Posts

LavaCon 2026 and the future.

Image
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...
Image
Ultralight aircraft, used ultralights for sale. I went for a great ultralight airplane ride the other night. John's Dad, Mel took me up for about 20 minutes or so. It was great. I felt myself smiling pretty good. I took the controls and did some practice coordinated turns. It was a great experience. I hope to get an ultralight at some point. It is different and fun. Click pic for video
Image
Do It Yourself: House Exterior The roof is done. That makes two big jobs this summer on the house. First I did the electric service entrance for the barn and the house and later the roof. Luckily, no sheathing had to be replaced. I thought there would need to be some replaced, but I lucked out. I used 56 bundles of 25 yr shingles, with new drip and rake edges, one course of snow and ice guard and rigid ridge vent. I am glad the two big jobs for this year are over. Next year I am replacing the load beams in the barn with steel I beam. I will need to buy about 80 more feet of 8 inch beam. I get a great price on steel through work. The other big job is probably going to be the deck. I can't start on that until we have a comprehensive design plan for the house done. We still have lots of ideas, but no definitive plan. Hopefully, I will be sponsoring a design competition at the school of architecture at SU shortly. I am waiting to hear back about the "ins and outs"...
Image
The Official Site of the Great New York State Fair Bonnie and I made it to the fair finally. There was a lot to do. Overall, we had a good time. Click pic for video Click pic for video
Image
Brian's Brick Oven Folly I got so engrossed in reading about a brick oven that I completely forgot about the muffins in the regular oven. I could almost smell th e baking as I was reading and then the baking smell turned to a burning smell which brought me back to reality, just before the muffins really started smoking! Great irony.
Image
deviantART: Devil_Kitty by ~Devil-Kitty In the interest of equal time some have asked..."What about the other cat?" The other cat is Resses. I tried to get a shot of her without the devil eyes. It seems impossible though. Resses is pretty much retired.
Do It Yourself: House Exterior I hope it doesn't rain. I have to get the roof covered up. I am on track. I will nailing shingles on half the roof tomorrow.
eBay item 2486625526 (Ends Aug-15-04 07:27:19 PDT) - HyTEK Hurricane Ultralight Aircraft From: To: Subject: Charley Date: Saturday, August 14, 2004 2:45 PM Hey, I don't know if you talked to James, but he and the family are home safe. They spent the night in Orlando. love, Cathy