Skip to main content
Bryan Ruby

Main navigation

  • Thoughts
  • Words
  • Deeds
  • About
User account menu
  • Log in

Breadcrumb

  1. Home

Thoughts

By Bryan Ruby, 21 October, 2023
Grand Tetons, Bryan Ruby, 1987.

Thought of the Day: Positivity

The older I get the more positive I have become. Yea I know, this surprised me too as I expected it to go the other way when I was younger. The negative of being positive though is recognizing that the world could use a lot more positive people.

By Bryan Ruby, 18 October, 2023
Speakers. Athena Technologies Audition Series AS-F2 on the left. Klipsch Reference Premier RP-8000F II on the right.

Out with the Old, In with the New

This past month I replaced a line of Hi-Fi speakers I've listened to and enjoyed for the past 20 years with a pair of new floor speakers from Klipsch. It's an acknowledgment that my hearing and tastes have changed and it's time to listen to my music through a new stereo system. This recognition of needing to do things differently has become a common theme for me lately. I'm finding the old ways aren't working and perhaps joy can be found again by doing something new. With this theme on change, instead of blogging only when I'm inspired by great ideas or events, I decided to blog every few days as I take part in the 100 Days to Offload challenge.

By Bryan Ruby, 3 August, 2023
Check Marks - Image via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/images/id-3183193/

My Thoughts on Social Media Checkmarks

While all eyes are on how Elon Musk is handling the blue checkmark over at Twitter and debating the checkmark's value and devaluing, I submit the checkmark isn't just a Twitter problem but also a social media problem no matter what platform you're using. Over the past couple weeks, I've come to the conclusion that it is a huge mistake to confuse verification with designating someone as notable or not. The use of verification for only notable users, which in turns designates the remaining users as non-notable, is divisive and never should have happened. While I reluctantly have sided with Mr. Musk that it was time for the legacy blue checkmark to exit Twitter, I also see him also making the same mistake with verification and Twitter's paid subscription, Twitter Blue. 

By Bryan Ruby, 4 July, 2022
My family at an outdoor restaurant in Puerto Rico

Being in the Present Moment

I've been struggling as of late trying to find the time to write articles for my blog and websites. It's actually caused me some stress to not be writing because there is so much I want to say and share. I always feel that I'm so behind in my writing. This has been an ongoing theme for me but it's not because I don't have the time but instead because I have chosen higher priorities with my time than blogging.

I'm intentionally choosing to experiencing all that I can with my family. I don't want to miss the moments because of the glow of the computer screen in front of me. The crux of the matter, my son is off to college this Fall. I want no regrets that the time we spent as a family and exploring the world was missed because I was at the keyboard and not there at their side.

By Bryan Ruby, 16 January, 2022
The path I took from Garden City to Sioux Falls in blue in 1992.

Thirty Years in Sioux Falls

Thirty years ago, I moved from Garden City, KS to Sioux Falls, SD for the National Weather Service. At the time of the move, I had only planned to be in Sioux Falls for a few years as in those days it was difficult (and maybe still is) to get promoted on site. Plus, if I'm being honest, I really didn't want to live in South Dakota longer than I had to as I always thought there would be day I would return to the Kansas City area. Three decades later, I've served four different positions at the same office (Meteorologist Intern, Forecaster, Lead Forecaster, and Information Technology Officer), found the love of my life, and raised a family. 

By Bryan Ruby, 14 January, 2022
Snow blower and Spyder in the garage

Can-Am Spyder vs Winter

From a pleasant Wednesday here in Sioux Falls with a high temperature of 51 to a day of Winter Weather Advisories with temperatures in the 20s, it can be a frustrating time for any motorcycle rider. Today, both of our Can-Am Spyders sit in the cold garage as I prepare the EGO snow blower to do battle with the snow. The batteries are fully charged and I'll be out in the elements once the snow stops falling. The fact that I won't be riding the Spyders for awhile just makes the snow sitting on my driveway look deeper than it should be. 

By Saturday morning, I'm trading in my motorcycle helmet for a stocking cap any my motorcycle for a snow blower that goes goes from 0 to 3 MPH in 10 seconds.

By Bryan Ruby, 27 December, 2021

My Most Productive Time of the Year

When I'm not able to visit with family or travel to some place warm during the holiday season, my most favorite time of the year to work is the week between Christmas and the New Year. For the holidays, most of the office staff is on vacation, most of my organization's leadership is on vacation, and most on-going projects have been put on hold. In other words, I have found there is no other week of the year with fewer distractions than this week.

By Bryan Ruby, 24 September, 2021

Jasmine Will Not Fetch My Paper

I have spent the last five years trying to teach Jasmine, our family dog, to fetch my paper. As you can see in the video, she wants nothing to do with the paper. In fact my friends will argue she has taught me well in picking up my own paper.

By Bryan Ruby, 14 November, 2020
Records from my Vinyl Collection

Are my vinyl records worth millions?

The value of vinyl records is still determined by whether you enjoy listening to the music or not. You're not going to get rich from your collection...and that's alright.

From the article, "How Much Are Your Old Vinyl LPs Worth?":

We've all heard stories of rare vinyl selling for thousands of dollars, but does the average music collector have gold buried beneath their record sleeves?

The answer is no.

While some vinyl records may indeed be more valuable than the plastic they're pressed on, Doug Allen, the owner of one of the largest vinyl records stores in the world, Bananas Records in Saint Petersburg, Florida, tells The Penny Hoarder that LPs aren't really comparable to other big-business collectibles, like stamps or coins.

By Bryan Ruby, 27 August, 2020
Camping in the Black Hills - Custer State Park

Momentary Lapse of Blogging

During the summer months the quantity of articles I write and publish are often minimal. I enjoy my summer activities of bicycling, motorcycling, camping, and other family activities too much to sit in front of a computer all summer long. Not being much of a winter outdoorsman and living in South Dakota, the winter months have always been my time for focusing on my personal blog as well as writing some articles for socPub.

Pagination

  • 1
  • Next page
Thoughts
 

Recent Articles

Twitter Alternatives: Spending my time on Bluesky this Month

1 day 18 hours ago

My other websites are running Drupal 10

4 weeks ago

This Website is Running on Drupal 10

1 month 1 week ago

Thought of the Day: Positivity

1 month 1 week ago

Out with the Old, In with the New

1 month 1 week ago

Popular content

Today's:

  • My review of the Snow Joe Two-Stage 80V Cordless Snow Blower
  • My Review of the Fluance RT82 Turntable
  • Twitter Alternatives: Spending my time on Bluesky this Month

All time:

  • What we know about EGO's new Select Cut Cordless Lawn Mower (LM2130SP)
  • My review of the Snow Joe Two-Stage 80V Cordless Snow Blower
  • My Review of the Fluance RT82 Turntable
  • I purchased an EGO Power+ Self-Propelled Mower
  • My Massive Google+ Blogroll

My Elsewhere

  • Post.News
  • Spoutible
  • Bluesky
  • SocPub
  • After Work Pub

Follow Me

RSS feed

Copyright © 2004-2023, Bryan Ruby. All Rights Reserved.