First Outting With The Number Seven

I think I had the biggest fish I've ever had on my line today.  Unfortunately, the fish snapped the "improved clinch knot".

When I first hooked the fish, I thought, "Is that a fish?"  It just felt heavy.  Then it started moving.  It was exciting.

It really helps my sanity to get out on the water.  I feel like a different person.

How To Make A Volcano

Kovi says it takes gunpowder and a spark... and "no kids allowed except for Kovi"

I did something right :-)

Parabola By Bandsaw

Just cut this free-hand on my bandsaw.  Proud of the cut.

I used open office to create the curve.  I used 11/16" for 'p' in the y = (x*x)/(4*p) formula.  The solar panel should rest on the bottom of the parabola at the height of the focal point.

I printed the curve out and pasted the paper to card stock.  After that, I cut the pattern of the curve.

Backyard Knot

Found a strand of mono in the backyard.  Tied some sort of knot.

I'm cursed with this desire to create something.  A side of me tells me that it's about business now.  Makes me sad.

If so, I'd rather teach than profit.  But maybe not.  I dunno.  It could very well be that I don't know how to carry an idea through... or quite possible I don't/won't have anything worthwhile.

Six Foot Rocket

My neighbor just left a 6 foot rocket with me.  It's on like Donkey Kong.  I think the chiefs in the neighborhood are happy with the backyard ballistics experiments.

Like Kovi said at the solar farm when the guy asked, "So how about this solar energy?"  Kovi said, "How about blowing something up?"  The guy said, "Well my friend and I, well, we made this 2 foot cannon and put too much powder in the barrel and the barrel blew... ahh man... it was crazy."

That, in my opinion, is America - left, right and center.

Mirrors And The Sun

Pretty fun.

Home

Busy cleaning
Busy uncleaning
Washer on spin cycle
Tink tink of a zipper
In the dryer
Kim is humming
Lynn folding
Kovi is in and out

Mom!

Kaley's sounds of Pop Music
Smiles
Football is on
Crowd and the sweet voice
Of the commentator
I'm in my normal state
Happy yet either
Tired, Irritated or Uncomfortable
But not too bad
I gotta *do* something
I love football
What's going to happen
When it's over?
I oughtta go fishing
Or put the floor in
Or fix something
I hope the contract works out
For next year

Daddy!

We have to get a tree!
Okay, let's go
Let's *do* this thing

Arian Foster In The "Man Cave"

Arian Foster is next to a tailing redfish now.  I may leave the sketchy look.  That is 5x5 feet.

Eggs From Farmer's Market

Kim was gone this morning.  I saw this list. I'll translate:

- Donate extra items
- Grow more food
- Buy chicken and eggs from Farmer's Market
- AVOID Walmart, Target etc.
- Solar powered Christmas lights
- Make bread & granola
- Hang clothes instead of using dryer
- Use rags instead of paper towels
- Dutch Koolaid?

She told me yesterday, "I'm not a democrat (or a republican)".

I'm making tortillas right now.  I need some of that whacky Dutch Koolaid ;-)

PS: I find it interesting that she dotted her 'e' in the word "instead" twice.

PPS: Another interesting feature is that she crossed out "Get Green Mountain Paper Towels" after she wrote "Use rags instead of paper towels".

Dutch Koolaid?  Anybody???

Pyramid Scheme

Kaley said today, "My friends ask me where I live.  I tell them, 'You know Westover Park?'  I'm in that crappy neighborhood across the street."

Solar Power

I just wrote a friend:

Just back from Thanksgiving. On the way home, out in the country, Kaley and I were going over her science fair project (the solar power deal) when we passed this odd store that had a bunch of solar cells. We stopped. Turns out they are completely running off solar power. Got to see the control room. Was cool.

I had been talking to Kim about how hooked we are into this machination of energy, food and pharmaceuticals.  It's fun to see an alternative.  The store is close to La Grange.

Football Thanksgiving - UT

I woke up happy.

Garden Cabbage

Heading to Seguin for Thanksgiving.

