Important note

I've been getting questions lately about quoting or translating my posts here on my blog so I thought I might just write a few lines about that. I am all for using any text on my blog for any reason, all I ask is that you cite the source - either with a link or just with "from FluffysFailures blog" or whatnot.


I try myself to make sure that any information used from a specific source is acknowledged, either with a link or in text. Images on this blog that I've taken will be shown in full screen when clicked upon, whereas pictures I've borrowed are linked to the page of origin. Also, if you quote my blog it would be nice if you let me know - just send an email to Fluffysfailure@hotmail.com.
Season's greetings everyone.

Whimsical saying

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Teach a man to phish and he might eat for free 10 to 15 years.

Guide to your first cigar of 2007

So, you are going to smoke a cigar at New Year's Eve?

Well, you've come to the right place, this is a short guide to what you’ll need and some basic procedures of cigar smoking.

For a more in depth reading into the subject of cigars visit cigarsinternational.com.

What you will need; cigar, cutter, (humidor), and jet/laser lighter (or sulfur free matches).

The first step is to purchase a cigar. Most people go for a hand rolled long filler which unlike most machine rolled cigars will require cutting, but more on that later. Cigars must be kept in a humidor at a relative humidity of around 70%. A good rule of thumb is that a cigar should give in slightly as you squeeze it gently between your fingers but yet feel firm. A dried up cigar is not a pleasant thing to smoke and most cigar smokers even carry a travel humidor to keep their cigars fresh while on the move. I use the XLT Perfecto, a periscope design case for eight cigars with a hygrometer which can be read without opening the case. This is a great way of transporting cigars which keeps them safe and comfortable, but it should not be used for storing cigars over long periods of time as cigars need fresh air to mature properly and prevent excessive buildup of moisture.

As for cigar storage in a humidor there's a very real threat in the possibility of tobacco bug infestation. No matter how much you've payed for your cigar there may still be an egg or two somewhere in there, and that may be enough to ruin every cigar in your humidor. As a preventive measure you should pack your cigars in an airtight bag and freeze them for about 48 hours (72 according to cigarsinternational, but the temperature of the freezer is a factor as discussed in clubstogie) and then place them in your fridge for 24 hours to let them slowly regain their humidity and temperature (be very careful while handling the frozen cigars as they are quite brittle). After that I leave the cigars in room temperature for a few hours before I put them in the humidor since it's probably not a good idea to go directly from the fridge to the humidor. If you do the outer leaves will reach room temperature before the core which will effect how the cigar absorbs the humidity of the humidor. Cigars can be re-humidified in a humidor if they've dried up, but it will take a while. If you don't own a humidor you can buy a Humidipak or equivalent, which basically is a resealable bag with a relative humidity of about 70%. The downside is that unlike a cedar wood humidor it doesn't add any flavour to the cigar and that it has a rather short life span.

To cut a cigar you'll need either a double bladed guillotine or a cigar scissor. Avoid single bladed plastic cased cutters as they'll not only do a substandard work with your fine cigar but will also get dulled faster. I use a stainless steel Adorini guillotine which works really well and is reasonably priced.

Cigar scissors are usually considered the best choice, but guillotine works equally well. Before you cut your cigar, moisten the area with whisky, cognac or if those are not available, water. This prevents the wrapper from cracking up and help to make a nice, even cut.

The cut must be precise and swift to minimize any risk of damaging the wrapper and unwrapping the cigar. The cut must be made at the shoulder (click the image), leaving part of the narrowing area of the wrapper to prevent the cigar from coming apart yet wide enough to provide sufficient draw.

To light your cigar you will need either a butane lighter (preferably jet/laser) or sulfur free matches. Zippo lighters and sulfur matches tend to add a very nasty taste to cigars and should be avoided, and you should definitely not light a cigar with a candle.

