sunandgames's page

About me

I like the idea of using gadgets, for purposes, for other than what they were really intended. Sometimes combining two different interests in your life for no really good reason. For instance, two things I really like doing, are playing squash, and tinkering with gadgets. Wouldn't it be sort of interesting to combine squash with one of my latest gadget fascinations. GPS pedometers to be more specific. These are little GPS machines that are good at keeping track of how far you run/walk/jog and other fitness stuff like calories burned. So, if I wore one on my wrist, while I played squash, I think I would see some pretty interesting statistics when I was done. I could see some potential problems however. First of all, you would need a pretty accurate GPS precision. If the GPS was only accurate to about 3 meters, and you rarely move off the T on court, then your pedometer may suggest your never moved to your entire workout. You may need something as precise as the technology found in the Trimble GPS GeoExplorer GeoXH, that's accurate down to 10 cm. That may be a little tricky though. If I ever get around to buying a decent stringing machine, and string my own squash racquets, maybe I could save enough money to actually buy the pedometer.

I'm also a firm believer, in getting a good education. It's kind of cool, that education is not as formalized as it used to be. Just another of one of the marvels of the internet age, that you can get an MBA from your own home. Or just about any other kind of degree you could want. If I was in a position to get one, I think I'd go for a games designer degree. I always wanted to be one, but made some career decisions early on, that seemed to put the kaibash on that possibility. Full Sail is a school that offers multiple online career education choices, and their games designer program is supposedly pretty good.

While I'm talking about me, I may as well mention a few things I'd like to do, but simply haven't gotten around to trying yet. Sure, there's all that stuff like, visiting the Great Wall of China, and hiking around Europe, but what about some sill trivial stuff that doesn't require months of planning. How about driving around on some old used skid steer. You know what those things are don't you? There like a mini-me bulldozer. Ya know, a tiny Caterpillar dozer, that any fool (like me) can learn to drive in 15 minutes. That doesn't mean drive well, it just means drive. They look like fun, and although I've seen plenty of footage of silly skid steer accidents, no one ever seems to get seriously hurt. Or, maybe they just don't show those videos. Hmmm, I don't know, but it's a risk I'd take. They've got to be fun to drive, as they can spin around all over the place, given that the power to each wheel can be controlled separately. Fun huh?

I also hate following the crowd. Heck, I don't even like it when the crowd follows me. I just want to run faster, duck down a few more alleys, through a few garbage cans in their way, and hope they don't see me scale the building at the dead end with my super powers, and jump from roof top to roof top, before coming to light on the tallest antenna, on the tallest building in town ala Peter Parker. But hey, there are a few things the crowd does get right. The whole green, save the planet, kiss the whales things is something we all need to pay a bit more attention to. Alternative energies, like solar, wind, hydrogen, geothermal, and whatever hybrid combination of all the above does the trick are viable paths. Who cares if it costs us more to put a good wind turbine on our house, saving the planet may just be a more expensive way to go, but you do get what you pay for.

I wish, I were better with the DIY sort of things, but who doesn't. Especially, with the state of the economy, you'd think being able to build a bookshelf, tile a swimming pool, or weld a couple of pieces of iron together with your trusty Lincoln Welder, would be a handy set of skills to have. Or for that, matter, how about being able to grab your favorite STIHL chainsaw, sharpen up the blades a bit, and then head out back to clear that half acre of timbre, that's been blocking your view of the sunsets. These are all good and resourceful skills to have. I can't really do any of them at the moment, except maybe for building the bookshelf, as I have done one of those before. Back in my early home owning days, I did a bit of amateur woodworking, with my router, and made some nice joinery groves, and glued it up pretty solid. It's still hanging around the house, and makes a good shelf for all the kids books.

I did think for a while at one point, about what it would be like to live on a farm. Just a little outside of the city, so I can run in and grab the latest blockbuster moving showing at the cinema. Or maybe a little culture, down at the local performing arts center. It always seem sort of peaceful, the thought of living out in the country. Away from all the noisy hydraulic jack hammers pounding city streets. Maybe start up my own little blacksmith shop with lots of tools in the back. Peaceful and all. I'm not so sure, how my kids would like it though. Being so far from friends. Lots of country kids do seem to manage though. My brother in law, has always had dreams of being a farmer I think, they even owned a parcel of farmland for a while, before they sold it, and bought a cottage instead. Sounds like a better plan to me. Would be kind of cool to drive a farm tractor I think though. Afraid, I may have to settle for a little Cub Cadet tractor though. That reminds me, I need to get my blades sharpened on my Cub Cadet. It's just one of the little maintenance things that need to be done, that I never quite seem to get to. Oh well, the life of a gentleman farmer (imaginary at that) never seems to settle down much.

OK, now for a little does of honest self revelation, that has nothing to do with the prior conversations. What I'd really like to be more than anything else, is a rock star. Actually, that should be Rock Star God (all in capitals when used in deity mode). I usually thing of Bon Jovi, when I think of that, except, I don't think I'd want to be the singer, more a guitar player or drummer. I can play the drums already, as I spent about 10 years in competitive drum corp as a kid. But, guitar rock god wailing on my vintage Gibson guitar handed down to me from Jimi Hendrix, thru Eric Clapton, on to Slash, and then to me. Would be a cool life I think. I like traveling, so I don't think that part would bother me. At least not the way it seems to mess up a lot of celebrities. But, seeing as I'm well passed the need for a 40th birthday present, I don't see the rock star (lower case) dream coming through any time soon.

My work

My work test.