mbrewer 🏳️🌈
@smalladventures.net
Retired FOSS nerd DIYer left-leaning rural-living outdoor enthusiast in Vermont.
Jeffries: "You think 18% approval is low? Hold my beer!"
Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 22, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Jeffries: "You think 18% approval is low? Hold my beer!"
Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
A simple volume pulseaudio script for #linux. I use this heavily. Getting it to work reliably is tricky, so I thought I'd share. It uses "wob" to display a % bar on wayland. The argument is "+X" or "-X" to change by X percent. "mute" will mute.
The script is in the alt text for copy/paste.
The script is in the alt text for copy/paste.
![#!/bin/bash
change=0
mute="0"
if [[ "$1" == "mute" ]]; then
mute="1"
else
change=$1
fi
device=$(pactl get-default-sink)
cur_vol=$(pactl get-sink-volume ${device} | awk '/front-left:/{gsub("%",""); print $5}')
new_vol=$((cur_vol + ${change}))
pactl list sinks | awk '/Name:/{print $2}' |
while read SINK; do
pactl set-sink-volume $SINK ${new_vol}%
pactl set-sink-mute ${SINK} ${mute}
done
(echo ${new_vol}; sleep 0.5) | wob](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jhhxcruzymppqqwsdrs5vkoy/bafkreidknrnjctgfmfjxg3ezxdfe35kiouvyuq3ghed6hof6tipbmzkjte@jpeg)
January 20, 2026 at 9:20 PM
A simple volume pulseaudio script for #linux. I use this heavily. Getting it to work reliably is tricky, so I thought I'd share. It uses "wob" to display a % bar on wayland. The argument is "+X" or "-X" to change by X percent. "mute" will mute.
The script is in the alt text for copy/paste.
The script is in the alt text for copy/paste.
My FJ's been throwing codes about the secondary air injection valve on the left side. It's frozen shut before, but it wasn't resolving this time so I finally took it apart.
I'm not entirely sure how it works, but that definitely looks broken.
I have a new one on order so I can pass inspection.
I'm not entirely sure how it works, but that definitely looks broken.
I have a new one on order so I can pass inspection.
January 7, 2026 at 7:51 PM
My FJ's been throwing codes about the secondary air injection valve on the left side. It's frozen shut before, but it wasn't resolving this time so I finally took it apart.
I'm not entirely sure how it works, but that definitely looks broken.
I have a new one on order so I can pass inspection.
I'm not entirely sure how it works, but that definitely looks broken.
I have a new one on order so I can pass inspection.
We got another ~2" last night, so we went out again this afternoon, and got into the forest this time. I failed to find our favorite route but we still had fun.
Nothing epic, just a nice jaunt in the woods for a couple of miles.
Nothing epic, just a nice jaunt in the woods for a couple of miles.
December 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
We got another ~2" last night, so we went out again this afternoon, and got into the forest this time. I failed to find our favorite route but we still had fun.
Nothing epic, just a nice jaunt in the woods for a couple of miles.
Nothing epic, just a nice jaunt in the woods for a couple of miles.
Angie and I put up our solstice tree yesterday. It's kind of a tradition now that we make a wreath using the lower branches, and use it as a table centerpiece.
The ring is yellow birch. We had to let it defrost inside for a couple of hours so it would bend, because it was near 0F out.
The ring is yellow birch. We had to let it defrost inside for a couple of hours so it would bend, because it was near 0F out.
December 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Angie and I put up our solstice tree yesterday. It's kind of a tradition now that we make a wreath using the lower branches, and use it as a table centerpiece.
The ring is yellow birch. We had to let it defrost inside for a couple of hours so it would bend, because it was near 0F out.
The ring is yellow birch. We had to let it defrost inside for a couple of hours so it would bend, because it was near 0F out.
I think found a porcupine den while wandering my property today. See how it's body leaves a trail in the snow due to short legs. The track there has been walked several times recently and runs from the den to a large hemlock tree ~3' diameter. There's recent urine in a couple spots on the trail.
December 6, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I think found a porcupine den while wandering my property today. See how it's body leaves a trail in the snow due to short legs. The track there has been walked several times recently and runs from the den to a large hemlock tree ~3' diameter. There's recent urine in a couple spots on the trail.
Angie (me wife), today, lighting up our little porch woodstove for the first time. The first burn the paint smokes and offgases, so I'm inside taking pictures through the French doors.
December 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Angie (me wife), today, lighting up our little porch woodstove for the first time. The first burn the paint smokes and offgases, so I'm inside taking pictures through the French doors.
I just realized that I never wrapped up this thread with a completed bridge picture. Here you go:
October 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I just realized that I never wrapped up this thread with a completed bridge picture. Here you go:
Spent all day painting the winch plate. The morning was cleaning it with simple green, stripping the protective coating off using a drill and grinder. Then this afternoon I cleaned it with mineral spirits, primed it with 2.5 coats, and painted it with 3.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
October 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Spent all day painting the winch plate. The morning was cleaning it with simple green, stripping the protective coating off using a drill and grinder. Then this afternoon I cleaned it with mineral spirits, primed it with 2.5 coats, and painted it with 3.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
Next break in the weather I can mount it.
