Monday, July 11, 2005
Just beyond the ridge
I headed out to Yuma, AZ this past weekend to see some family. It was a great trip. Just an easy 3 hour drive from San Diego, CA. I was most amazed at the climate and terain changes. Heading east on The 8, you drive throught e mountains. On the San Diego side, the temperature is a wonderful 65 - 70 degrees. Climb the 4100 feet of mountains, and decend into the deseret. Here, the temperature climbs to 110 plus.
It was actually nice to feel the heat blast. Its like standing in a broiler oven. Its a nice change from the Utopian weather of Orance County, CA.
I was impressed with Yuma. I learned that its only a few miles from the US/Mexico border. I thought it was further into Arizona. Go figure.
Interesting fact about Yuma - its a HUGE snowbird campground for the northerners in the winter. On every corner is a motorhome (RV) store / campground. Apparently during the summer, the population is less than 100k. But in the winter, it swells to over 200k. I think its safe to say that the average age for the community prolly climbs to the low 60s.
The Imperial Dunes are near by. Really an amazing geological feature. Home of the all the SUV/ tuck commercials showing the vehicsl playing in the sand.
It was good to my cousin, and his new house. We kicked back and did exactly what I wanted to do. Nothing. Well, except to play some Halo2 (my first time playing it)
It was actually nice to feel the heat blast. Its like standing in a broiler oven. Its a nice change from the Utopian weather of Orance County, CA.
I was impressed with Yuma. I learned that its only a few miles from the US/Mexico border. I thought it was further into Arizona. Go figure.
Interesting fact about Yuma - its a HUGE snowbird campground for the northerners in the winter. On every corner is a motorhome (RV) store / campground. Apparently during the summer, the population is less than 100k. But in the winter, it swells to over 200k. I think its safe to say that the average age for the community prolly climbs to the low 60s.The Imperial Dunes are near by. Really an amazing geological feature. Home of the all the SUV/ tuck commercials showing the vehicsl playing in the sand.
It was good to my cousin, and his new house. We kicked back and did exactly what I wanted to do. Nothing. Well, except to play some Halo2 (my first time playing it)
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Life is about the details
You know the old, tired looking garagedoor opener button that most openers have? they come in one of two styles - the black frame with the white buttons, or a doorbell style. I HAD the doorbell style. Typically, something like this is ignored by most people. Its simple, does its job and is easily forgotten. But.. what if you add a little snazz to the idea? Make it a cut above?
I started out with this:
After digging through the switches and pieces and parts at Altex, I found the perfect button. A red, arcade machine "fire" button. What better way to open the garage door than with a big red button? Its like I am opening the flight hanger door everytime I run out to get milk.
After cutting the mounting plate (Dremel Power!) and doing the wiring.. I ended up with this beauty:
Now, I just need to add the flashing warning lights and klaxxon sirens to make it complete.
I started out with this:
After digging through the switches and pieces and parts at Altex, I found the perfect button. A red, arcade machine "fire" button. What better way to open the garage door than with a big red button? Its like I am opening the flight hanger door everytime I run out to get milk.After cutting the mounting plate (Dremel Power!) and doing the wiring.. I ended up with this beauty:
Now, I just need to add the flashing warning lights and klaxxon sirens to make it complete.
Friday, July 01, 2005