Hobby Thread - May 24, 2025 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin and it came up with Memorial Day traditions!

[Top photo: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia]

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Memorial Day remembers those deceased who served in the US armed forces. It is also the traditional kick off of summer. Two good reasons to talk about tradition.

Veterans Day honors those still living who served, so don't mix up the two. Wishing a veteran "Happy Memorial Day" is a little awkward. Because of the emphasis on those who have passed, Memorial Day is often a time of visiting cemeteries and laying wreaths or decorating stones with American flags.

Are you putting out flags or draping bunting or otherwise decorating your abode or business? Does your local community do anything to honor the holiday like a ceremony or parade?

Do you have a tradition of visiting a local cemetery to remember a relative or pay honor to any who slumber in eternal rest?

Many will head to the backyard, the pool, the beach or the lake to kick off the season. Thousands of motorsports fans will mark the weekend with a pilgrimage to the Indy 500 or the Charlotte 600, two massive races held on the same day. What are your plans? Is it watermelon season yet?

Memorial day crafting and hobbying with patriotic themes also works for flag day (June 14) and July 4. There are lot of creative red, white and blue crafts and projects on the interwebs. Anyone making new decorations this year?

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Memorial Day trivia:

The holiday traces to the later years of the Civil War. Women's groups often gathered to decorate graves. There was no single day or organized national event, but the practice laid the groundwork for a federal holiday.

A single date of remembrance started on May 30, 1868. General John Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. He chose May 30th because it wasn't the anniversary of any Civil War battle.

It was initially known as Decoration Day. Over the years, it became informally known as Memorial Day. In 1971, it was officially named as Memorial Day and officially designated as a federal holiday.

Memorial day involves particular flag etiquette. Do not fly the flag at half-mast all day. Per the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the flag should be flown at half-staff "from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation's battle heroes."

The National Moment of Remembrance is at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

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Cleaning graves has become a thing on social media. The host typically shows a grave "before" with dirt and grime and perhaps cracks and damage. A short video clip shows the cleaning and repair process and sometimes provides history on what is known about the resident.

Does anyone do this? No need to have a social media presence but wondering if some among the Horde have taken it upon themselves to clean cemetery stones. Not specific to Memorial Day but seems like it should count as a hobby.

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Where is the country's longest running Memorial Day parade?

Grafton, West Virginia and Ironton, Ohio have had an ongoing parade since 1868, but Brooklyn claims to have the oldest as their tradition started a year earlier.

These veterans in Ironton are either firing a salute or on drone defense duty.

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Are you serving watermelon for your picnic?

Serve it as a pirate ship!

Or a shark!

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Horde Hobbying update from the Hobby Thread's resident landscape painter. This work from polynikes is called "My Happy Place." Hard to argue with that.

Good stuff as always. Thank you!

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What are you hobbying these days?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Your participation does not need to limited to the theme. All hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls. Pants, as always, are optional.

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We talked drones. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:31 PM (ypFCm)

2 I have tried to make it to tje town Memorial day parade and ceremony

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:32 PM (ypFCm)

3 Polynikes even painted the sniper between the trees
Nicely done

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:35 PM (ypFCm)

4 My hobby is going to AoS and laughing. Don't tell my wife.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 24, 2025 05:35 PM (I9RuV)

5 Memorial Day is one filled with memories of my Dad. He was the Commander of the VFW for a number of years when I was a kid and I would go with him and other members to place flags and do ceremonies at the local cemeteries and their veteran's sections on Memorial Day.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:38 PM (VofaG)

6 Amen.

Prayers up for the dead.

Yup. Catholic here. We do that.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 24, 2025 05:38 PM (ZmEVT)

7 Historicon, the gaming miniatures convention starts July 16 -19 at the Lancaster Convention center. All signed up and can't wait to go.

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:40 PM (ypFCm)

8 Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:40 PM (ypFCm)

How far is Lancaster from you?

