Modern Reimagining!

"The hoarder self-medicated with things the way other trauma survivors self medicate with drugs or alcohol."

― Randy Frost

Yeah, yeah ... another Stratocaster!

I recently spotted a U.S.-made olympic white Stratocaster body with a matching rosewood fretboard neck on eBay, bringing back memories of my very first Stratocaster—a 1988 American Standard. Unfortunately, that guitar is long gone, lost in a purge that left me with my 1995 American Standard as my only electric guitar. Oh, how times have changed. Here's a photo of me, likely from around 1990, playing that '88 Strat in a garage band I was in:

So skinny! Note the Pink Floyd t-shirt with Cyrillic text.

The body was an open-box item with a minor blemish:

I was able to wet-sand and buff it out—you can't even tell it was there.

For pickups, I decided to go with Seymour Duncan's Classic Stack Plus setup:

The build hit a brief snag when I realized I was given the wrong pickup wiring diagram. I reached out to Seymour Duncan online, and they quickly emailed me the correct one:

Their Liberator potentiometer requires very little soldering—wires plug directly into the pickup connector stations and are secured into place with a set screw. The only necessary soldering was done to the ground on the tremolo claw and the wires to the output jack. 

Already on-hand, I had options to install vintage tuners and bridge saddles or modern ones—I've accumulated a lot of guitar components. The original '88 had sported modern versions, but I prefer the vintage look, so that's how I set it up.

Here's the finished headstock:

And the completed Strat:

Pretty, eh? I just love it.

While the body and neck are from a Professional II series Stratocaster, I built it from parts, which saved me quite a bit of money. Did I really need it? Not at all, but it's a fantastic guitar and a joy to play. It also brings back memories of my first Strat. One day, I'll probably part with most of my collection, but for now, it's staying.

All images © 2025 Mike McDowell

Myadestes townsendi!

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

— Lao Tzu

Sunday rendered a beautiful day for a winter hike at Devil's Lake State Park. While the wind was brisk at times, it calmed by late afternoon, making for a more enjoyable trek. The main goal of the outing was simple: to log some steps and get some fresh air. Oh, and look for birds, too, of course. During this time of year, it's all too easy to stay cooped up indoors, but getting outside is essential for both body and mind. Since the trail were still covered in ice and snow, Sue and I put on our "Diamond Grip" Yaktrax to help prevent any slips or falls—no more broken bones, please!

While hiking Grottos Trail along the east bluff, it's wise for birders to keep their eyes and ears open—Townsend's Solitaires are often found near Devil's Doorway at the summit. Their soft whistle calls may be faint, but the trained ear can pick them up even from the bottom of the bluff.  

No matter how many times Sue and I hike this trail, we can't help but remember the 2020 homicide. A 24-year-old man from Wauwatosa was found dead on the trail, the victim of a fatal stabbing. The case remains unsolved—situational awareness and caution, always.

Partway down Grottos, there's a panoramic view of the bluff where solitaires are known to winter. I set up my spotting scope and began scanning the cliffs, panning back and forth along the edges and treetops. As I panned, a bird-sized shadow caught my eye, moving across the rocky face. I moved my scope a little leftward, and there it was—perched in a tree, right in front of Devil's Doorway.

Bingo! 

What this photograph lacks in quality portraiture might, perhaps, be made up for in technical digiscoping achievement—the gray songbird was several hundred yards away and this was a hand-held smartphone shot at 60x. Though I don't generally mind hiking up the bluff to get closer views of this species, we weren't really prepared for that degree of effort this day.

Devil's Lake itself is frozen over with ice that appears to be nearly a foot thick, plenty safe to walk across. We didn't go all the way to the other side, but nearly to the middle to have a look around.

As the sun began to sink in the west, marking the close of another adventure, we were starting to get a little hungry—it was time to find a place to eat. We settled on Vintage Brewing Company in Sauk, known for good beer and relaxed atmosphere. We both ordered the grilled pineapple salmon, served with smashed baby red potatoes and green beans. It was every bit as delicious as it sounds, hitting the spot perfectly after a day spent in the outdoors.

All images © 2025 Mike McDowell

Fender's Angle?

Here's a case in point ...

Above is a US-made Fender Stratocaster Vintage II series that retails for $2,299.99.

