rips…
…and other disturbances…
broken PCs…
Have had some problems with my workstation lately, as one of my newest PCs has acted up. They sure don't make power supplies for PCs as they used to, which means they can't take much variation or noise from the power lines before they lose track and eventually fail completely. The latest one only lasted a week before breaking, which isn't very impressive.
Anyway, the oldest PC in my workstation has held up without losing a beat, so I've managed to do most of what needs to be done. A bit frustrating though, as having 5 PCs and only be able to use one because the failing PC controlled the local network and put the others off line when it went down, means certain bits of software and data was inaccessible for days.
Now I have turned the network around so the old and more reliable PC is in control of everything. Will leave it like this until all flaws in the new PCs are fixed. Have also reintroduced a very old power line filter, one which really keeps all spikes, dips, power-surges and noise at a minimum.
No, I'm not the least impressed by later years development in electronics. We can buy everything these days, and most of it is relatively cheap too, but built-in protection and reliability has all but gone. Not worth wasting money on, in my opinion.
better waste of time…
My other hobby is coming around.
Since playing steel guitar isn't a new hobby, it is mostly a question of finding old bits and pieces,
fixing things, and practicing to get my playing skills up to par again.
At least for now I play just for the fun of it, and it will take some time and a lot of practice before the music flows like it used to all those years ago. That's ok, as I'm in no hurry.
I'm in no hurry to buy another steel guitar either, as the now 30 year old Dekley is holding up quite well. I will run sound-tests on new steels though, and when I eventually find one that suits me I'll probably order a custom-built version of it.
Takes from 4 months to a year to custom-build such an instrument, so no point in being impatient if one wants a really good one.
farmlife and related issues…
5 new calves have arrived so far this year, and we're expecting one more within a few days. That should be all this season.
The cow that came down with milk fewer and a whole range of additional complications, nearly two months ago, is doing quite well. Her skin wounds haven't healed completely yet, but she's in good spirit and has joined the herd again.
We're keeping a close eye on her progress, as we intend to keep her for as long as we have calves that need milk, and probably a while beyond that. She won't be inseminated and put back in normal production for another season though, as the risk for milk fewer after another calving is too great.
The other cows and heifers are doing fine. 4 cows took care of calving on their own out in the open this year, and we only had to walk the calves and their mothers home to the barn once they were ready for it.
One of the cows actually came walking
home with her calf entirely of her own will, and we more or less only had to open the gates and let her in. Such
behavior sure makes the whole calving operation easy for us, and also shows clearly that these animals trust us to take
care of their young ones. The latter is extremely important on a small farm like ours.
This farm assistant has suffered from severe back pain lately, and has subsequently made frequent visits to the chiropractor in addition to eating pain killers. Needless to say he hasn't been up to much farm work the last few weeks, but at least he has been able to walk (slowly) out onto those pastures to call the cows home for milking twice a day.
His condition is improving now – albeit slowly, so a bit more work is being done around the farm. He is also planning for a short trip down to Central Europe to meet friends, and also do some business, some time in the coming weeks. Taking time off is important, also for farmers.
sincerely 
farm assistant
Hageland 26.jun.2009
last rev: 26.jun.2009
rips…
