bella has convinced me that there are some nice dogs.Speaking of blog traffic, these are the topics that are currently bringing my

Adele : Joe's Pub NYC, part II

2008-02-23T07:57:00.008-05:00

For those of us who missed out on tickets to see Adele at Joe's Pub, a reprieve ...There was a hint and also a gap in the Joe's Pub schedule the day before Adele's March 18 show, and it so happened that when I checked out what was going on this morning Joe's had announced an additional show on the 17th.Click here fast if you want tickets.*See my hifi / media index here.

On 'Yer Bike!!!

2008-02-15T08:56:00.013-05:00

It's that time of year again when thoughts turn to getting back on my bike. Okay, so it's really been a while since I've been a regular rider. I did a couple of reasonable rides last year, but I'm feeling that I want to get back into the swing of things. In fact, I am thinking that I might even have a go at an Audax Century.I have a couple of bikes, both Treks. Treks seem to suit me, but I'm not

HiFi 05 : Project Classic Cherry Turntable

2008-02-14T09:44:00.016-05:00

The last few years have seen a resurgence of good, old-fashioned LPs. I guess there are a number of reasons for this; the number of people who still have substantial numbers of old records stacked away, but also a considerable attraction is the sheer physicality of those huge black vinyl discs and the transparent way they convey music.Do BVDs sound better than CDs? Well, they're certainly

PAFC : Phew!!!!

2008-02-10T10:26:00.001-05:00

Haven't Plymouth Argyle been through the doldrums lately?There they were, travelling hopefully on the borders of the promotion zone when they lose their manager / coach, Ian Holloway to Leicester City. As seems usual in this situation, the manager declares undying love for his club a week or so before uprooting and toddling off elsewhere.And, apart from regaining one of the Argyle's most

Stuff 01 : Rio Karma Music Player

2008-02-07T09:51:00.001-05:00

I suppose it's inevitable that when you think about .mp3 music players the first one that springs to mind is the Apple iPod. So deeply has this item entrenched in our culture that it has become a generic term in itself, just like in the UK all vacuum cleaners are Hoovers and all vacuum flasks are Thermoses.It's a pity because there are some other good, and I dare say, even better .mp3 players out