Junk drawer prototype

Like I said in my first post, I've been working on my Halloween costume. Yeah it's still a few months away, but I'm lazy, and tend to put stuff off until the last minute if I don't get it done before I really need it. Anyways, I wanted to be a half angel-half demon, but didn't want some cheapo store bought wings. So, I raided my junk drawer, which is more like a junk room, and came away with some pvc pipe. Too heavy and flexible for proper wings, but very easy to work with even without the proper tools. I couldn't find the cutter, and ended up just using a tree branch lopper to cut the stuff. Here's a couple pictures of the prototype, it's made of pvc pipe, drywall screws, speaker wire, and a pair of locking pliers for the top joint.I didn't see that clump of hair until I was getting these pics ready to post, it's just one of the hazards of having hair halfway down your back. The damned stuff gets everywhere.This is one of me holding it up in my giant hamhand, don't think it's giant? That piece I'm holding is nine inches long. Yes, those crappy joints do actually work, just not very well. The final draft of the skeleton is much nicer. It's aluminum, much stronger, and lighter than the pvc.Here's a preview pic. I've still got a few finishing touches to work on, but once they're done I'll post more detailed building instructions. I took plenty of pictures through-out the whole process, something I didn't think of until after I'd already finished the prototype. I've pretty much ditched the angel/demon idea for a metallic theme. I'm still looking for feather ideas, leaning toward aluminum duct tape at the moment, but if someone out there has any ideas, I'm happy to hear them. Btw, the dimensions for the "bones" are 9, 12, & 24 inches long.

βeta, out.

I turn thirty in a few minutes

Well, a few hours if you want to get technical. I was born on June 27th, 1978 at around quarter til six in the morning. I don't know why the big 30 is so important to me, but it's sure got me freaked. Maybe it's because I never did anything for my 21st, so I'm treating this as my coming of age date. I've been focused on it all year, I'm even throwing a party. Which if you knew me would surprise you greatly. I'm not antisocial or anything, just an introvert. That doesn't mean I don't like people, I can actually be the life of the party if I put out the effort. I just prefer to sit back quietly and watch things roll along.
People fascinate me. They confuse me to no end, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Life needs more puzzles, and humans, these fleshy, thinking machines have it in them to be so many great and terrible things.
It's getting closer to that cross-over which changes today into tomorrow. I sit here watching the clock tick by, waiting for that magic number. tick-tock tick-tock. And there it is. 12:00 Hmm, I don't feel any different. Oh well, Time to go to bed. Happy Birthday to me.

βeta, out.

My name is...

Pentathalos, nice, Greek sounding, and most importantly, apparently un-used as a screen name. According to Google, there are like 8 hits when you search for Pentathalos, I'm sure it's 9 now(it had better be). One such hit is the Wired.com article about Eratosthenes,the self-same article which gave me the idea to use Pentathalos for my new blog. You see, this Eratosthenes guy, he was something of a JoaT (Jack of all Trades). I consider myself to be something of a JoaT also, and he's been dead for like 2200 years, so it's not like he can sue me for copyright infringement.

According to the wired.com article this guy, lets call him Era from now on. Yes, I'm doing this just so you don't have to figure out how to pronounce his name anymore. Anyways, Era was also called beta by his detractors. People jealous that he always came in second, no matter what he did. I'd be more than happy to come in second in five different sports than first in just one. Besides, silver is so much cooler than gold.

So, that's it, I am now Pentathalos, but you can call me beta if you want. I'll be posting about the construction of my Halloween costume in the coming days. I know it's early, but it's too hot to do anything outside, and I have way too much free time on my hands.

βeta, out.