Ribbon Fish

Mouths Of
Teeth
Sharp
Mean

In the deep
Holes
Sliding
Around

Slithering
Silver
Streaks

Thai
Fish
Mush

Vietnamese
Soup

Fish
Eel
Mirror
Mystery
Snakes

Out Of The Oven

What an incredible thing it is to catch, clean and eat.

Two Docked Boats

From Laplace To Flounder To Trout

I was taking my mid-morning walk scratching my head over the best way to perform an intersection test for prolate spheroids.  I was chuckling to myself thinking that maybe I have chosen prolate spheroids since they are football shaped.

Larry popped over.  Asked if I wanted to go fishing.  That's a no brainer, "Do I want to go fishin?"

Hitting the lake, I said,  "You never know what's going to happen when you work for Spoonbill Services."

I got a real nice flounder and three nice trout.  I also, for the first time, kept & cleaned my own fish.

Laplace

I love to wake up to the Laplacian for the prolate spheroid in the morning.

Nobody ever told me this definition of a scalar: A scalar is a one-component quantity that is invariant under rotations of the coordinate system.  And for the record, I never knew the significance of invariance until a self discovery a few months ago while walking the trail.

I can't believe I just read this: Tensors are generalizations of scalars.

AT&T Touting Wireless TV Receiver

Just saw commercial where AT&T was touting it's new wireless receiver I said, "Hey, I got one of those!"

Like Larry said, "Now they are making phones bigger screened and laptops smaller screened. What happens when they hit each other???"

Mark would say, "Come on!"

I say, "Exactly."

d r o i d
i s
r a z o r
t h i n
n o w

j u s t
d o
i t

Temple Of The Dog Over The Plymouths

Started new painting in garage.  I told Kim, "See it's coming together."  That was followed by a moment of silence and Kim's encouraging, "How do you do that?  That's a real gift to be able see it like that.  I just don't see it."  I realize now how funny it is that I just assumed she could see what's in my mind's eye.

 If I were to paint this orderly it's going to lose the vibrance.  It will not turn out good.  Not only that, I'll get bored.

In this case I DO have a plan.  I'm copying an original.  It all started when I heard "Hunger Strike" by Temple Of The Dog.  Maybe it was that I read something about obesity in school being related to potatoes.  Maybe I wanted to mull over the disparity of some starving needing a potato and another unable to move well because of too many.  Maybe it was Connie being here and me thinking about Van Gogh.  I dunno.

I suppose I should be more direct.... but that makes it so painting by the numbers where it's all flat and really I don't know what I'm going to do just yet LOL

Dirt Road Course - Grass Is Overrated

Kovi At Wood Stack

Wood Stack
Kovi was there
Stackin' wood
Playin Jinga

Way To Go Baylor

Never thought anything good could come from Waco, but there you go - I suppose nothing is impossible...  Down with Oklahoma.

Chillin'

How 'bout some of that
Smokin'
Grillin'
Tick Tock
Tickin'
Slow
Mo
Chillin'

Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg Rule

I Love My Wife

Six

Kovi wanted a series of six piles of gun powder, each one getting larger, for his birthday.  He put leaves in each pile.

Chase

I am tempted to write a long post, but just sum it up as "It's A Good Time".

PS: The American Dream is still alive.  Trust me.  I'm living it.  And this implies I better get back to work. Now!

Happy Happy Birthday Kovi

He had such a good day.  Thanks everybody for blessing us and him.

Kaley Spinning More

Kovi And Mickey In An Airplane Of Lights

Waiting On The Ferris Wheel

Spinning With The Queen Of Spin

Big Firecracker

I guess it was a little bit over the top.

