A week ago I decided that it was time to dust off the 10+ year old model-making skills and build myself a balsa airplane! How much fun hanging out in the studio with Margaux, crankin the tunage and building while she creates jewelry. We went to Jan’s Hobby on the Upper East Side, and had a wonderful time checking the store out. I ended up with an old competition balsa wood plane by Guillow’s. This company has been making these models for decades, and really haven’t changed much throughout the years. My dad in fact built many of the same planes I did as a kid. Anyway, you’d think I would forget how it was to create one of these beauties, but it all came back to me. Lil rusty here and there, but in the end as you can see it came out pretty good!
The big test was tonight however, when Margaux and I took it to the park across the street and test flew it. First flight went great, short but sweet. Second flight lost the nose cowl mid-flight, but the plane took off beautifully. Third time the plane ended up in a tree.
YUP. A tree. ARGH! Just like the good ole days, flying in my backyard as a kid. So M and I shook the tree, to no avail. Then M tried to climb it (I boosted her up), to no avail. Then we looked all sketched out as we broke off a branch from a close-by fallen limb, and brought it back to the tree to hopefully nudge the plane, to no avail. Next attempt, MY turn to climb the tree. I wasn’t leaving without this thing! I got a lil boost from M, grabbed a branch lifted myself up and got that lil bastard out of the tree! I flew it on down from up there, and then jumped out. AH! YAY!
Only 2 small holes in the tissue, otherwise we’re good to go! Next flight will be in a bigger park, no trees. Oh but man, it was fun to be a little kid again with Margaux. The only downfall of the night was when I came back home and had something in my eye, which didn’t go over so well with yours truly. Finally after a good 15 minutes of struggling, I got it out. Alas.
I’ll keep you updated on the next flights. Hopefully they’ll go a little smoother. 
July 31st, 2006
So the lovely Macbook I bought a month ago was beautiful! I say ‘WAS.’ After two short weeks of Reason Music-creating bliss, the damn thing decided it wanted to stay on when it felt like it, and that wasn’t very often. Alas, 3 visits to the Genius Bar and a load of forum research on the issue, new OS X installs, reseatings of RAM, resettings of PRAM & PMU, plus many other tests later…and they replaced it with a brand-spanking new Macbook. Cross your fingers the issues have subsided. So far so good, but I won’t hold my breath until two weeks in. Kudos for the help from the ‘Geniuses’ despite the cover-ups of the problem. I want to love it, I do, and I will continue the journey into the Intel Mac world. During all this however, I was able to get out a new song, better check it out on Myspace (hint: there’s a link on the right column called “Plastic Minds (my music)”).
I was born to rage against them.
July 27th, 2006
Very cool juxtaposition of design and writing, and very inspirational as I search the ether for new ways to look at things. All created from the pages of ‘feminine bibles’ as I.D. puts it. Check out his page as well: Graham Rawle
July 19th, 2006
These guys never cease to amaze me with their amazing sounds, craftsmanship, musicanship, humor, and just plain fun. Now you can play instruments based on their designs? FUN! These sounds are gonna pop up in lots of techno groups I bet, possibly including me! Check it out: Music Thing: Blue Man Group
July 13th, 2006
I guess congress should just tear down the church and state wall, since Americans seem to think it’s ok to perceive our country as Christian. Proof in point:
Next we’ll change USA to be USJ, United States of Jehovah. This should keep the fires fueled for our enemies. I thought when I grew up in America that I was told that we are a free country, allowed to have any religion we want, be who we want to be. Apparently many feel that you can have any religion you want as long as you say “…under God” and “In God we trust.” Um, which ‘God’ would that be hmmm? Thanks for pigeon-holing us under your Christian ways, and now we must fight your war.
You may think from this post that I’m anti-God or something, but actually far from it. I am however anti-religious, for one reason alone, it causes too many wars and too many deaths. A belief system is NOT to be used as an excuse to kill, and that’s just what seems to happen all the time. Look into your heart, be true, good, and peaceful, and you too can accept all people and live a good life without imposing your beliefs on others. It’s a simple concept, yet humans surprisingly just don’t get it. I guess maybe Darwin was right, but then I would be ‘believing’ in yet another ‘religion’ that sparks wars.
July 5th, 2006
Looking Up
Originally uploaded by r303blue.
New batch of Hibiscus pictures on my Flickr, I’ve been tracking these lately since so many have opened in the warm summer days. Eventually I’ll move away from photos in my backyard, and travel the streets of Brooklyn.
July 4th, 2006
smudge_1.JPG
Originally uploaded by r303blue.
Nope, he’s not a Jack. But he’s pretty damn hilarious when he gets into things, especially this box that he dove head first into a couple times only to knock it over! Classic.
July 2nd, 2006
