That’d be a Bond film I might actually enjoy

I ran a demo of dangerous boomer toys at SecretCon 2024 in Minneapolis. Fortunately the Thingmaker was operated outdoors.

Had the World Book Encyclopedia and Childcraft set. Both were published in 1968 and were green and white. Whenever there wasn’t anything good on TV or otherwise just bored, I’d grab one off the shelf and read whatever looked interesting.

The cost is actually a bargain considering what one gets in return in my opinion. So I was scolding myself for being a such miserly boob.

Had a day to myself in Lisbon and was wandering around that neighborhood. When I came upon the castle's entrance, my terminal cheapskatery nearly caused me to balk at the €15.00 entrance fee. Glad I pried open the wallet and went inside. A truly magnificent place.

Yup. Maybe not middle school level though. Was disappointed to learn much of the autobiographical accounts conflict with reality.

Admittedly, more frequent descaling could have prevented having to muck about the insides to get at a clog. This definitely put stress on a plastic fitting that later leaked.

We've loved our five year old Breville to near death. But thanks to YouTube and forums, fixing the innards and valves is do-able (the repeated heating and cooling can wreak havoc on the plastic fittings).

I was stationed at 29 Palms, California (mostly hated it) but when I was out in the middle of nowhere, the vastness of the desert and the distant mountains was almost overwhelming. Really hard to describe to anyone who hasn't experienced it.

How long would this take to complete if you dedicated a few hours a day (or however long you’d work on it without any other projects)?

It was a way of combining a dreary commute and staying in shape. It took a toll though. I was almost worthless as a dad that night and the next day if it was a weekday ride. By the spring it was just drudgery and I rarely biked in winter again because I hated going that far in darkness.

I bought a used Cannondale touring bike specifically for commuting in Chicago because I had to carry a suit in a pannier/garment bag. One winter I did the 20 mile ride each way (only a couple times a week) and I felt like Shackleton each time I arrived at my destination.

Wow! I had my prom there.

I gave a demonstration of dangerous boomer toys at SecretCon 2024 in Minneapolis.