What is happening

[Allen]

The top & bottom ones are long gone, commissioned pieces. The bottom one went to Maw's Kibby, who had wanted a fairy-winged wolf for years. She finally got one last Christmas, I think it was. The other one was sent to Chicago. It is on a piece of basswood that measures over 14 inches. The head on top took over 5 days to complete, what with times that the laser had to sit idle for cooling down, my own sleeping, shopping trips, etc. The smaller bottom picture took just over 48 hours. The laser can only run for 2 continuous hours, then you have to let it sit idle to cool down for an hour. The middle one was just a trial to see how the pattern would look. It was done on a piece of hobby plywood I've used for such trials. It's roughly 4.5 inches tall. Any of these designs can be made smaller or larger. In fact, I have a version of the wolf head in the first pic that's on a similar rough-barked basswood plaque that's just a bit larger than 6 inches.

[vyon]

Good luck with that one Zelandeth. I notice that the tail in your concept drawing is actually curled up, which could be difficult. You don't want it to look "mean" and you don't want to trip over it either. I've used electrical wire in my models, which has two advantages - it's relatively flexible while still holding its shape and it can be got cheaply by the metre at the local big-box hardware store. If all else fails and you don't want to look as if you stole the draft-stopper from your parents' front door, you could try constructing something like those wooden snakes with the heavy fabric down the middle of them.

[mara]

wel happy sewing en good luck Zelandeth!!

[Zelandeth]

Yeah, the tail is going to be a bit of an engineering challenge given that it's quite long, pretty bulky and I really don't want it just trailing on the ground looking dead, that's something I see on suits far too often.

My plan at this point is to have a semi-rigid foam core (hence the purchase of the pipe insulation) which I'll partly split into segments to give it more lateral flexibility with some strategically placed bracing to help get roughly the curve I want. Along the centre of that I'm going to have a wire fastened at the tip and waistband on which I can adjust the tension, the aim being to have it at rest just "floating" clear of the ground. Easy then to keep it moving with only a tiny amount of body movement. It'll inevitably have quite a bit of weight to it which should help both with that and to ensure it smoothly follows my motion when walking rather than bouncing around completely erratically.

That's the theory anyway!

[P'ter]

How about fitting a windscreen motor to a belt to make the tail switch? I remember laughing at somebody who had fixed a whippy aerial to his car's rear screen wiper. Come to that: a fibreglass aerial might work better than a wire anyway.

[mara]

Originally Posted by Zelandeth

Yeah, the tail is going to be a bit of an engineering challenge given that it's quite long, pretty bulky and I really don't want it just trailing on the ground looking dead, that's something I see on suits far too often.

My plan at this point is to have a semi-rigid foam core (hence the purchase of the pipe insulation) which I'll partly split into segments to give it more lateral flexibility with some strategically placed bracing to help get roughly the curve I want. Along the centre of that I'm going to have a wire fastened at the tip and waistband on which I can adjust the tension, the aim being to have it at rest just "floating" clear of the ground. Easy then to keep it moving with only a tiny amount of body movement. It'll inevitably have quite a bit of weight to it which should help both with that and to ensure it smoothly follows my motion when walking rather than bouncing around completely erratically

That's the theory anyway!

I can't wait to see the result

[GinnyStar]

Sorry to take so long to get here my keyboard got broken the rest of the way by a broken mug of mine. I have a working keyboard, new out the box via a friend and it going to take time to break in. Its reminding me of Tech School and more.

Also if you find a \ on the end of something my fingers of my right hand are sore, stiff, and feeling like they did in 2009.

Breaking plastic all the time first my lid on my mug on to keyboard, then the handle of my can opener on my unseen Braille label, and more.

[mara]

Auch Ginny that is hard to cope with!