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:41 PM (VofaG)

9 Little over a hour

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:42 PM (ypFCm)

10 I'm working on a 1/48 scale revell dauntless dive bomber. Really simple kit. Maybe 30 parts to the whole thing. Detail was either molded directly or not used.
Still looks decent enough to go up on a shelf despite the low quality of the kit.

Posted by: KwaK! at May 24, 2025 05:43 PM (89Sog)

11 I will drive and come back home 2 days the Friday and Saturday.

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:43 PM (ypFCm)

12 Nope, no watermelon. I like it, but a few years ago it decided it didn't like me.

Posted by: olddog in mo at May 24, 2025 05:44 PM (hoCmQ)

13 Revelle models.

Okay. Spare me no pain. How much do they cost now?

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 24, 2025 05:45 PM (ZmEVT)

14 We visit family graves every year on the weekend before Memorial day. Clean them up, put out fresh flowers. Doing it tomorrow with Dad, Mom and my uncle. Missed last year because I was on third shift. I thought everyone did it, growing up.

Posted by: Aetius451AD workphone at May 24, 2025 05:45 PM (O7xZR)

15 Revelle models.

Okay. Spare me no pain. How much do they cost now?"

I got this for $12.50 off of ebay. I also bought a 1/48 revell corsair for $10.00. Kit is just like the dauntless. Very bare bones an simple.

Posted by: KwaK! at May 24, 2025 05:48 PM (89Sog)

16 1966. I was invited to a birthday party. I had no money. I checked the telephone outside the laundromat (mom was there too), near the bar next door and scored $1.50.

I spent it on a Revell model as a gift.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 24, 2025 05:49 PM (ZmEVT)

17 I think plastic models when I was a teenager were $5-<10$

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:49 PM (ypFCm)

18 Thank you for the Memorial Day post, TRex. We have been coming up to the shack for 20+ years. A bit different without the kids, but we stay busy with the equipment and futzing. Dog LOVES it here. Sadly she doesn't hear or see well - leads us to clapping & whistling a lot, but she is sooo happy to run and explore.

Posted by: scampydog at May 24, 2025 05:49 PM (+SzX1)

19 I wonder if I will hear fireworks in my new area. I'm now in a county where there are a few large fireworks stands.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:50 PM (VofaG)

20 18 Dog LOVES it here. Sadly she doesn't hear or see well - leads us to clapping & whistling a lot, but she is sooo happy to run and explore.

Posted by: scampydog at May 24, 2025 05:49 PM
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The only thing better than a dog with space to run and explore is a dog that finds a good stick along the way.

Posted by: TRex at May 24, 2025 05:51 PM (Eaoic)

21 19 I wonder if I will hear fireworks in my new area. I'm now in a county where there are a few large fireworks stands.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:50 PM
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If only you knew someone that could paint a scene of fireworks above the countryside, reflecting in the lake below.

Posted by: TRex at May 24, 2025 05:53 PM (Eaoic)

22 I have a Revell Harley Sportster model kit in the box from 1985. I'll never put it together. I need to see if it's worth anything.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:54 PM (VofaG)

23 Thanks TRex.
The nephews are 29+ now.
Hopefully they'll be able to come west for Thanksgiving.

Posted by: DaveA at May 24, 2025 05:56 PM (FhXTo)

24 If only you knew someone that could paint a scene of fireworks above the countryside, reflecting in the lake below.
Posted by: TRex at May 24, 2025 05:53 PM (Eaoic)

Hah Might make a good subject for an abstract.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:57 PM (VofaG)

25 A Peer of Sparta that paints landscapes?

I have now seen it all!

(polynikes, nice job on My Happy Place.)

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 24, 2025 05:58 PM (HlyYF)

26 I watched the first video of the tombstone cleaning. How wonderful those efforts are.

Posted by: m at May 24, 2025 05:59 PM (CQE5S)

27 Are graduations happening this weekend?

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 06:00 PM (VofaG)

28 22 I have a Revell Harley Sportster model kit in the box from 1985. I'll never put it together. I need to see if it's worth anything.
Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 05:54 PM (VofaG)

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I've got a couple of plastic model kits sitting around.

