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A few things I dabble in....
- Home Brew! - I have to give credit where credit
is due, first to President Jimmy Carter, who enacted a law
that allows one to brew up to 200 gallons of beer (in my
opinion, the only positive thing he did in office).
Secondly, and more important to me, is the coaching and
mentoring provided by my father-in-law who introduced me to
the craft of home brewing. Since that time I have
acquired knowledge and equipment that allow me to brew some
excellent ales. Favorite brews include "Alley Cat
Ale", "Perrrrrrrfect Brown", "Tabby ESB" and "Black Cat
Stout".
- Computers - I've been fooling with these things
since the early 1980's. I have always built my own
machines and am completely self taught. Windows is
running on most of my systems, although Linux (Mandriva) has
been catching more and more of my attention. I also
have an old iMAC that's still functional and allows me
familiarization with that OS. I have learned tons of
stuff, from the basics of each OS, to networking and some
less scrupulous operations and techniques. I
don't consider myself a hacker, and while it's interesting
to explore various capabilities (which some would consider
hacking) I bear ill will toward no one, and never take
advantage of discoveries. In these endeavors, I ware a
white hat and use the knowledge that the good lord has
blessed me with to help others.
- PLC's & Control Systems - My real job is in heavy
industry, and ever since I was exposed to the control
systems that make things tick, I have waded into these
waters as well. Again, through self teaching and
exploration, I have become well versed in ladder logic and
the higher functions of connecting the control systems to a
variety of sensors and human interface components including
touch displays and computers. My eventual goal is to
combine the control systems with my beer brewing equipment
to make a well automated ultra micro brew house.
- Kayaking - At one time I was an
avid white water kayaker, that was until my kayak fell off
the top of my truck at 60 MPH and was big time damaged by
some brutally stout guard rail posts. Because of time
constraints imposed by work, and family needs, I didn't pick
the sport back up. I do however have a partially built
kayak in my garage that I may finish it next summer.
It won't be for the aggressive water of my past, but it may
be fun to puddle around in and possibly teach my daughter
how to Eskimo roll.
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