GuitarWarp

Stay away from Coronado paint being sold by Benjamin Moore! Here's a cautionary tale that might just make you double-check your next paint purchase at Benjamin Moore. Today, we're diving into the world of the acquired Coronado brand paint and how a seemingly innocent paint choice turned into a DIY disaster. The Quest for Perfect Paint Picture this: you're an experienced painter, having covered everything from walls to banisters with precision. You've relied on trusted brands like Benjamin Moore, known for their top-grade interior paints. So when it came time to tackle your double front doors, Benjamin Moore seemed like the natural choice for a smooth, high-quality exterior semi-gloss finish. With high hopes, you sent someone to fetch "Benjamin Moore's top-grade exterior semi-gloss paint" for your primed metal front doors. But what arrived was not what you expected. Instead of the familiar Benjamin Moore label, you found yourself staring at a quart of Coro...

You hear this phrase repeated often by those who have been taught that there is no rapture of believers or the church in Scripture. However this is a position incorrect in several clear ways: First , nearly all Bible believing, orthodox scholars believe there is a “catching up” or in Latin, rapture , of believers because it is plainly stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 by Paul.   " Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." The Greek word harpadzo is translated "caught up." It is simply a matter of when this catching up of believers happens, or in some cases whether it is the same event as described in Matthew 25:31 (the gathering of the sheep and goats) or not. 
As to when, many believe the 1 Thess. 4:17 “catching up” happens prior to the event of what Jesus calls the Tribulation (Matthew 24:21, 29).   
Others believe this happens at the mid-point of the T...

In leadership or management, why is it that some people just seem to get it and are able to make it happen smoothly while others can't? It's more like war than peace. In the epic novel, War and Peace, I've often been impressed by Tolstoy's contrast between the well-meaning but bumbling protagonist Pierre and his pragmatic friend Prince Andrei. There is a business leadership lesson there! Pierre, the illegitimate son of a nobleman, is an idealist who inherited a vast estate, but was appalled by the serf system of Russia that had existed for centuries. So in his indecisive and idealistic way, after agonizing forever on it, he tries to free his serfs all at once. But it leads to misunderstanding, his own stewards taking advantage of his serfs, and riots. It's a dismal failure! By contrast Andrei, in a casual conversation, had been impressed by Pierre's idea and on his own when he gets back to his estate devises a brilliant incremental plan of reform and easily exe...

When it comes to technological disruptors of our time, and your life, two names come out swinging: Steve Jobs of Apple and Jeff Bezos of Amazon. Both have left imprints on the canvas of various industries, transforming the world of technology and commerce. In a round-by-round face-off, who emerges as the reigning champion of disruption? Round 1: Market Share Shift Jobs, with Apple, challenged giants like IBM and Microsoft, and with the advent of the iPhone, created a seismic shift in the phone industry. However, Bezos, in his corner, monopolized online retail with Amazon, establishing an e-commerce empire. Bezos lands a more significant punch in this round. Round 2: Change in Consumer Behavior Jobs reinvented our relationship with technology, making it more personal, intuitive, and appealing, while Bezos reshaped the way we shop, setting new customer service benchmarks. In this round, it's a draw. Round 3: Revenue Impact While Apple has been phenomenally profitable, Amazon's di...

It's now mid-2023. In the twilight of 2018, I welcomed home my shiny new Nordic Track 1750 Commercial treadmill, expecting it to be a trusty companion in my fitness journey. Its early days with me were pleasant and seamless. However, even from the beginning, it was clear that the machine's console was trapped in a bygone era of 2015 Android technology - a 7 inch tablet could only handle a 2.4Ghz WiFi connection, making it feel like a relic of the past. Being tech-savvy, I wasn't deterred. After all, I was well-equipped with a robust Gigabit Fiber and a SuperPod Mesh WiFi system. My iPhone, at that time, boasted over 300Mbs at the treadmill's location, while the treadmill only required a modest 20-30Mbs. All seemed good. Oh, how wrong I was! Smooth sailing lasted for a fleeting three months. Then, an update from iFit made its way into the system. From that point on, my exercise sessions became a battle with buffering. A minute or three into my run, the video would stop, ...