When you light your cigar you must take care to not put the cigar in the actual flame. The cigar should be held above the flame to allow the heat to ignite the cigar. This is rather hard to do with any ordinary flame and damn near impossible if it's windy. I use a jet/laser lighter with three flames which gives a windproof and extremely hot flame (and gives off a nice sound as well). Since a cigar should be fairly moist it will require some effort to light it, which is yet another reason to go with a jet/laser lighter.

Rotate the cigar between your fingers in a 45 degree angle above the flame to get a nice and even ignition. Make sure that there are no dark areas in the glow since that indicates an area that has not ignited properly.

A cigar should be allowed to gather some ash which will absorbs some of the heat and lets it burn at a cooler temperature. Do not “tap” your cigar to remove the ash, if you want to remove it just gently roll the ash off against an ashtray. If your cigar goes out while smoking just relight it and give it a few puffs to get it going again. However you should never relight an old cigar, it will taste awful - just throw it away. Also don't leave smoked cigars in an ashtray for too long as it will eventually start to smell pretty awful.

As you smoke take care to not get saliva on the cigar as it tends to add a bitter taste to the smoke. When you're done smoking just leave the cigar to go out on its own. Never crush a cigar in an ashtray, that will cause a rather nasty smell and is generally considered pretty amateurish.

Finally, don't stress your cigar. Smoke slowly and deliberately, you're not trying to get a nicotine rush from a pack of cigarettes, you are smoking a fine cigar.

Apple iPod Shuffle (second generation)

I've decided to give up the futile battle with Sony’s God forsaken software and have gone Apple. My old 2GB NW-A608 Sony Network Walkman doesn't play Mp3 files sadly enough, since Sony had a fit of insanity and outlawed Mp3 files for the sole purpose of destroying Sony's once so bright future.


This means that all files must be converted from Mp3 to a format the player can actually play, which makes Sony's software obligatory for the transfer and subsequent conversion of any Mp3 files.

To make thing worse, Sony's software is a constant headache and will run any modern computer to the ground (just google ”Sony Connect Software” or read the C-Net article ”How Sony failed to Connect, again”). There are ways of circumventing the main issue, the Sony Connect software and it’s evil minions, and use a program called MP3FileManager. The program presents a simple window with the songs on the player and allows you to convert and transfer songs with a simple drag and drop interface.

That solves all problems but one, conversion still takes time. It also introduces a new problem, the software isn't compatible with the NW-A608 in any conventional sense of the word. You’ll have to format your player, remove any Sony Connect software from your computer and hope for the best. [Here's a link to Deviators Blog - "How to use MP3 File Manager on NWA-608".]

The design of the NW-A608 player on the other hand is actually quite ingenious. There's a small knob around the mini-jack connection which when in its lowest position locks the keys, lift it to unlock then rotate left/right to skip song (hold to fast forward), pull it out to the next position to change and rotate left/right to change group (hold to fast skip). Sony calls this the ”jog dial” and I've got to hand it to them, it is very handy. The sound quality of the NW-A608 is good, but not great and the equalizer function is limited to adjusting ”Bass” and ”Treble” between +3 and -4. The display is an OLED built into the body of the player and virtually useless in sunlight.

When most people hear "Mp3 player" and ”Apple” nowadays they think "Nano". The Nano is a rather impressive machine, but I can't help to escape the notion that the player wants to be a small entertainment station with it's games, radio, color screen and what not. Needles to say, one machine can't do it all - not well anyways.

The color screen of the Nano emits an annoying high pitch background noise and the player can't quite power anything larger then a normal sized earbud - even when the volume limiter is off.

Comparing my new Shuffle to the NW-A608 I’m sacrificing 1GB of storage space, the screen, equalizer functions and the jog dial. What do I gain? Very good sound, complete integration with my PC’s iTunes, very fast file transfers and no more Sony.

One might argue that the equalizer function will be sorely missed, but on the bright side the Shuffle plays the music in its "native form" and as far as sound quality goes, there's actually no need for an equalizer with the Shuffle. Other iPods has taken some flak due to the fact that their equalizer function will drain the battery faster, and even more so due to their, under certain conditions, questionable audio quality. The sound of the iPod Shuffle is not as bass heavy as most Mp3 players with equalizer activated, so if you’re looking for a pounding bass line you might want to look elsewhere. However the sound quality is crystal clear and piano just sounds divine on my Sennheiser HD 215. The more I listen to it, the more I love it.

