I retired our almost-eight-year-old HP LaserJet last week, replacing it with a Brother HL-2270DW wireless monochrome laser printer. The HP still worked well, but Debbie was having problems connecting to it via our network, and it was getting low on toner. When I discovered that a new, factory-fresh HP toner cartridge would cost the same… Continue reading Wireless Laser Printer
Pi Plate
OK, the creator calls it a “pi bowl,” but that’s semantics, and not very punny, to boot. Anyway, this ceramic concoction is etched with the first 1,498 decimal places of pi, and can be ordered in a variety of colors via Etsy. [Via Neatorama]
Tracking Comanche Springs in Fort Stockton
Last Monday, February 21, we made a day trip to Fort Stockton to visit family, and were pleased to see that Comanche Springs was again flowing. This is a fairly dependable annual occurrence each winter, when the agricultural irrigation west of town ceases and the water level in the aquifer rises sufficiently for the water… Continue reading Tracking Comanche Springs in Fort Stockton
Random Thursday
Some triviata while wondering about the real difference between a prank call and outright lying to get an interview. I wrote last week about “investing” in a venture via KickStarter that will produce a stylus cap to use with devices with capacitive touch screens. I’m pleased to report that the project has been fully funded… Continue reading Random Thursday
Seeking Silence
I solved a tricky little problem today and want to document it in case anyone else encounters it. But first, some background. Our ballroom dance club is trying something different at our March dance. Up to now, we’ve always had live music, and that tradition will continue. But, for a variety of reasons, we’re going… Continue reading Seeking Silence
Two Vids for the Weekend
Why is it that the Japanese excel at sword fighting? Perhaps they’ve had more practice, or perhaps they see it not just as a battle technique, but as an art form. Exhibit A: [Link via Neatorama] Then there’s this kind of art form, the kind that either makes you want to grab a board and… Continue reading Two Vids for the Weekend
Random Thursday
The folks over at Neatorama have proclaimed that the Fire Ant Gazette represents the apex of human achievement. OK, I just made that up. They were actually referring to these ties that incorporate bubble wrap. If that’s not random enough for you, try this on for size: Sleeper Movie of the Week Recommendation – Tortilla… Continue reading Random Thursday
My Geeky Valentine
This is what happens when two gadget freaks hook up. For Valentine’s Day, I gave my wife the obligatory box of Godiva chocolates…and an iPod nano that she could mount on a wrist strap and use as a casual watch. In turn, she gave me a ZaggMate iPad case with built-in Bluetooth keyboard. The ZaggMate… Continue reading My Geeky Valentine
Character Development in Serial Novels
I wrote a bit late last year about Tim Dorsey’s series of novels in this Random Thursday post. At that time, I had read three of the installments and was starting on the fourth. As of earlier this evening, I’ve now finished a dozen, and have just downloaded the 13th (and last) in the series.… Continue reading Character Development in Serial Novels
Flashback: A near miss with hypothermia (part 2 of 2)
[Part 1 is here] The shivering bubba – and for ease of reference, why don’t we just call him Bubba? – perched atop his overturned airboat seemed nice enough, but he was obviously skeptical that the skinny, neoprene-clad guy riding a piece of styrofoam with a sail could be any help. To be honest, I… Continue reading Flashback: A near miss with hypothermia (part 2 of 2)