[GinnyStar]

Via an friend of mine, the one that has done some covers for eann so I shared and http://comicsempower.com/ and http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/comic...-for-the-blind

Something I thought I share. They are looking for folks who do comics if they are willing to turn into someone can enjoy

[Brenda]

I've been working at Montauk State Park in Missouri this summer, and haven't had much chance to get on the internet. I recently posted a lot of pictures on my blog, though!

http://naturebrenda.blogspot.com/

[Zelandeth]

Today was mostly spent switching a couple of doors in the house over. The inner door on our front vestibule has a lock on it that we haven't been able to use since we moved in because we never got a key to it. However I realised that the door is exactly the same size as one we removed shortly after we moved in that was in the utility room (originally the back door to the house before the extension was built in the mid 80s) even down to the lock placements.

So dug that out of the back of the garage and swapped it over. Needed to do a bit of sanding of both the door and the frame as it was very slightly warped, but it latches securely and doesn't play any part in weatherproofing so I'm not worried the bottom corner doesn't close quite fully.

Does now mean that there are no less than four locks between the outside world and the house on the front door. Seemed sensible to get that sorted given that I know the frame on the outer door is a bit tired.

Managed to get sawdust *everywhere* though!

[Allen]

Originally Posted by Brenda

I've been working at Montauk State Park in Missouri this summer, and haven't had much chance to get on the internet. I recently posted a lot of pictures on my blog, though!

http://naturebrenda.blogspot.com/

Yeah, I know about the stuff you shot pics of & talked about, living right here in the area. By road, the shots you took are about 25 miles from me.



I took this shot after a rainstorm, about 75 yards (straight line) from my house. But it's about 10 minutes to walk there.

[mawra]

Mom is back in the hospital. She has a UTI caused by a rare bacteria. She has been on IV antibiotics for four days. Her IV blew, she is a very hard to get an IV started. Hospital had to have a IV specialist brought in. As of this morning her infection was getting worse. Not having a good summer.

[Kugai]

Oh dear!

[mawra]

Mom is much better. She has been moved to a rehab place until she is strong enough to get from bed to power chair.

[Kugai]

[GinnyStar]

Trying to type with one hand not spread out to reach your keys on your keyboard or trying to move you mouse and clicking is making harder to get around, + I have my four prong walking cane, which is going to take me a tad longer to get around. Or using my long white cane/stick in the right hand, its the one acting up, not like I had my left hand in 2009

Via Jody Lyn Nye on Facebook
Image of Text done by a Volunteer so screen readers can read it.
Screen clipping taken: 8/26/2016, 5:30 PM
“If you are an author/lillustrator/publisher & would love to have your books in the hands of readers, please consider sending us those books. (Incidentally, if you are inclined to Include an autographed copy for the librarian, I'm sure that he would happily accept.) If you are someone with a generous spirit that doesn't happen to write children's books, we are in need of new or like-new books, both fiction & nonfiction, that would appeal to readers in PreKindergarten through Grade 5. If you are someone who would prefer to help In a pecuniary fashion, be assured that your funds will help to revitalize the library with magazine subscriptions, music, films, & chocolate. All others, feel free to send good thoughts. After this emotional & literal depletion, we are in dire need of good thoughts.”
Glen Oaks Park Elementary School
Attn: Trey Veazey
2401 72nd Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70817

[Brenda]

Originally Posted by Allen

Yeah, I know about the stuff you shot pics of & talked about, living right here in the area. By road, the shots you took are about 25 miles from me.



I took this shot after a rainstorm, about 75 yards (straight line) from my house. But it's about 10 minutes to walk there.

Pretty shot! I bet it takes longer to walk there when it's soggy like that...

[GinnyStar]

Its been a long day for me, trying to #NationalWalkingDay waiting on my four prong wide base cane/stick before I got long range walking #InvisibleDisabilities are not stopping me or developmental and learning disabilities, came in Thur. its helps out. Also Clipdiary Clipboard Manager and Flashpaste + Flashnote and friends helping with needing words while trying to adapted to this new to me keyboard + its protection cover 'blushing' More on the software well have to wait. http://softvoile.com/

[mawra]

Mom is home from rehab, again. She is doing fairly well. Still has problems getting into her chair. Don't know why, she didn't have any problems.

[P'ter]

Possibly to remind you that she has problems?

[mawra]

Mom pulled or strained her thigh muscle and can not get out of bed at all, unless someone picks her up and puts her in a chair.

