Other hobbies/Obsessions?

porker36 · 12-09-2021 10:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117878005#Comment_117878005

just got ghost riders delivered to me during the week, looking forward to reading, which of the three did you find the most interesting?

banie01 · 12-09-2021 11:56AM

I haven't read any of Mark Felton's stuff as of yet. I keep meaning to get his book on the Kenpeitai just haven't gotten around to it just yet.

Currently reading "Genghis Khan and the making of the modern world" and a little "work" related reading on the side is "The Elliot Wave Principle" and that has me off digging out historical price data and back-testing. Boring and I'm slowly becoming convinced I have bloody ADHD 😂

IrishPlayer · 12-09-2021 02:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879588#Comment_117879588

I actually found Ghost Riders to be the most interesting of the three. Won't give away spoilers but I had known about the events in the other two.

Ghost Riders was something I wasn't aware had happened, like what the monuments men did only for.... Well it's on the cover;) Watch Mark Feltons videos and was interested to try his books. Anyone interested in them, send me a PM

blue5000 · 12-09-2021 03:51PM

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3254445-internal-fire

Just started reading a signed copy of this, maybe some diesel heads on here will be able to put 2+2 together🚳

banie01 · 27-09-2021 06:18PM

Not the best photos 😉 but this is a model I've being trying to find in diecast for quite a while.

It's a Chengdu J20 in 1:144 , smaller than my usual preferred scale but given the trouble I had finding it at a reasonable price? I'll take it.

I also picked up an Italeri Chengdu J10 in 1:72 that's bumping up my PLAAF contingent 😉

I really am out of space for any more now tho...

Lorddrakul · 28-09-2021 11:56AM

@banie01 That is lovely.

I'd love to get a nice die cast of the Berkut.

Love prototypes, me.

banie01 · 28-09-2021 12:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117949075#Comment_117949075

I have the ear bent off of Italeri for that one but, it's out of production. I think they also retailed under "Dreamwings" moniker They also have a 1:100 Pak-FA that is very well made.

The original price of the Italeri version was @€18 and they are now changing hands for up to €100. There are some in the €35 range in Italy on eBay with €20+ shipping. If I could find a seller that a range of what I'm after? I'd certainly buy quickly. Very desirable and well modelled.

https://www.italeri.com/categoria/40/54

I keep up with their emails and check at least once a week. I picked up their J10 via an Italian reseller and have him on the hunt for more for me. Their Gripen and tbh all of their Chinese and russian stuff are on my hunting list.

There is a German eBay seller and a couple of Italian and Polish lads that have some of the bits at reasonable pricing but far too rarely.

Ray in DiecastModels4U in Galway is always willing to try and find bits too but Brexit really has made a dent in what he can lay hands on recently.

**Edited to add**

Forgot to say LD, if you want links to those eBay sellers just throw me a PM, happy to share them.

Lorddrakul · 28-09-2021 06:09PM

My son is currently 3D printing a Mark I Viper from the original BSG series.

He is also doing a slice on a model of the Galactica to make it easier to print.

Ryath · 28-09-2021 08:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117634934#Comment_117634934

Had missed that post at the time with how bad notifications are now on the site. That's some beast of a keyboard! Worth it over the Unicomp for you?

I'm blaming you for showing me Chyrosran22! Had been thinking of building a desktop the last year or so. Haven't had one in over 15 years just using laptops in that time. The graphics card shortage and general price increases put that on the long finger. Was keeping an eye and had trackers set up on graphic cards and try snag one close to RRP but ended getting bargain prebuilt Lenovo i5 10400, 16gb Ram, 512gb M2 drive and a GTX 1660 Super for €329! Long term plan is still to take the Graphics card out and build something. I'm used to laptop keyboards but the one that came with the Lenovo really was a POS.

Was just planning on a Cherry Mx keyboard of some description. But then I went down the rabbit hole. Far to much time spent reading on r/MechanicalKeyboards and looking at youtube. Went from to budget Gateron Brown boards to Blue. Started looking at higher end boards and reading far to much about switches.

So that's probably my main hobby researching the sh!t out of things when I want something new! Same with nearly everything, TV, speakers, headphones or any gadget I decide I need! Was part of what sent me down the rabbit hole when I wandered into this forum I can get a bit obsessed! Main interest though is cycling which I haven't had much time for the last few years but do want to get back training properly for. Motorcycles which I spent most of my 20's on and Fishing which I spent a good bit of my teenage years at are two I always say I will get back to some day. What I do have time for that I still do is listening to music and still love to watch movies when the kids will go to bed early enough and get off the TV. That was part of the reason for getting the PC. It's given me my own space to stick on headphones and listen to music, watch movies and tv series. Still need to get a amplifier/DAC to use a pair of old bookshelf speakers with the PC which is another maze of research I've wandered into!

