Compost Camera Setup and Preview

This is one of the most recent photographs of the time-lapse setup for the compost camera. I have added a small watermelon yesterday. I bought it, took a small slice from the middle, then propped it up on the rind of the part that I ate and kept the rest to eat later. The melon wasn't all that good tasting. I probably won't add much new stuff to it except actual waste because the possum you see there has been getting busy and I am not trying to attract any critters of that size. Here is the YouTube preview video of the compost heap.

I am using a Pentax Optio W90 which I bought just a few weeks ago. All things considered, it seems like a great camera for shooting time-lapses. It has a built in intervalometer with lots of flexibility in settings. Also it is weather resistant and can be used underwater. It has two macro settings with one of them for use at 1cm. The intervalometer function can be used with multiple settings such as auto flash and macro. The only 2 things that I don't like about it so far are that even though I have seen statements that an A/C adapter is available, I haven't been able to find one and by looking at the camera itself, I don't see where one would even plug one in. The other thing is that even though the intervalometer can take up to 1000 pictures, the battery runs out way before that, somewhere more around the 300-350 range. I have gone around that by ordering an extra Pentax D-Li88 rechargable battery so I can switch them out each day and let one charge while the other is being used. Charge time is about 2 hours or less. I will say again though that for the price I am happy. Just be sure and download the user's manual to make sure it has the exact specs you need before buying.

I built a little roof for the camera and attached the camera to the stand with a hex bolt through the back of the wood. I also placed 2 screws in the wood sticking out to stop the camera from rotating down and so that I can put it in the exact same position again if I have to take the camera off the stand.

Weekend Beer Review: Pacifico Clara

I don't have any particularly good story to go along with this beer. I just chose to try it because I was looking for a new beer to comment on. Pacifico Clara is a Mexican beer, which I found fairly refreshing and slightly sweet, with a smooth, even taste from start to finish. It was not particularly expensive so I can't complain about that. It is a beer I would recommend for a hot, sunny day, just like you might expect to find in Mexico. I looked on the internet to see what others had to say about it and most were rather ambivalent. My bottom line: its a good beer, but I would not recommend it over many of the other quality Mexican beers which are readily available.

Check out AÖrstan's review of Dundee's Honey Brown for this weekend at Snail's Tails.

Weekend Beer Review: Fat Tire

My Beer selection for this weekend is Fat Tire from New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. I first tasted this beer about 11 years ago when I spent the summer in Boulder. It was popular there at the time, but has not been readily available in my area until the last couple of years. It has a reddish color, the flavor is malty, a little sweet, and crisp. It is not my favorite, but is still in the regular rotation. I would certainly recommed it to my friends.

Have a happy and safe Independence Day Weekend!

Weekend Beer Review: Abbey Belgian Style Ale

I had not planned to have any beer this weekend, but I had an old friend call me yesterday to tell me he was about half way through a 10 hour drive to visit. Naturally an occasion like this would involve a couple of beers so I told him to pick the flavor. His choice was Abbey Belgian Style Ale. It is a decent beer, with a fruity aroma and a spicy, clovelike taste. It is brewed in Fort Collins Colorado, by New Belgium Brewery, which also produces Fat Tire(more on that later). Their website mentions that the beer tends to go well with dessert. I can't attest to that, but I can say that it is not best served with taco soup.

The Snail's Tales beer for review this weekend is Cooper's Extra Stout

Weekend Beer Review: Guinness Draught

This is my favorite beer of all time. It now comes in bottles and cans. They use something called a widget (second pic) and a boost of liquid nitrogen that causes it to foam on opening, giving it that creamy straight from the tap taste (Click here for more details about the widget and packaging). Most people know about this beer and either love it or hate it. I just wanted to say a couple of things about my experience buying this beer.

I usually get the cans which come in 4-packs and are 14.9 oz each. This is another example of the extortionist prices I have to pay for good beer here, it usually costs me about $7.50 per 4-pack. The other liquor store which is a little closer charges nine-something.

As many of you probably know, the word draught is a variant of the word draft, and is pronounced dräft. When I go to the store here, I just call it “cans of Guinness” rather than saying the word draught correctly; or incorrectly pronouncing it the same as drought, like most do. A friend warned me that if I walked in there talking like that, I would be lucky to get out of there with any beer at all. I can’t complain though, because its not really a problem and I’m sure a lot of people go through a lot more for a lot less. Brilliant!

The Snail's Tales Beer for review this weekend is Efes Pilsener from Turkey

Weekend Beer Review: Red Stripe Jamaican Lager

Inspired by AÖrstan at Snail's Tales, I decided it was time for a weekend beer review as well. My choice is Red Stripe lager from Jamaica. I have tried this beer a few times in the remote past and never really thought much of it. On my recent trip to the beach, I had a new experience which brought me a little closer. I sat down at a beachside bar, for a beer, when I noticed Bob Marley was playing, then I saw Red Stipe on the menu so it made sense to go for it. After a couple of songs, I noticed a familiar pattern. I looked over at the guy next to me, he was drinking a Red Stripe. That seemed interesting, so I said, "You like Marley?" He replied "Yeah sometimes." I could tell he didn't care. But I pushed it, "I think this is Legend." No response, then he left. But in his place sat a nice older man with his family. He ordered a Red Stripe, and within five minutes we found out that we had been in the same fraternity, gave the secret challenge and response followed by the handshake. We traded a few good stories over a few more beers before parting ways. That is why I am bringing to you today this smooth beer. It did not come cheaply though. There is not much diversity here and it shows in the availability of beer. This selection cost me $10.00 for a six pack. A box of 12 would have cost me $15 but they were out of those. Oh well, time to get off the computer and enjoy this Jamaican treat. Cheers!!