Author: greatwallstudios

As fun as it was it ended in extreme violence. Not sure what that says about me, but the job was a bit of all right. Using a VR headset to inspect machined parts to see if they met the tolerances of the final client. But using oddly low tech methods in a high tech VR world. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense, I just sort of rode it out as it was happening, like I knew what I was doing. And somehow – it ends in bone breaking violence. Weird huh? Yeah. I’d say so. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Click Spring and Inheritance Machining on YouTube lately. Though where the spine breaking violence slots in, I’m not sure. I have been taking medication for a niggling sore throat the last two days, so I’ll chalk it up to the medicine. I mean, I watch more than those two channels that deal with manual machining, but I don’t typically dream about it. That was a random surprise even to me.

Speaking of dreams, if I ever came into any real money I would, without losing a beat, upgrade my tiny drill press, to a slightly larger mill/drill, so that I could cut slots, and flats on wood, and maybe fix smaller metal brackets when I get around to building larger dining room tables. I have a whole fantasy plan for slightly better equipment for my shop, if ever we win, or create some form of life altering wealth. Nothing too crazy. I think I could accomplish my dream tool horde for around 12k, possibly less if I go used, so not *extreme*, but certainly extravagant. A new larger band saw, a new sliding double compound mitre saw, a larger air compressor, the mill/drill machine (possibly a lathe combo kit?), with collets, tooling and clamps & a vice (see how that escalates!) A new planer, a spray gun with water catch valve, an arbor press, a metal pan break, and possibly a small bench top English wheel. And with anything cash left over, I’d look at getting a 2ft square welding/assembly table, with drilled & tapped holes for jigs, and clamps etc… yeah, I have given it extensive thought. Also a wood rack to attach to a wall in order to lift my wood off the floor, and out of the way. If I had the means, a properly insulated, and finished space with heating and exhaust would be welcomed as well. But tools first, then later on, the space fixes if even needed.

Well, yeah the space needs more power outlets, on at least three walls, the doors should be insulated, maybe some tongue and groove pine walls, so I can hang directly off the pine rather than having to find studs, for all but the heaviest of items, like the materials rack. I would add more, and better quality lighting, and some form of an exhaust fan, for dust/fumes. And maybe a flat and smooth epoxy floor too? It’s all a dream, so go for it. Then I could make myself custom storage for everything, and eliminate any extra tables, carts, surfaces that eat up space, and no longer serve a purpose. It’s a whole thing. But remember, in this fantasy, we (the family) have created, or fallen ass first into generational wealth, so the kids futures are taken care of, same with their potential children, and we are just bettering our current situation to suit our future needs.

I love the idea of exposing my kids to all sorts of things so that they don’t feel like their only option is a crummy office job, where you vie for office manager, data entry clerk, or secretary. Do you want to fix helicopter engines? Build motor bikes, become a plumber or electrician? Vet tech or pipe fitter, then go for it. Try it out at home with pops, a.k.a *ME*, and see what takes your fancy! Car mechanic? Great, we have cars, fix ours for us! Ha. Oh to dream a little dream of…

So that’s where we are today, writing streak – day four hundred sixteen. Is it just me or am I getting worse at written communication? The reader numbers are way, way down as of late. Is the quality shot? Am I being confusing? No, I think it is because I repeat myself so much. Not a whole lot of new and exciting things going on around here. I suppose I can only matter on about the weather, work, and my hobbies so much before it all runs together, as just more of the same. Oh well.

Here we are on another Friday elementary school PA Day. And I’m feeling a little off health wise. Slightly sore throat, maybe – sorta. No temperature, nor any other ailments. So… could be nothing. I do feel a touch phlegmy, but with waking up with such a dry mouth/throat, that is to be expected if history is to be believed. So what’s next? Two rambunctious kids at home, incredibly cold weather outside, work emails are about to start poring in, I can feel it in my bones.

On the bright side, the sun, she is a shining today! I can even see some blue in the sky through the windows. Will my kids forget that I was going to take them to go wander another mall today? No, no they will not. It was the first thing my youngest said to me, before a hello, or good morning daddy. To which I replied, Oh minus 21! Not going outdoors today, brrrrr. To which they asked if we could go on either Saturday or Sunday, and I said – yeah sure, I guess so. So… there’s that sorted.

I don’t want to leave the house because both the NyQuil and the DayQuil lay my innards to ruin, and I’d like to be at home when that plague hits me hard today. Ugh. The count down to armageddon is ticking.

My hand has finally stopped hurting. I was getting into bed last night and I didn’t really have to think about where to rest my hand. It was also the first night where I didn’t slather that hand in Voltaren, or consider taking a pain reliever to go to sleep. Mind you, I had about five or so shoveling sessions, so I don’t know if that helped or hindered the process of healing my hand. Who knows. I still don’t even know how I hurt it while sleeping. One of my life mysteries at this point.

The sun is out again! Yay! Which is nice. We’ve reached the last day of January, and I’m not really sure how. Felt as though this month just sort of drove on by without stopping. All that rain, and plus ten weather was awful strange. Not that I enjoy the minute thirty that’s coming in Feb, but a little normalcy could go a long way. Sounds as though we are to have an ultra cold Feb. So snowpants & neck warmers it is then!