Very nearly ended up getting the Unicomp Model M, if the new Mini M was available I may have gone for it. The full size is a little big for the desk space I have though. Was hard decide though as I have little experience with mechanical keyboards. Shops here mostly only have boards with Red liner switches on display with the odd Razer green or Logitech Blue clicky and pawing demo models at the moment is kind of frowned upon!

In the end going going for a hot swappable barebones keyboard seemed an good option. Didn't end up costing too much as the board was a 30% off nearly new Amazon warehouse deal. GMMK TKL Board, Kaihl Box Pink Switches and Tai-Hao PBT switches. Like building things and putting this together seemed just like Lego (Which is another hobby I got back into when my kids did!) Finding good UK ISO PBT keycaps was actually one of the more time consuming choices. Most of the market is for ANSI unless you go custom GMK group buys which is silly money with delivery in 2022 or later!

Possibly should have got a set of switches to try but all the reviews seemed to rate the Pinks highly some even comparing them to being the nearest MX style switch to a buckling spring in feel. Two weeks now and I really like it tactility is great, switches are smooth, keycaps feel great and it's solid with no wobble. Might be a little loud for others in the room but I like the clack out of it! Do sort of miss the numpad its the only part of the keyboard I can touch type on properly but I don't need it much at home. I'll probably still pick up a Unicomp as some stage as I'll set up the Lenovo for the kids when I take the graphics card out and build a new PC.

Starting to realize I have a thing for blue. 5 of my watches have blue on them somewhere! Trying to decide on next purchase black SKX007 is still preferred option but it's over priced now really. I can get a Seiko Turtle for same money and I keep getting drawn to the blue models. Have tried on two Turtles recently Pepsi Padi and I really liked the Save the Ocean version in the flesh.

Thirdfox · 30-09-2021 04:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117951446#Comment_117951446

It's a crowdfunded piece and apparently some people have been waiting for 5 years before it got out to them... Apparently the keyboards are supposed to be shipping out by the end of the year. So once it comes I'll let you know how it works out.

Though currently with my M122 having macro keys programmed on the side are quite useful too (saves typing out Sólás out every time with the fadas).

I think I'm quite similar in that the research is half the fun of something new. MsThirdfox says I would make a great travel agent - I love researching and planning holidays according to needs/budgets - and for me it' almost half the fun of the holiday itself - by the end all that's left if to go on it - but I've already vicariously experienced it through the research into events.

There's even planned "no plans" time to account for wanting to explore unexpected things... Otherwise MsThirdfox knows she just needs to bring herself and I'll generally have the week or two planned out between activity days, rest days, travel days... I imagine that might sound horrendous to some - but excel spreadsheet holidays where you have a good idea of activities (paragliding at X location, snorkelling by Y o'clock at Z location, dinner at W scenic beach) can really be quite fun to know that you've got things planned up ahead. Like experiencing a package holiday twice, once for planning/research and once doing the activity itself :D

banie01 · 30-09-2021 04:24PM

@Thirdfox I'll be sending you my '22 itinerary and you can work your magic 😉

My input is very much dedicated to selecting the destination and the deal. The planning while we are there is usually left to the Mrs but next year I really do fancy a spread sheet 😉 but no Chichen Itza! Too many yanks 😂

Cyclingtourist · 10-11-2021 02:38PM

This is a photo from around 1900 of Blanche Cole née Vernon & her husband Grenville Cole (professor of Geology at the Royal College of Science for Ireland) seated beside two lady's bicycles. Both Grenville and their female friend on the left appear to be getting ready for an anticipated shower of rain.

I'm currently writing an online article about a book of essays they published in 1902 about cycle-tours they did together from the year of their marriage (1895) to the end of the 19th century.

She was a member of a branch of the Vernon family of Clontarf Castle but she was born and reared in Mount Merrion where her father appears to have been a land agent or superintendent on the Pembroke Estate.

Lorddrakul · 10-11-2021 05:13PM

I may have mentioned before, I'm a bit of a motorsport nut. I love the stories of derring do, technological wizardy and mercurial talent.

But, there are also some mad stories from the early years when some people still weren't sure that things with wheels and engines were actually going to catch on.

This is wonderfully characterised by the origin story of what used to be the national racing colour of British drivers: British Racing Green.

blackbullet · 10-11-2021 05:24PM

3d is my main hobbie using blender 2 years now

heres a few recent projects id one in blender

Lorddrakul · 10-11-2021 06:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118147040#Comment_118147040

My son is starting to get proficient enough to do his own designs for a 3D printer.

He has created base plate to make one of the swords from his favourite animé, Attack on Titan.

Wibbs · 10-11-2021 09:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118146977#Comment_118146977

This is wonderfully characterised by the origin story of what used to be the national racing colour of British drivers: British Racing Green.