For the record.  Material list:
- Caramel cubes
- Nichrome wire
- Copper wire
- Thin tubing
- Gun powder
- Rotten Banana

Visit From The Police Over Backyard Ballistics

Okay... I just spoke about 300 words per minute to two policemen trying to explain that the boom was some fun experiment that my boy and I have been doing.  I said, "You know the book 'Backyard Ballistics'?  I mean I have this son that is yay high and we have been doing little experiments and this one... well I took a banana and stuffed it in the pipe... and it really went kaboom...  We're just playing.  And we are doing this science fair experiment with solar panels.  Shooting rockets.  You should see the house.  We're like crazy science people... Like NASA!"  He said, "So you were making a pipe bomb?"  I said, "No!  It was a banana from the compost bin.  I didn't know it was going to work so good.  I mean it is gun powder.  I know.  I won't do that anymore.  Most are just poooooof.  You know?"  He said, "You know your side door is open?"  I said, "That's for the dog."  He said, "Okay, we'll just write this one up as a science fair project experiment."  I said, "Okay, sorry."

Hypothesis Conclusion: Frensel Lens Boosting Solar Power

 In general our hypothesis was correct.  On average, the Fresnel Lens boosted the power output of the solar panel more than the other solar concentrators.  The results do look promising but there are many factors that played into the average.  Light conditions, solar panel orientation as well as lens distance/orientation played a significant role in how well the Fresnel lens, as well as the other solar concentrators, worked.  For instance, in cloudy conditions, the Fresnel had no effect or even slightly negative effects.  With that said, over all, especially in sunny conditions, the Fresnel lens was an effective, simple, compact and relatively inexpensive means of boosting the solar power generated by the solar panel.

PS: Connie and Kim think this doesn't sound like a 12 year old's conclusion :P

Science Fair Project Data Collected Etc.

My goodness.  I think I just got sleepy.  The science fair data has been collected.  The experiment turned out to be very interesting.  My conclusion would be contradictory and confusing as there are so many dependent variables even though it doesn't look like there are so many.  As usual, things are more complex. What we have is a ballpark.  For instance, clouds make a BIG difference.

Connie is here from The Netherlands.  They are watching Kaley's "Guys And Dolls" play on DVD.

Lynn, my mother in law, has successfully retired/moved to the area but got food poisoning (we think) at Hruskas in Ellinger.

Mikki, my other sister-in-law, also came by today.

Mark dropped by to do "the numbers" today.  He's a rockin' Spoonbiller this week.  Kickin' butt.

Tomorrow is Kovi's birthday.

The day is done, time for Kovi and I to blow something up.

Solar Kids

Not to be out-curioused by her brother, Kaley began playing :-)

PS: The analog amp meters really made this whole thing so much better than it would have been had I stuck with the multimeter.

I'm Like A Curious George

Kovi was all eyes while I was fiddling with the experiment.  I sat back and he said, "Now that's cool.  The dial just changed."  I said, "Yeah, just a little shadow and you can see the difference."  He said, "What if we do this..."  He tried one thing.  Then another.  And another.

I said, "Kovi, you have it."  He smiled and said, "I'm like a curious George".

I said, "We'll go far, Buddy.  I'm curious too."

PS: My grandma always told me "Curiosity killed the cat."  I'm not sure what I was into, but I was I always being told that.

Tom Brady

I've always hated the GQ Tom Brady.  Tonight, I capitulate.  The dude is a good QB.

PS: Come on Jets.... snuff GQ!  I don't think they can beat that look.  He's got the looks that kill... that keee hill.... he's got tha looks that keel... that keeeee hillll....

Patriots -vs- Jets

This is good football, IMHO.

I love the bloody-nosed ref.

I had to hit myself really hard as I felt pity for Tom Brady getting sacked in the end zone for the safety.  I told myself, "What is wrong with you!?!  We hates Tom Brady!"

Lens Array Ship

This may look kinda neat but it's retarded.  I put the sack of shame on my head.

A Moon On My Table Saw

Lens Array

I woke up thinking how Kaley and I are going to create our "lens array".

Those lenses are pretty.

Crimpers

It's a joy using a good tool - especially in a quiet work place and a cup of good coffee.  Thanks for lending the crimpers, Mr. Martin.

Up at 6:00am.  Couldn't stop thinking about the science fair project.  I'm not over working either.  There is much to be done and little time to do it.  I thought we had until Dec. 5th... all the sudden it's Wednesday... like 3 days.

Stacking Chairs

I really got into stair stacking and transport after the show.  It was on!

