random bits

[cellio]

Recently (to investigate something), I added a third-party tracker to some of my posts in order to see where the hits are coming from. This was meant to be temporary, but I've found it interesting to see just how big the internet community is, so I've continued to use it at times. So, I don't know who any of y'all are (and publishing on the internet means I might never know, and that's cool), but I'd like to say hello to my regular readers in Italy, Moldova, Switzerland, and Cambodia (!).

We are having weird modem luck. I thought all DSL modems were basically the same, but apparently not. Our old (bought in 1999) modem has started dropping signal -- it's eratic, but when it happens it lasts for a few hours. My DSL provider mailed me a new one (a level of service I did not expect) and it's reliable but universally slow. So our current mode of operation is to use the old one until it drops and then switch to the new one for a few hours. Weird. So I think we need to buy a new modem that is both reliable and fast, but since I thought they were all the same I now don't know what to look for. (We have basic DSL. Someday I hope they well run FIOS to our neighborhood and we'll switch.)

Recent conversation:
Dani: We're out of (book)shelf space in the library again.
Me: Maybe we should assemble that last bookcase we bought.
Dani: We're out of shelf space in the library again.
Me: You built it and filled it already? So we need to buy more?
Dani: We're out of wall space to put bookcases...

(I assert that he is incorrect on that last point, but it hinges on a dispute between practicality and purity. Or something like that.)

We bought some CFLs (in two different color-tones) to try again, and installed some in the ceiling fixture in the living room (the packaging contained no dire warnings about that, unlike the last one). Freaky white and bright, so some tuning is called for, but there might be a bigger problem: flicker. The switch is a dimmer, but we know CFLs don't dim so the switch is at max. (Truth to tell, we don't dim regular bulbs in that fixture, either.) Does the mere presence of a dimmer switch doom CFLs? That would be annoying.

A couple links:

A few nights ago I made these lamb chops, which I've made before and which are amazingly good.

The ten plagues, done in peeps (from someone on my subscription list, but I've lost track of who). Twisted! Funny!

Comments

[magid.livejournal.com]

One CFL data point: I replaced a lamp bulb with one, and the following Shabbat put it on a timer as usual. Result: flicker. Most unpleasant. Since then, have not used the (external) timer, and the flicker is gone. Also means I can stay up even later reading Shabbat evening....

[dsrtao]

The presence of a dimmer switch will kill a CFL; using the dimmer switch is a serious fire risk. Replace the switch or the bulbs today!

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

An ordinary CFL is a serious risk when in series with a dimmer switch. Not just bad lighting, but a fire risk.

You can purchase CFLs that are suited for use with a dimmer switch. They are about 4 times as expensive.

the magic word is "dimmable"

[brokengoose.livejournal.com]

I see that the essentials have been covered already.

Should you wish to look for dimmer-compatable CFLs online, the magic search word is apparently "dimmable".

[dagonell.livejournal.com]

I sympathize on the shelving problem. The main difference being that we still have books in cardboard boxes, so when I build a new shelf, I know it will be filled immediately. The "spare bedroom" (which is actually only a widening of the corridor) is now starting to become the East Wing of our library. I've been haunting the Recycle boards for scrap lumber because it's cheaper than buying shelves.
-- Dagonell

[jducoeur]

Dani: We're out of wall space to put bookcases...

Sympathies. We pretty much hit that point while moving in: we put new IKEA bookcases everywhere they would reasonably fit into the house, and even after getting rid of 20-some boxes worth of books, we filled them immediately. So we are now on a permanent book diet -- in the long run, our acquisitions have to be balanced by discards. Going to be challenging, it is...

[http://users.livejournal.com/merle_/]

During the last fire inspection, my landlady laughed at how many books there were. What's wrong with nine bookshelves completely full, double-shelved, with other books stacked up on top of them? I've probably read each of them at least twice.

It would be nice to have a small amount of wallspace, though.

[jeannegrrl.livejournal.com]

A few nights ago I made these lamb chops, which I've made before and which are amazingly good.

Those look sooo good. I have everything on hand except for the fresh rosemary.... Do you think they'll turn out OK if I substitute dried for fresh? If yes, any guesses as to how much I should use in the marinade.