Yes, the sound may be a bit "too bright" but after listening a while you really get the sensation of the audio quality. Google around a bit and you'll find that most reviewers rate the Shuffles sound as top notch.

There are two metal sliders on the Shuffle, one used for power on or off (and check battery) and one for shuffle or playlist. To restart the playlist you press "play" three times and to lock the keys you hold play for three seconds.

The Shuffle use the standard iPod controls (volume up/down, next/previous song - hold for FF/FR, middle button for play/pause - hold to lock keys) but without the "touchscreen" dial of it's larger sized relatives.

The Shuffle has two diodes, one on either side, which informs the user of the players state (keys locked, charging - do not disconnect, max volume, error, no music available, paused and so on). Each diode can present a orange, red or green color. For instance, if you want to check the battery level while playing, just move the power slider to off and quickly back to on. The diodes will now flash green for high, orange for low and red for very low.

The software/synchronization/song transfer is just a breeze, as with most iPods. I've been using iTunes for a few years now and having it synchronize with the player while it is charging without the need for any extra software is just lovely. I often edit MP3 files if the song has a long silence or when the occasional numbskull left the intro of the next song at the end of the file. As you change the MP3 file on your hard drive the iPod will synchronize it's songs with the new version of the file at the next synchronization, very handy.

A review at SweClockers (in Swedish) clocked the transfer rate of the Shuffle to 3,4 megabytes per second. They also noticed some background hiss, but only with certain headphones.

Due to the high sound quality of the Shuffle it is, as usual, wise to stay clear of crappy made VBR files, all 128 kbit/s files and to some extent 160 kbit/s files, the sound quality just isn't high enough.

I love the idea of the Shuffle, strip everything that’s not vital to the one and only task of any Mp3 player; to produce high quality sound. Color screens, radio, voice recording functions are all built into the same circuit board which makes the battery drain faster and is likely to adds hiss in the background of your music. Not to mention the price the manufacturers dare to ask for a product with all these functions you’ll rarely use.

The Shuffle uses the 3,5mm mini-jack connection to charge the player and transfer songs.

Just plug in the USB and place the Shuffle in it's docking station. When firmware updates are available, iTunes opens a dialog window from which you can choose to either install or ignore updates. Very handy.

Here’s a more in depth review of the Shuffle by Jacqui Cheng at Arstechnica which culminates in the eventual destruction of the device. It may be dead, but it took one hell of a pounding before it checked out.

So, to the bottom line. Is the iPod Shuffle the Mp3 player for you? Well, most prospective Mp3 player buyers craves functions, appearance and new features in their new player.
The Shuffle doesn't look all that impressive, it doesn't really have any extra features (no radio, no screen, no games). Unless you've had a chance to listen to it's sound or read a few in depth reviews, most shoppers are unlikely to choose the Shuffle unless they really need a compact device. Personally it's a no-brainer - an Mp3 player should play music, any other function usually comes with a price. Color screens? How many minutes do you look at your Mp3 players screen in comparison to how many hours of music you listen to? Radio? If you like radio then buy a radio, an Mp3 player should play Mp3 files. Games? Buy a portable game playing device - the games are better and the controls more suited for game play.

Apart from a good Mp3 player you'll need a good pair of headphones. My Sennheiser HD 215 headphones isn't exactly Sennheisers most exclusive model but they really get the job done. The sound of these headphones are balanced without either a too loud bass or piercing treble. I've listened to these headphones several hours straight without any ”ear fatigue” and the sound quality quite ok. Update - I've upgraded to AKG K420 Studio headphones, a huge improvement which definitely puts the HD 215:s to shame.