In my teens I used to love building those things. Sadly, the Scale Modeling Channel on YouTube ruined it for me. Those guys are artists. I mean, three coats for a paint job on an Audi R8, including primer and clearcoat, applied by airbrush? Holy crap.

My slapdash Testors brush-on paint job could never compare. Now, I either invest in a mini paint booth and a good airbrush system or I just forget about it.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 24, 2025 06:01 PM (hY4dx)

29 It was initially known as Decoration Day. Over the years, it became informally known as Memorial Day. In 1971, it was officially named as Memorial Day and officially designated as a federal holiday.

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No wonder we never knew about it in Lousy-ana when I was in school, and never had it off when school lasted into early June. Once school shut down in late May, the question never came up. And I paid no attention to "news" in those days.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 06:03 PM (omVj0)

30 In NM, we have the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire. Definitely worth the visit. Memorial Day weekend/week, the Enchanted Circle is taken over by motorcycles. Coast to coast motorcycle ride.

Posted by: Oso loco at May 24, 2025 06:04 PM (ILafk)

31 I think plastic models when I was a teenager were $5-
Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025

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In my time, it depended on the model. The Aurora monster models were .98, as were most of the Bachmann Birds/Animals of the World (and those came with paint and thinner as well). There were some larger kits that ran $1.49. AMT's car models with one-piece bodies and custom/racing parts and decals were $1.98, I think.

A few years later, early '70s, Revell's sailing ships like the Golden Hind and Flying Cloud were $4.98. Tamiya's 1/35 scale tanks in the mid-'70s were a bit more than that.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 06:10 PM (omVj0)

32 I am off to get 2 watermelons and am combining the efforts.

Posted by: Piper at May 24, 2025 06:10 PM (aT5K/)

33 I see the same Harley kit I have for sale on eBay for $75.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 06:12 PM (VofaG)

34 I think some of the small Aurora model plane kits could be had for .79 back then (early to mid-'60s) too. Not a whole lot of detail compared to what we have from Japanese makers today.

There was a maker of sailing ship kits, small models like Henry Hudson's ship, that retailed for .49, but I'm not sure about that price. Maybe that was Pyro?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 06:14 PM (omVj0)

35 I know that Dad was in the Air Force, and just snippets of info about his tour.

When he went on hospice, he told me he didn't qualify for VA benefits or a Color Guard at his funeral. I'm curious, but didn't ask because he seemed embarrassed somehow.

Haven't found his DD214. Suspect that he got hardshipped out; didn't complete his enlistment. Maybe due to his father's and/or brother's deaths? (separate causes, but not far apart)

Posted by: JQ at May 24, 2025 06:17 PM (rdVOm)

36 I know the Man From U.N.C.L.E. kits from Aurora were .98 in '66. My allowance then was a dollar a week, for one thing, so they were affordable. And I have the Solo and Illya kits, partly painted but not assembled, with the boxes giving the price.

Not sure how much the Revell Jaguar XKE 2 + 2 in 1/8 scale cost, as I got that as an Xmas present. Same for AMT's 1/12 scale Cord 812. Revell's kits were usually a bit more detailed, and cost more than the equivalent kit from AMT or Aurora.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 06:18 PM (omVj0)

37 I have a large coin collection and a large folding knife collection made up of mainly trappers.

I don't display them and I haven't looked at them for years. I don't have anyone to leave them to.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't try to sell them?

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 06:19 PM (VofaG)

38 I know that Dad was in the Air Force, and just snippets of info about his tour.

When he went on hospice, he told me he didn't qualify for VA benefits or a Color Guard at his funeral. I'm curious, but didn't ask because he seemed embarrassed somehow.

Haven't found his DD214. Suspect that he got hardshipped out; didn't complete his enlistment. Maybe due to his father's and/or brother's deaths? (separate causes, but not far apart)
Posted by: JQ at May 24, 2025 06:17 PM (rdVOm)

You can go to Archives.GOV and request a copy of his DD214. As a NOK, you are eligible to receive it.

