| Minor update: camel joints! |
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| 12:09pm 09/02/2010 |
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I think I found a combination of hardware that will (a) clamp onto a spoke (b) present a place to screw a bolt in at 90 degrees to the spoke and (c) solidly hold a bolt that is long enough to clear the axle bolt. Whee! With that problem hypothetically solved, I can really start playing with leg design. Wheeee! |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| Camel Construction update! |
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| 10:06pm 07/02/2010 |
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Had my first big day of building at the workshop, and it was productive! Got the basic wagon put together on Saturday.
This is what I wheeled in to the workshop with:
And this is the last shot I could take of the day's progress before the camera battery died.
As you can see, I got the front, back and lower sides of the cart cut and screwed into place. I also sized the roof piece, but went on to cut into the roof eight smallish squares that served to mount the drawer-hump pieces. That came out very good and damn sturdy! Jason and I were both impressed by how that came together. I'm thinking that tambour might be the way to go for the doors, since it'll follow the round contour pretty easily. I just need to make sure I can securely lock it down when its closed so that doesn't shift or flap when the cart is moving. As it is, the wagon's rather sturdy and still fairly light (not hard to carry with two people). After I attach the roof and hang the tambour sides, I think I'll move on to solving the legs. I'm thinking there has to be a connector in the plumbing section of Lowes or Home Depot that will solidly clamp on to one of the wheel spokes and provide me something to build the turning pin into. I'll poke around this week and see what I can find.
Off to a good start, but a long way still to go! |
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| Put the base-wagon together... |
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| 09:24pm 06/02/2010 |
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It's pretty big. I might have to muck with my plans a bit on the fly to make sure this thing doesn't get too huge to be managable. It does seem pretty damn sturdy, though, and it should have more than enough space for all of the nine or so floor pillows I got and a few small carpets when the cabinet's done. I was happy to be able to get the built wagon into the back of the Sienna without having to break it down (other than the steering... handle? Dunno what that bit's called). Everything's loaded up for taking to the workshop in the morning. I also have the wood for the cabinet walls and top as well as the pieces for the shelf-humps, so I'm hoping to get that mostly together or at least cut to shape tomorrow. When I've got everything unpacked, I'm going to try to remember to photograph the various stages of completion. Maybe when it's all done I'll post something to Instructables.
Was trying to think what to call these posts: Camel-log (it's only a model), the Unauthorized Auto-Cart-ography, "Indy said NO camels! That's one camel wagon! Can't you count?", I'd walk a mile for a Camel, Every day is Hump Day!, the Drome-diaries (it's actually a Bactrian because of the two humps, but still, a fun pun)? |
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| Camel Wagon episode the next one: Getting wood |
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| 01:20pm 05/02/2010 |
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With Sunday being my first big construction day for the wagon (although I'm debating just getting the base wagon put together at the appartment before then just out of impatience, since it should just require screws) I'm looking into getting the wood together for the body cabinet and neck pieces.
Lowes has some good quality wood that I'm already planning to get for the cabinet, but the issue of the neck and head of the camel being something that could get heavy pretty quick if I'm not careful is an issue I'm trying to think through. If it does throw off balance, I'm sure I could always weight the back to compensate, but I don't want to overload the wheels trying to gain balance. There's a Rockler Woodworking store just down the street from the Lowes, and their website offers good deals on basswood, which I was already looking at for dremel-carving the head. Supposed to be fairly lightweight, but a uniform, clean wood (few to no knots, blemishes or visible grain lines). They offer a 20lb assortment of pieces for a good price, so I figure I could lego together the rough shape of the neck by wood-gluing blocks together, and then shape it smooth and maybe reinforce with some light leather or metal banding. Gonna poke around Rockler after work, get some ideas, and then pick up the main cabinet pieces I need from Lowes.
