Archive for May, 2008

Conservation

There is something that has been weighing on my mind more and more with everything that has been going on.  Everything I see on TV, internet, anything else is all about how to make life more “sustainable.”  While yes I do understand the need to become far more ecologically friendly it seems to me like putting a bandaid on a shotgun wound.  To me new fuels are needed, however I think that the ethanol craze is part of the skyrocketing food prices, and that fuel cells while efficient are still based on using fossil fuels. (continued)

Air Motor-licious

I recently completed the project for ME12S, the Machining class I’ve been taking: an Air Motor (photos of mine). The class has really rekindled my love for making things with my hands, and I’m racking my brain for more fun things I could find an excuse to build. (continued)

Streetside Run ins

Everybody knows them, they are in every major city they are all over Santa Barbara, you know who I’m talking about. I’m talking about the homeless. Now before you scream “thats so terrible and your a horrible person” let me clarify who I’m talking about. I’m not talking about the guy on the street corner who can barely talk laying on the sidewalk in Chicago in the middle of winter…. in the rain that makes me want to break down bawling in the street. I’m talking about the animal vegetable mineral guy who roams Goleta and Isla Vista, I’m talking about the woman on the corner screaming obscenities to nobody in particular at the top of her lungs. I want this thread to talk about your humorous run ins with the homeless. (continued)

Magic: the Puzzling

Recently, I’ve gotten back into Magic: the Gathering. It’s a very periodic function for me: I love the emergent interactions between a complex ruleset, but then I spend too much time or money and get burnt out. But currently, it’s on the upswing, because I’ve stuck pretty well to my goal: Focus on a single concept that intrigues me. That concept? Thallids! (continued)

Security Cam Music Video

This band decided they didn’t have money to make a video, so they set up in public places in view of security cameras, then asked to get the footage from the people.

Pretty cool results, though a little creepy to think how much these cameras are around.

A news story about it is here

The Weekly Ebb of Time

Ever have a moment that really grabs you and makes you notice that time either seems incredibly slow or incredibly fast? I was just talking to my friend CloneBot, and I noted that I’d probably be out of graduate school in 90 weeks or so. Only 90 weeks! So many things in my life occur on a “once per week” basis– and those weeks pass so, so quickly. Read on for more analysis of my upcoming weeks. (continued)