We sometimes hear people talk about "income distribution." But that's a contradiction. Real income is not distributed, it is earned. First, it is important to understand that 'income' is not some magically appearing entity that is arbitrarily distributed by a benevolent or malevolent force. Income is primarily a result of providing goods or services that others are willing to pay for. This underscores the principles of free-market economics where value is exchanged for value. Individuals earn their income by contributing to the economy through their skills, abilities, education, work ethic, and risk-taking capacities. It is not, as some misconceptions suggest, a pie to be divided up based on personal biases or political agendas. To believe otherwise is to ignore the basic principles of economics and the price system, which balances supply and demand, reward and risk. Distributing income equitably often presumes a level of social fairness that, while noble in inten...

 Chat GPT, especially version 4, is amazing. And it seems almost human and at times is shocking in how easily it and pull off certain requests when prompted. But there is an order of magnitude of difference between it and true AI, or what is called Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). I'm not overstating this.  Having used Chat GTP Plus with a subscription for a couple weeks, it didn't take too long to realize that it can be very hit or miss on seeming intelligent. For example, if you need something that requires true reasoning and a novel solution? Forget it. Chat GPT simply can't do it. But that doesn't mean it can't suggest complex things like, plan my 10 day road trip vacation along route 66, with suggested sites to see, restaurants and places to stay. And it doesn't get impatient with your tweaking things or adjusting parameters.  Or let's say you give it the task to summarize Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" in 200-300 words a 5th grade...

You're a Fascist!  Nothing says "I'm out of good answers" faster than when someone calls an opponent that. But what exactly was a Fascist?   Shifting Definition - Chat GPT4 exposes it If you search the literature written or published prior to 1979 vs. that written or published after you get a very different answer.  That's what I had Chat GPT4 do.  Why 1979? Because I wanted to divide the era prior to the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan to that afterward. The media in America took a decided turn around that time, aligning much more strongly with the left.  The word "Fascist" began to be used by the far left to describe nearly any conservative with traditional values. The first prompt was: "Relying only on resources written or published prior to 1979 , what are the four top characteristics of Fascism." The results are below. Then I posted a second prompt: "Relying only on resources written or published after 1979 and later, what are the fou...

I was sitting in my 10th grade Comparative Political Systems class years ago when suddenly something the teacher said made me interrupt and ask a question. It went like this, "And so on the far left you have the Communists and on the far right you had the Nazi's."  But we had just learned that Nazi was an abbreviation for National Socialists , the political party Hitler founded and wrote extensively about in Mein Kampf.  So I asked,  "Mr. ____, how can they be far right if they are Socialist ?" He paused briefly and admitted he didn't know, but that that was what his source for the class had said.  Then he continued to the next point. Matter dropped. Since then I've seen countless main stream sources claim that indeed Hitler and the Nazi's were "far right" but NEVER with any analysis at all. They merely state this and move on, as if you must just accept their label as correct. But are they?  Let's look first at what it means to be ...

  The Symbolism of Moby Dick Symbolism is an invaluable tool used by authors to portray a deeper and more profound message to the readers beyond the literal narrative. Herman Melville’s Moby Dick stands as a paragon of this technique. Melville paints an elaborate tapestry of symbols, where each character, object, and event symbolizes profound philosophical concepts, giving the story an unprecedented depth and richness. At the center of Moby Dick's symbolic universe is the eponymous white whale, the object of Captain Ahab’s insatiable quest. The whale is an unfathomable creature, embodying the chaotic, mysterious, and ungraspable essence of nature and the universe. This immense being transcends its physical form to represent the unknown, the divine, and the elusive. Its color, white, often associated with purity, symbolizes its elusive and terrifying nature. Characters as Symbols In stark contrast, Captain Ahab, who is monomaniacally committed to killing Moby Dick, represents humani...

James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard, both legendary Starfleet captains from the "Star Trek" franchise, offer unique leadership styles, each with their individual strengths. However, after careful consideration, Captain Picard emerges as the ideal commander of a starship due to his diplomatic skills, analytical approach, and commitment to principles. Picard's diplomatic prowess is one of his strongest attributes. His tenure as captain of the USS Enterprise-D is marked by successful negotiations and peace treaties, often achieved through tactful discourse and respect for alien cultures. This diplomatic acumen serves him well in the diverse and often contentious galaxy, making him a unifying force in an environment prone to conflict. Captain Kirk, while a charismatic leader, often relies on impulsive actions rather than careful negotiations, which can escalate situations unnecessarily. In contrast to Kirk's gut-driven leadership, Picard adopts a more analytical approach. H...

Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" is more than just a song – it's an experience. A rollercoaster of emotions, it's a classic tune that has had fans and critics alike raving about its brilliance for decades. Here's why this track stands tall as one of the band's greatest ever creations.  A Story Told in Lyrics The song paints a profoundly touching and personal picture of emotional numbness and alienation, like only Pink Floyd can. From Roger Waters' pen, "Comfortably Numb" is born of childhood memories and experiences with illness. The themes are universal, and it's no wonder they've touched the hearts of countless listeners, connecting on an emotional level that few other songs can claim to have achieved. A Masterclass in Musicality "Comfortably Numb" is a showcase of Pink Floyd's famed progressive rock style. A mesmerizing mix of psychedelic rock, classical undertones, and electronic embellishments come together to create...

 I was asked to compare these two world class guitar players. Just how do they differ? David Gilmour and Eric Johnson are both extraordinary guitarists with distinctive styles and sounds, yet they approach the instrument quite differently. David Gilmour, known for his work with Pink Floyd, is widely recognized for his blues-inspired playing, as well as his use of ambient and psychedelic elements. Gilmour's guitar style is characterized by his melodic approach, using simple, yet emotive and lyrical phrasing. He employs a lot of bends and slides, which give his playing a smooth, expressive feel. He is also a master of tone, utilizing various effects such as delay, reverb, and modulation to create lush, expansive soundscapes. Gilmour's solos often serve as a secondary vocal line, telling a story alongside the lyrics. His playing is less about technical virtuosity and more about emotion, space, and atmosphere. On the other hand, Eric Johnson, known for his solo career as well as hi...

225 degrees is already low and slow. But is there any advantage by staying just below the boiling point of water and cooking longer?  I believe so! Here are the advantages and possible disadvantages: Advantages: More Tender Meat: When you cook meat at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, the collagen in the connective tissue has more time to break down into gelatin. This process makes the meat extremely tender. Therefore, cooking at 210F could potentially yield a slightly more tender result. This has proven true in my tests. It took 10 hours but the results were better. More Moist Meat: With a longer cooking time, there's more time for fat to gradually render and baste the meat, which could keep it moist. More Flavor Development: Slow cooking allows for a greater development of flavors as it provides more time for the meat to absorb smoke and seasoning. Disadvantages: Longer Cooking Time: The most obvious disadvantage is that cooking at a lower temperature will take mor...

As the sun, moon, and Earth align in a celestial ballet, the day turns into twilight, and the sun's corona bursts into view, creating a spectacle that leaves spectators in awe. This is the magic of a total solar eclipse, a rare and beautiful phenomenon that has fascinated humanity for centuries. The next total solar eclipse is due on April 8, 2024, and this is your chance to not just witness, but also capture this celestial spectacle. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you photograph the 2024 total solar eclipse. Understanding the Sun: A Unique Subject Photographing the sun during an eclipse is unlike any other photography experience. The sun's intense brightness and constant movement across the sky present unique challenges. Auto-focus and auto-exposure settings are rendered ineffective, and even the smallest vibrations can cause blur. Moreover, the sun's brightness changes drastically during an eclipse, requiring constant adjustments to your camera settings. Therefo...

As celestial events go, few can match the breathtaking spectacle of a solar eclipse. For those of us lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, capturing the event in a photograph can be an exhilarating challenge. This guide aims to help you successfully photograph the upcoming solar eclipse. We will delve into crucial aspects such as choosing the perfect location, vibration control, practicing beforehand, and choosing the right equipment and lens. 1. Choosing the Perfect Location An eclipse is not a localized event - it can be seen from many places on Earth, but the view can vary greatly. Location is the first and most vital step in planning to shoot a solar eclipse. The US is blessed with numerous potential sites to witness this grandeur. But you need to consider the general weather conditions. Remember, clear skies are your best friend for photographing an eclipse. The western states, such as Texas, are famed for their clear skies. However, the eclipse's path shoul...

I Googled the question "Why don't moderate Muslims condemn extremists?" I found that question posted and Yahoo Answers, and several replies, from Muslims that said, in so many words, that the Koran actually supported a hard line view of unbelievers (anyone not a true Muslim). Never one to take someone else's word for it, I found an online Koran concordance site and did my own research.  Didn't the Koran teach an ethic of love towards all men, even non-Muslims?  The New Testament did. I actually had hoped to find several such verses and post them as sort of a "so there" to the extremists. The Koran concordance site had every major English translation of the Koran. But I limited by research to the four orthodox translations, figuring a non-orthodox one might play fast and loose with the text. Likewise I didn't consult the non-Muslim translators, whose accuracy I have no idea about one way or the other. Even among the four orthodox translations...