Sunday. The only day that isn'r Saturday. August 24, 2025

[OldStrummer]

I've been navigating the world of retirement for going on two years now, and I've taken to saying that every day is a Saturday except for Sunday. And here it is Sunday again!

The much ballyhooed Hurricane Erin did little more than bring some grey skies and a few drizzles here, and now it's cleared up and the days have been terrific. The heat is down, there are nice breezes, and despite high humidity, going outside has been wonderful!

I'm still practicing, but now I don't have an actual goal in mind. In a way, that's quite freeing, as I'm going through my song list and just playing whatever strikes me. I've focused so much on working on the tunes I'm preparing to perform that now I'm just playing stuff I want to play. Very relaxing!

Otherwise, it's another routine Sunday: Church, lunch (today we're celebrating the retirement of one of the original church member employees, so that will make for a joyous lunch! Afternoon baseball, some pickin' 'n' grinnin' and the usual stuff.

I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying your new (or old) guitars and is comfortable today.

[Laker]

It was a fun week for my wife and me. The National Council of Corvette Clubs held its annual convention in Wisconsin Dells this past week with the speed events being held at the Road America complex. What we enjoyed was we got to watch our oldest son run in both, the high speed and low speed events, and he and his car performed really well. The sound of a modified LS3 engine at high revs does wonders for my soul.

Hope all have a great week.

[ch willie]

It was a fun week for my wife and me. The National Council of Corvette Clubs held its annual convention in Wisconsin Dells this past week with the speed events being held at the Road America complex. What we enjoyed was we got to watch our oldest son run in both, the high speed and low speed events, and he and his car performed really well. The sound of a modified LS3 engine at high revs does wonders for my soul.

Hope all have a great week.

Sounds like fun! When I was a reporter, I got to cover the St. Jude Riders who come into town with about 100 Corvettes of all models and types of beauty. I was learning to use my camera and got some pretty good shots of them. Also got to cover their motorcycle ride. Good folks have brought hundreds of thousands, maybe even a couple of million, for the children of St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis. It was pretty cool seeing both motorcycles and Corvettes driving in during their respective journeys.

I've whined enough about debilitating arthritis. Last night, had out the 335 and just played melodies for 30 minutes. Easy on the hands. I enjoyed doing so, the soon to be missus enjoyed it. I miss playing in a band, but I'm happy to play at all. Sometimes you stand where you are and find a way to get the most out of it. I'm seriously grateful to be able to play at all.

[DanTheBluesMan]

had quite the thunderstorm late Wednesday afternoon that stretched for 3 hours into the evening. A perilously close strike took out our wifi thermostat and we ended up having to get a new one. Of course the old one was a discontinued model so we got a different model and new software. After that storm we've had some incredibly delightful weather for August. Including the first night when I walked a mile wearing a coat without the slightest overheating. High summer has ended a little earlier than most years. Both the cat and the dog are shedding vociferously. Cold winter ahead?

Walked from my house to downtown, discovered it is 2.25 miles and an hour exactly with a stop to buy a lottery ticket along the way. Doesn't sound very fast, nor was I trying to push it. After dark, stopping for crosswalks and waiting for cars. It felt very comfortable and no strange aches today. Uber'd back home. May do this until the snow starts to fly. And if it's not raining.

Learned that NH has done away with inspection stickers due to rampant abuse of the system. If this is in fact a reality, I may not have to buy a replacement car come March and just register my old one again. Plus I have until June of '28 to take up the insurance offer of 3K to total the car. Three years to save money and also see where I'm at as far as driving. I just have to tend to my maintenance.

[OldStrummer]

The sound of a modified LS3 engine at high revs does wonders for my soul.

I confess to being utterly confused with the nomenclature of engines these days. Back when I worked on a formula car racing team, all we referred to were makers and displacements. In cubic inches (except our formula car, which was standardized on cubic centimeters). Thus, I could pretty well tell you how a 302ci Z/28 was made using a 327 block and a 283 crank, and why MOPAR's Hemi-head was superior to its Max Wedge 426. But then Chevy got into using "L" designations (LS, LT) and in those designs multiple displacements and other features all fit. Now, when you say an LS3, I barely know to what you are referring.

