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OK - mancave.dk is mainly Danish. But if we're gonna get Jim to write and it can't feel like work, then he'll be writing in English US English.

Florida Gardening Tips

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mancave.dk strawberries gardening
Strawberries

Gardening is one of my favorite activities.

But it hasn’t always been like that. Growing-up in Florida, with it’s humid, average yearly high of 27 °C – the conditions were great for plant growth. We had a modest yard which highlighted a big oak tree in the front and figs, tangerines and broad “Elephant Ears” (Colocasia Esculenta for you Latin literates).

My grandmother – Nanny – had a much more ambitious garden: strawberries (which we harvested in Feb), collards, turnip greens, cabbage, potatoes and all the good stuff from her life growing-up in North Carolina. She would sometimes ask my brother and me to pull weeds from some place her chickens hadn’t scratched.

After a long hot day under the sun, we were typically rewarded with a brief, but pounding rain to “clean the air”.

Today, I live in Denmark and warm weather is a premium. We all run out as soon as we can to plant whatever we can before the dreary – but cozy/hyggeligt – winter months return in August October.

Below are my tips and tricks for gardening here in Denmark – some of these are based on my experience from Florida:

Planter boxes to impress the missus

mancave.dk gardening lavender planter boxes
There are 9 planter boxes for my wife to experiment with

We have a nice little corner in the yard where I have built planter boxes. My wife uses them as she sees fit – planting flowers and “edibles”: strawberries, potatoes, peas, carrots.

The boxes last for 3-5 years and gives me the chance to impress my wife with my woodworking abilities… or so she says.

The advantage of using the boxes is that it keeps everything nice and tidy and allows you to have completely separate plants – each with there own soil, watering, nutrient needs close to each other. Plus, it keeps the weeds in check.

Plastic Ninja Owls Guards

mancave.dk gardening planter box owl
Ursula on watch

You’ll notice there are some other berries – these are my responsibility. Blueberries (2 types), ribs and blackberries are what I have.

But we’re not the only ones who like them.

Birds are both a blessing and a plague depending on your situation. Last year we had a net over them, but we seemed to catch more birds then we kept away.

This year, we have our own bird in the garden, albeit a plastic one, called “Ursula”. They are typically used on boats, but if all goes as planned, they should work in our yard.

We had also thought of using one of those “bird kites”, but then we were nervous we would scare away all the birds we liked (the ones outside out breakfast table). I suggested that we just place a picture of my mother-in-law on a stick, but was afraid that would be too much and the fruit would fall off.

For the time being, Ursula is doing her. So let’s see.

Smart watering: Carpet tubes

mancave.dk gardening planter box
Carpet tubes used to direct water to the root level

Being from Florida, I have always been conscious of the watering. I always try to do the watering either early in the morning or early evening when the sun is at its lowest.

When you buy carpet, the rolls have a black plastic tube running the length. I have taken these, cut them into sections and pounded them down beside the berry plants.

The idea is to fill these with with water which directs it down to the root level and minimizes the evaporation you get from watering the surface.

You just need to be careful not to have these too close the plant itself as you want to encourage root growth. If you are too close then the roots will get lazy and your plants will not flourish.

A gutter drain pipe or (red flexible) cable tube can also work, but carpet dealerships tend to just throw these carpet tubes out so I’d suggest trying there first.

Smart watering: Drip hoses

mancave.dk gardening planter box lavender
Drip hose “snaking” around each lavender plant

I’ve already mentioned these in my article on lavenders. These are great – especially given the 6 weeks of sunshine we have had this year in Denmark. I think they have been more expensive previously, but I think you can get these relatively cheap now days.

Your best bet is to do this in the spring before the plant blossoms.

mancave.dk gardening lavender
Update to the lavenders – flourishing

Have fun

This final one is probably the most important. If you’re not into the plants, then break-out the power tools, cut some wood, screw some screws in and build something. Who knows, the planting/gardening bug might bite ya and the wife might appreciate it 🙂

mancave.dk gardening planter table
Something I built for my wife out of scrap wood

Songs and Memories

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As the years go by, and everything around you seems to be changing, the songs you loved over the years remain the same.