Need to come up with a good way to handle the door on the side. If it flips up, it might be awkward to deal with unless it can be kept reliably in an up position while unloading without crashing down and thumping me on the head. If it flips down, I have to maneuver around it to get things in and out. Was considering a tambour door, like a roll-top desk, but since the cabinet will be full of pillows, they would likely catch on it while it was sliding. Having two doors that open out to the left and right doesn't work well with the body shape (would look awkward and couldn't hinge it sturdily enough on a curve). Right now, flip up seems like the likeliest candidate. Maybe I can work something into the side of the humps that will lock the door into place when up.
Definitely excited about getting started. Should be a busy weekend!
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Read 3 - Post |
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| Woohoo! |
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| 07:21pm 03/02/2010 |
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Got my wagon stuff in, and from the sizes of the boxes, it's going to be just what I was hoping for! Looks like the back wheels come up to mid-thigh, so this thing should be a good size when its all put together. Yee-frickin'-haw! |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| More camel plans |
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| 05:13pm 03/02/2010 |
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Still figuring out what this should look like:
Figured out how to check info on the individual packages through UPS tracking, and even more have my worries been calmed! One package is 11lbs, but one is 36 and the other is 63 for a total of 100lbs! Now, that's more like it for the wagon! Decided to work in Illustrator on making my ideas play a little more in 3-dimensional space by illustrating them over the jpg of the wagon they'd sent me. Feels doable! I'll definitely have to do some trial and error with the foamcore mockups of the legs (my current theory is to have the pivot point be part-way up one of the spokes instead of on or near the wheel rim and at the ankle so he doesn't step too high with each turn). For the neck, I looked at those wooden toy snakes and lizards and think I can get a similar action with hinged sections on a flat piece that has disc-like "stops" to keep the individual turns from going too far. Only worry is that this might make the neck sections vulnerable to breakage if, say, a rock in the road causes a sharper turn than intended. Meh, we'll figure it out when we get there. I really want that delivery or a pick-up slip to be there when I get home! |
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Read 1 - Post |
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| Wagon shipping day anxiety |
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| 10:35am 03/02/2010 |
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Well, the wagon I'm using for a base on the camel project should be arriving today! When I first read the shipping information I got a cold feeling in the pit of my stomach when I read the package weight listed as 11lbs, because damn but that sounded far too light. Then I saw that it was listed as being shipped in three seperate boxes, which places things back towards my expectations. I'm hoping that means something more like 11lbs per package, which I think would make more sense. After the "viking mug" incident a few years back, I'm a bit wary of ordering things online, although since that incident I've only regretted an order maybe once or twice and otherwise have gotten just about what I'd expected. I feel like Calvin waiting for his propeller beanie or Ralphie anticipating his Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time. |
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| Camel Wagon update: hurry up and wait! |
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| 09:23pm 01/02/2010 |
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mood:  anxious
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Since I didn't get the base wagon for the camel project last week, I shot the company an e-mail asking if it'd shipped and if so, what the tracking number was. Just got an e-mail back that it shipped today and I should get a tracking number tomorrow. Seems a bit odd to me, since I called and talked to the guy before ordering, and he said they had them already packaged and ready to go, so it sounds kind of like they were twiddling thumbs until I sent the e-mail and then went "oh crap! I forgot! Ship one o' them wagons out, Shirl!". Ah well. Here's hoping that it gets here before the end of the week so I can get at least one solid weekend of full-on building done before rehearsals start up. I'd at least like to have the base wagon put together and the body mocked up in foam core by the end of the weekend. Been talking to Jason, and it sounds like I should have a ton of power tool access and be able to just grind away at this project out there. He's also offered to help cut the more difficult curved pieces, which makes my life a lot easier.
I picked up a half dozen fringed pillows and two smallish rugs, so with maybe one or two more small-to-medium rugs I should have all the pieces I need for the lazzi spread. Still need to upholster the camel saddle's cushion, but not in a huge hurry with that yet. *bounce, bounce, bounce* I wanna DO stuff! I am in no state of mind to be just waiting right now!