I think there are a lot of people who think they are not eligible, if they did not serve in combat or were not injured in service, and that's simply not true.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:21 PM (NY5XB)

39 Pretty sure AMT's U.S.S. Enterprise kit when it first appeared was less than $3.00. Same for their Klingon ship and Romulan ship kits. But the kit of Kirk's ship was a fairly good sized thing once assembled. Lore from the TV show says the tech staff used an AMT Enterprise in long shots of the damaged Constellation in the "Doomsday Machine" episode.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 06:21 PM (omVj0)

40 Post all National Anthem shredding guitar solos here.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 24, 2025 06:25 PM (Q4IgG)

41 I knew a guy who was a POW in Vietnam. Like most others in that situation, he was treated brutally. They shattered bones, and took a couple of his fingers.

When he got home, he was told he wasn't eligible for VA benefits.

Now, I don't know the condition of his discharge, but I can't think of any reason it wasn't Honorable. Maybe it wasn't.

He was black. I suspect that has more to do with it than anything.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:26 PM (NY5XB)

42 Thanks, BurtTC. I will check into that.

Posted by: JQ at May 24, 2025 06:26 PM (rdVOm)

43 The month of May around here is pretty much Memorial month. Here in my part of the South we have Decoration Day. Depending on where your family is buried a day is set aside for decorating (or cleaning up) around your family's graves. Putting out new flowers, cleaning headstones, etc. My family's day is always the second Sunday in May. Then of course we have Memorial Day this Sunday/Monday for our veterans. All this is a time for perspective. I have become aware that the older I get the more philosophical I become.
I can say it' gives me more comfort

Posted by: Case at May 24, 2025 06:27 PM (a1g6Z)

44 I grew up in a Navy town. There were a lot of veterans, sailors and Marines, from WW II who lost buddies. They kept the day in perspective and I never heard "happy Memorial Day". It was usually referred to as Decoration Day in the 50s and 60s. The major event was the parade: high school band, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Merchant Marines, all the veteran groups, and those serving on the base.

Families often went to mass first, attended the parade, then got together for a cook out or picnic. I don't remember any Memorial Day sales being advertised. That would have been inappropriate.

Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 06:29 PM (yTvNw)

45 I mentioned this the other day, and it seems appropriate for this thread as well.

When they were filming the HBO show, Band of Brothers, they invited the real Dick Winters to the set. He was the main character portrayed on the show, and he was interviewed and shown, along with several others, brief snippets before the beginning of episodes.

So Dick goes to the set, approaches a deuce and a half, flips open the flap, and sees the actors in the truck. They say he went white, closed the flap, left the set and never went back.

He later told people, it was like looking at the ghosts of the friends and comrades he'd lost.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:33 PM (NY5XB)

46 I have never put together so much as a Lego kit, but I would live to put together a tall ship with all the rigging and the masts. We visited the Lexington in Corpus, and they have a model of the Lex made by one man. It took him years and I think he died just before it was done or before it was displayed. It was amazing. We saw all of the carriers and ships at the Naval Air museum in Pensacola. It takes a particular type if person to be that exacting down to the correct colors of the uniforms.

Posted by: Megthered at May 24, 2025 06:33 PM (2/IuM)

47 I have never put together so much as a Lego kit, but I would live to put together a tall ship with all the rigging and the masts. . . .
Posted by: Megthered at May 24, 2025

***
Create a diorama with a tall ship flying the Mexican flag, smashed up against a model of a bridge.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 06:35 PM (omVj0)

48 Polynikes even painted the sniper between the trees
Nicely done
Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 05:35 PM (ypFCm)

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The detail on the Ghillie suit is just amazing.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 24, 2025 06:38 PM (hY4dx)

49 If we're talking hobbies though, my main hobby remains collecting baseball cards. I also have football and hockey cards, but many more baseball than the other sports.

I don't collect graded cards, I can't stand the idea of sealing them in plastic cases. Mine are in sleeves, and I can take them out any time I want. I don't collect for investment, I just like having them.