[Zelandeth]

Today I mostly got a train roughly half the length of the country and bought a car, a 1993 Lada Riva to be precise. Hotel stopover tonight before a six-ish hour drive back home tomorrow. Fingers crossed for an uneventful drive!

[Lily]

Oh good luck indeed!!!! Hope you take it easy though with a couple of breaks. But: Why on EARTH did you want to buy this car?????

[Hans]

Yes, of course, you really needed another car, Zelandeth Good luck with it!

[Zelandeth]

To be fair, I have been looking basically for this precise one for the last thirteen years. Though the fascination goes back waaaaaaaay further than that to when I was about five. My grandparents visited us back then and had a Lada, and for some reason I was totally captivated by it. Why I have no idea. I decided once I was able to drive that I fancied one, but by then they had become scarce, especially the estate (station wagon) version that I wanted, mainly because so many got shipped back to Russia in the 90s as the export cars were subject to tighter quality control and had more equipment than the cars they made for their home market.

Suffice to say I probably paid a little over the odds for it, but it's exactly the spec I was looking for, has a very low mileage, and most importantly is virtually rust free. What little there is I've already treated.

In other news, the fursuit creation has taken another step forward today. Sat down with our resident sewing and crafting expert with my reference sheet and we got the fabric ordered...all three hundred pounds worth (roughly $400 at current rates)! Never said this was a cheap hobby...still, looking like we might actually have something ready for Scotiacon...which is just around the corner now.

Speaking of that...rather a small world moment at the weekend in that I found myself staying at the hotel where that is held during my car buying trip!

[mawra]

I hope the new car works for you, Zelandeth.

Mom is still unable to get out of bed on her own. Kibby is going to start working at McDonalds on Monday. This is both good and bad.

My sister was forced to get a new car, they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her old one. The van blew a gasket, not sure when we will get it back from mechanic, which means we have one working car. We have borrowed a van, but it has expired inspection sticker, so can't drive it much. How we are going to get Tammy and Kibby to work is a good question.

Also with Kibby working I will home with Mom mostly alone. Hubby can help some, but mostly he is not able do a lot. Not sure how much I can do.

Hubby, Kibby and I were suppose to go to a Viking themed wedding. The couple is in our gaming group. They are going authentic as possible. But it will be an over night trip, so with everything else I don't think we'll have the money to go. IF we can sell my sister's old car, it keeps cutting off, and IF we can get someone to stay with Mom and get the van back, we'll be able to go. I don't see it happening.

[P'ter]

If they're being authentic: at least you'll avoid the stench!

[Hans]

Good luck with the Lada, Zelandeth. I've had one for a number of years (a white saloon, not a Niva) and it served me well. Drove like a tank though and no power steering It indeed got shipped back to Russia when I bought my first new car ever: a Kia Pride, that little thing drove us all over Europe. Never left Kia after that. Am currently enjoying my 4th new one, a Cee'd SportsWagon executive.

[mawra]

Originally Posted by P'ter

If they're being authentic: at least you'll avoid the stench!

I don't think it will be quite that authentic.

[Zelandeth]

Originally Posted by Hans

Good luck with the Lada, Zelandeth. I've had one for a number of years (a white saloon, not a Niva) and it served me well. Drove like a tank though and no power steering It indeed got shipped back to Russia when I bought my first new car ever: a Kia Pride, that little thing drove us all over Europe. Never left Kia after that. Am currently enjoying my 4th new one, a Cee'd SportsWagon executive.

New Kias are decent motors, Hyundai are well worth a look too, though don't seem to have quite as much flair. If I was looking for a new motor the Kia Optima would get a very long, serious look. Probably would end up with the Citroen C4 Cactus though, it's a bit bonkers (as a Citroen really should be), is comfy and has silly amounts of space in. As it is though, my little Peugeot 107 was the only new car I've ever bought, and lotto wins notwithstanding (in which case I'd be ordering up a Tesla Model S P100D in deep metallic blue with the light leather seats and dark ash wood dash tomorrow), will be the last for as far as I can see. I just mesh much better with old ones. ...which is why I'm slightly baffled by being so taken by the Tesla Model S. It's not just the performance either, though Ludicrous Mode from a standing start *does* force your poor little brain to completely recalibrate its perception of acceleration.