Photos from the rally-style protest today in VT. Turnout seemed about the same as the last no-kings, but Vermont has a lot more locations this time. So hoping total turnout is far higher as predicted.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
October 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Photos from the rally-style protest today in VT. Turnout seemed about the same as the last no-kings, but Vermont has a lot more locations this time. So hoping total turnout is far higher as predicted.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
I'm hearing 200k for DC, vs. 100k last year. Curious to see total numbers in a day or two.
I spent the morning working on getting a winch on my FJ in the stock bumper. 4'th photo is the winch plate. 3'rd photo is the test fit. I cut a bracket and moved the A/C line, but otherwise things fit well.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
October 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I spent the morning working on getting a winch on my FJ in the stock bumper. 4'th photo is the winch plate. 3'rd photo is the test fit. I cut a bracket and moved the A/C line, but otherwise things fit well.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
Next I need to wash the oil and wax off the winch plate and paint it, probably on Sunday.
We passed halfway on decking the bridge today. Ethan, one of our contractors, has been coaching us through it. Angie and I have installed the bulk of the boards (2x6 on edge) while he did the hard stuff like install the sleepers.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
October 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
We passed halfway on decking the bridge today. Ethan, one of our contractors, has been coaching us through it. Angie and I have installed the bulk of the boards (2x6 on edge) while he did the hard stuff like install the sleepers.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
We ran out of wood, and I'm shot, so back to it tomorrow.
We finally set the beams for our bridge that is replacing an undersized culvert on our long driveway. Today was the big day where we get the beams delivered and swing them into place with a crane. The bridge gets welded together next, then decked, and then the road gets regrade.
September 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
We finally set the beams for our bridge that is replacing an undersized culvert on our long driveway. Today was the big day where we get the beams delivered and swing them into place with a crane. The bridge gets welded together next, then decked, and then the road gets regrade.
Angie spotted a Chicken of the Woods mushroom (sulfer shelf) while we were on a walk today. It was in a public area so we just grabbed a bit of it for dinner.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
September 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Angie spotted a Chicken of the Woods mushroom (sulfer shelf) while we were on a walk today. It was in a public area so we just grabbed a bit of it for dinner.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
We sauted it in ghee with salt and pepper, added peas and placed it over pasta with butter.
This is the first time we've found a good one.
Mint tea I just jarred up made from feral/wild mint growing along the edge of my driveway. Dried on stem, spread out on my desk in the basement.
September 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Mint tea I just jarred up made from feral/wild mint growing along the edge of my driveway. Dried on stem, spread out on my desk in the basement.
I just discovered I have boneset growing in my field. Woot! I don't have a ton of it right now, but I'm hoping it and the joe pyeweed spread a bit more so I feel comfortable harvesting them next year.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
September 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I just discovered I have boneset growing in my field. Woot! I don't have a ton of it right now, but I'm hoping it and the joe pyeweed spread a bit more so I feel comfortable harvesting them next year.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
Speaking of, it's time to pick up a funnel so I can decant my mint extract and see how it tastes.
I got this email from Amazon last night. I've been on a friend's Prime since around 2009 when I lived with them, but they are canceling that program.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
September 2, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I got this email from Amazon last night. I've been on a friend's Prime since around 2009 when I lived with them, but they are canceling that program.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
If you got this email too, this is the perfect opportunity to join the boycott and simply not give your money to Jeff Bezos.
I grew up raising corriedales (a different sheep breed), and I have trouble believing this breed is real, even though I know it is. Different breeds look so different, anywhere from a literal ball of wool with stubby legs sticking out, to difficult to distinguish from a goat.
August 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I grew up raising corriedales (a different sheep breed), and I have trouble believing this breed is real, even though I know it is. Different breeds look so different, anywhere from a literal ball of wool with stubby legs sticking out, to difficult to distinguish from a goat.
I'm finally announcing Tasx is in public beta.
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
July 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm finally announcing Tasx is in public beta.
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
Tasx is a GUI #FOSS #caldav to do (task list) application written by me in #rust for #linux. The intention is to be a fully featured standalone application good for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
codeberg.org/multilinear/...
I'm making some mint extract.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
July 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I'm making some mint extract.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
We're putting in a bridge on our driveway. Construction should start in a week or sooner. There's a bunch of mint along the side that will likely get crushed, so I figured I should harvest it.
The quart jar is packed full of mint leaves and filled with cheap vodka.
... What? The AT runs right through southern Vermont where it overlaps with the long trail for a short ways before cutting east and entering New Hampshire and the White Mountains.
Was this AI written?
Was this AI written?
July 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
... What? The AT runs right through southern Vermont where it overlaps with the long trail for a short ways before cutting east and entering New Hampshire and the White Mountains.
Was this AI written?
Was this AI written?
Over 3% of the United States protested yesterday. We're nearing the 3.5% rule!
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
June 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Over 3% of the United States protested yesterday. We're nearing the 3.5% rule!
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
Also realize that the few bits of violence the news is beating you over the head with involved dozens of people out of 11 *million*. We're talking < 0.001%. This was very very peaceful.
#nokings #notrump #boycottusa
Finished plumbing the basement half-bath yesterday. It did not go smoothly, but it's done and everything is functional now. We might build a wall around it someday, but that day is not today.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
April 25, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Finished plumbing the basement half-bath yesterday. It did not go smoothly, but it's done and everything is functional now. We might build a wall around it someday, but that day is not today.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.
#dyi #homeimprovement
I need to deep clean the basement now, there's concrete dust on everything.