After I die, it's possible someone might be able to get a good amount of cash for them. Most are in very good to mint level condition, but the most valuable ones I have are not worth more than a few hundred dollars a piece.

It's also possible, depending on who finds my carcass, they might just toss the lot in the trash, along with my remains.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:40 PM (RxS+u)

50 Most of my hobby stuff this week has been sketching. Specifically, working on getting proportions correct which is always a problem for me. I found a YT channel that has a series called 'Gettin' Sketchy' which has been a help. The guys doing it are good artists and, more importantly, good teachers. As they do the sketch in real time they explain why and how certain media were used and how they get placement of the different parts of the sketch so they are accurate. The two I've watched used pastels for one and charcoal for the other.

Glad I've got a LOT of inexpensive drawing paper.

Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 06:43 PM (yTvNw)

51 Glad I've got a LOT of inexpensive drawing paper.
Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 06:43 PM (yTvNw)

I watched a vid of a gal, who was going to recreate an AI image of a woman's face. More of an exercise than anything, she started with the most basic of pencil outlines, then started in on the paint.

I watched for about 5 minutes, and seeing how she was just slopping paint on the canvass, I thought there was no way this would turn out.

So I fast-forwarded through the video. As I approached the last couple minutes, there it was, on the canvas. A picture of the same AI woman she was recreating.

I simply don't understand how anyone can see in their head, what their finished painting will be, when the starting point is just paint, that looks to the untrained eye, like slop.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:47 PM (RxS+u)

52 Since had my game board up, and never had a Prussian Army review setting up the entire Army in formation for pictures

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 06:51 PM (ypFCm)

53 I like Polynikes painting. It's not as realistic as the two previous ones but just as effective. That sky is peaceful and the small white streaks in the water indicate slow, calm movement. The areas of undergrowth in the forefront and part way back are rather Impressionistic and introduce spots of color without distracting from the restful feel of the scene.

The only thing I would add would be a lone fisherman on the shore, preferably me, casting into the water.

Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 06:52 PM (yTvNw)

54 This particular painting took about 45 minutes to complete. It was my attempt to do a loose wet on wet painting in a single sitting.

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 06:53 PM (VofaG)

55 I upgraded the solar power system on my shop. I now have about 1200 watts of panels and 3600w storage so can run a 6000btu window AC all day and still charge the batteries from about 10% charged in the morning. On a sunny day of course. I can also run the stuff I was running on my old solar system, which which had degraded down to making maybe 100w on a good day. Total cost about $3k.

Posted by: fd at May 24, 2025 06:53 PM (vFG9F)

56 I was pissed that the feds wouldn't allow the Boy Scouts to place flags at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery for Memorial Day 2020. I bought a couple dozen at the craft store, placed one for my dad and then the rest of them randomly.

Posted by: Sheldon at May 24, 2025 06:53 PM (/y8xj)

57 /nerd sock

Posted by: Oddbob at May 24, 2025 06:54 PM (/y8xj)

58 In Canada, Remembrance Day (same day as US Veterans Day) serves the equivalent role as Memorial Day in the States. For Canada, WWI was about as traumatic as the Civil War was for the US, so every town has some kind of ceremony at the local cenotaph, with silence observed at 11am on Nov. 11. People also wear poppies, which is connected to the Canadian poem "In Flanders Fields".

Posted by: MichiCanuck at May 24, 2025 06:55 PM (kCBPn)

59 Posted by: Oddbob at May 24, 2025 06:54 PM (/y8xj

Was it because of COVID?

Posted by: polynikes at May 24, 2025 06:56 PM (VofaG)

60 Was it because of COVID?

Yes.