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| little life changes |
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| 12:17pm 28/01/2010 |
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Well, I figured I'd start actually drinking when I'm going to bars. Had a couple glasses of Riesling when I went to V2 on Saturday. Mildly warming, and I did get a bit goofy, but that was more just the company, and I remained sharp and alert. Last night I went through three bottles of Yuengling and a free shot of something orange, but still cruized through the night feeling completely sober. It's not excessive, crazy drinking, but it does at least let me feel like I'm contributing to the bar. I'm looking to try some Blue Moon at Manny's on Friday.
Drinking and texting! Just doing my small part to bring change to the new decade. |
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| ILM doing a CGI musical about fairies |
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| 10:48am 28/01/2010 |
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Been reading that ILM is prepping to do a new feature that will be computer animated, a musical and deals with fairies. There are some early detractors, but I remember this:
which I love for its playfulness, invention, characterization and sense of humor. Just a beautiful piece and its 10 years old. |
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| Hi. Hello. Hey. |
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| 02:54pm 21/01/2010 |
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Three great options for greeting somebody in passing. They let you acknowledge a friend or acquaintance without begging a response. Just eye-contact with a smile and a nod goes a long way in making that friendly gesture of recognition that's required by societal civility.
It might just be when I'm depressed that I notice this so much, but it seems like the vast majority of people have, for no good reason I can see, left these perfect, casual greetings by the wayside in favor of ones that are fundamentally flawed and potentially a subconscious attack whenever its used. How's it going? How ya doing? What's up? Questions with no time for answers! Perfectly fine ways to start off conversation if you're meeting up with somebody and are going to be sitting or standing in proximity for enough time to engage in the existential discussion such questions demand in answer, but in passing they become a two-edged weapon of passive agression: they force a positive response, because you're both on your way somewhere different and can't have a real conversation, so even if you're feeling like shit, had your heart trampled, are grappling with identity and sense of self-worth, you are forced to lie or come off as an asshole, but more than that, after you've been pressured into a fundamental untruth about yourself, you are then expected to continue with a reciprocal response of the unnecessary question lest you seem uncaring and rude. The only time this won't bother me is if I'm legitimately feeling good, and then it doesn't make me or them feel any better, so the question is completely unnecessary, but when I am feeling like crap it just makes things worse! I can't be the only one who's answered "Great! You?" when I wasn't and didn't really care at the moment, but then immediately thought "NO! I'm not "great", I'm shitty! Thanks for asking! Want to talk about it? No? You're busy walking that way? THEN WHY DID YOU ASK?!?" But it's just a greeting, right? Mindless, meaningless, why should I give it a moment's thought? Because I was asked a question, and there are no stupid questions, especially ones as simple, profound and existential as "how are you doing", but there are people who ask questions without respect for the meaning of the question or the time commitment asking such a question deserves, and that is ignorance. I could meet that ignorance by explaining this stance every time it happens, but then I become seen as an ungrateful asshole, so I'm great. You? |
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| Camel wagon step 01 |
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| 12:14pm 20/01/2010 |
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Put in the actual order for the base wagon yesterday as well as the parts I'll use for the drawer humps. Right now the drawer hump concept is basically two round bases, with a drawer apiece, set into the body cabinet, both topped by a hinged bowl that can hide stuff! Who doesn't love stuff? I also talked to Mr. Jason Munger and have gained access to his woodworking workshop of woodsy wonder to construct and store things as this moves ahead, which means I don't have to construct a near-life-sized camel wagon in my appartment with nothing but a dremel and neighbor annoyance! So I've gone ahead and taken the initial plunge. Now I've got to make a camel wagon! What the hell is wrong with me? |
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Read 9 - Post |
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| Need help finding upholsterer |
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| 09:57pm 18/01/2010 |
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I have a camel saddle that is rather gorgeous which I'd like to use for the Camel Wagon project, except there's one thing: the cushion. It's bright red leather with a big zipper in the side and black edging. Looks like a boxing glove! I'd like to get it upholstered nicely, but don't know where to start looking for somebody to do that. If you know of a good place to go for this kind of work, please clue me in. If you do this kind of work, let me know what you'd charge. I tagged a few folks I figured might likely have an idea, but if you aren't tagged but know someplace or do this kind of work, please do let me know. |
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| Painted a sheath and handle |
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| 08:41pm 18/01/2010 |
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Trying to get lost in some repetitive detail work, so I pulled out the scimitar I got for myself on my birthday trip to Bristol.
