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...

The virus thing is somewhat refreshing in a few ways. One way is that even though I have seen many different things in my life our current situation is proof that there is still novelty ahead. A year ago, this seemed only theoretically possible. And we are still figuring out what "this" is. It will be a long time before we sort out what is happening now. The technical, the social, the panic, the contrived, the realities, all to be sorted out in good time. I gather very little news. I don't need the analysis, speculation, politics or panic mongering.

We have been into our food stores. The oldest item so far is some frozen chicken soup Angie made in 2014. It was interesting to figure out what we cooked and how back then. We were saving it just for today. It was delicious served in bowls I remember my Mom getting in the early 1970s.

We have been spending more time in the nice chairs (we never used to use much) on the front porch as a lot more folks walk by. But mostly, it has been about projects. I am fixing everything that is broken and improving and cleaning everything that is not broken. The master bathroom is coming along with the unexpected challenges and mitigations. Vlad started the project last year with demolition. The bath is getting a shower stall, large corner tub, new framing/entrances, walls, drywall, electric, and plumbing of course. I am also putting in an electric radiant heated floor for the first time. I enjoy the work, but I am slow...

Vlad created a two color mulch design for the front garden. I will be showing off my electronics bench soon. I have started actually fixing radios again. Much fun, but sorting through the components seems endless. I sold a few Nixie tubes on ebay today for over $100.

Happy Easter!

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