Just about two weeks until Valentine’s Day, so take heed, and grab a card now, while you don’t have to rush, or throw elbows to get the last decent card on the rack. Still reeling from Christmas, so I’ll chill out this year for V Day. We have bags of old chocolate eggs & hearts in the pantry, so perhaps we can limit the candy we give the kids. Hell, we still have a full box of Halloween candy laying around the kitchen, so yeah – we’ll put a hiatus on candy purchases until Easter I guess. Our skin will thank us later on.

Yesterday was Domestic Duties Monday, so I was a bit busy getting things around the house cleaned up for the week. Putting clothes in the wash is one thing, but sorting and hanging it all up is another. Not my favourite part, the sorting & hanging. Oh well. Could be way worse. Could have to hand wash all these clothes, towels and bed sheets. Glad I don’t have to do any of that! Yay for appliances!

Almost done my sixth book, it’s a bit off the beaten path, so I’m sure the ending will explain it all, but as it stands, right now I’m a little confused. Is it time travel, a time loop, aliens, a mental condition, somebodies coma induced jumbled dream? I just don’t know, it’s a little weird. But as the last book in a trilogy, I kinda need to finish it to see where it all ends.

Well both the AFC, and NFC divisions have declared their winners, and both the Eagles and Kansas City are Arizona bound for the next Superbowl. Will I watch the game? Yeah – most likely. Am I more eagerly awaiting the new commercials, half time show, and all the lead up, build up to the actual event? Yes, yes, and yes. The game will be nothing new. They don’t spontaneously play an altogether different game, or use all new rules, so it’s just another Sunday football game for those playing the home game. Except you can bet on the length of the national anthem, the coin toss results, and any manner of other things related. It can get pretty rabbit hole(y), and ridiculous. But if you’ve got pizza, wings and nachos at the ready, an entertaining afternoon awaits you!

It started snowing and it just keeps snowing, more and more, centimeter on centimeter. When will it stop? I don’t personally know. Hard to predict the weather, and the weather men’s best guesses need to be taken with a grain of salt. So suit up, replenish your fluids. Slather on the Voltaren, and just keep on digging out from under it all. Happy Sunday! Football game this evening, so I’ll get my shoveling out the way now, so I can sit back and watch guilt free tonight. Perhaps with a beer or alcoholic beverage in hand.

Mixed with their milk. Just a small knick in the artery and a skin with some milk in it, and away you go. Handy, straight from the beastie beverage. Not quite a Shirley Temple nor a Ceasar, but in the harsh reality of the desert, a refreshment worthy of kings. Not my tempo, but sure, you do you. Adapt or die I guess. I’m thinking that they don’t dress it up with celery salt around the rim, or a lemon wedge garnish, or perhaps a tiny paper parasol poking out the top. No thanks, I’ll pass.

Well, we did it, we made it through to another Friday. Congratulations to you all. It was tough out there, didn’t know if we’d make it. Some didn’t but, life goes on, and the big wheels keep on turning. We have here now, however briefly, a blue sky and some sunshine. Looks good glistening off of all that new snow we have. I was told there would be more either tonight, or on Sunday. My hope is later tonight, like in the wee hours of the morning. I don’t have to be anywhere tomorrow, so I can take my time to clear it on Saturday morning. But if it snows late Sunday, then I have to get cracking first thing Monday morning. To which I say boo! Boo-Urns! Boo, boo! To you. Not that the weather cares one whit about what I want, and why should it. I am simply giving my opinion.

Makes me wish I had a side by side with a plow on it. Like a *V* blade plow, that I can shape shift and be real nimble with when clearing my driveway. That’s overkill obviously. I live in a smaller suburban community, so I don’t have a kilometer long driveway, or homestead grounds to maintain. Would be cool if I did. But then I’d have a heated shop/studio space, and lots more to do around the property, and in this fantasy situation, I’d be ridiculously wealthy, and tell no one, but there would be signs of it, I’m sure. Buying property, and a side by side plow would be a dead give away, but you know, whatever. Yeah – I know a tractor would be better, and far more versatile, I’m just spit balling fantastical situations here. Jeez! Gosh!

Finished book five yesterday. I didn’t even look back at the Bob Evans book. I went straight for the Adrian Tchaikovsky novel. The last part of a trilogy. Hope it’s good! The first two were pretty great. So good I picked up two of the three available parts of a different trilogy. I eagerly await the last entry in that series too. Even though I’m off to a cracking start to the year, I know my interest will wane, and my focus wander. Soon it’ll be warm enough again to be in the wood shop during down time. I have my model kit about 45% built, so that’s moving forward, albeit a tad slowly, but progress is being made little by little. I think the resin kit may continue to remain shelved for the time being. Oh well. Also, I have done (0) zero work on my children’s illustrated book this year, thus far.

I haven’t had anywhere near the same amount of downtime as in years previous. I used to have between 9 & 11 weeks with nothing. So far I’ve only gone about six days without getting anything new in, which is astounding. Those down periods were in effect prior to Covid, so I’m just as excited about all the new work as you are shocked to hear it. How long will it last? I don’t know. But I’ll ride it out while I have it!