This next one, a Player II model, made in Mexico, sells for $799.99:

At NAMM 2025, Fender announced just a few days ago a new series of Indonesian-made Standard Strats that will sell for $599.99:

Which are being manufactured at the same factory that makes Squier Strats (Classic Vibe), which sell for $429.99:

While there are subtle specification differences in between the two Indonesian models, the new Standard model has the Fender logo instead of Squier. Note: Squier is Fender's subsidiary brand, designed to offer budget-friendly alternatives to Fender guitars. They are ideal for beginners or those on a tighter budget. However, the Squier logo often carries a stigma in the guitar community as it's associated with beginner instruments and lower quality compared to Fender. This perception is rooted in Squier's budget branding and past inconsistencies. Putting a Fender logo on Indonesian-made Strats is clever, and at the same time increasing the price substantially.

Do you see where this is going?

The new Standard Strat made in Indonesia seems likely to be a strategic move, potentially tied to tariff concerns. With the popular Player I & II series made in Mexico priced higher, Fender is likely positioning this new series as a cost-effective alternative to mitigate the financial impact of tariffs or trade uncertainties. By ramping up manufacturing in Indonesia, they can leverage lower production costs while bridging the price gap between Squier and the Player series. This move could appeal to budget-conscious players who want something a step above Squier but more affordable than the Player series, ensuring Fender remains competitive across all price points. At the same time, look who's going to pay for any tariff related price increases. 

Naturally, you can get US-made Stratocasters already—they just cost more.

Fender is not going to stop importing guitars from their factory in Ensenada, Mexico, which is just 100 miles from their U.S. factory in Corona, CA. The new Indonesian-made Standards will help minimize potential price increases across all products, regardless of their origin. But one way or another, it's the consumer who will pay more.

Getting around tariffs with a logo change—now that's 4D-Chess!

Addendum 01/30/2025: 

Though Indonesia may also face new tariffs if it joins BRICS. The point remains—one way or another, US consumers will pay for them.

Aren't his threats cute?

"Jan 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told the World Economic Forum on Thursday that businesses should make their products in the United States if they want to avoid facing a tariff."

As I've written here before, Trump's position on tariffs and reshoring manufacturing is, in many ways, oversimplified and ignores the complexities of modern global supply chains. While the desire to bring jobs back to the U.S. and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing is laudable and understandable from a political standpoint, the strategy itself is fundamentally flawed and will likely hurt the U.S. economy.

As someone who once played significant roles in thwarting credit card fraud, an analogy can be drawn between that criminal activity and imposing tariffs. When a customer disputes a charge (a chargeback), the company that processes the transaction loses money because they have to reverse the charge and potentially cover additional fees. To recover that cost, the company might raise prices for all customers, spreading the financial impact. Today, credit card fraud has merely become a cost of doing business. Similarly, when tariffs are imposed on imported goods, businesses that import those goods face higher costs. To protect their profits, they might raise prices on the products that are affected by the tariff, passing the increased cost onto customers.

In both cases, the company that bears the financial burden (whether from chargebacks or tariffs) often transfers that burden to the consumer through higher prices.

Do you really expect this to happen any other way?

Additionally, Trump's approach to tariffs assumes that companies can quickly shift production from places like China or Mexico back to the U.S., but in reality, that's not a simple or fast process. Many U.S. companies have long-established supply chains with foreign partners, and the infrastructure, labor costs, and expertise in those regions have been developed over decades. It would be costly and time-consuming for companies to move their production facilities or switch suppliers.

Products made in the US will ultimately cost US consumers more, so one way or another, U.S. consumers will pay higher prices for products whether they're made overseas (with increased tariffs) or the United States.

I thought this guy is supposed to be some kind of "4D-Chess" genius?

River Ice!

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." 

— Albert Camus

Sometimes you just have to get outside and embrace winter's worst, as facing the harsh bite can be invigorating and rewarding. Whether it's a hike through snow-covered woods, a brisk birding session, or simply feeling alive in the icy air, there's something to be said for defying the cold and experiencing Nature at its rawest. Well, it would be nice to have some snow for snowshoeing. Still, the frozen water made for some fun photography along the Wisconsin River on Sunday.

As I'm writing this, it's even colder outside—a bone-chilling -14°F. But honestly, there's a point where I can't really feel the difference if it's another 10 or 20 degrees colder. Probably because I'm bundled up in REI's finest winter gear, especially my Hestra Alpine CZone Mountain 3-Finger Gloves. They're super warm and still allow me to handle my binoculars and spotting scope with ease. My decades-old Mountain Hardwear down coat keeps me toasty, too. You can venture out in this weather, but you have to protect yourself. Layering up is key—keeping your core warm and your extremities covered is a must. Without the right gear, even the most beautiful winter scenes can quickly turn miserable or even dangerous.