PS: Now I have to go BACK to Seabrook to pick the musketeer up at IHop.  I could not sit in the same room with hyper middle schoolers... in a crowded clanking restaurant.

Kim And I's Swashbuckling Science Mag Kid

Over The Bay With My Little Musketeer

The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh!

On The Way With My Little Musketeer

Amazing how this little musketeer gets me to do whatever she needs me to do.  I think it's because she always has a plan.  Little turkey.

A&M At The Wild West Smokehouse In 4OT

I dropped Kaley off early.  Had an hour and a half to burn.  Was determined to watch A&M play.  Listening to the game on AM radio, I stumbled on The Wild West Smokehouse.  Lots of bikers and tattoos.

Was chided by the bartender.  I told him I dropped my kid off for the play and he said, "That's pretty good.  You're sitting here drinking a beer and watching football while your kid is in a play."  I said, "No... no...  I dropped her off early.  Show doesn't start until 7:00."  He hmmmfed.

That game was really exciting - I was hardcore rooting for A&M... so was this old biker dude.  Pretty fun... wish we'd, I say "we"... I'm a Longhorn!  But I wish we would have won.

Switches Semi Boxed In

While doing this I am helping Kaley with her math and watching A&M.

PS: Three Musketeers coming up.

PPS: I think that next I need to mount the milliamp meter.

PPPS: I am doing this like the way I develop software... a general sketch of a plan and I hack... it's pretty bad... I can't think too far in advance.  I don't know how real engineers work.  I wish I could do it like them... but I'd probably fall asleep as I need to keep stimulated by doing it rather than planning then doing it... so I will always suck... lol

Switches

Three Musketeers in a bit.
Dang, this is a lot of work!

Parabolic Dish Short Cut, Bob and J.R.

Went to the dump to find a satellite dish.  No joke, J.R. told me that they didn't have any at this time but would most likely be getting one soon as "lotta people always throwin' them away".  Bob said, "I tell you what, I've got one on my house that I need to get down.  Here's my number."

When I got home I remembered this mixing bowl.  I said, "Kaley, please call Bob and tell him we are going to use a mixing bowl instead."

PS: I really wish I could stay home instead of going to go see "The Three Musketeers" tonight.  I know it will be good, but I just wanna vegetate."  Tomorrow, I think, I will be able to veg.

Fun With Fresnel

Science is fun.
Musicals are fun.
Backyard is fun.
Gardening is fun.
Football is fun.
Kaley is fun.

PS: The fresnel lens worked really well for solar energy concentration.  I was surprised.  Go us!

Busy Like A What?

A beaver.

I think when I wrote this post a couple days ago that I was fighting off an illness.  When I don't feel well it seems like all is nuts.  I was distressed over the orange glow at night.

The last two nights have been sweet sleep.

Seabrook Middleschool --- Kaley's school.  Man, it's making us busy like a beaver!  A bunch of beavers!

I woke up this morning and thought, "Gotta get the science fair project underway.  Shoot, gotta get Kaley to the play at 5:00pm.  Shoot.  I wonder if I need to help her with math."

I was hoping to finish the floor in the "master bedroom" this week, but got half-way finished.  The room project needs an injection of energy from some outside source.

Kim, her mom and two sisters are coming soon from Austin/North Houston.

Then there is regular work.

Then there is football!  Oh, sweet football, I love football.  America would certainly die if she didn't have football.  I know I would.

All of the sudden, I feel sleepy.  I don't know how I keep doing stuff.  I wish I was more consistent with follow through.

I just want to watch A&M vs Kansas State... I mean what if A&M pulls it.  Long shot.  Well I can't.  I'm in Middle School.

Playing With The Camera Timer

Winning

I never wanted to win the contract
I never wanted the big deal
I wanted to see
I wanted to understand
I wanted to throw a baseball
And catch it

I want to throw it hard
And harder
And harder
Back and forth
Hear the leather snap?
Bam!
To the bone.