I know what I'm in for with the Lada! This is the fourth one I've owned and is the model I've been after for thirteen years give or take. Sure I'll redevelop the beefy arms I used to have! Being honest though, steering on this one doesn't seem too dire, a lot were barely driveable because it was so heavy as a result of the steering box running dry of oil if (when!) they leaked.

Already had the first gremlin, there's a nasty clonking noise coming from the nearside front, pretty sure I know where from based on prior experience. Hoping I'm right as I have the part in stock and it's a ten minute job to swap out the steering linkage in question. Far easier on the Riva than Niva as there's not a four wheel drive system in the way!

A huge number of Lada were shipped back over to Russia in the 90s and early 00s, not least because the export cars were subject to far better quality control than the domestic vehicles and tended to be equipped with a lot more kit. A lot in fact then got converted back to left hand drive...and the RHD steering gear binned...the only parts which are really hard to find over here are those unique to the steering system on the right hand drive cars...go figure. Lada have said they will happily make a run for us...if we order 10,000 pieces.

...we reckon there are maybe a couple of hundred cars left in the UK total...so that's not gonna happen!

[Allen]

I don't know what models and different makes you all have in your parts of the world, but here in the States, one of the best rated used cars is the first generation Scion XB. The drive train is Toyota Corolla, which is the system they've produced the longest (first rule of mechanics: If it works, don't fix it). The little toaster on wheels is extremely roomy (I'm 6'1" and can sit comfortably in the back seat, with the FRONT seat all the way back), and you won't believe how much you can pack into an XB until you do it once. Plus the fuel economy is above average. We got 34 MPG (YOU do the conversion math) out of ours going across the high plains of Wyoming, where the average elevation is 5900 feet above sea level. Unfortunately, my wife totaled her XB. She still nearly cries over its loss.

[Kugai]

All I've ever wanted to own is a Landrover



Or if I really had the money, a Bowler Wildcat

[Allen]

Originally Posted by Kugai

All I've ever wanted to own is a Landrover



Or if I really had the money, a Bowler Wildcat

Oh trust me, if I had the money, there's a whole list of vehicles I'd own
1937 supercharged Cord Sportsman
1958 Packard Hawk
1956 Plymouth Fury
1960 Chrysler 300F
1976 Harley XLCR
And a bunch of others, then there would be my customs & hotrods.

[mawra]

I am happy if the car, truck, van or whatever I am driving actually runs well.

[Zelandeth]

Originally Posted by mawra

I am happy if the car, truck, van or whatever I am driving actually runs well.

Just sorry I'm not closer, Mawra, would love to help...and only need payment in good coffee!

[mawra]

I don't think there is much help for the silver van. It's not firing on all cylinders. The gold van and silver car is only good to be junked. Hubby is hoping to fixing the maroon car up for Kibby.

[Zelandeth]

Running off a cylinder or two can be caused by a multitude of reasons, many of which are usually easy to sort - and on a lot of vehicles made from the mid 90s onward can often be diagnosed without even needing to get the spanners out thanks to the on board diagnostic system. Tricky to fault find on a car I've never (I'm guessing) worked on before from the far side of the planet...

Today we have started our furry crafting project. Being on holiday is proving useful for that as it means we actually have some time - even if it does now look as though a cat exploded in our villa! There is a vacuum cleaner though and we are tidying up after ourselves.

The short pile white fur is indeed proving as much of a pain to work with as expected, simply by virtue of being so incredibly slippery... we'll get the hang of it though I'm sure.

[mawra]

Duct or masking tape. Works on getting pet hair off furniture. The best way to get to get it out of clothes is a clothes dryer.

[Hans]

Hey y'all. I will be holding an Anne Mccaffrey exhibition in my local library in February 2017. The librarian thinks it's a great idea. Since I am moving house I have to pack everything and thought to offer because I can then leave all AMC stuff packed
I will be posting photos here and on fb of course.