Progress

I submitted a robot proposal without a lot of planning, I just kind of did it.

I wanted a robot that would paint, mostly so that I could double up on getting things done, but on the logic that if I program the robot, choose the colors, etc, it's still my work, which is better than hiring another person.

I didn't expect to enjoy the robot-ness so much.

It now officially holds a paintbrush.  Another platform has been made to hold additional parts.  I'm so pleased with it so far.

I'm hoping to actually apply some paint with it tomorrow, then go back to working on more/better programs.

Robots

So, my robot is here.  It has been for a couple weeks now.  I definitely have all of the basic level functions worked out, but I'm still working on just the right way to write programs to do what I want.  I've made so much progress though.

I also have a couple home depot bags full of painting related goodies and parts for building the actual "paint application apparatus."  I'm really looking forward to building it.  If it works in real life how it works in my head it should be awesome.

Most importantly, I'm really, really looking forward to actually making a few paintings.  Hopefully, lots of paintings.  It has so much potential, and the equipment itself seems really sturdy and durable.  Word on the street is that it can support 30 pounds, which is really a lot for it's size.

The picture is me and my new pal.   Sorry I look so... hagard.  Between bands from Vegas, driving all over the midwest, Ludo's overwhelming genius and trying to keep up with the rest of my life I've been a little tired.  I'll probably eventually have to stop living on a steady diet of coffee, red bull, caffeine pills and chocolate chip cookies, but not until I have to.  To be fair, I did mix it up with some delicious hazelnut gelato yesterday (available in your grocer's freezer.)

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

I'll also be updating here as my robot and I grow ever closer (it's range of beeps is so endearing, like a little R2D2).  Maybe someday my cat will stop running in terror, too.  Eventually, the whole project will be documented on Instructables.  By eventually, I mean by August 31st.

So basically, I'm not dead, just busy, and on the verge of an amazing breakthrough.

New Computers

Yesterday I (finally) bought a laptop.  It was nothing too impressive, but it was cheap and will do a great job of what I need it to do.  There are lots of laptops on ebay, be sure to check the 'buy it now' list if you're in the market.

I also picked up a copy of coreldraw, which shouldn't even count as design software, more like 'clip art manipulation' software, but everything I'll be doing is designed to run from corel.  And I can still design in Illustrator (even though I'd rather be using Freehand) and import my Illustrator files into corel.  I'll make it work.

I've decided that I really, really NEED a 3D printer.  There are some videos on youtube that are amazing.  I'd really like to build a fabber or reprap, but those are going to be on the backburner for a while.

I need to program a robot.  I think I'll start out by reading the manual.

I made myself a gorgeous cheesecake for my birthday (today!) and I can't wait to cut into it.  I left out one fairly important ingredient, but I don't think it'll matter too much.  The cherries and chocolate should mask any mistakes, anyway.

I also need to get all up on Instructables and comment back and such today, I just haven't had the time the last few days... 

Research

I've been slacking on the interesting, content filled entries.  I'm busy doing a lot of research (a LOT of research) for a variety of projects I'm working on right now.  Design blogs are like crack for me, and I've actually been designing a lot of new things.  I'm a little overwhelmed by how much I want/need to do right now.  But that's okay - I'll stop writing and go back to working....

Basically Killing Time

I've been wearing pyjamas since about 4 this afternoon.  I felt okay when I woke up, but some time later a sore throat kicked in, and I'm really, deeply concerned that I've caught my sister's cold.  Because I really hate colds.

So I'm now sipping a hot chocolate (in July) and surfing the interwebs for cool things to make and fun materials to work with.  I LOVE working with encaustic, and I'm thinking about going back to working with acrylics again.  I'm also mulling over a very different jewelry direction, which could be a lot of fun.  I'm also working on robot concepts (because if a robot and I were both painting at the same time I could get twice as much done).  Programming that might be a bit of a stretch with my current skills, but I've got a month, I'll get it done.  Or embarass myself.

I'm going to buy some (potentially) magical red LEDs, based on some sketchy science, because I heal slowly and those are supposed to help.  But really because I like LEDs and that's a good excuse.

But before I get around to doing most of that stuff I'm going to sleep and maybe start to feel better.