Multitouch Table, Mark I

I'm not even going to post a picture of my first multitouch table.
As proud as I am of my duct tape skillz... this one is strictly for my eyes only.
I'm using Seth Sandler's tutorial and the MultitouchLib for the table. The latest HELP docs.. really did help.. just had to dig to find the right one.. and VOILA! Surface with string and masking tape and a tv tray (not kidding folks). Now.. what I haven't mentioned before is my infatuation with Johnny Lee's Wiimote hacks that I've been using/playing around with for the past month. The Whiteboard App is awesome and I'm working on getting the multitouch grid working.. problems with my Bluetooth stack it seems.. oh well..

My plan is to go the route of Johnny Lee and Microsoft and use IR. For my application, I don't want to project from below the surface, I want to track what's on the surface. A more difficult challenge given the tools and technology I'm limiting myself to... well that's what makes it fun and frustrating!

Stay tuned. When I have something that won't frighten the children and small domesticated pets.. I'll post here.

Blossom Time Again

Thomas and I enjoyed a behind the scenes look at our local Blossom Time Festival Parade.
One question for all you out there... what do you call a grouping of St. Benards? A mob? An Army? A Herd?

Michigan's Astronaut, Jack Lousma

I took Thomas to the AirZoo in Kalamazoo on Saturday. One of our regular haunts, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Astronaut Jack Lousma would be speaking at the Airzoo. Mr. Lousma spoke for almost an hour on his experience as an Astronaut and how it affect him spiritually. It was the second time Thomas and I had heard Mr. Lousma speak, the first time being a year ago at Kennedy Space Center. Mr. Lousma, as always, was gracious and allowed audience members to have pictures taken and sign autographs. Mr. Lousma's experience is vast and not only as one of Apollo astronauts (later assigned to the 3rd Skylab mission) but also was the commander of the third space shuttle mission. When Apollo 13's commander, Jim Lovell, said, "Houston, we have a problem", it was Jacl Lousma who was Houston, aka CapCom, the solitary voice that the astronauts communicated to NASA through.

Manhattan at Night

Flying back from Italy on Friday/Saturday, I snapped this photo of New York's West-Side. Given the fact that a one hour layerover turned into a six hour ordeal, I happy I had enough sense to make the best of the situation and take a few night shots as we flew back to the Midwest. Lemonade from lemons...

Full Moon Over Michigan

One of the joys of my new camera (a Nikon D60) is it's ability for astrophotography. Using the old, take a picture through a telescope by hand method, I was able to take this unfiltered picture of the moon (1/100 sec exposure). I, of course, am unable to manually compensate for sidieral motion (the motion of the stars caused by Earth's rotation), therefore I must buy a motorised tracking telescope mount eventually. I can do 30 second exposures which will allow a lot more light to show but tale-tale streaks, caused by Earth's rotation, show up instead of pinpoints of light.

When in Milan...

Through work, I find myself in Italy this week. To the surprise of many friends and collegues, it is my first trip to Europe. The work has kept me more then busy, but due to the local and planning of my coworkers based here, I have been able to enjoy some of my favorite food, straight from the source, as it were. For those that know me (even a little), being in Italy should be like being one step close to Heaven, which is seems to be. Hopefully, in a few future posts, I'll include some more details to my adventures abroad but for now, work, sleep deprevation, and limited access to the Internet will hinder me.

Chienne
(1992-2008)

Yes, there really is a Santa Claus...

Growing up there were many toys I imagined and hoped would be created (and then delivered some Christmas morning). None of these were were produced or, if they were lived up to my imagination. In the back of comic books there were ads for mythical toys that in reality never really measured up to the glamourous slick ads I spent hours staring at.. dreaming..
Now one of these toys has been produced by the beloved Nerf brand.
Behold, the Nerf Vulcan EBF-25.
Dreams turned reality.
Thank you Nerf.
Also, add in one Mindstorms kit, Dremel, paint...
...and...

N-STRIKE VULCAN EBF-25 (Ages 6 years & up/Approximate Retail Price:
$39.99/Available: Fall 2008)
The top-of-the-line blaster for mission
supremacy, the NERF N-STRIKE VULCAN EBF-25 blaster is a 25-dart belt-fed fully
automatic blaster that will intimidate any opponent. This impressive blaster
comes complete with a fold-up tripod to steady your aim, 25 sonic micro darts
that whistle through the air when launched and a 25-dart belt. The NERF N-STRIKE
VULCAN EBF-25 blaster features the Tactical Rail System allowing players to
customize their blaster for each mission - for example, players can use the
green 'night vision' Tactical Light accessory (sold separately) for nighttime
missions. Six "D" batteries are required but not included.

There's a good reason I wear my hat.

When I was a freshman in college and going to be an archaelogist, one of my professors answered a question that has been asked time and time again to men and women in his profession; "why do archaelogists, palentologists and others who dig in the dirt looking for answers wear hats... is it to be like Indiana Jones?" My professor, who did happen to sport an all weather, crushable had that did look remarkably similar to the famous fadora worn by the famous Dr. Jones, responded with a simple answer; "No". He said he wore the hat because when you are out digging in the dirt the sun gets hot and it can rain. He said he didn't care much for a sunburned head nor a sopping wet brow. Hats he said, were invented for good reasons and people sometimes wore them for vary practicle ones. When working outside I often wear a hat for these very reasons. Felt or wool hats offer nice warmth for the 'ol noggin and age well (for the most part). I have, for over 20 years (off and on), worn various hats, primarily fedoras with the occasional good old baseball cap for good measure, covering my hair from time to time. Aside from all the practical reasons I wear hats, there is one simple additional reason I tend to wear a brown fedora.
It's not like I drive an expensive car (think Bond) or wear Superman Underoos.. not that there's anything wrong with any of those things... but I admit that as a symbol of adventure, exploration and.. well a bit of style than we seem to have lost to the past... a ,wool, brown fedora ala Dr. Jones seem to... well fit just right.

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/indianajones.html;_ylt=AsY7qv8MSH6wl3g1GC6bw55fVXcA