They can take you back to that first love, a concert you shared with thousands of others or cruising by yourself with the windows down on a warm summer night.

Maybe it’s a song from a favorite movie, holiday celebration or just something your kids played so much, that at one point, drove you crazy; but now, that they have moved on, you reminisce and feel a twinge in your gut that chokes you up.

They could be played at your funeral.

They need to be savored. They need room to breath.

If you’re like me, you don’t listen to them everyday so as not to wear them out. They need the right setting and free from outsiders. You need space to close your eyes and fully submerge yourself to smell the grass from the concert or feel her hand in yours.

I’m sure you have a couple… here are some of mine. Not in any particular order, so enjoy.

Neil Young – Old Man

YouTube.com: Neil Young – Old Man

I remember hearing this the first time one late night back while in the military. I was likely driving home from a late rendezvous with a girl I have long forgotten, but the realization that one day – today? – I would be that old man. That I will have had many experiences, a few loves and hopefully fewer failures. I looked forward to growing older (not old) and what my life would bring me.

RE the video: He tells the story of the song just in case you don’t know it. I always thought is interesting and ironic that he bought his ranch off two lawyers. By the way, Neil “Godfather of Grunge” Young is excellent live and this version is no exception. He’s still alive – touring! – and generally kicking ass.

Maze – Happy Feelings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-zLywJD4vo

YouTube: Maze – Happy Feelings

My mom had married an Army guy who was stationed at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA back in the early 80’s. Each summer there would be a mini-festival on this huge grass area in the middle of the post. Looking back it was a fantastic way to build Army team spirit and let off some steam.

There was BBQ, touch football and beer and lots a places to lay out and chill. Musically, there was everything from redneck southern rock and hair metal to sweaty R&B with a side of soul. It was here I discovered Frankie Beverly and Maze who were playing live.

When they started to play, a calm fell over the whole area. People still passed the football, threw the Frisbee… drank the beer and chomped down on the grub. But everything seemed aligned, like we were all in slow motion.

I’ve thought about this several times through the years and wondered if someone hadn’t slipped something in my drink coke or if I was on some LSD-like trip. But to this day, this is the perfect outdoor picnic song.

RE the video: I apologize for the static in the middle just when Frankie belts his vocals, but it was the best I could find from that time.

Boston – More than a Feeling

YouTube: Boston – More than a Feeling

This song becomes more and more relevant as the years go by. To be honest, this song deserves it’s own separate article so I wont write too much here. The lyrics are much more mature than a young Tom Scholz – apparently he was only 17 when he started writing it.

Anyway check these lyrics and more to come in a later article:

So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky

RE the video: the crowd sucks and they may have been warming up for another group; Tom Scholz is the guy with the long hair.

Jim Croce – I got a name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcqauC49Xmc

YouTube: Jim Croce – I got a name

My namesake, Jim Croce had a short career. He had a few other songs I could have chosen, but this one hits me to the core.

I remember hearing this song at a very young age. The raw memories takes me back to me and my brother riding in the front seat of a car while my mom is driving. The sun is shining and the windows are down. We’re poking each other while giggling/yelling that the other crossed some invisible line between us (“He’s on my side!!”)… and then my mom threatening to slap us with the back of her hand…. All great fun 🙂

Those memories are mixed with more recent memories of my own son and how much better a life I have been able to give him.

RE the song: Speaking of me and my son, he may have been the only other person in the theater who recognized the song while we saw Django Unchained – so I must be doing something right.

 

Feel free to checkout Morten’s own homage to some great music: A Top 10 from the golden age

 

 

Is the Apple Watch worth it?

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This is not a review of the Apple Watch 3, but notes from my own experience. I hope this will help you to either give in to your curiosity and buy it or give you a good excuse to wait for something better.