Posted by: Oddbob at May 24, 2025 06:57 PM (/y8xj)

61 I was pissed that the feds wouldn't allow the Boy Scouts to place flags at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery for Memorial Day 2020. I bought a couple dozen at the craft store, placed one for my dad and then the rest of them randomly.
Posted by: Sheldon at May 24, 2025 06:53 PM (/y8xj)

Yes, nothing more dangerous than a bunch of hardy, healthy adolescent boys, out in nature, doing something good.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:57 PM (4wzy4)

62 I know last year Scouts put flags on all veterans Graves here

Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 06:57 PM (ypFCm)

63 51 ... "I simply don't understand how anyone can see in their head, what their finished painting will be, when the starting point is just paint, that looks to the untrained eye, like slop."

I have the same problem. The video usually starts with a photo of the subject. Then what looks like random scribbles and swatches of color is manipulated and refined to produce just what they wanted. I can't do that from my mind but following their process it makes sense. If I fast forward I miss the process. It's like a magician explaining the trick but skipping the explanation.

Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 07:04 PM (yTvNw)

64 I know last year Scouts put flags on all veterans Graves here
Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 06:57 PM (ypFCm)

At this point, anyone trying to prevent young people from engaging in healthy outdoor activities, should be viewed not just as idiots, but as criminals.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:07 PM (+odZa)

65 It's like a magician explaining the trick but skipping the explanation.
Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 07:04 PM (yTvNw)

Exactly, but to me it's like witchcraft, and I start thinking of maybe gathering some firewood.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:08 PM (+odZa)

66 "Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM)"
-------

This reminded me of Bioshock's "Welcome to the circus of value!"

Hey, it's a hobby.

Posted by: 496 at May 24, 2025 07:10 PM (t+VLa)

67 FYI on the Coca-Cola 600 Saturday night. If you want to watch it on TV, its on Amazon Prime. They will be showing the next 5 or 6 races.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:11 PM (gcUgZ)

68 32 I am off to get 2 watermelons and am combining the efforts.

Posted by: Piper at May 24, 2025 06:10 PM
***
Excellent! Send photos!

Posted by: TRex at May 24, 2025 07:11 PM (Eaoic)

69 I upgraded the solar power system on my shop
-

I recently bought a solar "generator", an Ecoflow something that cost about $400 for black Friday, along with a 100 watt panel. I got it for camping and short power outages (we've got a gas one for the long term ones) but I've been surprised at how much I've used it around the house, too. Sometimes it's easier than running a drop cord.

Not a real generator by any means but if you're aware of the limitations they're pretty handy to have around.

Posted by: Boron Quidquid - Men are the romantic sex, with no concern for a mate's income or potential at May 24, 2025 07:12 PM (EGr8c)

70 My classical radio station is really plucking at the heart strings today. Just played Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan again. Now playing Samuel Barber's Adagio. Beautiful, evocative pieces of music.

Posted by: Tuna at May 24, 2025 07:13 PM (lJ0H4)

71 68 FYI on the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday night. If you want to watch it on TV, its on Amazon Prime. They will be showing the next 5 or 6 races.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work

Oops. Sunday night.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:14 PM (gcUgZ)

72 Got the end of the Charlotte race on right now. I still call it Busch...

Posted by: TRex at May 24, 2025 07:16 PM (Eaoic)

73 Hey, it's a hobby.
Posted by: 496 at May 24, 2025 07:10 PM (t+VLa)

Reminds me of RLM's Wheel Of the Worst.

They released a vid the other day, of a forgotten 90's flick, "Color Of Night," starring Bruce Willis. Apparently a terrible movie, and I may have seen it before.

But Mike goes into this thing about a Simpson's episode, where Springfield is cut off, because the only bridge out of town is destroyed, and there's an asteroid heading straight forward.

So Congress is trying to pass a bill to get them to rebuild the bridge quickly, before the asteroid gets there, but a Congressman introduces a add-on to the bill, $30 million to fund The Perverted Arts.

The bill fails. Mike says he whenever he sees cheesy artwork, he thinks of The Perverted Arts.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:16 PM (+odZa)

74 Palo Duro Canyon yesterday, Caprock Canyons today. It’s already in the mid 90s today so time to stop.

No real Memorial Day traditions but maybe I should visit Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery as, among others, my father and grandfather are there (though neither died in combat).

