While building out the location for where my honey bees are today, I set up a trail cam to see the kind of nature that is roaming around when I am not there. I put together a short video of some Deer and Squirrels seen wandering around the area.
Continuing my fun with the jet bike I spawn in a fighter jet to chase me as I bob and weave my way through traffic.
The jet circles around the map and eventually meets up with me. I then crash shortly after and my jet bike flies off a cliff. So I had to spawn in a new one. Playing around with the trainer I changed the engine multiplier. I sped around the freeway some more and got and just had fun with the fighter jet next to me.
I changed the relationship that the fighter jet has with police. And then brought my stars up. I was hoping the fighter jet would attack the police but I did not see it do any of that. So I got back on the bike and went exploring the open world. I like how I can drive for a long time and not worry about running out of map. With every new GTA game they increase the open world size and really makes for some fun times.
There is someone on youtube that does this show called "survive the hunt" in GTA.
> https://failrace.fandom.com/wiki/Survive_the_Hunt
Its alot of fun to watch, one person is hunted by 20 or so other players. And the one being hunted has to blend in. Usually its about an hour, or 24 hours game time. And sometimes things can get pretty tense.
Anyways I had alot of fun with the jet bike, I can really cover some ground in it. And when I add speed multipliers to it, even more fun. Sometimes so much it goes crashing off into the ocean.. haha
The trainers and mods is what makes this game so fun to me. I find playing it over and over again quite the pleasure when I can customize the game. Something that can only be done on PC.
I have been patiently waiting for the 7th of November, as the presale for lands is on for that date. I got logged in about 10 minutes before and made sure my keychain was logged in and all that good stuff.
As the counter reached zero, nothing happened. I was told I would not need to refresh the page but after a few seconds nothing happened. So I refreshed. When I did the lands screen came up giving me the option to buy plots, tracts or regions. I selected a plot, but as soon as I clicked the buy button I got a "not enough DEC" message. I noticed upon refreshing my 2.5m of Dark energy crystals did not show up. I attempted to refresh again, and got stuck on the spinning monster logo.
Around this time I had Splinterlands Discord opened on my other monitor and I saw the chaos breaking out in chat. Everyone seemed to be having problems. And only a very select few got their orders in. From what I understand some savvy blockchain folk just did a json script to buy at the exact second of the presale. Along with making sure they are connected to the lowest latency node (low ping).
I failed to do these two things, as I thought just using the site normally would be fine. Well I underestimated how bad some people wanted these lands. And after 25 seconds, it was all gone!
I got nothing, just frustration as many other people are in the same situation as me. By the time I got Splinterlands to load, the sale was over and it was all done until the next one.
Joining a Discord chat later in the day on the Minnow Support Project @aggroed explained at the exact second of launch it seems a DDOS attack may have caused many of us not to be able to transact. Though they are still looking into this last I heard. Along with this, hundreds of people were desperately trying to get their order it. And between these two things, it was all gone in 25 seconds with most people standing no chance to get land this time around.
Though even with all this madness, I am quite amazed how this played out. With so much interest it makes me quite happy to be a part of this game. And looking forward to the next sale, hoping it will not be such a cluster fuck. Selling out in 25 seconds is pretty amazing, but with most people unable to get their order in I feel this was not handled very well.
Next time I may do things differently. Making use of some of my computer skills I may do a VS script allowing me to attempt purchase faster than humanly possible. Along with finding the lowest latency node to where I live. Really sucks I have to go to such methods, but I feel I may never get any land unless I am competitive with other buyers. And after yesterday, it seems just trying to buy the normal way may be fruitless.. even during the next round.
See the video below to see how this played out. I give commentary along the way to better explain what I am seeing.
In this final part of the project, I set up the software that I use to record and live stream the Solitary Bees through their life cycle. I start off by updating the Ubuntu operating system and the applications currently installed.
Once all up to date, I launch OBS also known as Open Broadcaster Software. I use this to set up my livestream appearance and to stream to the platforms I plant on sharing the content on. I used 3speak and VIMM, for some reason 3speak discontinued my stream for unknown reasons and could not tell me why or resolve the issue. So I plan on using VIMM next year, maybe even Youtube if need be. Though I would rather stay off centralized platforms.
As for configuring this system as a live streaming machine. It would run 24 / 7 and thats the reason I built a machine just for this purpose. I plug in my USB action camera and an old dash camera. Make sure they both work at the same time. I found out I cannot run two of the same kinds of cameras. So if I try to plug in two SJCAMs of the same model, which is all I have. It will not work on both. But I realized using a second camera of a different make works fine. Maybe it has to do with the driver can only work with one device at a time. And when I use a second brand that is different it has different drivers and no need to share the same files on the operating system. Just my thought, maybe its something else like using the same IRQs with the same devices... idk *shrugs*
I realized live streaming actually does quite a bit of processing. When I just run OBS with the cameras displaying the feeds the system does not work that hard. But when I start streaming at a decent bit rate the system has to work pretty hard. Makes sense, its processing the video into a format that is stream-able.
