Dissipated and Shipping Container Houses

Well.. I am back... Life got busy, in result, I had no life for a few weeks, but happily, things are getting back to where they need to be, and I have returned here, as it should be.

I know I promised a astronomy post about telling time with the moon. Needless to say, that is still a work in progress. However I bring you something a bit more fun.

A growing trend is making houses out of shipping crates. With the right chemical spray, one can even make the shipping crate insulated. It is very cost effective, and very versatile.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2008/09/23/20080923biz-containerhomes23-ON.html

I particularly like the pictures in this link, because they demonstrate both the simplicity and usefulness of this idea:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/shipping-container-houses.php

This one is a whole complex of shipping crate houses:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neil_b/207154861

"When I woke up this morning, there was ice on my car window, but now I am in shorts."

This morning when I woke up at 7am, there was ice on my window. Not Northern, need a ice scraper, ice, but enough where I had to wait a good five minutes before it started to melt and clear up. However, by 1pm when I saw good friend of mine, he was already in shorts. That's Texas weather for you.

Moving on. Projects. All my project going slowly to my dismay, but all takes time and effort. For my Lost Arts, I am thinking about learning how to make cloth diapers from a good friend of mine. A lot of people depend on disposable diapers. They are not a bad thing, but they can get costly. Cloth diapers are reusable, and it has been said that cloth diapers can be more comfortable for the baby.

Also, as spring is coming closer, I am thinking about planting a small garden. I enjoy cooking, so I think this is a good way to bring many of my projects together. I can add more to my Lost Arts project, cut my costs, and best of all I know what I am putting my food. I doubt I would make enough to last me all year, but I would have plenty to eat for a while. I am in the mists of deciding what to plant, and what I would need to do each for type of vegetable.

Lastly, I have come upon a book that has really struck my interest. I just started reading The Catcher in the Rye. The book starts with "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." If you get a chance to read this book, I highly suggest it.

Keep and eye on the news everyone. Lately, France is rioting already, the postal service wants delivery to move to five (5) days instead of six (6), because they are in the red, and California will be stopping grants, tax refunds, and welfare, as of tomorrow. Watch the news, and be careful.

Used

Well needless to say in tough times many of us will not be getting that new car with that new car smell.

I found this link that covers some basic DIY of checking out a used Car


Updates:

On my Lost Arts Project, I have decided my first endeavor will be to make a paper towel roll flashlight. I know that sound incredibly lame; however, it is so I can get a good hold on how electricity works and maybe work up to solar panels and such eventually. I already understand the basics of closing the circuit and such, but could not hurt to build up from fundamentals.
Also, my friend going to make Renaissance clothing for when we go next year to the Renaissance festival. So, I will get to see how to make clothing from fabric, which I do not know how.

Only in Texas

Well, it has to be said. Only in Texas can it snow one day, and have 60 near 70 degree the day after. (More like a day and half after.)

I really have not had much to say. I am working on several projects. One of which is learning calculus. I took pre-calculus in high school, and college level business math in college, but that is as far as I got. I know most who are reading this will have a "are you crazy?" reaction, but I am good at math. I really enjoy working with numbers, and perhaps now I will understand it even better than I did in high school or college.

My Lost Arts Project is going slowly, due to work and life. I will update you all on it when I have a chance.

One link I would like to share today: TOP 5 Financial Meltdown Scams
I do like the picture in the article. It says: THE MARKET IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. Any truth to that? What do you all think?

Stay safe, as always.

Midwifery

I was talking to a good friend of mine who is thinking about becoming a midwife. She is a good, compassionate person who would be perfect as a midwife. I took some time to look up midwifery, and was stunned to find all the regulations and controversies about it. Up till recent times, that was the way women gave birth, but now it is viewed as weird, but it is making a bit of comeback.

I am not sure what to think of this. I remember in secondary school in my health class we had to watch the "miracle of life" movie. It made me cringe, but to understand it was enlightening. I do not know if I could ever really watch someone give birth, let along assist in the process, but I figure life is interesting; so I shall not say never about anything that could happen.

Take care, stay safe and be well.

Lost Arts

We are so dependent upon people making things for us. I know it is because of the economic principle of how much our time is worth, and it is not worth our time to grow and or kill our own food, and process it. Also it is not worth our time to make candy, toys, butter, candles, or even sew our own clothing. However, if these services for some reason were not available, most people would not know what to do.

So along with my urge to stock, as mentioned previously, I have decided to embark on the lost arts. I want to make a book out of what I try and what I fail at. I know there are many resources both via the internet, and via books that are available, which I intend to use; however, there is nothing like experimenting and understanding first hand how different things react. (I already understand what not to put together thanks to high school chemistry, so do not worry, I shall not cause too much harm to myself.)

I found this one blog that maybe of assistance to me, and to anyone else who wishes to embark on the lost arts. The Lost Arts.

Also, I am proud to announce I have acquired a telescope. It is not a big one, but it was inexpensive, and of decent quality. I was going to build one, but I have not had a chance, nor the money to do so. I am a bit of an astronomy buff.. unfortunately, I only really know the basics, but in theme of lost arts, I want to keep learning. about the night sky (and day sky). I know already that you can tell time, direction, and if you are good enough, even tell what day it is, with astronomy. I have posted before about using the sky to tell direction, if anyone wants to read it.

Take care and be well. If anyone else is embarking the lost arts, let me know about your trials and errors.