“We have one more thing…”

Ever since Apple announced v1 of the Watch (to be proper, Apple capitalizes the word Watch so I’ll also do so) back in 2014, I’ve been curious. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of “Why?” – especially since you still needed to have a phone in your pocket! I remember saying to my son, “I’m not paying $349 just to say me from pulling my phone outta my pocket. And the screen it too small by the way so I’d look like a geezer”.

Jump to 2017 and now they are talking about a cellular version ie. no need for iPhone. So this thing sounds more interesting – not to mention big daddy here has a few more duckets.

BUT – I live in Denmark, so the local phone companies won’t support LTE (the tech behind the phone connection) for the foreseeable future :-/ So still not convinced.

Update: As of 11 May 18, the company 3 is the only provider offering a subscription (In Danish).

So I took the bait (and almost confused as a perv)

Sometime around New Years, I fell over an article announcing that the Watch could detect irregularities in heart rhythm similar to this one which got me thinking. Also, I think one of the kids may have shared something with me.

I also wanted to better track my workouts and was tired of constantly pulling my phone outta my pocket after each set to register it (I use an app to track weight/sets/reps).

Funny story which was awkward at the least and almost criminal: I lifted my phone to measure the sound coming from the speakers. (is it just me or are those things too loud?) I had considered showing the personnel proof that they needed to turn it down. Anyway, apparently I had pointed my phone in the direction of some young hottie who was doing an exercise which required interesting bending, and to anyone else, I looked like I was filming her. I don’t think anyone besides me noticed, but once I realized what it could look like, I quickly pocketed my phone not to bring it up again until I was finished.

Having my phone out was not only a pain but was not getting me into trouble.

So I went into the closest gadget store and picked-up a discrete black Watch v3.

How I use it: Fitness watch

I think it’s it’s important to make sure you consider what you will be using it for: play music? get notified of emails/text messages? follow stocks? impress your friends?

Mine would be used as a fitness accessory and, let’s face it, a toy gadget – everything else was gravy.

Now, when I change clothes to get my gainz on, I leave my phone in the bag. I put in my airpods (oh, yea, these are cool accessories you should consider) and head out. Using the airpods takes a few times to get used to – I was constantly worried they would fall out. The irony was that, with the old-school wired headset, I was constantly getting them pulled out of my ears when I accidentally lifted my arms or walked too close to a machine.

Because of it’s size, not all apps work on the Watch so I also made sure the app I use to workout had an Watch equivalent. Now, once I start the app, I can easily adjust the weight lifted and register the sets/reps.

Music is an essential part of the workout. Apple allows you to sync playlists to the Watch which is cool, but there could be more room. The official specs states 8 GB (non-LTE), but when I look at the storage usage it only allows me 5.5 GB – so the OS must take the rest.

In any case I have plenty of music to get through a 2-hour workout.

Depending on where I am in the fitness center, I can still be in range to my phone, which I think is pretty impressive. This means that I can still hear podcasts, get notifications and check the headlines in between sets via my phone…. while it’s in the bag in the locker.

So all set with the fitness app and tunes.

How I use it: Health device

One of the best aspects of the Watch is the health info it tracks. Not only does it track my heart rate, but by doing this, it gives me better metrics for the workouts. Now I can more accurately see how many calories I burn and at what time of day.

What’s the deal with the circles? It’s kinda gimmicky, but all in good fun. Basically you tell it some basic info (gender, height, weight) and it calculates what you should achieve each each day:

  • Move:  how many active calories you’ve burned so far
  • Exercise: how many minutes of brisk activity you’ve completed so far (“brisk activity” is defined, for me, pulse > 120)
  • Stand: hours in which you’ve stood and moved for at least a minute

The rings offer some friendly competition between you and other Watch owners you know. Again, kinda gimmicky and corny, but it seems to work.

Other points

There are several other cools gimmicks (like the Mickey/Minnie faces, getting a nudge while using the Map directions and spying on the kids via Find Friends) which you might find more interesting, but these are worthy of mention:

Water proof?

