500!

I have to pass on huge props to Jen, Rose, Laurie, Logs & the MicroRave crew in general for a truly mind-blowing time....I was too busy enjoying it to take photos and a giant cardboard box on your head does not lend itself to using a camera (unless I build one into the next version!)...I give you my 500th post and "Doctor Roboto visits The Bit Pit!"

Check!

• PSU & Mobo loaded into chassis and wired up : Check!
• CD/RW & DVD/RW packed with requisite cables : Check!
• Possibly broken graphics card + cables packed : Check!
• Extraneous cables of power and connectivity packed : Check!
• WiFi card, Bluetooth dongley-thing, LiveCD packed : Check!
• Notes on what to talk about or "an agenda" : Fuck that!
• Oh yeah, 2 or 3 hard-drives of dubious provenance & functionality : Check!
• Anti-static wrist straps : ppffffhh...Check!
• Ooh, wait....RAM!!! Yep, couple of sticks of 512Mb and a 1Gb : Check!

Additionally, I had an early offer of a completely working AMD 1.1Ghz based system with a monitor (CRT, but...meh...), which should be there for the evening and will be taken away (by me) to be tarted up for round 2: "Who Needs Micro$oft?...or Apple?".

The plan (such as I have one) is to complete putting all my bits in my chassis and booting to LiveCD (Jackalope FTW!)...the plan has contingency, in that it may just degenerate into poking around at "bits" until it's all broken and I boot the donated system to rapturous applause.

Ironically it seems the best way to get a "free PC" is to ask www.justfortheloveofit.org or (as I did) answer "yeah, I know how to do that" when asked "can you build a PC for free?". Sunday morning I woke up (voluntarily at 5am I'll have you know!) to 1 email offering enough parts for about 6 computers and another of 6 WHOLE PCs with "some" RAM extra....jeebuz!

In addition to all this charitable hoohaw, I've been tweaking/implementing further whatsits with Dr Roboto...seriously, I've rarely been so captivated by a project and enamoured with a simple cardboard box. I will post some work-in-progress photos soon, but for the moment it's all pretty much mocked up with tape etc, though Flo does love trying it on and using the voice-changer. I have solved the "keeping it on the head" and "fuck me, it's gonna be hot in here" problems (in theory so far) with judicious use of second-hand camping equipment and some hardware from the local asian supermarket.

Which reminds me...forgot this photo yesterday...

Obsession...for geeks! [updated]

I has a one.

So. I was on ebay today buying a humane spider catcher for Rosie (7 quid delivered BTW!)...as you do.

"I wonder what fixie's are on here?", I thought to myself. Tappity-tappity-tap....
"£1100 for a bike?....WTF?...wait, what's this?"

Short story short. I've bought another fixie.

I will not turn this one into a retro, child-carrying, basket-adorned, fairground*. It's a bit more "proper", with a rear-brake (and so road-legal) and everything and weighs 1/2 as much as Mrs Apron when fully laden...Here, have a look!


Correct picture now shown...

I shall, however, start using this one (it's already shipped!!) as the "daily" bike and reserve Mrs Apron for Flo...and special occasions.

In other news, I'm working on "Doctor Roboto", my costume for next months microrave. So far it features:

• Voice changer
• Internal ultra-bright white LED lighting
  
• Mirrored eyes

In progress:

• Tube & "Gun" for the Brainwave Transmission Weapon
• Sound responsive laser light show projected upwards!
  
• Rubber surround for neck/shoulders
• External "spotlights"
  

To do:

• Head/chinstrap attachments for security while "dancing"
• Lights, bolts, vents/grills and that....prettying it up.
• Silver fabric neck tube to cover scrawny human neck
  

I seriously hope I can make something that lives up to my expectations...

* Actually, the crazy lights are removable from Mrs Apron, so they might go on from time to time....I have a huge bag of zip-ties I got from somewhere...

I win though....

The following conversation took place today between me and Thomas. I am 33 years old. Thomas is 6.

Me: So, Thomas. Do you prefer Pirates, Robots or Ninjas?
Thomas: Well, I like 'em all. I think Ninjas are coolest though.
Me: Yeah, Ninjas are definitely better than Pirates, but I reckon Robots are best.
Thomas: Well, what about Aliens?
Me: Any specific kind of Alien?
Thomas: [unintelligible kids cartoon reference]
Me: Yeah, but...you see, given that a Robot can theoretically be made stronger than an Alien, a Robot always wins.
Thomas: But, what if I had a million Aliens against one Robot?
Me: Well that's not really fair is it. In that case I would make my Robot a million times bigger, faster and stronger.
Thomas: But...but...What if my Aliens are made of diamond?
Me: ....so, Ninjas then...

It was the most enjoyable conversation I've had all day.

And anyway, I win at the end of the day because a) I'm older, and b) he also claimed to be able to outrun a cheetah.

Yeah, right!

Guri 1 : World 0

Morning. Day one (proper) of my Yuletide holiday...and boy has it started well.

• Flo was gorgeous yesterday despite a cough & sniffles.
• I taught her to "Jump"*
• Pink Velvet 'Loons!!
  
• I'm going here on Thursday...been wanting to go for ages.
• The fire alarm has finally been fixed (though this means I'm paying rent again).
• I built a robot...called Brinner. It's a seasonal gag....laugh, damn you!
• Pints & snogs last night. ;-)
• Early payday for Christmas.
• Extra Flotime this week!

There's probably some more, but I'm off to the Farm caff for a fry-up...You can marvel at the Byootifarl Chile in her pink velvet 'loons. Sorry I forgot to take the camera to the park....I'll try to remember on Wednesday, and maybe some tree-based photos on Thursday.



Yule!



* Her feet don't leave the ground or anything but as far as she's concerned every other bit of her body has jumped..it's very cute.