[Laker]

But then Chevy got into using "L" designations (LS, LT) and in those designs multiple displacements and other features all fit. Now, when you say an LS3, I barely know to what you are referring.

The 6.2 liter LS3 V8 engine is currently produced by Chevrolet Performance as a crate engine, offering a peak output of 430 horsepower at 5900 RPM. Between 2007 and 2017, the LS3 was used in high-performance vehicles, such as the Camaro and Corvette, among others.

My son is running a stroker crankshaft along with Texas Speed and Performance cam and heads in his LS3 engine that puts him around 650 hp I believe.

[blackonblack]

Was fairly busy this weekend between running errands and church. Was able to stop by the music store and consult them for a while. Think I am heading back after work today to try out a Fender Player II Strat. Chambered Hog body and very LW. Want to see how it plays and sounds as well as weight it. May be an NGD ?

[blackonblack]

Well it weighed 6 lbs or under. The scale there only measures in .5 lb Two readings at 6, 1 at 5.5. Thinking it?s a hair over 5.75. Plays well and sounds as a Strat should. Will probably upgrade some stuff as it?s a MIM. It?s behind the counter as I contemplate it (IE see how long it?s been there and their cost so I can strike a better deal).

[gibsonjunkie]

Late to the party, but with a good excuse. Last week we were in Hendersonville, TN (just outside of Nashville) visiting my mother and sister. I only met them close to 5 years ago but we all get along really well. My Mom is fading - dementia, a bit of early Alzheimer's and the fact that she's almost 95 are contributing.

One fun thing we did. My nephew just got out of the Army (medical discharge or he'd have been a lifer) so he took us to a gun range and we shot a bunch. He brought an AR 15 and AK 47 as well as Glock and Sig Saiuer handguns. Ann and both shot pretty well (I'd shot rifles and shotguns, but never pistols) and enjoyed the snot out of it. We had talked about getting permits for years - we decided that we're going to sign up for the safety course to learn more. I really liked the Sig - shot really accurate! Will probably end up with one.

All fun! Last few days of vacation and then back to work.


Oh... and Happy Birthday to me!!!

[OldStrummer]

I really liked the Sig - shot really accurate! Will probably end up with one.

All fun! Last few days of vacation and then back to work.


Oh... and Happy Birthday to me!!!

Happy birthday, Nick! I agree with you about the SIG, but the P320 has been hit with some nasty issues. The P365 in one of its many iterations is top-notch gun!

[gibsonjunkie]

Happy birthday, Nick! I agree with you about the SIG, but the P320 has been hit with some nasty issues. The P365 in one of its many iterations is top-notch gun!

We're looking at the 365 Fuse. Signed up for the permit course today. My step-dad says he's also going to leave me his 357 Magnum (I think) in his will.

[OldStrummer]

We're looking at the 365 Fuse. Signed up for the permit course today. My step-dad says he's also going to leave me his 357 Magnum (I think) in his will.

SWEET! Depending on the make and the barrel length, that might very well be an heirloom! I have a .38SPL S&W snubby, and that thing kicks my *** after a few reloads at the range. Nice gun, but OUCH.

[gibsonjunkie]

SWEET! Depending on the make and the barrel length, that might very well be an heirloom! I have a .38SPL S&W snubby, and that thing kicks my *** after a few reloads at the range. Nice gun, but OUCH.

This is a Smith and Wesson. It's a beauty!

[OldStrummer]

This is a Smith and Wesson. It's a beauty!

Smith & Wesson makes terrific revolvers.

[Bill Moore]

Be careful, shooting is addictive! I've been shooting pistol and rifle matches since the 80's, and I have more guns than guitars!

[Laker]

Be careful, shooting is addictive! I've been shooting pistol and rifle matches since the 80's, and I have more guns than guitars!

After Vietnam I have had no desire to ever fire a weapon again.

[Bill Moore]

Some our best rifle shooters back in the day were "in country" vets!