Is it water proof resistant? Yes, so far. I’m not a distance runner so I don’t get the Watch sweaty, but it does need a cleaning every once in a while. I had read it could take some water. So after double checking on Apple’s homepage AND watch 3 or 4 YouTube videos… from different people… I slowly hopped in the shower to take my Watch for a dip.

… and it went OK – nothing to write home about. There is this function called Water Lock. Apple states that “When you start a swimming workout, your Apple Watch automatically locks the screen with Water Lock“. This allows you to later clear water from your Watch later. “You hear sounds and may feel some water on your wrist.”

That’s some James Bond shit if you ask me.

I don’t know what they do but it’s cool. And by the way if you are reading this Mr. Ive, the sound you chose to let me know the Watch is not clear of water is kinda worrying. It reminds me of an old cold war alarm.

Recording

Speaking of James Bond, there are apps out there that let you record – from your Watch. You can’t be too sneaky as there is a big red circle while it’s recording, but it’s less conspicuous than your phone on the table with the mic pointed at the others.

Once your done recording it syncs to your phone to be used later at your discretion.

I’ll leave it to you to use or not, but I can imagine doing it at a meeting/training session where the material is difficult and you want to review later. I use it often while driving if I want to capture an idea for an article or business idea.

Mobile Pay (or Apple Wallet)

It works and looks kinda cool (or maybe dorky depending on how it’s done), but I usually just pull my phone out.

My problem is that it can take a second or two longer for it to align/sync with the phone and, together with my eyes, I start to fumble and get frustrated. Plus when it doesn’t work – even if it’s the cashier/terminal fault – YOU look like the bonehead.

Verdict

Well obviously I bought one so I must think it’s worth it. But I didn’t make my mind up too quickly.

Relatively speaking, I still think it’s a expensive gadget (DKK 2.799). And for what I use it for, I could easily settle for something for a third of the price.

But hey, you only live once.

In Denmark we say, “Never come up short due to the equipment”. With the Watch, I get a new gadget to fiddle with and get better tracking of my workouts.

But I guess the best part is that now, I won’t be suspected of creeping on some girl in the gym while trying to look at my phone.

Welcome back mancave.dk

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When I bought the domain mancave.dk back in 2011, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to use it for. I had just started a project to convert my garage in a retreat from the kids and wife, a place where I could decide what went on the walls and how much light was needed. A safe place to have my bottles and other special items which I didn’t want others messing with.

In other words: a mancave.

While building the wall and installing the electrics (by a certified electrician of course!), I thought to myself “…there must be other guys out there who were doing similar projects, so get the domain and let’s share experiences and good ideas. “… and hey, maybe write some articles, tips-n-tricks, product reviews, cool dyi solutions, links to where to buy the iconic Farrah Fawcett poster.”

I wrote a few articles, uploaded some picture, did some research on what else was out there….but as it is with a full-time consulting job, family, house repairs, NFL draft/pre-season/regular season, etc., mancave.dk was put on the back burner.

Comfortable but feeling empty

Fast forward to 2018, and the original mancave room – my hide-away – is filled with the wife’s “great finds”… which she got “… really cheap!”.

My consultancy is doing better than ever, marriage is great (just past 25 years with a fox that still makes me laugh and revs my engine) and the “kids” are growing into successful adults – all more than I could have dared hoped for.

But I find myself wanting something more creative than delivering projects which are quickly forgotten or planting this year’s harvest. I guess if you were looking at my Ikigai, you would find me in the “Comfortable but feeling emptiness” area:

 

My interpretation on Marc Winn’s famous drawing

 

Some other guy my age might have had an affair or bought a motorcycle, but me – I’d prefer gardening, wood-working, some kind of programming/website design or binge-watch a series.

A fateful trip…

Recently, speaking with one of my buddies, Morten, I quickly realized that he was in a somewhat similar situation. He, like me, stood before an impending deadline where he wasn’t sure where the next paycheck was coming.