It's an interesting story alright. From what I recall the original Britsih racing green was much lighter. Also if I remember correctly Ireland's national colour is actually blue(which was France's racing team colour, QV the various Bugatti's of the 1920's). The green is a later notion. Red was Italy, of course. Then later advertising on race cars first rolled out by Lotus(Chapman was always the boyo for extracting a crust) turning them into high speed billboards killed the national colours, though Mercedes has flirted with their national colour silver on occasion. They were originally white, but changed to silver. Japan took white with red accents to reflect their rising sun flag. Honda's Type R road cars were originally all white with red badges to reflect the first Grand Prix win by them wearing their national colours. These days they're more likely to be red or black as white isn't a fashionable colour of late. Then again these days they're heavier than the base models so...

Cyclingtourist · 07-12-2021 10:57AM

I bought this cycling map because it was reasonably priced and in good condition. Normally I'd only buy if it was one of the Irish ones I haven't got.

Watering places refers to seaside resort towns. This one dates from around 1895, the ones that say 'For Motorists & Cyclists' are later and the ones where the illustration shows the woman on a tricycle and the man on a highwheeler are earlier.

There are two ads inside the cover one for a temperance hotel (a common type in Victorian times) and another for a patent medicine that contained cannabis and opium.

Cyclingtourist · 16-12-2021 10:54AM

Just a re-print but where you going to get the original? 103 interesting pages of cycling history and advertisements.

banie01 · 27-12-2021 07:53PM

A gift from my MIL that I am very taken with at the moment and that's ahead of the book the Mrs got me in the reading list 😉

"Duel for the Sky" by Christopher Shores, this is one of his more accessible books IMO. If one isn't into military history and aviation in particular this book is very easy reading. His usual style is far more technical and detail orientated.

Some lovely airframe views and beautiful paintings. A gift that is very much appreciated and will join my aviation library 😁

Cyclingtourist · 27-12-2021 08:35PM

When I was in the merchant navy I worked on Shell tankers for a number of years (1970s) and remember people from head office talking about Douglas Bader who apparently worked for Shell after the war, just that the general impression I got from what I heard was that he was a bit of an asshole.

Cyclingtourist · 28-12-2021 11:22AM

Effortless Italian style. 1920s/30s postcard.

English publication 'promoting' cycle touring in Ireland 1990s.

fulladapipes · 28-12-2021 01:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118378894#Comment_118378894

Penguin do a series of these books in RAF blue commemorating 100 years of said RAF. I've got them and they're pretty good. I'll see can I find a photo of them to post.

banie01 · 28-12-2021 06:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118381436#Comment_118381436

I have a few of those in other editions. One of the very 1st autobiographies I ever read were Boy and Going Solo, they have a very sure place in my heart, Going Solo in particular tbh.

I'll keep an eye out for that collection tho. I keep meaning to head up to Dublin for a visit to Chapters before they close down, but health-wise I probably won't make it up before Feb. I really want to get a pile of aviation books in their sale and I'd advise anyone oval to get in there for a browse before they finally close.

Cyclingtourist · 29-12-2021 04:50PM

"I really want to get a pile of aviation books in their sale and I'd advise anyone oval to get in there for a browse before they finally close."

Went for a return visit to Chapters and got these four for just under €15.

banie01 · 29-12-2021 04:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118386633#Comment_118386633

Great haul!👍

banie01 · 03-01-2022 01:28PM

Picked up a few ebooks of stuff I planned to get in the "real" form and one of them,

https://g.co/kgs/KhSCfC

75 years of the Skunkworks, by James C Goodall is a veritable treasure trove of wonderful photos of some of Lockheed's finest work.

The joy of ebook is portability, but I look forward to my hardback being delivered. There is allusion to management structures and project management systems that is unfortunately not really filled in upon in this tome. That's not to detract from what is a wonderful and sometimes personal insight into the Skunkworks, it's just that some of those aspects in particular hold a professional interest for me.

Blanchy90 · 03-01-2022 11:53PM

I set up the bike trainer in the house and managed 2km on it yesterday.

Doesn't sound like much but I haven't been able to exercise at all since getting covid at the start of August. I'm hoping to build it up to where I was at before but I'll take it slow as I don't want to overdo it.

Happy to be back on the bike at all

Cyclingtourist · 07-01-2022 12:01PM

I'm not particularly interest in aviation but I have a few National Geographics from the late 1930s and early 1940s because they have articles related to cycle touring.

'Looking Down on Europe' is about a journey round Europe by air. Although this article was published in June 1939 from my experience normally articles in NG lag actual events by about 12 months.

This photo supplied by Lufthansa appears showing Tempelhof Airport with one Polish aircraft (SP) of American manufacture surrounded by German civil aircraft. The twin-rotor in the foreground is a Junkers JU86b and the others are JU52 tri-rotors. I'm open to correction as I'm no aviation expert.