LavaCon 2026 and the future.

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LavaCon is a conference now going on 25 years. Its always fun at conferences where folks collaborate on what the future holds. This year I drove to Charlotte NC from Duluth GA to attend. I used the Tesla in Full Self Drive. I went park-to-park without touching the wheel for over 200 miles. It's crazy. I don't think most people understand how well it works. Lots of nay-sayers still, but it really does work. Be on guard, but enjoy. I spent some of my time "driving" while conversing with Grok as part of my daydreaming. I was discussing with Grok an idea I have of building a West system (cold molded) old style barrel-back runabout maybe 20 feet long- all varnished Mahogony. Of course this boat would have an exotic 12-cylinder engine under a transparent engine hatch between the twin cockpits. We discussed the designs, available actual study plans and pre-lofted design documents for the hull. We also discussed the best engine (perhaps a BMW N73) coupled with a Velvet Dri...
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We are planning my Mom's memorial service for Sept 12 in Rochester.

Angie and I did some flying, tested out the new alternator and com 2 radio. I didn't realize until I looked at the pic turning final that the gyro had precessed that bad. It has been a problem. (Look at compass in the inst panel and look at the mag compass on top of the inst panel.) We also went for a drive in the Honda and got a bit sunburned. I have been organizing my shop in the basement. I way underestimated how much time and effort that takes. I have bought a number of new tools recently.

The tree is MY orange tree that I started from an Orange seed from an Orange in my lunch in 1997. I have almost killed that tree many times. It loves to be outside in the summer here. I have trimmed and trimmed that tree over the years. The tree has been through a lot. I guess I have too.

The bowl of figs is from our fig tree in the front yard. They are ripe now. Perfect.


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LavaCon 2026 and the future.

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LavaCon is a conference now going on 25 years. Its always fun at conferences where folks collaborate on what the future holds. This year I drove to Charlotte NC from Duluth GA to attend. I used the Tesla in Full Self Drive. I went park-to-park without touching the wheel for over 200 miles. It's crazy. I don't think most people understand how well it works. Lots of nay-sayers still, but it really does work. Be on guard, but enjoy. I spent some of my time "driving" while conversing with Grok as part of my daydreaming. I was discussing with Grok an idea I have of building a West system (cold molded) old style barrel-back runabout maybe 20 feet long- all varnished Mahogony. Of course this boat would have an exotic 12-cylinder engine under a transparent engine hatch between the twin cockpits. We discussed the designs, available actual study plans and pre-lofted design documents for the hull. We also discussed the best engine (perhaps a BMW N73) coupled with a Velvet Dri...
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