Posted by: Cow Demon at May 24, 2025 07:16 PM (dSBTP)

75 I know last year Scouts put flags on all veterans Graves here
Posted by: Skip at May 24, 2025 06:57 PM (ypFCm)
====
We saw them this morning at the National Cemetery in the Presidio.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 24, 2025 07:17 PM (RIvkX)

76 JTB, if you're still here,

I went out to my local Pipe Club meeting on Thursday last. The owner raffled off some small samples of his bulk tobaccos, including one called "Mystic Moor" that I got, and another, "Dark 70%." Both are from Rivertown Tobacco Co. and Smokingpipes has them in bulk.

I tried the Mystic Moor on Friday morning. It's supposed to be an English, but it's not a heavy one.

Afternoons this week I've been having a single Rome y Julieta cigarillo out on my front step. Five minutes and it's over, but it's a pleasant smoke while it lasts.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 24, 2025 07:18 PM (omVj0)

77 My classical radio station is really plucking at the heart strings today. Just played Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan again. Now playing Samuel Barber's Adagio. Beautiful, evocative pieces of music.
Posted by: Tuna at May 24, 2025 07:13 PM (lJ0H4)

At my funeral I want them to perform Faure's Requiem.

I don't want any dry eyes.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:20 PM (KT/Ka)

78 72 Got the end of the Charlotte race on right now. I still call it Busch...
Posted by: TRex

That's one of the support series. The trucks raced Friday night. The main series is Sunday night.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:20 PM (gcUgZ)

79 I think there are a lot of people who think they are not eligible, if they did not serve in combat or were not injured in service, and that's simply not true.
Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 06:21 PM (NY5XB)

Yes. My father served 30 years in the Army. He could have went to Vietnam but for some reason he never was called upon to do so. Zero combat time. Buried with full military honors.

Posted by: Cow Demon at May 24, 2025 07:21 PM (dSBTP)

80 Memorial Day is one filled with memories of my Dad. He was the Commander of the VFW for a number of years when I was a kid and I would go with him and other members to place flags and do ceremonies at the local cemeteries and their veteran's sections on Memorial Day.
Posted by: polynikes
-------

It is to my great regret that the membership of the VFW has waned, at least locally. Many, many, have aged out, and VFW involvement with the community has dwindled in consequence.

On Monday, at the State Veteran's Cemetery, I will watch the Salute be fired by some very aged American Legion fellows. I admire and respect them and their involvement, but their discipline in firing the salute is ragged and sloppy. This is not to take anything away from them, they are doing their best, but it is a fact that it is not inspiring.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 24, 2025 07:21 PM (XeU6L)

81 Time to say thank you and good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for being here and thanks for those that make submissions or otherwise haunt my email inbox. See y'all in Club ONT later tonight.

Posted by: TRex at May 24, 2025 07:22 PM (Eaoic)

82 My classical radio station is really plucking at the heart strings today. Just played Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan again.
-------

The closing scene in Saving Private Ryan is very hard for me to watch.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 24, 2025 07:23 PM (XeU6L)

83 Create a diorama with a tall ship flying the Mexican flag, smashed up against a model of a bridge

Call it the “Cacahuete”.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at May 24, 2025 07:24 PM (ZVgZ4)

84 Yes. My father served 30 years in the Army. He could have went to Vietnam but for some reason he never was called upon to do so. Zero combat time. Buried with full military honors.
Posted by: Cow Demon at May 24, 2025 07:21 PM (dSBTP)

My dad spent significantly less than 30 years, but served on a ship during WWII... in the Caribbean. He had a brother who was on a combat ship in the Pacific, and by the time my dad had enlisted they had implemented to policy of not having more than one brother in a combat zone.

Dad had an honor guard at his funeral.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:26 PM (KT/Ka)

85 Looks like Sony has canceled all marketing plans for Bungie's upcoming "Marathon" live-service

Posted by: gKWVE at May 24, 2025 07:27 PM (gKWVE)

86 76 ... Wolfus,
I haven't heard of those blends. Thanks for the report. I did get some of the 2025 small batch run of C and D Sansepolcro. (I still have some of the 2024 run.) Dark fired Kentucky, several types of red Virginia and some black cavendish, pressed into flakes. It is excellent: lots of subtle sweet flavor and slow burning. I intend to get some more before it disappears.

