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  1. Mike OConnell

    Moving to the World of "Manual"

    I had not been happy with some of the results of my photography and I knew it had to be me..definitely not my equipment. I took someone's advice and bought "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson and have made it part way through and he convinced me to quit trying to rely on the camera to do...
  2. Mike OConnell

    The Official HTF Cat Thread

    Our House Queen - Annette Funicello (the entire litter at the foster home we got her from was named after the Mouseketeers). She is a pretty big kitty - she can place her paws on the counter top when standing on her hind feet...
  3. Mike OConnell

    Advice on New 2.8 Telephoto Lens

    In 2011 the active participants of this forum were helpful in helping me select a new camera and appropriate lenses for a gift for my wife (and I) based on the planned uses of the camera. This forum provided more help versus just being "fanboys" of various brands, etc. like the photography...
  4. Mike OConnell

    Some first shots from the new camera

    My wife and I both had a chance to use our new Nikon 5100 at our son's cross country meet this past weekend. Although we defintely have alot to learn using a DSLR, the camera was relatively easy to use with minimal reading of the users manual. Most of the shots were taken using the "sports" mode...
  5. Mike OConnell

    Passed the PE exam

    Congrats - I passed the PE in Civil Engineering back in 1991 and understand the sense of relief. Good luck! Mike
  6. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Eight

    Just call him Jack "Wolverine" Bauer.
  7. Mike OConnell

    Do you refurbish/fix your gas BBQ, or toss/replace it?

    I bought our Broil King 13 years ago. At that time it cost about $450. In the 13 years I replaced the grates under warranty in about 3 years after it was purchased and have had the same grates for 10 years and they still work just fine. The first ones were actually recalled due to a...
  8. Mike OConnell

    Questions about Ebay?

    I will not bid on items that charge ridiculous amounts for shipping. For example, I was looking at an Adcom preamp. The item weighs less than 10 lbs shipped and typically sells for about $100. The seller had buy-it-now for $110 (not a bad amount), but wanted $40 for shipping and...
  9. Mike OConnell

    Who still subscribes to newspapers/magazines?

    Still get the local rag (KC Star) and several HT related magazines. On-line articles tend to be shorter and lack depth and I can't sit back in an easy chair and read a magazine on the internet. I have yet to find a magazine or newpaper related website that is as in-depth or as simple to...
  10. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Seven

    I agree. The heart attack was a drug induced reaction. Once your stop it and get the drug out of the system (which was supposed to be a short acting drug) then he would recover quite nicely and quickly. On the other hand, going from almost dying in surgery from blood loss due to a gunshot to...
  11. Mike OConnell

    New Diana Krall CD 3-31-2009 (and other new Krall releases)

    I don't mind the music and the softer beats, but her vocals seem to be lifeless and she could cut out a little of the "breathiness". I know she can put emotion in her singing, even at slower speeds, without resorting to heavy breathing! I agree though, the bottom of my Diana Krall stack still...
  12. Mike OConnell

    New Diana Krall CD 3-31-2009 (and other new Krall releases)

    I have all of Diana Krall's CD's / DVD's etc. I think this is her or her engineer's worst effort in a long time. I normally really like listening to her, but after listening to this CD multiple times I think it will go to the bottom of the Krall CD listing. It just seemes lackluster and I...
  13. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Seven

    Isn't that why they call it "acting".......one of the most fun parts about acting is learning how to play a character that is diametrically oppossed to your lifestyle / personality / beliefs. I spent time on stage during high school and college and the the ability to be able suspend your beliefs...
  14. Mike OConnell

    2009 MLB Thread

    Going back to last season it is 34 innings with no runs for Zack Greinke. With Meche and Grienke 1 and 2, Kyle Davies in the 3 slot starting the season well (up to today anyway), and the Mexicutioner (Joakim Soria) closing out the games the Royals may actually have a chance to make some noise in...
  15. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Seven

    Sorry about the language - FINE = Fucked-up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Evasive
  16. Mike OConnell

    Sad News about Natasha Richardson - RIP

    She was not wearing a helmet. That came out in the news yesterday. This is a tragic loss to the entertainment industry, but especially to her family and friends.
  17. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Seven

    I disagree. Neither DC Metro or the FBI are going to storm a high ranking senator's home when they think a fugutive is there. They ARE going to knock first. However, I am suprised the FBI did not use the old CTU trick of an infrared satellite image to see how many people were in the house and...
  18. Mike OConnell

    Is changing icemaker water filters a scam?

    Filtration, as provided in a refrigerator cartridge, will not remove hard-water minerals. However, the hard water minerals may cling to the particulate matter in the water and when you remove the matter it may look like lime scale (or lime slime) when you open the filter. The amount removed in...
  19. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Seven

    That is an easy answer - what is almost always the primary motivation - money!
  20. Mike OConnell

    Fast Food Foul-ups

    They might ask you if you would like it on toast instead..... Or better yet, ask for a toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the bread.... A few years ago at McDonald's I would order a Quarter Pounder extra value meal, no cheese. They would usually get my order correct; however...
  21. Mike OConnell

    Lasik

    I had it done about 6 weeks ago. I echo everyones thoughts above - I love it. I have a slight muscle twitch in my right eye, but I had that before and if I rest my eyes it goes away. I had the surgery at 1 PM and watched the National championship football game that night - no problems -...
  22. Mike OConnell

    Why some manufacturers are bound to go under..

    I would prefer not to name the manufacturer. I have attached a photo of a piece of their equipment... Mike
  23. Mike OConnell

    Why some manufacturers are bound to go under..

    I have always had very good and timely responses from Dynaudio, Simaudio, and Anthem when I have had questions about their equipment. I had an experience earlier today that shows why some manufacturers may not be around for very long in this economy…. I sent an e-mail to the sales department...
  24. Mike OConnell

    Your Next New Car

    2004 Honda Odyssey EX Minivan - 63K Miles - no repairs beyond normal maintenance and tires (oh yeah - hail damage....) 2006 Acura TL - 32K Miles - has required several repairs under warranty - it has not been the typical Honda product, although I love the way it drives and handles. Both cars...
  25. Mike OConnell

    24: Season Seven

    Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
  26. Mike OConnell

    Something odd is growing.

    You could probably harvest them and export them as aphrodisiacs in some countries and pay for your home theater system!
  27. Mike OConnell

    Another Home HVAC Replacement Question

    Here are the bids: All are providing a programmable thermostat to allow for all functionality of the units and providing a complete installation (including upsizing the drop on the return air for 5-ton units). All have good references and I have personal references with people I know. I...
  28. Mike OConnell

    Another Home HVAC Replacement Question

    I am in the process of replacing my 16 year old Rheem Furnace (75% efficiency - 125K BTU) / AC (3.5 ton, original 8.8 SEER rating as installed). My house is 2604 sqft, plus 700 sq ft finished basement that does not need alot of heat / AC. My opinion is that the original AC was undersized and...
  29. Mike OConnell

    Iron Man colors on HTF, Neato!

    Darn - I thought it was a celebration of my Kansas City Chiefs and Iowa State Cyclones!
  30. Mike OConnell

    Very small leaking pipe question! Help!

    It is very easy for water to travel "backwards" in a system. All it takes is a water main break near your house and many times the pressure can go to zero during the event. (It could go negative, but that normally takes a surge event caused by a pump station power failure with an improperly...
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