A microphone is also set up by the bee boards, I ran a wire back to the computer to pick up their sound. My SJCAM and dashcam cannot use the built in microphones when in "webcam" mode. So I had to supply a dedicated microphone, and honestly I think the sound is much better that way. What is built into the cameras is quite small and not very good compared to a standalone microphone. I bought a very basic one on amazon as its out in the elements and id hate to break a good one keeping it outside all the time.
I decide to set up the cameras and do some test live streaming to see how the computer fares. I run an application called Htop that shows me my CPU usage. I make sure it does not max out when live streaming as that will cause dropped frames.
After testing the machine was ready, but the Bees were not at the time. But glad I got it all done before they were hatched. A few weeks later the weather warmed up and they started to come out. For a month I streamed them making homes inside of the bee boards I built for them. And really glad I did, many people enjoyed the stream and I plan on doing it again next year.
https://i.postimg.cc/FHC4RTP3/vlcsnap-2020-09-20-08h43m58s681.png
Above is a capture from the stream, I displayed two cameras, had a microphone sound feed and included the current pollen count at the time of recording. Higher the pollen the more active the Bees are usually. Temperature has alot to do with it as well.
Hoping I have more female Mason Bees this time around. As the homes they used this year were better for a higher female to male ratio. The females are the ones that do all the work, males die off within a few weeks.
So if things goto plan and I get many females next year I should have quite a busy bee box container to stream.
When unpacking some cactus they tend to break apart, though I do not throw away these parts that broke off of the main plant. Instead I prepare some rocky and sandy soil and place those little pieces that broke off. I leave them in a shady dry spot. And wait for new growth to show up. At that point I will move them into the ground as they should have roots by then.
It may have to wait until next year, these are slow growers. And with such little containers I may need to move them in by the window inside to keep them from dying this year. The established ones in the baskets should not need me to do this for them.
As for how the baskets are currently doing, most of the plants have adjusted. I lost one succulent so far, it dried up and disappeared within a week. Though the other four or so succulents seem like they are becoming established. One of the cacti got pretty sunburned, and feels a little loose at the base. Worried it may have gone into shock and is now rotting, ill leave it alone and see if it recovers. But really this is not too bad, only two plants had troubles so far. The others like the Prickly pears have new growth on them, and the other cacti are standing strong and seem like they are shooting roots deep into the basket. One of the cactus seemed to have gotten "bigger" just expanded in size. And a couple of the Hedgehog cacti are just sitting pretty and not doing much at all.
With all the different kinds of cacti and succulents I figured there would be different responses. Some are shocked, others plumped up in size, and a couple have new growth. Hope they handle the winter okay, as thats why I got certain kinds. They are more hardy than most cacti so hoping they can handle our winters. Hoping mother nature will be kind to them during their first winter but we shall see. If they survive it should just make them stronger I would think.
I noticed a colony of Pill bugs have moved into the baskets with the cacti and succulents. Maybe its because of the mulch I added in small amounts to the baskets. But by and by I think they are useful and ill leave them alone.
With clear skies I set up my modified action cam that can see infrared light. I face it upwards to capture the clouds starting in the morning through the afternoon and into the evening.
Using a 720 nanometer band pass filter, I am able to capture just the infrared light reflecting off the clouds and the sky. And using video lapse I was able to show the clouds moving throughout the day.
Some clouds were really high up, and others were further down low. It seemed like they merged together once in awhile and sometimes the clouds up high would descend changing the clouds below.
When I do this kind of recording I need to keep an eye on the weather, I have had my cameras rained on because I did not notice a storm moving in. But luckily this time no water got to my camera. The specific camera used is a modified SJ4000 with a ring glued the lens. Then I can screw on my band pass filters that gives me quite the unique looking landscapes. To make the camera see all of this, I had to take it apart and remove a piece of glass inside of the cameras sensor. I made a series on this, though its on dtube and may not play anymore.
> https://steempeak.com/dtube/@solominer/5ignqilq
> https://steempeak.com/@solominer/cam7w3db
> https://steempeak.com/dtube/@solominer/k1evrx1a
Using the AA gun in unintended ways can be quite effective. I drive up the side of the beach and make my way into the enemy lines. They do not attack me right away but I fear grenades can take me out along with being shot as the driver is partially exposed in this vehicle.
