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One of the next-door neighbors brought back croissants from Paris (not kidding) and insisted that they be used within 24hrs. Challenge accepted. Bacon, fried egg, and cheese sandwich complete.

Went to a friend’s wedding last night. First wedding I’ve been to since COVID. So much fun.

Bacon scramble at Hilda's in San Anselmo, where there's still no biscuits for Brent.

Watched The Blue Angels do their fleet week thing from Tiburon.

When in Fairfax ... Mocha Chip "Controlled Burn" (Cinnamon, crystalized ginger, chili) Overheard on the walk back through Fairfax "I haven't been in a drum circle in 6 months"

microsoft edge.mp4

I found out I had cheap mapo tofu within walking distance, so I tried it for the first time today. It was...cheap and kinda generic tasting, but still delicious.

I’ve done enough experimentation now that the Brewista Gem dripper and CAFEC filters is my new pour over preference. The CAFEC filters are better than the Harios, and the Gem is better than the V60. I’ve tried the various combinations. I can consistently pour longer ratios while maintaining the depth of flavor I get from shorter ratios with the V60, while avoiding some of the harsher notes shorter ratios can give. I do not use the lid with the Gem; I don’t really know why it has one. CAFEC filters in this case are the standard “Abaca” filters, not the light roast specific ones (I haven’t tried them yet).

New Forstner band arrived. Here it is compared to an early 1171, which is the shitty version of the 1450, which this is more or less an improved copy of. It’s much nicer than the 1171 of course*: solid end links (solid link-links, too: the 1171 has rolled links, just like Rolex of the era), expansion links, doesn’t rattle, links just screw in Rolex style for sizing, etc. This isn’t going onto the Pre-Moon (I only put Omega on that watch), but it’s basically the bracelet the 1861 Speedy should have had instead of the chunky monkey that came with (this will replace the Forstner/JB Champion flat link on that watch, is my guess). I guess Omega fixed that issue with the newest version of the Pro, but who even knows what those bracelets cost for existing owners. *vintage Omega bracelets are incredibly comfortable, but a real pain in the ass, for anybody who hasn’t had one, but I wouldn’t replace a well-fitted 1171 with another bracelet for love or money. Well, maybe money.

Some progress on my end, the amp is up and running now. It only took a new KGSSHV psu, new transformer, new power switch and I also swapped out the Stax socket as that nylon one just bugged me. I also dropped the voltage from +/-400V to +/-350V as hacking up the amplifier boards would have been a lot of work and the lower voltage negates most of that. Couple if funny things, the sheer number of misspellings on these boards is hilarious, bias is always written "Bisa" and look carefully at the text on those amp boards for some hilarity. One other thing, I was going over the PSU board and noticed one thing, the caps for the bias supply are 630V rated... now to generate the bias this is a voltage doubler, it takes the raw AC input (which is 325V or so) and doubles it. For that the parts need to be rated at least double the input voltage and guess what... 2*325V is more than 630V. That is assuming the line voltage remains stable and there are no spikes. Yeah everything done to save just a little bit of money.