Also got a tin of C and D The Beast which is 51 percent perique! Never heard of that high a percentage. Haven't tried it yet. Reviews say it is strong but not mind numbing. Not an all day smoke but for slow puffing after a heavy meal.

Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 07:28 PM (yTvNw)

87 It is to my great regret that the membership of the VFW has waned, at least locally. Many, many, have aged out, and VFW involvement with the community has dwindled in consequence.

On Monday, at the State Veteran's Cemetery, I will watch the Salute be fired by some very aged American Legion fellows. I admire and respect them and their involvement, but their discipline in firing the salute is ragged and sloppy. This is not to take anything away from them, they are doing their best, but it is a fact that it is not inspiring.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 24, 2025 07:21 PM (XeU6L)

I wonder how much that varies by location. My town, I don't know how much the younger, perpetual war vets are participating, but they have a strong contingent of Vietnam Vets who participate.

And spend a great deal of their time and money to helping vets in need.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:28 PM (KT/Ka)

88 'Taking Chance" is an excellent Memorial Day movie.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:29 PM (gcUgZ)

89 Too early for the movie thread. Shoulded have waited. Sorry.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:30 PM (gcUgZ)

90 TRex, Thanks for the thread. Sorry I was late. I was picking up my new hearing aids and that takes a while to get them adjusted.

Posted by: JTB at May 24, 2025 07:30 PM (yTvNw)

91 "Not a real generator by any means but if you're aware of the limitations they're pretty handy to have around.
Posted by: Boron Quidquid"

By my calculations, my system is making about $1 worth of electricity a day. That makes payoff in about 8.2 years. If nothing breaks.

My first system was about 400 watts and was over 10 years old. Some of the panels quit working, some I repaired. I doubt I got my money's worth out of it in the long run but it is pretty cool to make usable electricity from sunlight.

Posted by: fd at May 24, 2025 07:32 PM (vFG9F)

92 NOOD! Let there be music!

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 24, 2025 07:33 PM (TyPlJ)

93 Too early for the movie thread. Shoulded have waited. Sorry.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:30 PM (gcUgZ)

Any comment worth saying on the ol' AoSHQ can be repeated on a later thread.

Just don't go posting it on every damn thread for several days. That's called trolling.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:33 PM (bn3+m)

94 Too early for the movie thread. Shoulded have waited. Sorry.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 24, 2025 07:30 PM (gcUgZ)

Any comment worth saying on the ol' AoSHQ can be repeated on a later thread.

Just don't go posting it on every damn thread for several days. That's called trolling.
Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:33 PM (bn3+m)

You don't want to fish for comments?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 24, 2025 07:36 PM (VNX3d)

95 You don't want to fish for comments?
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 24, 2025 07:36 PM (VNX3d)

Oh, you'll get comments. That's for sure.

New thread up now.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 24, 2025 07:37 PM (bn3+m)

96
I wonder how much that varies by location. My town, I don't know how much the younger, perpetual war vets are participating, but they have a strong contingent of Vietnam Vets who participate.

And spend a great deal of their time and money to helping vets in need.
Posted by: BurtTC
-----------

I have wondered about that, but this is a small community and I expect the dwindling participation reflects the relatively reduced number of VFW-eligible vets compared to VN/Korea era vets.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at May 24, 2025 07:38 PM (XeU6L)

97
they had implemented to policy of not having more than one brother in a combat zone.

I think The Sullivan brothers had something to do with that.

https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_brothers

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at May 24, 2025 08:59 PM (63Dwl)

98 I had my first Croque Monsieur in the Orly airport in 1971. I have never forgotten how good it was.

Posted by: Ib1netmon at May 24, 2025 10:50 PM (vTTFR)

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