00652 Lightning at Jerbourg

 

Yah, it was waaaaay lightningy.

00651 Lihou

So we went to Lihou the weekend before last

Where it is nice

00650 Steampunk Arc Reactor finished

I've finished the random present making for a work colleague.

Turn it on and the red LED's light, then pick it up with the side handles and the central window is lit with white Power LEDs.

Once the Power LEDs are lit you can jump from tall buildings, but only once.

 

    

00649 Pooh stick spring

It's a sure sign that summer is on it's way when I find myself at the shipyard.

Construction of pooh sticks has always been a predominantly fair-weather business.

 

It is also a sure sign that summer is not here, when they are launched in a pool and not the sea.

BTFW, I am still currently out of the office.

00648 Arc reactor update 1

So I'm 80% through the construction and am just waiting for a new radial drill, as you do.

Work on the limitless power has reached a standstill. I just can't seem to get past weaning myself off batteries and onto fusion (or is it fission?).

FMFI
The bolts are aged by sticking them in acid and peroxide and chucking in a piece of copper tubing. Jury's out as to whether I should copper plate them first and then give them an acid wash, or just throw all the chemicals and metals in together.

I consulted a man who nearly finished his chemistry PhD and he said that he hadn't done chemistry for so long that he really couldn't remember.

So that went well, I thought.Experts, eh?

00647 Pooh stick in the horse trough

There's a walk I do along the cliffs.

I'm in the habit of making a small boat to put in the horse trough half way along the route.

It usually makes me late.

00646 Paper Panzer

When on holiday it is sometimes wise to disguise one's boredom and find activities which distract, but do not draw attention to your restlessness.

DO NOT, repeat NOT, make paper tanks.

If you feel compelled to do so and there is no other recourse, ensure that they are small, so as not to attract unwanted attention.

Please find below a maximum size reference: 

 

That is all.

00645 Arc reactor

Following the Trophy debacle, I've been asked to make an arc reactor for a guy at work. I'm going for the steam punk angle, but I'm a little concerned about his reaction when he learns that it can't produce limitless energy and actually runs off 4xAAs.

 

 

00644 Tower on a rock/model on a stone

I've decided to downscale and am considering this property. Great views, needs a bit of work and it's slightly smaller than I'm used to. But hey.

00643 Rollapaluza the movie

We have to change the name of this event. I mean surely adults have the ability to access some form of originality.

Don't they?

00642 the Flyer

 

From which comes information on how to possess the fabled trophy.

BTFW I am currently still out of the office

00641 The Trophy

Never thought of making a trophy before. This was Andy's idea - stick some bike bits together as a prize for Wednesday's charity roller racing. I say charity in the hope that Rollapaluza hasn't gone corporate and is cranking up the litigation engines as I type. We just couldn't think up another name in time and IT'S FOR THE KIDS, FOR CHRISSAKES! (well, maybe not just for the kids, but it's for people who used to be kids)

So the essence is wood, mdf, jam jar, bolts, sprockets, chain and an old quick release spindle:

   

 

Admittedly the whole "making a trophy" thing kind of got out of hand - was always going to happen. BTFW I'm out of the office at present, just so's you know, eh?

00640 Stars

Forced from my creative hibernation, I set to work making stars for my daughter:

I'm sure the hot glue I used with the voltage regulator inside the star won't melt when the temperature goes through the roof. Yeah, I think I've got that nailed.

00639 Currently out of the office

It would appear that you just can't be in the office all of the time:
http://www.outofofficereplies.com/
Well, there's a thing.

00638 The Space Pirates of Rocquaine

... are excellent subjects for an ongoing photographic project because they aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

    

A deeply awesome band whose seminal album is available in no shop that I know of.

Folking marvelous.

00637 Pooh stick avalanche

Much time has passed.
Ironically, there hasn't been any water under the bridge, just sticks in the sea.

In Guernsey:

   

And in Sicily:

   

00636 The Street, man

I'd like to think I'm on the edge of becoming a ground breaking street photographer, as it only involves intruding on people's privacy and generally making a nuisance of myself (which I am awesome at).

The only issue that has recently come to light, is that taking pictures in an area which is renowned as being Mafia HQ, without first seeking the permission of the residents, might lead to long swims with heavy shoes:

Other, less dangerous subjects include:

00635 Herm

 

I've got to the stage where I'm compulsively making stick boats whenever I find myself on a beach. It's a bit like straightening pictures in terms of how institutionalised I've become.

Could be worse. Grizzly serial killings for instance. Or a crochet addiction.