Ice lined both shores, forming a stark contrast to the open water in the middle—a feature known as a lead, where the current is too strong for ice to form. I was a little surprised to find around a dozen Northern Flickers in the adjacent woods. Their vivid plumage and flickering movements brought a spark of color and life to the otherwise stark winter scene. It's moments like this that make braving the cold so worthwhile.

There were fun ice formations to photograph ...

Even on a frigid day like today, the American Crows couldn't resist leaving their mark—literally. I spotted a trail of their tracks crisscrossing the beach sand, like little footprints in the snow but with a bit more swagger. It was as if they were saying, ‘Yeah, it’s cold, but we’re still out here making mischief!’

Beyond the ice there were Common Mergansers and a few Common Goldeneye. Unfortunately, they were too far off to get a decent shot with my digiscoping rig, but it was still a treat to see them cutting through the open water, their bold markings standing out against the stark winter scene. Several Bald Eagles soared overhead and occasionally Dark-eyed Juncos flushed from the shore grasses. It wasn't a very birdy winter outing, but it was still an outing nonetheless. 

All images © 2025 Mike McDowell

Panpsychism

"If you are familiar with the idea of panpsychism, you know it suggests all things within the universe have a mind or mind-like qualities. This is something I believe to be true. I believe everything has consciousness which exists within a range. This range is based on the complexity of the system it is experiencing itself through. Organisms like humans are fairly complex and have a range of senses which allow them to navigate the universe, creating the human experience."

— Anonymous

Ah, panpsychism—a quaint and wonderfully convenient hypothesis that attempts to reframe the entire Universe as imbued with consciousness. It's not science, my readers, it's one of the latest incarnations of a religious impulse dressed up in pseudo-scientific jargon. The suggestion that every atom, proton, or neutron in the cosmos possesses consciousness is nothing more than an extension of that age-old desire to make the Universe personal. Once upon a time, it was a divine being or a cosmic soul that imbued all things with meaning. Now, it's a universe-wide consciousness. But let's not kid ourselves: this is an argument that owes more to mysticism than to any established principles of science. At its heart, it seeks to humanize the very fabric of reality, a move that serves little purpose other than to make us feel more important than we are.

And, of course, we must address the glaring flaw in this theory—the Fallacy of Division. Just because we understand that the Universe rendered intelligent or mindful entities does not mean that every part of it shares in this trait. That would be like claiming that because a complex, functioning organism is aware, every cell within it must also be aware. It's simply not true. The fallacy of division is the misguided belief that the properties of a whole can be transferred uncritically to its parts, an idea that is absurd on its face.

In the end, panpsychism is a deeply flawed fantasy that requires us to suspend the basic tenets of reason. It posits an all-encompassing consciousness that, by sheer force of wishful thinking, imbues everything—protons, trees, and galaxies alike—with a semblance of sentience. It's a fallacy that hinges on a misunderstanding of the relationship between parts and wholes. Again, let's not kid ourselves into thinking this is anything more than a grandiose attempt to solve the mystery of consciousness by baptizing the entire Universe in the waters of mind. The Universe is not conscious, nor are the particles within it. The suggestion that it is is a nice myth, but it remains nothing more than that—a myth.

I must add a word on the perennial misstep of lay writers—those enthusiastic amateurs who, in their desperate attempt to reconcile the mystery of the cosmos with their own narrow understanding, drag quantum physics into the mix as if it were some sort of cosmic magic trick. These individuals, in their ignorance, seize upon terms like "quantum" and "waveforms" as though they possess some mystical power to lend credence to any half-baked philosophical speculation. The truth is, quantum physics is notoriously complex and, far from providing us with a neat explanation of reality, it often confounds and challenges our most fundamental intuitions. Yet, somehow, these writers—having read a few pop science books—believe themselves to have unlocked the secret of existence, weaving together bits of quantum theory with their own woolly spiritual musings. They fall prey to the temptation of applying quantum mechanics, a field that remains deeply counterintuitive, to every loose and unprovable idea they have about the Universe. But the reality is that quantum physics does not work the way these amateurs suggest; it is not some cosmic force that bends reality to our subjective desires. Far from it. It is a domain of knowledge that operates on its own complex terms, terms that cannot be simplified for the sake of a pleasing narrative.