Picked up some Angelus leather paint online with a waterproof, acrylic sealer (both used by shoe painters and detailers to paint on leather in a way that won't just flake off), looked at edging on my coat for inspiration, and then detailed the hell out of this thing. Also stripped the decorative wrapping off of the handle, rewrapped some gold wire and then painted some accents there as well. I'd like to attach some tassel fringe along the bottom edge and maybe try to fancy up the pommel and guard a bit, but I can get to that later on. I also need to dig out my metal files from SCAD and blunt the edge of the blade. |
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| 08:05pm 16/01/2010 |
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I'm single again, although technically I guess I had been the whole time.
*edit*
Although I appreciate the support, it isn't her loss. Things ended because I became fully aware that I wasn't needed or wanted there. Liked well enough as a friend, sure, but neither needed nor wanted. You people who met her know she was cool, smart, funny and beautiful. I didn't introduce her to anybody who didn't like her. It's my loss. I invested myself because she was worth it. We shouldn't have met in the first place, but that was a mistake she made at the wrong time for her. I hoped that mistake would prove to her to be a happy accident and met her with support and love to try and do that. She decided it was just a mistake. It's my loss. I was looking forward to learning how to not live alone when she was, for the first time, learning how to be comfortable living alone, and that's when she found me. For her to get what she needed, I could not. It's my loss. She's not a bitch, she's not stupid, she doesn't suck, she isn't wrong. She's trying to be the woman she wants to be, which includes finishing school and getting her house in order, and she's decided she can't do that while in a relationship based on her past experience. That's fair and that's fine, it just hurts that I wanted to be able to support her in becoming that, but other people I've never met made that an impossibility for her to concieve of, and not knowing how to prove to her that I could be there without sabotaging her or letting her sabotage herself is a great loss. It's my loss. |
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| Camel wagon initial plan |
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| 03:50pm 14/01/2010 |
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Taking the measurements from the base wagon I'm planning on building this from, I put together a plan for the camel wagon:
I'm going to use these dimensions to mock up certain aspects with foam core to solve problems (like having the legs move without jamming up) and then use as a patern to cut the wood. I'm hoping to work it so it will be sturdy enough that I could mount one of my camel saddles on the top along with at least two blankets or carpets and then store pillows inside and small props, toys or even dates or Turkish Delight in the hump drawers. I'm hoping to string a lot of this guy with fringe trim (found a good site for decently priced stuff) and maybe use the dremel to patern aspects of it before finishing/painting. Whoo! |
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| ...continued Aydin proppery-costumarianism stuff |
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| 02:15pm 08/01/2010 |
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Oh, and I still need to get and put that umbrella together.
I've been dreaming of making a wooden camel where the body is sturdy, but hollow so as to store pillows, carpets, etc, (thus allowing me to carry about a portable set for less pedestrian, inviting bits without the need for slave labor) but also allow people to sit upon it for photography, with wheels that make the legs appear to walk, and a neck that, when it turns, effects direction, and with a bulb in the reins that feeds a tube to the head to make the camel spit. I'm tortured by the image of this thing that I feel is within my capabilities to make, but also would be somewhat expensive to get the materials for and difficult to construct without a workshop (only so much you can do with a dremel in an appartment). Might wander Lowes this weekend and price out wood anyway.
After building a good-looking LAMP gun, a handsome time machine and the ol' portable Zoetrope, this kind of idea mocks me with its potential for realization. |
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| New Aydin costume additions |
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| 04:20pm 07/01/2010 |
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Working on some minor tweeks and additions to the Aydin costume. I wanted to work some pieces in that would make it possible to do some fighting since Carl brought up the possibility when I visited CARF. For that, I figured I'd need something like an Ottoman jacket along these lines:
Kind of an ornate, open vest with slash sleeves that can either be worn on or hanging. Perusing the Moresca site, I came across a photo of this combo:
Seemed like just what I'd need! Comes down to the waist, has the trim going for it, looks good open and the sleeves are pretty damn close.
