The Hands And The Eyes, Part II

As I mentioned in a previous Blog Post, I had the opportunity to learn how to weld. After that project was done, we had some leftover materials and in the interest of refining the skills I had learned, I thought it would be a good idea to create something that I had a need for. After a little thought (and some wandering around the house, looking at the things I had), it occurred to me that I needed a better solution for my entertainment center.

I have a fair amount of electronic stuff devoted to this (TV, Receiver, DVD player, PlayStation , Media Center PC, etc) and the TV stand I had simply wasn't designed for all of the things I had. In fact, I had a number of components that were not even hooked up. It wasn't tall enough or wide enough to accommodate everything. So, I had identified a need. Now I needed to figure out what I wanted to do about it.

The Hands And The Eyes, Part I

Back in August, I was let go from my job. It wasn't a complete surprise but I certainly would have preferred to have been the one to say "This isn't working out" when I had something else lined up. I knew it wasn't a good fit for me and apparently, they thought the same thing. They just beat me to the punch. It is what it is and given the state of the economy, finding another source of income is/was a challenge (to say the least). Fortunately, my Dad has a Machine Shop that he runs out of a large building on his property and he had just been awarded a fairly sizable contract and as such, he needed some help. He was willing to pay me a fair wage if I were willing to help him out.

Of course, I agreed. I needed the money and the idea of learning something new was very attractive. I.T. hasn't exactly been very good to me over the last couple of years and frankly, the idea of completely changing careers was rather appealing. And I love working with my hands. There is something very cool about taking a pile of raw materials and turning it into a finished product (e.g. Look what I did!)

Fresh Start

So, it looks like I'm starting over with the Blog thing. I had one hosted with a previous employer then moved to a new job (moving my website to them) and when I left that job, they promptly deleted my site after assuring me it was fine to leave it there. Looks like there is no such thing as honor anymore; you can say one thing and then do another and it's okay. Oh well. I can just add that to the list of things they screwed me over with.

Fortunately, I was able to figure out how to restore all of my posts (and the comments) so it looks like I don't really have to start over. Good thing I am such a nerd. Read on if you wish to discover the depths of my nerdosity.

Is This Thing On?

Well, to say that it's been a long time since I posted something is akin to proclaiming water is wet. It's not because I've not had anything worth posting. Quite the contrary actually; lots has be going on and I really needed to focus on getting things back on track. You'd think I would be used to things coming up by now and throwing a wrench into my machine. But in getting back into the therapeutic benefits of blogging, I will try to get back into the habit of doing this on a regular basis. Now... Where to start?

Brewing Your Own Beer

Several years ago, my Dad really, I mean, REALLY wanted of those "Make Your Own Beer" kits. At the time, my area wasn't exactly "culturally aware" so finding such a thing was a challenge (this was before the internet). I made it my goal to make this his Grand Christmas present. After scouring every grocery and liquor store I could find, I finally found one these "kits"...

Remember

My Aunt sent me a link to my cousin's blog in which she had posted a remembrance of the people in my family who have served in the Armed Forces. My Father was one of these men.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

You know how you get that feeling of accomplishment when you are just about to finish something that has taken a long time? Like completing some home improvement project or getting the oil changed or finishing that book you've always wanted to read? That's the feeling I have been having for the last two weeks.

Goodbye

Last week, my mother called me to tell me my Grandfather had been hospitalized. Two days later, she called to say he had passed away... So, off to sophisticated rural West Virginia.

The Slacker Finally Gets Something Done...

And done right...

I finished the repairs on the bathroom last weekend and, I must admit, it turned out really nicely; not the professional (tiled or custom fiberglass enclosure) job I had intended, but it's more than functional and properly done.

Where Did You Get Your License?

Is it just me or does it seem like whenever you get in your car, that EVERYONE is trying their best to kill you? Holy moly! I almost feel obligated to kiss ground in thanks when I get to my destination without incident.