In summation, the iPod Shuffle isn't for everyone but if you are more interested in high quality audio then color screen and games this just might be your kind of player. Uncompromising and straightforward, the Shuffle is an MP3 player - nothing else.

Karma

Do good things and good things might happen to people you don't know.

Impressive street art

I took this picture in Prague in May of 2006. At first I walked past it, but somehow I got the urge to go back and take a photo. The artist appears to call himself/herself "Dolk" and after searching the web I came up with this link, which appears to be a portfolio of his/her work. Quite impressive. Unlike the lame "tagging", which just consists of the hair-brained idea of spray painting an alias (which basically no one can read anyways) on a building or wall, this is truly art - albeit at the fringes of public acceptance. Spray painting some random letters on a building is just... Nothing.

Sickinger Quickdraw G-MAN "mit klemmfeder"

This is my new Sickinger holster for my 6” Colt Python.

Basically a figure molded open-ended leather holster which holds the revolver in place with a button locked strap. There is also a small leather strap which protects the rear sight.

As you can see from the picture above I prefer the cross draw configuration. It is less concealable but easier to draw since you get a good grip as the butt of the gun protrudes slightly.

There are however two modifications that I would recommend before using this holster.

First, the construction of the quick draw means that there is a metal button on the strap and on the body of the holster. The button on the holster is in a position to scratch the finish of your firearm as it is drawn. I've glued a small leather strap, which as you can see in the pictures, will position itself between the metal button and the revolver, making scratches very unlikely to occur. Update - make sure that the lower edge of the strip if glued as tightly to the holster as possible, otherwise it might snagg against the cylinder. This has proved to be a problem in PPC shooting for me, so I removed the strip and added some tape around the lower part of the button instead.

Secondly, the ”klemmfeder” (I guess it translates into ”wedge spring”) is held in place by, you guessed it, a metal button. This button can be seen from the inside of the holster and can scratch the finish of the firearm. Although the holsters construction tends to steer the revolver away from the button, I’m not taking any chances.

The quick draw design is pretty straight forward, just push your thumb down to release the strap and draw your weapon. This model has a ”Klemmfeder” which means that the holster is attached to a belt using a metal spring which wedges the holster to the belt. This works rather well with the advantage of easily removing the holster without taking off the belt. This is particularly useful here in Sweden where we are not allowed to transport our weapons on our person.

(Although the law permits transportation to and from a shooting range, there is some confusion as to whether you are allowed to transport the firearm in a holster on your person)

Since this holster was brand new the leather was still rather rigid and every now and then came along in the draw. With use this will not become a problem, and I do not have the recommended Sickinger belt which due to its construction is adapted in width and thickness to firmly hold most holsters.

Although this holster pretty much requires modification, I’m still very happy with my purchase. If the price tag were twice as high I would probably not accept that the product was not ”done” out of the box, but for the price I payed I’ll do the work myself.

Also notice the Hogue monogrip made of Goncalo Alves hardwood. It fits my hand nicely, provides a good grip and makes DA shooting much easier.

Declaration of Revocation - updated

Here's a short text by George Carlin (?), to "give notice of the revocation of your independence" to the American people. It's rather funny, and sadly enough very true.

Herencia de Plata, tequila añejo

This is a rather pricey tequila made of 100% blue agave. The tequila has a 38% Alc. Vol. (something like 76 proof) and comes in a rather nice, very wide bottle with a plastic cap neatly fitted inside a wooden knob. Despite it’s appearance the bottle is actually very easy to pour from without spilling it’s precious content. The Herencia has a rather sweet and very pleasant nose without being to complex.

Of the tequilas I've tried I would have to say that this tastes rather close to Sierra gold tequila at first, but lacks the rough, tearing taste of shortly aged alcohol. The finish of the Herencia is just divine, it’s very soft yet it lingers with a distinct but extremely soft taste. It really goes down smooth and yet delivers a full taste. It’s absolute opposite, according to me and so far, is probably the Sauza gold tequila which not only tears at your throat not unlike a roll of sandpaper but tastes distinctly like kerosene with an oily taste that just won’t go away. Don’t buy a bottle until you've tried it. Or use it in drinks.

