As I Work This Out

So I haven't been adding content lately, which of course is bad in blogger-land, but I think it makes sense.
At the moment, my boat plans are the same (record breaking design of pedal powered craft, much praise and critical acclaim followed by an extreme bender and bikini-clad admirers) the process is recessed into my head.  I spend a lot of time up there, and many of my projects work themselves out internally.  It's the way I work when I am without a client or deadline.

Rest assured, work is being done.

I am also very busy trying to earn money to pay for the supplies to make these ideas real.  In the mean time, I thought I would put up a photo from the race.

Meers and I waiting for the starting gun.

I recall feeling pretty good at this point, and for the first leg.  But all of that would fade as the river took it's toll.  I can't wait until I can run a good race with a chance of a victory.  Meers too, I think, is getting excited about racing.  With the Curve waiting for repair, I am tied to shore and want very much to paddle a bit in the autumn.  I read Canoeing with the Cree the other night (couldn't sleep due to my own internal relationship demons and such).  Didn't satisfy me as make me long for the pull of the river's bend.  While you wait for me to write, you ought to give this a read.

Back to the Drawing Board

It's been a while since I've been on here.  While I haven't been idle in this time, I have been working out some important process issues and getting some of my technology on line.  Here's what I've come up with, and what you can expect.

The MR 340 for 2012 is a little under a year away.  I chose to compete in the Kawnivore for the experience (brutal as it was) and use the additional time to perfect a design rather than run a prototype on short notice.  I have some time now, and I want to go back over my progress to improve what is there.

As a part of this, I will create computer models of what I am building.  Over the last month I got some help from my friends and have put together a computer devoted to Solidworks.  I also have a legit copy of the software and am in the process of refreshing my knowledge by doing tutorials.

In the physical world, I am going through and improving my shop.  There is a lot of work to be done around the Armadillo Works and I can't delay on it any more.  Principally, I need a decent prototable (a work surface away from the bench), better drawing area, an organized hardware section, and some improved storage.  There is a lot of stuff in there, and without organization I tend to let it got out of hand.  Keeping a clean area will not only improve the work, it will make you want to work.

This is the Prototable I built for Scott Padiak & Assoc.

The major problems I am facing now are a lack of deadline and a fast approaching hunting season.  I guess I could add to this a lack of funds and a need to work, but those seem to be ever-present.  In any case, I am going to continue progress and continue to use this blog to follow as well as to motivate me.

Hope you stick around.