http://karavshin.org I don't remember. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:10:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Cleaning windows Originally uploaded by karavshin. http://karavshin.org/2008/08/04/washing-the-car/ I built a custom-sized Forward Air Controller messenger bag this month. http://karavshin.org/2008/08/03/finished-my-fac-messenger-bag-today/ Adventurer Steve Fossett may have faked his own death. Tantalizing clue, "The choice of plane was also a baffling one - a Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon, which, according to risk assessor Robert Davis said was constructed from a steel and wood frame, but actually covered in ... http://karavshin.org/2008/08/03/fun-story/ Driving, biking and bickering Saturday Originally uploaded by karavshin. Riding his bike and driving his car. http://karavshin.org/2008/08/03/mutilukeia/ Mom and Dad kept complaining about all the ebay treasures I was buying.  I graciously sent them to their house for their temporary amusement before the gear makes the Final Journey to Singapore. Some of my favorite purchases were vintage physics equipment or old military control panels. I ran into this jaw-dropping ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/23/envy/ Had a wild hair in my ass to make 'Mayan' or mexican style hot chocolate for dessert.   Heated four cups of milk and melted in a half cup of Belgian chocolate, thickened with a teaspoon of flour. Into that went a masala-like mixture of nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and freshly-toasted Arbol chillis. ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/22/dessert-with-the-mayans/ I've been working on and off building a heterodyne (regenerative) shortwave radio receiver. I have a small pile of electronics tools and components in my attic. Luke likes to come up and play. I ask him if he wants to do "wiring" with me.  Basically I let him clip wires ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/16/lets-go-pliering/ Swinging Originally uploaded by karavshin. Had a busy weekend with Luke before I'm off for a very brief trip to the US. Used a new IXUS 860IS camera. It's essentially like my very dependable, very nice Ixus 700, except a few bells and whistles. Biggest bell? Face Recognition Focusing, which ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/14/busy-weekend-with-luke/ A year(ish) ago I had an extensive health screen.  The results were mostly fine.  My cholesterol was marginally on the high side, but since I'm not obese and don't smoke, the doctor said it wasn't a big deal, though lowering it with diet and exercise would be smart. So I did ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/12/fantastic-my-vegetarian-diet-worked-my-cholesterol-is-so-bad-im-on-drugs-now/ Daydreaming recently about some earlier ideas I had on replacing a 4x4 truck with a bicycle. This photo sequence proves the concept is valid:  I can pack a full bicycle into a 26"x26"x12" case. Now the question is implementation. Clearly the S&S Torque Coupling is key, but it's almost irrelevant to the project ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/07/thinking-about-an-expedition-bicycle-transmission/ I measured the cog-to-centerline distance as 4.4cm.  I measure the chainRing-to-centlerline distance as 5.2cm.  I need to get those two measurements closer to each other. I don't think I can do anything with the English bottom bracket or spindle.  The 68x116mm spindle doesn't have any provision to adjust left or right. Alignment ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/06/chainline-alignment/ Have a problem with the Favorit project.  The chainline alignment is way wrong.  The chainring  is  too far out from the centerline of the bike. The chain would have to angle back towards the centerline dramatically to reach the rear cog. This won't work on a single speed bike. I did ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/05/chainline-problems-on-the-favorit/ After I woke up at 1030 and had my morning latte, Luke and I went to the workshop and played  with the planks of wood and hardware I bought him yesterday.  I just wanted to give him a chance to hammer nails and saw wood with the full-sized rip-saw I ... http://karavshin.org/2008/07/05/i-never-shaved-showered-or-brushed-my-teeth-today/ Ling and Luke in Malaysia this weekend. As of Friday night, my big plan was to get up early, buy a single-speed crankset for my vintage Czechoslovakian bicycle and finish putting it together. So on Saturday, I woke up at the crack of eleven thirty.  Then found that TR Bikes, ... http://karavshin.org/2008/06/29/super-heterodyne-bicycle/ Nelson and RogerWarez both complaining about having too much access to sourdough bread.  Ugh, if I could be so lucky.  And trust me, the sandwich bread in Singapore is far softer, far sweeter than even the most unctuous Safeway brand. My bread skills remain  lame.  I'm still fussing with poolishes as ... http://karavshin.org/2008/06/29/i-could-be-so-lucky/