Asymptomatic

There must be intelligent life down here

New Year Self Remodel
January 01, 2014
new year habit

Today is the first day of a new year. In years past, I've set aside the whole concept of resolutions. Resolutions are stupid. To me, it implies that making significant changes in life can only happen one time of the year, as if there's some magic about the new year that allows these changes to effortlessly happen. We all know that's not true. What it might be is more drawing a line in the sand, and saying this day is the day I start, and having some hard line to observe rather than some random date along the way.

The trick with the new year "resolution" (a word that I will no longer use here), is that things like "eating better" and particularly things like "waking up with the alarm" are really hard to do on the day that follows staying up partying to late hours. We've still got guests in our house as I write this, and Berta is off work making pancakes and sausage for breakfast, and I've already slept in until 10am, and it's looking like I've already tread off the path I've set myself for the new year before even locating the trailhead!

Developer Portfolio
December 16, 2013
development design portfolio lament

You see portfolio sites all over the web from web designers showcasing the sites that they've designed.  And now and then you see web developers posting a portfolio including a few sites they've managed the HTML coding for.  But you never see a portfolio of a developer showing the site architecture that they've rocked.

Here's a weird paradox:  I want to showcase the work I've done for clients.  The work I do is primarily writing site-specific code to enable a certain unique feature on a site, or assembling the parts to produce that feature.  But often I can't realistically use a screenshot of the site to characterize that work, since the screenshot is of the graphic design, which is something I had nothing to do with.

Space Derby
November 19, 2013
derby scouts Riley space rocket

Recently, Riley and I completed the Cub Scouts' Pack 32 Space Derby. Months ago, I told Riley's den leader that I was enthusiastic to help with the derby, since it is one of my favorite scouting events. After a handful of emails, I found myself volunteering for a number of things related to the event, in addition to helping Riley with his rocket.

The derby itself is a race of propeller-driven rockets, flying down a length of taught fishing line. The rocket is made of two halves of balsa wood, hollowed out and glued together, then shaved and sanded to a rocket shape. A hanger is attached to the top of the rocket that allows it to slip into a cradle that hangs from the fishing line track. Rubber bands inside the rocket attach to the propeller in front and a small stationary dowel in the back. The propeller is wound, tightening the rubber bands, and when it is attached to the cradle and released, the rocket flies down the track!

Fluxmob Bolt Review
November 13, 2013
device UDB Fluxmob Bolt review power

Back in June, I noticed a Kickstarter project for the FluxFluxmob Boltmob Bolt, and decided that it would be worth a pledge. The Bolt is a combination wall charger and battery backup for USB devices.  

The first thing you would notice about the Bolt is that it is very small and attractive-looking. It comes in multiple colors, of which I chose blue. The finish of the device has a nice quality tacky/rubbery feeling, not the slick plastic of similar devices.