In their attempts to unify quantum mechanics with human experience, these writers end up doing a disservice to both. Quantum physics, despite its awe-inspiring discoveries, doesn't suddenly grant us a coherent, all-encompassing worldview. It doesn't support the idea that everything is conscious or that the universe has a cosmic mind. Instead, it remains a branch of science that offers a glimpse into the very strange behavior of particles at the subatomic level, where the rules of classical physics break down and probability reigns supreme. To extrapolate from this that consciousness is somehow inherent in everything—from a single atom to the cosmos as a whole—is a profound misunderstanding of the science, and, frankly, a dangerous overreach. It is a distortion of the very science they claim to revere, twisting it into an idealistic narrative that is both speculative and unfounded.

So let's be clear: quantum mechanics does not provide the foundation for these grand, metaphysical flights of fancy. It offers a window into the deeply puzzling and bizarre nature of reality, but it does not hand us the keys to some universal consciousness or panpsychism. The failure of these lay writers is to see quantum theory not as a complex, rigorous science but as a tool to rationalize their own unsubstantiated beliefs. And in doing so, they perpetuate the myth that science and spirituality are somehow seamlessly intertwined when, in fact, they are distinct domains, each with its own methods and principles. What these writers are doing is nothing more than Deepak Chopra brand charlatanism, peddling a slick, pseudo-scientific blend of mysticism and quantum jargon that sounds profound, but in reality, is nothing more than vapid nonsense wrapped in the guise of intellectualism.

Chase!

Why, hello Mr. White Wagtail—I nearly forgot that you were there.

But they didn't ...

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Bluebirds!

"The faster one goes, the more strain there is on the senses, the more they fail to take in, the more confusion they must tolerate or gloss over, and the longer it takes to bring the mind to a stop in the presence of anything."

— Wendell Berry, An Entrance to the Woods

With a fresh snowfall and a sky unspoiled by the usual midwinter drear, a hike at Pope Farm Conservancy was not merely a chance to stretch the legs, but an opportunity to engage with the world at its most candid. The birding, too, was a different pursuit. It's far too easy to fall into the trap of accumulating species for the sake of a list, as if the birds themselves were little more than a series of checkboxes. Yet, the true reward lies in observing these creatures with the attention they deserve, understanding their habits and quirks, not as objects to be catalogued but as part of the broader narrative of life. This, I suppose, is what we miss when we race from one sighting to the next: the quiet richness of simply being present.

Along the northern edge of the prairie, where the trees meet the open expanse, a very vocal Tufted Titmouse made its presence known, hopping from branch to branch with an almost theatrical air. Nearby, a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds added a splash of color to the wintry landscape, their vibrant plumage stark against the subdued tones of the snow-covered ground. There was something almost poetic about their quiet gathering, a reminder that even in the starkest of seasons, life persists in vivid detail.

These were probably the same Eastern Bluebirds I saw here on Christmas Day, feeding on this particular cedar's berries. They'll rely on these berries as a crucial food source to get through the cold days, and it's clear they've found this spot to be a reliable place for nourishment—a reminder of how the birds adapt to the harsh winter, relying on what little resources are available. Bluish in color, the berries are actually modified cones—small, fleshy, and packed with seeds. 

As weather in Wisconsin goes, it didn't take long for clouds to move in and cover the blue sky, replacing the clear expanse with a more subdued gray. The shift in light made the scene feel quieter, as if the landscape itself was settling in for a colder stretch. The birds, undeterred, continued their foraging, as though they, too, were attuned to the changing mood of the day.

Shhhriiiike!

Other weekend first-of-year birds included several Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, and a Winter Wren. I found a Northern Shrike last week, which was notable since they seem to be less common this winter. While not exactly rare, sightings have been fewer, making this encounter stand out in an otherwise quiet season. 

Shrikes so far for this year around Dane County:

All images © 2025 Mike McDowell

Cold & Ice!

"Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears."

― Marcus Aurelius

"What the heck is that guy doing? He's gonna get hurt!"

Maybe! But I do, on occasion, take unnecessary risks for my art. 

I crouched in the bitter cold to capture these mesmerizing ice baubles that cling to the edges of flowing water, sculpted by Nature. The creek isn't very deep, but it's never the depth that kills you—it's the headlong tumble, the unforgiving impact. I often flirt with unnecessary risks for the perfect shot, a truth I embrace with a mix of pride and caution.

In other news, my 2025 non-list birding list is starting to take shape. I'm doing well with strigiformes and emberizids, though nothing particularly remarkable has shown up yet. Meanwhile, Dane County's "Reliables" have taken a strong lead in that competitive birding thing. However, some of them still struggle to identify a House Wren or American Goldfinch by their vocalizations, while others can't tell a Baltimore Oriole feather from a Northern Flicker's. It seems like a few of them might be better at reading maps and driving a car than at actual birding.

All images © 2025 Mike McDowell