First, the lessons. (A) Just because something is labeled doesn’t mean that it’s labeled correctly. And (2) The solution to the problem is probably more simple than you think, if you haven’t pushed all the buttons. I spent three hours yesterday afternoon putting up our Christmas lights. This included twelve strings of lights around the… Continue reading My Excellent Christmas Lights Adventure
Category: Tools & DIY
TiGr Bike Lock
Update (2/2012): The Tigr Lock website has launched and the locks are now available for purchase. They’re not inexpensive, but they’re also not cheap, if you know what I mean. I took delivery of a new bike lock yesterday. I realize that sounds like dull news, or no news at all, but it’s actually quite… Continue reading TiGr Bike Lock
Installing a BHP
Big Honkin’ Plotter, that is. Or, to be less dramatic and more boring, an HP T-1300 Designjet large format plotter. Yep, that’s what I [almost] singlehandedly assembled and put into operation at the office yesterday, in fulfillment of my loosely-defined IT responsibilities. It was actually ridiculously easy, despite having 94 discrete steps in the instruction… Continue reading Installing a BHP
Knifed
Say, I think I forgot to tell you about the cool anniversary gift MLB presented me during our recent trip to Santa Fe. That’s a photo of it floating off to the right. Yep, it’s a knife…a Benchmade Model 470 Osborne Emissary, to be exact, and it’s the best knife I’ve ever owned. It’s got… Continue reading Knifed
Road Warrior Gear
I don’t travel much on business, or conduct much business when I travel, but when I do, I have a handful of accessories that I always pack to make the trip more efficient. In addition to the usual electronics (e.g. notebook computer and iPad and associated cables and chargers), here’s what I bring: eBags backpack:… Continue reading Road Warrior Gear
A Tale of Two Nets
OK, before we get started, I’ll wait here while you go watch this. G’head, it’s OK; just don’t get distracted by videos of babies biting kids’ fingers, or mimes. I’ll wait here. *finger tapping; random whistling* Yeah, that was pretty awesome alright, seeing a whale rescued from a fishing net. My aunt in Albuquerque sent… Continue reading A Tale of Two Nets
Spousal Challenge
Ladies, when it comes to manly things, don’t ever tell your husband that something he’s trying isn’t going to work. It’s like trying to teach a pig to dance. It never works, and it annoys the pig. For example, don’t ever say something like this: “I don’t think you can get forty bags of mulch… Continue reading Spousal Challenge
Brain Wracking Rack
One of the challenges of owning a bicycle with a wheelbase of more than 9′ is transporting it. Conventional bike racks just don’t work. In the past, we’ve used a Thule roof rack system along with a Thule tandem carrier that I extended with a length of square tubing and a second welded-on “foot” for… Continue reading Brain Wracking Rack
Drillcycle
OK, this is just awesome. This guy Nils Ferber built a…a…well, I’m not sure what to call it, but it’s a vehicle that’s powered by a couple of 18-volt cordless drills. (If your first question is “why,” then, sadly, this blog isn’t for you.) The Drillcycle reportedly has a top speed of almost 20 mph.… Continue reading Drillcycle
Mad Woodworking Skillz
I once carved a rattlesnake out of a two-by-four. Took me three days. And several two-by-fours. Link via Neatorama