SuperBetter

So yesterday I watched a ted talk (as I often do when I am having a not so good day) and the new one was all about games in real life. It was actually by a past ted talker from the game industry and it was really interesting. I will let people find the ted talk them selves (its by Jane McGonigal).

So this afternoon while I was waiting around for my girlfriend to come and meet me at my office I decided to check out the webpage associated with this irl game.

So for my first 4 quests i decided to
1) hold my fists over my head for 5 seconds: + 5 Physical  Resilience
2) snap my fingers 50 times: +5 mental resilience
3) Watch this adorable youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw4KVoEVcr0): +5 emotional resilience
4) send Talia a text saying thank you (cause she is so amazing <smile>): +5 social resilience


 Superbetter goal: To get SuperBetter by getting fit


I decided to go with one of the pre-made power packs that the webpage has. I decided to go with sneaky workout. Actually, I noticed this afternoon that I had space under my desk so I could do some leg lifts while I program which I think will be my sneaky exercise. The added bonus is that it will hopefully help my with my knees. My goal go 3 sets of 15 leg lifts.


Oh I also found that they have an "epic win" section so I said my epic win was to be able to go to karate without having knee problems


My quest for tomorrow: take a single step away from my desk every half hour


lets see how I do.


:)


~(' ')~

Mushroom tea take 2

So I tried to make kombucha again after the first batch was way to vinagarry for us. This time I used an earl grey tea. After making it I found out that you shouldn't use early grey because there is oil that can cause mold but it looks like I was lucky and nothing went bad.

This latch only fermentated for 7 days and it came out much nicer. After fermentation I added a couple tablespoons of sugar and bottled them up. In total it made a little less than 2 letres.

Adding the sugar seemed to help the fizz of it but it still has a very strong vinagar after taste. Even when mixed with juice.

For my next batch I am being a little more careful in the measurements. I used a pearl river organic green tea from the tea emporium and simple hot tap water (approximately 45 degrees C). I also added 1/4 cups of sugar and Stealer the tea for several hours ( going on3 hours so far). Rather than putting the tea in a tea ball I just put it into the water to steep. There was approximately 3 tbsp of tea leaves

Build Blog 1

So I am starting my build of my new Prusa Mendel. And of course the wiki for reprap goes down right off the bat. Not completely down but the build page is giving me a 404 :(

Luckily it wasnt down for long.

Step 0: Good Music Playing..... check

Step 1: Frame Triangles
2 footed frame vertices... check
1 frame vertex... check
1 bar clamp... check
3 370mm M8 threaded rods... check
14 M8 nuts and washers.... check

Check

That's one side, now I get to repeat with the other side.

I had a little trouble getting the not footed frame vertex into place on the seconds side but nothing that bad. I think it was because I didn't have the nuts tight enough on the footed rod.

Step 2: Front Threaded Rods
2 assembled frame vertex triangles... check
2 bar clamps... check
1 y motor bracket... CRAP. I dont have this piece yet :( lets see if I can move onto another part

Step 3:
2 assembled frame  vertex triangles... check
2 bar clamps... check
14 M8 nuts and washers... check
2 M8x30 fender/mudgaurd washers... check
1 608 bearings... check
2 294mm threaded rods... check

Wait a minute, So I went back and watched the video associated with instructions and the missing y motor bracket looked different (and kind of like a part i did have) so I went and confirmed the part with they guy I got them from and yes, I have all the parts for step 2... back to step 2..


Step 2... Take 2:


2 assembled frame vertex triangles... check
2 bar clamps... check
1 y motor bracket... check
18 M8 nuts and 19 washers... check
1 608 bearings... check
2 294mm threaded rod... check

So I had to remove one side from step 3 in order to get step 2 connected but it all turned out ok.

Step 4: Top Threaded Rods
2 assembled and connected frame vertex triangles... check
2 z motor mounts... check
12 M8 nuts and 16 M8 washers... check
2 440mm threaded rods... check

Easy peasy :)

Step 5: tightening the frame
2 bar clamps
4 M8 nuts and washers
1 440mm threaded rod

Unfortunately I dont have the recommended frame jigs, but I will get them if I need to rebuild.
Getting the threaded rod through the bar clamps on the sides was crazy hard because the bar clamps were slightly too small. In the end I ended up grabbing out electric drill/screw driver and drilling it into place.

And at this point is where things got a little complicated with the build because I am building a slightly newer version than the one that the instructions made. I added the 2 smooth bars the move the plate forward and back but those needed linear bearings instead of the PLA bushings. getting the smooth bars through the bar clams was a nightmare. I had to get the drill and drill the bars through and that only worked part of the time. Often I had to first drill through one of the threaded bars and then force the smooth bar through >.<

Also at this point I started to not be sure if I had the correct pieces so I decided to stop for the day (my head was starting to hurt badly as well).

I think there are some electronics that I have to start soldering before I attach the heated plate. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on that later in the week.

Start time: 5:40pm
End time: 9:34pm

~(' ')~

Tea and Printers

So just a quick update.

1) Kombucha Tea - I let it sit for a couple days and Talia and I tried it out. Kind of tasted like vinegar :( After some researching I found out that its that I left it to ferment for too long. I will leave the next batch for only 1 week instead of 2.

2) I have most of the printed parts for my 3d printer. There are a couple still outstanding because the person I got them from had a printer failure and couldnt finish them but I decided to pick up the pieces I could so I can start building this weekend. Wish me luck :)

My hardware kit

Hardware unpacked

Most of my printed parts.