Google Vacation Map
May 21st
Using Google Maps, I put together a map of all of the places we’ve visited on vacation. Lots of trips to the Gulf and Atlantic and one awesome trip to Northern Michigan.
View Family Vacations in a larger map
Augmented Reality Windows
Apr 19th
Years ago I saw a setup similar to this with static pictures presented on LCD monitors. The augmented reality aspect of this version is simply amazing. Must have one in my office!
Tilt-Shift Photography
Mar 13th
This video illustrates how tilt-shift photography can make everything seem miniature.
The Sandpit from Sam O’Hare on Vimeo.
Trinket Box Collection
Feb 6th
Since the purchase of my first metal trinket box while on vacation in Michigan, I’ve been watching eBay auctions looking for similar pieces. So far, I’ve purchased 4 additional boxes to add to my collection.
From what I can tell, the boxes were made sometime in the 40′s or 50′s. One of the boxes is stamped with “JB” on the bottom which I’ve found to stand for Jennings Brothers — a company that made cast metal boxes from 1891 to 1950.
Racing Wheel Stand – Continued
Jan 25th
With warmer temperatures (up into the high 40′s), I was able to get out in my garage workshop and cut some plywood. I kept to the overall design with minor modifications to the top (it was off-balance). I also added a carpeted removable base for the foot pedals with the thought that I may eventually hinge it and add pins to adjust the pedal height for shorter drivers.
Above all, this project proved that I can use Google Sketchup to mock up my wood projects. The biggest advantage was the ability to print the model and measure components. While it’s not 100% accurate, it’s close enough to work from.
Next step: paint.
New Project: Racing Wheel Stand
Jan 20th
I purchased a force-feedback steering wheel so I can better experience racing games on my PS3 — specifically Grand Turismo.
Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find a suitable mounting solution. I tried to rig a stool with a couple of clamps and also tried mounting it to a lap-desk. Neither method worked well.
SO…using Google Sketchup, I designed a stand:
So far I’ve managed to get all of my cuts done, but the cold weather has forced me out of my garage workspace. I’ll post more pictures when my tools thaw!
Two-Thousand and Ten
Jan 4th
May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.
…I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you’ll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you’ll make something that didn’t exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.
–Neil Gaiman