Author: John

Build knowledge // Improve the state of the universe for everyone // Repeat

Getting Back On the Horse

On By JohnIn human condition, learningLeave a comment

A year and a half ago, I rode my bike for the first time since the fall.

I fell.

Yes, again. No, not on my head, nor from 4m above concrete.

But, I fell.

Instantly recalling the old adage from my youth, if you fall off the horse, get back on. So, I promptly picked myself back up and rode it again.

But I drew the line at the motorcycle. I most certainly didn’t have the physical coordination or psychological confidence to take the risk. I decided that I’d leave the Wee Star parked — safely garaged — and on her own wheels for however long was needed to return to riding.

Fast-forward 18 months to today:

  • 63F, clear, and windless.
  • I ran 8km as the sun rose.
  • Had an appliance repair I had to tend to.
  • I took care of the batteries in the one outlier smoke detector in the house.

Then thought there was something else — something more — that I needed to tend to before the weather quickly turns rather cold…

A safety-check on the Wee Star, started it up, and donned my helmet to give it another go.

Yes, U-turns were a bit shaky. I need to spend some time practicing them far more and get back to the 3.5m diameter idle U-turns. It was a rather quick spin around the neighborhood. A bit of quick-stop practice. And she still remained on her tires and quite unblemished. I’m rather happy about that.

I’m extraordinarily pleased that I had opted to garage the Wee Star until confidence had returned.

Sometimes, getting back on the horse will take some time.

—

Also, I still refuse to let the Wee Star show up at a home on a trailer. She’ll be ridden there under her own power.

Thou Shalt Want

On By JohnIn projectsLeave a comment

I assembled a CNC frame and sled in April of last year (2018). It’s the least expensive tool to cut anything out of 4’x8′ sheets of any millable wood: plywood, MDF, masonite. Any sheet-goods, really.

Before I built the Maslow, I heard about the Shaper Origin CNC, but I dismissed it as simply too expensive for my needs. The Maslow was certainly more agreeable than cost of the Shaper. And it was far better use of space than a large frame CNC. And it was big enough to readily handle full 4’x8′ sheet goods. Anything large enough to handle those full sheets of plywood would require perhaps 5’x9′. Actually more because you need to get round it — 8’x12′ maybe? 11’x16′?. And with a would have a price nearer to $25,000.

The Maslow was $350 or $400.

Floor-space? Far more agreeable at 3’x10′.

And easy enough to cobble together without any skill more than rough-cutting a few bits of lumber, and drilling a few very rough holes. The machine then can build itself.

So, Maslow CNC was ideal.

But having a critical think about the use of space in my existing four-car garage, I definitely won’t have it forever.

It’s time to downsize to maximize my own use of space.

And, so, with the experiences and skills that I’ve gained, and having another look at the Shaper Origin, the only conclusion I can reach is…

I want one.

I’ll be seeing about adding a Shaper Origin to my growing stack of tools.

More info here.

The Maslow CNC? I still have it. And I need to replace one of its drive motors. I’ll need to see about passing it along to another Maker who’s beginning their own journey.

Annoying

On By JohnIn electrics/electronics, home improvement, human conditionLeave a comment

Brought the boat up to dad’s house in Soap Lake to store it temporarily with the travel trailer until I have a suitable location to park them both. Noticed that something was amiss when I looked at the travel trailer…

Battery cover was on the ground.

Hmm… strap was cut (you can just un-lash it), cables were cut (poorly), battery missing.

$125 battery, maybe $20 worth of cables. I should probably notify the police department. Wouldn’t expect them to do anything other than log the occurrence.

Soooo… let’s find the local non-emergency number for Soap Lake PD…

Its Google page link results in a 404.

Maybe the link I had available is outdated. (Strike 1)

I’ll just go to the city’s page then drill down from there.

Well, that’s additionally unexpected — it returns a default ‘bluehost’ unprovisioned page. Means that the hosting provider isn’t presenting a page or its DNS is misconfigured.

No idea how long its been that way. (Strike 2)

Okay, let’s just search again on Google for the “Soak Lake Police Department non-emergency number”. I prepare myself to simply say, “Hey, I know you guys are super busy, but I’d like to just report a petty theft so it can be logged.” Right, that’ll do.

Let’s give it a shot… **dial, dial, dial…** Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, “Goodbye.” **click** (Strike 3)

Uh… did its computer just hang up on me?

It wasn’t long ago that I’d commented that somebody had included on their receipts a number to dial for complaints/feedback. But the number that was included was a non-number (000-000-0000 goes nowhere except “the operator”). Perhaps Soap Lake has caught on and simply routed their calls to /dev/null to save themselves the troubles.

“We’ve had no calls? Really? Wow, we must be doing absolutely amazing out there…”

—

Update: went out hunting near Wilson Creek the following morning and was able to reach them upon our return.

An Old Joke…

On By JohnIn amusingLeave a comment

…but still funny.

A farmer stopped by the local mechanic’s shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn’t do it while he waited, so he said he didn’t live far and would just walk home.

On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem – how to carry all of his purchases home.

While he was scratching his head and pondering his predicament, he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, “Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?”

The farmer said, “Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there, but I can’t carry this lot.”

The old lady suggested, “Why don’t you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in your other hand?”

“Well thank you very much,” he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home.

On the way, he said, “Let’s take my short cut and go down this alley. We’ll be there in no time.”

The little old lady looked him over cautiously, then said, “I’m a lonely widow without a husband to defend me… How do I know that when we get in the alley you won’t hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?”

The farmer said, “Holy smokes lady! I’m carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?”

The old lady replied, “Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, I’ll hold the chickens.”