I stick to the beach right by the water and then drive up the hill when close to the base. A high flying helicopter caught my attention and I took it out. AI really suck at flying helicopters in this game, so it was not really a danger. Just a chance to use this vehicle as it was meant to be used. I make my way up the hill where some of the enemies are but quickly have to flee as I start taking on fire.
In a last ditch plan I run up on an enemy tank and throw out mines by it. Though I get killed before I could do anything to it.
Respawning on the aircraft carrier I see a bomber trying to attack the allied so I take out my AA missile launcher I was lucky to be equipped with. But I missed and did not score a hit. I then jumped into the fighter jet on the aircraft carrier and chased down the bomber attack aircraft. I firing a missile I do some major damage to it. Then I square off with it and finish it off with the gun built into the F-14.
I fly around for awhile and then ditch the fighter for an enemy bomber attack aircraft. I use its gun to take out some enemy troops and drop bombs as I make my attack runs.
The battle was raging on, the kills notifications scrolling quickly through the allies and opposition. I make a resupply touch and go with the SU-25 to restock my bombs and ammo. Using the gun as I approach and then follow up with bombs.
I hope I made a change by providing air support, though I have a feeling I could have gotten more kills if I stuck to the ground. It was alot of fun though, stealing the enemy aircraft is always a thrill.
The fight outside the guard house was getting pretty intense, between the cops and by bodyguards there was alot of shooting going on.
Making a run for the swat truck and escape from the lot we were in. Most of the bodyguards have been taken down so its just me and one other.
https://i.postimg.cc/bYTy4459/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-14h53m18s619.png
I stop by a crane and climb up to see if I could get a better shot but had a hard time seeing any of them.
https://i.postimg.cc/HnZCj1DG/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-14h54m25s096.png
So I take the express route to the ground by jumping off the side.
https://i.postimg.cc/MGVx5LRR/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-14h55m21s206.png
Finding a cop car right by where I land I take the car and speed off.
https://i.postimg.cc/cLKdgCLF/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-14h56m26s959.png
One of the tires got shot out when trying to make a get away so I put on the sirens to hopefully keep cars out of my way. I come across a road block and get stopped by it but luckily another cop car was there for me to grab.
https://i.postimg.cc/76N48TKZ/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-14h59m35s039.png
Dodging the swat trucks and cop cruisers I try to put on some space between me and police. Though I eventually crash and need to find another vehicle.
I ditch the busted cruiser and come across a swat truck. I run up and get in it. But trying to make a break through a barrier really messed it up. But I drive off and come across another car.
https://i.postimg.cc/V6wwVFBh/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h01m34s058.png
In a parking lot I see some good cars to pick and before the police catch up and choose a Mustang like car. But as soon as I flee a cop shoots out my tire, so I ditch that car right away for what must be the fifth car change in this chase. I mean yeah I got godmode on but the vehicles take damage so those must be changed every so often.
https://i.postimg.cc/g2fmvpwm/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h04m53s755.png
Having fun with a stunt by the airport I send the cop car flying that I grab when that cars tires are shot out. Then I make a turn for the airport runway and see if there are some aircraft to take to make a better get away.
https://i.postimg.cc/vTHsQHKL/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h07m19s213.png
I indeed found a jet and take it just as a swat truck is pulling up where I ditched my vehicle.
https://i.postimg.cc/zX2JGK8L/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h08m05s832.png
They try to shoot at me as I take off but they do not succeed in grounding me. It does appear the windscreen got shot out and one of the engines is smoking but thats it.
https://i.postimg.cc/G3qRXGBM/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h09m13s434.png
I fly for awhile trying to make as much distance as possible, but they do just spawn in when you have four stars so maybe I cannot get away without going into the mountains or something.
https://i.postimg.cc/bw2jY5mM/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h10m20s951.png
The smoking of the engine gets worse so I put down the aircraft on one of the roads far away from where I took off. Looks like a pretty rough landing.
https://i.postimg.cc/50fc32fd/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h11m25s604.png
Ditching my aircraft after it crashes into a car I dont want the vehicle to explode with me in it. So I bail and a light post drops on me.. lol
I can hear the cop sirens closing in, so I try to take the car that my jet crashed into but it was totaled. So I take a cop car until I can find something better.
https://i.postimg.cc/PqWsYwsQ/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h14m14s259.png
Had the idea of using a bus, they are pretty tough once up to speed. But I get it pinned and as the cops arrive I had to opportunity to pin a cop car to a wall to stop them from being able to exit.
https://i.postimg.cc/XvS6rghv/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h16m00s014.png
Throwing some grenades I take out the cover for the police arriving on the scene. I just start dropping grenades as I run leaving explosions in my wake.
https://i.postimg.cc/50ghkWtH/vlcsnap-2021-03-08-15h17m09s632.png
Playing with godmode can be fun in new ways, just keep running for as much as you want without getting wasted. I do enjoy using trainers in this game on single player and just doing whatever I want, not following missions or anything.