I don't like sappy country
Yodeling
Twanging on about
The good ole days

I want to rip things apart
Tear them to pieces
Shake the ground
Pound my fist
Drive eighty miles per hour
Above the speed limit

Sit in the backyard
Fix the old house
Not the antique
The crappy house
The cheezewhiz house
The wannabe Brady Bunch house

Fall calm
Alone
Sun drenched
Pure
Calm
Lines
Swinging
Swishing
Ripples

Rip it apart
Tear it
Toss it

Sing!
Scream!

I saw!
I caught it!
Struck the bone!
I understand!
I don't!
I do!

Knife in the chest
Head down
Then calm

To Dreams

Backyard Monarch

Mom And Pop's

I call this place "Mom And Pop's".  Beautiful day.  Really enjoyed fishing.

The Farmer In The Dell

Here's a ride in the Vetter Head Cockpit.

Uh oh.  What time is it?  I feel awake. The cat is scraping in her litterbox. That's a 4:00am thing. I hate the time change.  I always end up burning both ends of the candle.

The farmer in the dell.
The farmer in the dell!
High ho the merry go!
The farmer in the dell!
Sit Ubu!  Sit!  Good dog.
Arf!

Oh no.  Why is "The farmer in the dell"
In my head?
Sit Ubu!  Sit!
Arf!

Why is the theme song to Taxi in my head? What show ended with "Sit Ubu, sit, good dog?" Doo doo dooo.

Reeger!

Why Norman!  I oughtta wham!  Right in the kisser!

The farmer in the dell!
The farmer in the dell!
High ho the merry go!
The farmer in the dell!

I hope it's not 3:00am.  Stupid cat.

Then I go into a long ping/pong talk about a work issue.  Should I get in the loop? Maybe I should write a book called "Off The Grid, Out Of The Loop" Or just "Out Of The Loop"

I wonder if getting chickens would work.

If I got back in the loop maybe I could sign a document that I promise not to grow my little company so I could get involved without people thinking I was just there to snag their employees.  They wouldn't think that anyway... but I might think they think that. But then that'd make others feel uncomfortable that I'm thinking that way. So I'll just shut up.  I mean maybe I should try to grow a bit.

Am I just holing up?  I miss Alex.

But wait, really it's my arms.  I'm working at home because of my arms. And because I'm productive using Qt.  But nobody uses Qt.  And they never will.  How productive can I be if nobody uses what I use? Is out of the loop - useless?

Sit Ubu!  The farmer in the dell!...

This work issue.  Hmmmm.  I wonder if... (this goes on and on)

That new robot.  It's like a bunch of pipes.  It's got nothing classic about it.  It's actually scary.

Does a Ferrari have a horse or a lion for an emblem?  I gotta look that up.

The Farmer In The Dell!  The Farmer In The Dell!

I wonder if the smashed pumpkin will decompose in the compost bin.

Why did Kim dye her hair purple?  I shoulda told her I liked her hair more before it turned purple.  And it's not just the purple, it's the V thing that they did.  What was that???  If she combs it to the side it's going to fall back to the V thing.  Goh!  And it's because I took that picture and she was perusing the blog and saw that picture of herself with the sweet potatoes.  I should be more careful.  I hate pictures of myself.  I should not take pictures of adults.

Is political the answer or technical the answer???  I always want to solve things technically, but look I'm holed up and off the map.  Am I just holed up because I wanna be off the map???  Do I like this???  I do like fishing midday.  I just don't fit... but I should.  I'm really better at what I do now and think people could use me.  I don't think they know that.  But I wonder if there'd be all those brain-dead meetings.  I lost the power to change anything more than myself.

Then drawing comes in... the classics...

If it weren't for that cat and that litterbox.  I've got to fix this door.

That medicine I used to take really stopped all this chatter but I hated getting fat.  I'd rather hear this stuff than eat all the time... and suffer the zaps after stopping the medicine after hitting that i'm-too-fat tipping point.  I'm like that Blue October guy with all those meds.  Freaking crazy.

I wish I could have slept more.  There's that weird orange glow out there.  No twilight. It's early.  I hate that orange glow, I wish it got dark.

Sit Ubu!  Sit! Good dog.
Ruff!

PS: I'm not joking - the cat is scratching in her litterbox again.  She poops like a cow.