Anyways, the difference between Herencia and Sierra gold (an unfair comparison, I know) is not unlike that of most low-end whiskies that haven’t been aged long enough compared to the silky taste of a full-blooded 21 year old single malt.

Of course a tequila of this fine quality deserves to be enjoyed neat, not with (God forbid) salt and/or lemon. Although Sierras tequila is a mixto it still deserves to be served plain, it is a very tasty tequila but naturally it doesn't measure up to most añejos.

As far as tequilas goes the Jose Cuervo Especial deserves an honorable mention due to the fact that it actually almost passes itself off as a decent but cheap tequila when you taste it, and yet it smells like a urine soaked public lavatory. Very “interesting”, with a dominating taste of metal.
Buy a bottle, I dare you.

As for the Herencia de Plata, I love it. Unfortunately it is going to be hard to get a hold of in the near future. My favourite spirits supplier in Germany has decided to throw in the towel, facing a potential (and probable) restriction from the EU from selling spirits to Sweden. So much for the EU slogan of “free movement of goods and services”. I guess the suppliers have started to feel the heat off the inquisitions torches, God save the monopoly - burn the heretics.

EU does however allow for SOME goods to be shipped without customs fees or taxes, which means that I try as hard as I can not to shop from Swedish companies.
I hate shopping from Swedish companies.
Just last week I had to cancel an order for ammunition from a Swedish company. Everything was set, the order was made, I sent them a copy of my license, and yet a month later my order was still pending. I wrote a short and very clear e-mail, basically “You haven’t done squat in the last month nor have you informed me of any problem. I've taken my business elsewhere.”. Would you believe that it is actually in most cases cheaper to ship an order from Germany, Italy or the UK then it is to ship the same order from a company within Sweden? That’s just insane, and it even takes longer to send packages within Sweden then to order from the UK, Germany or Italy. I bought my Lee Pro 1000 loader from Italy, it arrived on the exact date that was specified and even with the freight cost included it would have cost twice as much to buy in Sweden, add shipping charges to that and you have a really bad deal. Also swedes don’t know shit about customer relations. I've had packages with the wrong items, orders which have frozen and not arrived at all for what ever reason - and don’t expect any compensation for their mistakes, you’ll be lucky if you even get an e-mail admitting to the fact that there is a problem at all. Most EU countries realise that customer support is very important for repeat business, that includes answering e-mails which is a no-brainer and yet very rare in Sweden. This is especially true for smaller businesses which quite frankly needs all the orders they can get, but they seem to fumble constantly. A hand full of companies that actually answered some of my e-mails somehow failed to deliver any product at all despite the fact that I specifically told them through e-mails to do so. I guess they’re still “pending”.

Well, their loss. I've ordered almost all my alcohol from Germany, my headphones from the UK, the Lee Loader from Italy, my tonfas from Germany, my humidor from Germany, my wristwatch from the Netherlands, my lighter from the UK, my highball glasses from the Czech Republic, my hip flask from UK, DVDs from the UK and so on. I don’t see any reason to pay extra for longer deliveries and bad (if any) service just to support Swedish companies.

While on the subject I would like to give a big thank you to the Italian pistol manufacturer F.A.S. Domino. They've helped me with spare parts for my F.A.S. Domino .22 automatic pistol which went out of production some 15 years ago. They're even going to manufacture a new front sight for me since they didn't have any spares left. Now that is service! I wouldn't held it against them if they just said, "Sorry, but we can't help you. We haven't produced your model for 15 years.".

And in conclusion; try the Herencia de Plata it worth every penny.

World's deepest swimming pool

"World's deepest swimming pool with 2 pools, 3 pits (5, 10 and 33m) and 2,500,000 liters of spring water."
That's a depth of 108 feet at most, filled with 549 923 gallons of water. Now that is one hell of a pool! Click the picture to follow a link to the "Damn Cool Pics" blog.