Category Archives: Oversight

Still dark at the start. Work in the dark. Leave in the dark. Ready for those bright lights. Hard fights Long nights It wasn’t easy But it was worthwhile. It wasn’t simple But it was satisfying. It wasn’t just me … Continue reading →

I spent two years at a big tech company, and in that time I learned a lot about leadership – both how to inspire people to do their very best (and only that), and how to squander their efforts and spoil … Continue reading →

We spent 2016 in Silicon Valley. What a fever dream. Such a bait-and-switch. What to do but organize.  Bring all capabilities online, And get everything on wheels. It’s a good time to be bright, sturdy, and sharp: It’s a good time to listen, … Continue reading →

It does seem that way, though I’m not. Biche would know; she was in the shop with me when Internet Dan became my identity, calling, and full-time occupation. Dead is the wrong word. I retired this year – and in the process, I published … Continue reading →

Check out this standpipe. Above it, there is a fire escape which has obviously-painted-over graffiti. On it, there is a mess of thick, black grease, and next to it is a coil of razor and barbed wire. Hadn’t seen this … Continue reading →

2014 in three sentences: Designing, manufacturing, promoting, and documenting new book scanners consumed every waking minute. In spite of a great 4-year run, I lost my enthusiasm for my professional work as an Imagineer and Disney Researcher, so I moved … Continue reading →

Consider this my 2013 photo essay; it started as an experiment in taking a one-second video every day and ended up a pretty and personal thing. I only removed work-related videos; there are pieces of around 460 videos in this … Continue reading →

2013: 2012: 2010: 2009: 2008: 2007: 2006:

I made a sewing kit for Dana, who is on the road with JT. It’s a 3D printed, laser cut box with a wide assortment of garment repair and management stuff jammed inside. Here, it is pictured with the lid … Continue reading →

I was impressed to see the glow-in-the-dark grab handle, and doubly impressed to see a handy fire-axe available for chopping out of a locked freezer cabinet. So impressed, in fact, that I was apparently unable to take a focused photograph. … Continue reading →

I recently bought a Weller soldering gun, with the intention of using it to cut nylon webbing. Out of the box, the two small lamps on the front did not illuminate. Although I don’t need them, it chafed me to … Continue reading →

  Juki DNU-1541S Sales Brochure. Juki DNU-1541s Service Manual /Engineer’s Manual. Juki DNU-1541s Operator’s Manual/ User’s Manual.

These manuals are hard to find on the Internet. I found them. Bernina 1130 User Manual/Guide. PDF, 59 pages. Bernina 1130/1120 Service Manual. PDF, 73 pages. Keywords: Bernina 1130 User Manual. Bernina 1130 Repair. Bernina Oiling Guide. How to thread … Continue reading →

The relationship between a “secure” site and the number of uniquely identifiable pick-up points. The knowledge an unusual or extreme location implies.

I hated the slippery, hot silicone band that came with my Pebble watch, so I made a new one out of some beautiful blue leather.

Faro de Palacio Barolo sobre Congreso (View of Buenos Aires and Palacio Barolo, at night) by Beatrice Murch, CC BY I’m excited to announce that I’ll be giving talks in Buenos Aires and La Plata in the coming week. This is for the … Continue reading →

I build optical assemblies out of aluminum, and I need to stick them together – meaning I need  TIG welding capability. While I usually weld steel with Miller MIG/GMAW gear, I decided to try out one of the upstart TIG … Continue reading →

Searching for tools, parts, and supplies really saps the fun out of a project. That goes double for basic and rote tasks, like applying heat-shrink tubing while soldering cables. Recognizing this, I bought a ten-pack of Bic lighters and put … Continue reading →

On a date with Dana, I found a bomber boarding ladder. LA is a strange place – strange and wonderful.