Solominer Presents:| Grand Theft Auto V with enhanced native trainer Update 42 |
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Year | 2013
Genre | Action-Adventure
Console | PC
Platform | Windows 10
I drive around the map with a Humvee until a Hind spawns in the enemy base. I take it and use its smaller rockets to take out the opposition. I crash the helicopter and respawn in my base. Though right as I spawn the Apache gets taken and what terrible timing that was.
Taking the fighter jet, and quickly find a supply helicopter. It has not crashed yet and I try to engage it with my fighter jet but dont line it up the shot.
Flying around I wait for the respawns to happen in the enemy base and take one of their bombers. Using the Russian attack bomber I use its cannon and drop a couple bombs but do not score any kills right away. Though after a couple passes I do get some, I miss the first time around but usually get them on the next pass.
Going up into the sky I find that transport helicopter dropping off troops again. I use the machine gun to take some health out of it but did not drop it. I go for a bomb drop but I dont think I hit it the helicopter with it.
Dropping back down into the surface I find some troops to fire upon but do not get any kills, but I do get a kill against an AA tank.
Running out of bombs I try to reload in the enemy base, but it wont restock the supplies. I fly back to my base and succeed in restocking the Russian attack bomber. I collect the bombs and restock the machine gun.
Quickly made use of my first set of bombs taking out some troops and then some armor as well.
Take out a troop with my machine gun as well, funny seeing their names ending in a 2 as there are so many players I add the game goes not have enough pre-specified names.
Flying low in the mountains is its own kind of fun but I eventually crash into my own allied AC-130. I dont think I hurt it much, lol!
Spawning back I go into the AC-130 and murder an AI to take his gunning position. I quickly realize the pilot is not very god at this and kick him out and take the aircraft for a flight myself.
I get bored of it and switch to the Apache as I finally get it. And had some fun with it before the end of this segment of my gameplay.
Solominer Presents:| Desert Combat 0.9 modded for 255 players |
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Year | 2004
Genre | First Person Shooter
Console | PC
Platform | Windows 10
Rig specs:| Main gaming setup |
-|-|
Processor | Ryzen 7 1700 Eight Core overclocked to 3.7 Ghz
Memory | Corsair DDR4 32GB overclocked to 3066 XMP 16-17-17-35 1T
Video Cards | 2x Gigabyte G1 1080 no overclock
Power Supply | Corsair 1000W
---
Coin | Address
-|-
BTC: |bc1qhfmvd2gywg4fvrgy2kkkkyqta0g86whkt7j8r7|
LTC: |ltc1qdyzm5cwgt8e2373prx67yye6y9ewk0l8jf3ys9|
DASH: |XkSqR5DxQL3wy4kNbjqDbgbMYNih3a7ZcM|
ETH: |0x045f409dAe14338669730078201888636B047DC3|
DOGE: |DSoekC21AKSZHAcV9vqR8yYefrh8XcX92Z|
Never thought id be an Asparagus farmer, but I sure love the stuff so just made sense to grow my own. I usually eat at least two to three bundles of it a week and having my own would be a great value and get a fresher food source than whats found at the markets.
I planted about sixty clusters, about twenty so far have emerged at the time of this video and started growing a stalk and leaves. They can kind of hard to see in the video as they are very small but glad after two weeks they emerged. I was worried maybe I planted them too deep, or maybe not soaking them in water was an issue. But now im happy to see many of them coming up and leafing out.
Once they broke the surface of the soil they grow a few feet reaching up towards the light.
If all of these keep growing, where I am standing you would not even be able to see me. I saw pictures online of others plants that are a few years old and they can be quite large.
I planted this area full of them, about two feet apart of each other. So hoping the rest come up as well. I added mulch to the rows and it helps mold the moisture in, and also supports them a little bit.
I bought Purple Passion, Mary Washington and Jersey Knight Giant. So I have three different kinds, hope they all do well. I placed them all mixed up, I can see the purple stalks come out of the ground but they quickly turn green and then I have no idea which ones are quick.
For right now im just going to let them leaf out, its too early to eat them. I need to allow the plant to build up its strength over time and letting them grow without trimming is the way to do that. But maybe in a year or two I can start to take some off and enjoy the stalks in my cooking. Until then Ill just have to enjoy them as an ornamental plant and let them grow as much as they want.