Talked to the folks at Moresca, because I couldn't find the vest pictured. Turned out it was actually one of their Khadija bodices, but with the front lacing taken out so it hung square and looked like a vest. They had a prototype for one of their men's Starmite vests, though, that had more of that Eastern look to it that was worked in the Aydin colors of Red, green and gold:
I'm digging it, and I figure this new combo should provide me with something I could fight in without loosing a sword in the sleeves or tripping over the coat.
I'm also starting to work on some pattern work. I'd picked up a nice, new water skin at CARF, and have done a patern on one side. I'm thinking of leaving the other side, though, and handing to to the Henna booth folks to patern. That way I could advertise for them a bit (which I can't do otherwise, since my hands and arms are covered by long sleeves and rings, and I don't want to put anything on my face), and I figure the Henna should work on the light-tan leather. Meh, it's worth asking about, anyway and seems like a fun idea. They were very nice last year and kept telling me they loved the character and would gladly do a piece for me for free, which I couldn't take them up on, but I did make a point to extoll the wonders of their work to passersby and book-browsers whenever I was in the area.
I also have some Angelus leather paint on order and am planning on doing some patern work on my boots and the scabbard of the Sabersmith scimitar I bought back in August. Should be interesting. Been looking up paterns and leather-painting techniques (prepping, painting and finishing). I also really need to go ahead and bring those boots in to a cobbler to have the soles repaired and reinforced. One has two holes worn through it from negitiating the gravel paths of GARF doing laps.
That's another thing I'm hoping to adress this year, the continuous walking I did last year made me very visible, but didn't lead to as much quality interaction as I'd have liked. I'm hoping to put together a bundle of small rugs, pillows, and one or both of my camel saddles along with other decorative bits and bobs to create a visually appealing place to invite people to sit, visit and hear a joke, story, or have an advisor to Sultans and Kings give advice on problems or decisions. The downside to this setup is setting it up! I really could use a slave or two to make life easier!
Also, been researching some sturdier oil lamps, reading some folktales (in the original Aladdin, the guy was a bit of an irredeemable asshole!), and working on minor refurbishments of the turban. |
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| Saw Greg Proops at Relapse last night |
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| 10:37am 07/01/2010 |
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Good show! The Relapse was a bit chilly (a church basement with no heater), but once it filled up, it was fairly comfortable if you kept your coat on. The openers were all surprisingly quite good! I'm used to going to the Punchline and suffering through some really low-quality openers, so this was a pleasant surprise. Proops was a blast! Some of the material I recognized from his recordings, but the old stuff was well in the minority. You could see he was having fun poking jabs at the young "hip" audience of mostly improvisers, did some riffing on people he caught twittering in the crowd, and generally got to hang loose and play with an appreciative audience. Only downside, there were about three or four guys who brought their own beer sitting behind me having a non-stop conversation that ebbed and flowed just under the volume of the comic. From time to time, they'd tap back in and heave a heartfelt guffaw, but it wouldn't be long before they were back to whatever discussion had been so important earlier. Considering the surplus population, and the minimal contribution I'm sure these particular people make to society, shouldn't reasonable, fair-minded people be granted the license to kill them? It's like a late-term abortion, but without the poetic assumption of lifes' potential and worth, since both can be plainly seen as squandered and devalued. But I digress. Great show! I'll have to keep an eye out for more comedy coming to Relapse.
One of my favorite observations from the show was when Proops adressed improv by recalling a friend of one of the Whose Line performers coming up to them after watching the show and remarking "It's just a bunch of assholes playing charades!" and realizing how truthful and elegant a statement that was. I try and keep a similar idea in mind when exploring improv: if it comes out like a party game that the audience isn't allowed to play, then you're doing it wrong. |
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| Ahem... |
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| 01:22am 06/01/2010 |
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IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS OPENS IN ATLANTA ON FRIDAY!!! WOOHOO!
That is all. |
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