Updates, updates, todo
Now that I got the last post off my chest, I will finally give some updates on what I have been doing.I will touch on a bunch of stuff here, and give more detailed posts on some later, mostly so I can use this to assemble my thoughts. I will try and be as chronological as I can remember.
-Added a page on the controller used in the rain barrel. (CRAP!!! I just found out it is missing!!! Glitch in PPLOG.* Thank goodness for Google cache.)
-Started designing guitar effects pedals with another guy and going to start selling them. http://www.tonalinsanity.com
-Did a bunch of updates to my CNC machine. Updated LinuxCNC (formerly EMC2) and added a camera.
-Repaired an OMIS II digital comparer. Sorta cool.
-Replaced CV joint and u-joints on my Explorer drive shafts and rebuilt transfer case. Still have a vibration.
-Came up with a new way to make PC boards using the CNC.
-Made a simple (CNC controlled!) spin coater. (for making the PC boards)
-Using the CNC and some neat scripts to do engraving on the effect pedal cases and PC boards.
-Found an Apple Studio Display LCD in the trash and got it working with a DIY adapter.
-Been playing with CentOS and Scientific Linux as alternatives to Fedora. Mainly for MythTV.
-Got a few used computers and did some transplanting and need to update my list of computers.
-Re-wrote the scripts I use for PCB's. Will probably get their own page soon.
-Tons of little things while trying to keep Zoe (now 2!) out of trouble all day! Part of the reason the blog is not updated very often.
Major projects I plan on doing:
-Fix wife's Saturn (broken timing chain) or her folks van (broken band in trans) she WAS driving while waiting on the Saturn.
-Restart work on the Rain Barrel before spring gets here. Want to have something complete to offer others (sell?) this year.
-Get more serious about the effect pedals.
-Improving my solar pool heater this summer.
-Keeping Zoe out of trouble!!
-*Look for a new blog program. I like PPLOG, it is simple and different, but I think I am trying to make it do to many things and starting to extend it to far and break it. (added BBcodes, CAPCHA, and other tweeks) Been so long since I messed with it I hate to dig into it again. Perl is not my first language and don't feel like relearning all over again. We'll see.
Now to see how many more post I can do and if any of the projects get done!
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Been even longer!
I finally added some information about my rain barrel system to the main page. It is only the beginning.Automatic Rain Barrel
Have had a lot going on. Had a big job. Installed new floor. Remodelling kitchen. Wife threw the timing chain on her car. Big snow storm. And of course, Zoe!
Big job was building enclosures for 6 large LCD projectors used in the Sachs 5th Ave. Christmas display. They sat on a 5th floor roof and projected onto the whole side of Sachs store on 5th Ave. in New York. They not only had to protect the $100,000+ each projectors, but had to keep them between 50 and 100 degrees in the middle of winter, AND fit through a 30"x30" window. Oh yeah, the 3 aluminium cases had to be done and tested in 4 weeks.
Finished installing new flooring in the kitchen to match the rest of the house before starting to replace all the cabinets. I am completely redesigning the kitchen as well.
The wife's Saturn's timing chain slipped about 6 teeth so it is torn down waiting to get the head checked and order new parts. Aside from new timing set, ($140) it will need head gasket set ($120) and new torque to yield head bolts.($80)
Then there was the great storm of 2011 with 18" of snow to bring everything to a halt. I am scared to dig out and open the Saturn's hood to see what blew in.
Zoe is doing great. Got 4 teeth and going to walk and talk any day.
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Been a while...
..since I added anything here. Been busy. I am watching my baby girl, Zoe, full time now. Quite an adventure. Got another free pool that I am grafting on to the first one. Updated MythTV and it's computer. Moved my shop into my garage. Finally did some redesign on the rain barrel. Bunch of landscaping. And too many other small projects to list.I will be expanding on these things soon in the next few posts individually.
Just thought I would let anyone who actually reads this know I am still alive!
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So...I got married. And my Mom hits the floor.
Yes, it happened and the world hasn't ended yet.There will be some pictures to follow at some point.
It was (suppose) to be a fairly small and simple affair at the court house that ended up with 20 people showing up. Thanks to all who did. The next day we had a simple reception with around 35. Thanks again. Small by most accounts, but bigger that we expected when we started planning with fairly short notice.
We have one more party to go with our friends at our home.
We didn't have a honey moon since we have been living together nearly 9 years, (and still broke) but we did spend the day in St. Louis. The following day though will make the "honey-moon" hard to forget.
My mother has Parkinson's that is slowly getting worse. She actually is very active and does quite well, with an occasional spill. We happened to be there for one. She missed a step going into the house and fell on her back on a concrete floor in the garage. We were all sitting there at the time drinking our morning coffee, when BAM. I turned around to see her laying there, not moving. Needless to say everyone freaked out. I was sitting right next to her landing spot and started trying to do all the things you should do.
She was out cold, and not breathing.
I started to remember my 20 year old CPR training class and gave breaths then checked for pulse, which I could not find or hear so I moved on to compressions. I felt her ribs go "crunch" which turned out to be cracked from the fall, but still was not a good thing feel. Still not breathing, so carefully tilted her head again since there was now some blood on the floor under her head, and more breaths and she started to breath again and come around.
I carefully held a rag under her head to stop bleeding (she is on blood thinners, so I was a bit worried) then set it down and packed towels on each side so she would not move around.
By this time my new wife Brenda was on the phone with 911 and gave it to me to fill them in and stay on the line until the ambulance got there. Living in the country can have it's disadvantages at times. Mom was becoming more alert and starting to feel the pain, so I tried to keep her calm. I told her she went to a lot of effort just to get a kiss from her son! Of course my mom is a pretty tough old bird and just before they loaded her into the ambulance she said, "All I want to say is... SHIT" which the EMT told her she could say as many times as she wants. I rode along to the hospital and more family showed up there and THEN I about threw up from coming down from all that happened.
Turns out, she is going to be fine. 4 cracked ribs, 9 stitches in her head, bad bruise on her arm where she landed with her ribs, and a big head ache. My niece works at the hospital in imaging so we know she was checked out good. They kept her over night and kicked her out the next day.
I sort of wanted to write this down just to get it out of my head. Didn't mean to get so serious in my blog. See, we live 4-1/2 hours away and it was "lucky" we were there when this happened. My dad would not have been able to handle it alone and I was so glad I was there when she needed me. I am still amazed I was able to react the way I did.
I think most people wonder how they will react to a situation when it arises and (mom's) SHIT hits the fan, and I guess in my case I did OK?
Now I just have to deal with being married! Oh and did I mention the kid on the way???
(Love ya, mom)
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Rant No.1a
I got off track a bit in that last post. The original reason for me getting so verbose was something that annoyed me on another blog.http://www.puppylinux.com/blog/?viewDetailed=00865
Not that post, but the one referred to in it. I don't want to give the other guy a free link! But Barry is OK in my book.
It wasn't even what he said, just something that bugged me.
Bad advice is often worse than no advice, and not thinking for your self is the worst of all.
I don't know anything about him and don't mean to say anything bad. But...
Self promotion is one thing, but.....well, enough.
Learn to learn!!!
(more to come)
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