As a freelance consultant, I was used to finding new gigs a few times a year. He, being a journalist, had been in the same company for the last 30+ years, but it had just been “right-sized” again and this time he was on the wrong side of the sizing.

Morten had traveled with me to Copenhagen for a quick trip and we were on our way back on the ferry from Zealand talking. I had just put together a quick homepage for him (mortenguldberg.dk) and he was frustrated that I had just advised him to write a few articles centered around the services he was offering before going live.

His response was, “… but I also want to write about the NFL, serial killers and movies!”

Then it hit me – mancave.dk was just collecting dust. So why not dust it off and see what could happen?

Besides, I had a contract ending 1 June ’18 and my plan was to catch-up on projects around the house and “be creative” for 2-3 months. I had other projects in mind but who could turn down an opportunity like this?

Turning wheels

Almost coyishly I said “Well, I have this project we could try…”. As I was telling him about my original plans for mancave.dk back in ’11, I could see the wheels turning in his head. This new website would allow him to write whatever he wanted while keeping his (creative) writing chops active.

And for me, this was just what I needed. A partner to climb this mountain and who had a passion for writing.

My only “condition” was that it shouldn’t feel like work. We should commit to moving this forward and achieve our goals, but once it started feeling like yet another story that needed to be sent to the editor or another steering committee presentation that needed to be written, then we should take a step back.

Road map for mancave.dk

So where do we go from here? Who knows… and it will be interesting looking back on this article in the future to see what we really did, but for now, these are the ideas:

Short term:

  • write at least two article pr week
  • involve other contributors to the site

Longer term:

  • produce at least one podcast episode pr month
  • send-out a curated monthly newsletter

I hope you are willing to join us on this journey. If you have any ideas for where we could take this, then please contact us here or on one of our social media channels.

Morten and Jim eating pasta with lamb in good weather on launch day

Hip Hip Lavandula

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I really like the Lavender plant.

There are several uses of the different parts of the plant: tea, oils, potpourri, food, decorations in the house bla bla bla. I just like it because I dig the color purple and it’s an easy solution to the edge of the house. Plus it makes me look like a gardening rock star.

Lavender is easy to take care of and thrives in the soil around my house.

One of the first activities I have in the yard is the cut the tops of the plants from last year. The thin stems which supported the deep purple flowers last year are now dried to a crispy twig.

The activity is easy and gives me a chance to do all the things I like about gardening: get close to the grass/dirt, get physical by using a manual tool and – maybe best of all – immediately see the accomplishment of my actions. Heck, there is even a slight lavender smell when I clip the small, green branches.

I give a good, aggressive snip with the old-timer sheers and watch them fall like canon fodder.

The good thing about the sheers is that you can turn them around/up-side-down and attack the backside of the plant up against the house.

I try not to cut too much of the plant itself. I’m told that you should never cut below the last leaf on any of the small branches if you want it to grow back.

My manly hedge shears and the fallen soldiers

I usually just let the freshly clipped twigs fall where they want due to birds using them as nesting. I like to think there are female birds settling down with a nest full of lavender twigs while the male birds constantly have to hear how nice it is to have a ready supply.

Once I’m done, they form a nice dome shape.

Fresh bedding for the birds

With proper watering and sunshine, they usually are a pale green/grey by end of April (we’re in Denmark so no guarantee we’ll get much sunshine). They tend to bloom here in mid-August and last until winter.

But I haven’t always been successful with them.

Lavender like a well-drained area, but don’t assume, like me, that that means they like it dry.

These plants need water, maybe not as much, but they need regular watering. Don’t let them stand dry for too many days.

What saved me is a drip hose.

I installed one of these a few years back and haven’t looked back. I snake the hose in-and-out between the plants. Then, I hook it up to the main hose and let it drip for 2-3 hours in the late afternoon.

Anyway, good luck with yours and lemme know how they go.