I Want The Knife…Please.

So, a little backstory first.  Back in the spring, Heather, Barb & Bill (friends from Ohio) helped build a knife throwing target in my garage.  The construction was inexpensive and the knives are really cheap to purchase.  My thought process was to create a low-impact method of getting some much needed exercise.  After a little graffiti…this is what the target looks like today.

Last night, Drew got his first shot at throwing knives…and from what I can tell…he liked it.  It’s not only a nice way to improve certain skills…it’s also an excellent way to relieve stress.  Nothing like throwing a couple dozen knives at a target you can imagine as your worse enemy.  A great way of bonding with your kids as well.

We did have one casualty.  We now have a nice hole in the drywall just below the plywood.  Who knew tomahawks also stick handle side first. :). They also stick blade side first as well (just above the plywood).  Aim is optional when throwing at my house. The last casualty is a result of faulty manufacturing.  Here are some pictures of the S.O.G. Hawk that died before its time.

If you notice the left side of the handle vs. the right, you can see the inconsistency in the steel of the tang.
Looking down at the other side of the break, but on the blade section
The entire broken tomahawk. A closer look at the blade section of the hawk.
The general idea what the tomahawk is “supposed” to look like.

The hawk is supposed to have a “limited lifetime warranty”…so I’ll let you know if S.O.G. sticks to their word.  This is clearly a manufacturing defect and not misuse by the user.

By the way Ronnie Amans, I told Lauren you challenged her to some throwing. LOL.  She said, “Bring it on!”  I think you’re in trouble, bro.  With the temperature down, it’s much more tolerable in the garage.  In fact, we might need to put a small heater out there to get the target to loosen up a little…that pine 2×4 is hard as a brick.

I’ll post some pics of the knives we’ve been throwing in another post.

Later.

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How To: Build Your Own DVR/PVR System

Several years back, I began building a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) system with WiFi enabled receivers for each TV in the house.  The project belongs to my wife…and actually saves us several hundred dollars a year by ditching those satellite and cable packages.  It’s still a work in progress and I try to improve it when I can.  I’m considering writing a technical article on how to “build your own system” and wonder if I should post the series here or submit the series to a tech blog.

Our system uses an HDTV antenna mounted in our attic (prevent the wind from blowing it away) to pick up OTA (Over-The-Air) TV channels,  an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) software module so you can save episodes of your favorite TV show.  The main box has the ability to store your movies, tv shows, music, photos, and many other items for view on the WiFi remote receivers.  Each receiver also has the ability to utilize user installed “add-ons” to receive entertainment material via their Internet connection(s).  There are tons of free channels providing thousands of programs from across the globe.  The material ranges from children’s learning programs, sports, cooking shows, and even adult entertainment (with Parental Controls of course).

I’m not interested in selling these systems…just writing up this article series on how to build them.  I would consider this a way of giving back to the geeks who took the time to post all the information/development it took for me to build this monstrosity.

So…any votes?  Also, does anyone know if tech blogs/magazines pay for submissions like this?  That would influence my decision (duh).  A little extra cash would most appreciated at this time…the wallet is feeling VERY light these days.

It would probably take at least five to six  parts to adequately describe the build process…I just hope I can keep my ADD in check.  I still have tons of testimony to share…which is STILL my first priority and what I feel is my current calling.

Heather and several friends of mine continue to tell me they enjoy reading my posts…I just hope they can handle a little geekdom  mixed with my serious writings.

Thanks in advance.

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All I Want For Christmas…

Is exactly what I got.  All I wanted, over any gift or such, was to be able to spend time with my wife and kids.  Heather baked a chocolate-strawberry cake that I cut into the shape of a cross.  Lauren decorated it.  Heather also made a strawberry “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drew and I wired up a “turbo boost gauge” that he’s using as the star on top of his office Christmas tree.  I loved it all.

Here’s a short video of the gauge and what we used to make it zing…. Video Of Drew’s Turbo Boost Gauge.

 

Thank you Lord for the great blessing.

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Prayers vs. The SSA

Many of you know that I’ve been trying to get back onto Social Security Disability since February 2013.  I’ve been denied twice, been in the court room twice…and still I wait for an answer.  Two days ago, I received letters back from Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander.   I called upon them for any help they might be able to provide.  The SSA responded with two completely different answers.  To Mr. Alexander, they told him that SSA is waiting on more information.  An outright lie.  To Mr. Corker, they told him a decision was being rendered and would be delivered in the near future.  My attorneys, well…they told me it can take six months to get a simple written decision in the mail.  Oh, btw, the judge told me it would take her 30 to 60 days to get that written decision to me.

Now here’s where I’m confused.  Heather and I have been praying for an answer in regards to this mess.  What on Earth is God telling me?

Needless to say, the details here are just a small chip off a huge pile of dung.  I can’t type fast enough to lay out all the details.  Do I “deserve” disability?  Maybe not.  Maybe I am still capable of working.  I mean, I only have a few ailments and no immune system.  Nothing big ya know.  In fact, I gave up my disability to try and work again.  I felt like a leech and thought I could still contribute to the workforce.  After being terminated for “absenteeism” due to illnesses at least 8 to 10 times…Heather convinced me I should reapply.  Heather and my friends and family convinced me that’s what SSA is there for…people like me who can’t work anymore due to disabling situations.  I know at this point…my brain is completely disabled.  I simply can’t comprehend why my case is so difficult to define.  Every one of my medical and mental professionals are simply in awe of the fact that I’m “not” receiving disability services.

Me, this entire situation is taking its toll on me.  I’m not the most stable minded person these days and each letter I receive does nothing but drive me deeper into a pit of despair.  Worry is a sin…my faith is supposed to rest upon God.  I’m supposed to have faith that God “will” provide for me.  When I get to Heaven, I want to compare God’s watch and my simple Timex.  It’s quite clear in many of our lives that God’s time is never quite inline with our time.

Varied Uses For An iPhone 6S Plus

An admission of old age…I lose my phone and sometimes I can’t hear it ring.  So…I set it up to flash (using the camera’s LED flash) and buzz when someone calls.  Quick note…that doesn’t mean I’m actually going to answer it.  We also have a mount for the phone that lets us use it as our GPS unit when we travel to see friends.  Yes, we know how to get there…it’s just nice to know about upcoming traffic and such.

On the way home from an appointment the other day, the phone was mounted in the dash mount as I made my way home.  I had forgotten that the flash feature was still turned on.  It was quite interesting to watch the cars move away from my white Kia Optima when I received a call from friend.  That’s one seriously bright flash Apple put in those phones…and they reflect quite nicely across the windshield of your car.  If you ever wondered.