And a couple more Shop repair pics.

Yes, "The Shop" is capitalized.  Always has been in my mind, always will be.

Anyway, back to the pics.  Looking better...

Most noticeably in this picture, the swayback in the building is fixed.

Now we're really getting somewhere.

More Shop Repair Pics

No real comments on them, either you know where these were taken or you don't.  Anyway, it's a big job but it's getting done.

Getting this project wrapped and getting the building back online is getting close.

xkcd #1190: it's still going

Last month's 1190'th xkcd comic is still rolling.  Go figure.  But first, here are all the frames in one, easy to fast-forward web page.

I'm not sure what it's about, but then nobody else does either.

3-D Printed Guns

Alarming threat, liberator, or last bulwark against genocide?

Anyway you look at it, this genie is out of the bottle.

Weekend Roundup

What do you plant when all else fails?  Okra!

Obligatory bike-in-woods picture:

First ride on the new tires, Specialized S-Works Ground Controls (front and rear, same pattern each).  I must say, they work so well that they take a lot of the challenge out of mountain biking.  The new tread pattern has been tweaked using finite difference modeling, and brother do they grip.  Slippery roots, clay washes, damp logs, no problem.  Hardpack?  Pfft, everything works there, no challenge at all for these tires.  Loose sand?  Had one spill in a tight turn, but when I looked at where the tires washed out, it was clear that they'd gone down clawing for grip.  I'll take the rap for that spill.  (no damage, btw)

OK, I'm going to say it: these things, so far, seem to grip better than WTB Velociraptors.  THAT is something I thought I'd never see.

etaoin shrdlu

No, this isn't another sci-fi related post.

Flip to the article at the BBC, scroll down a page, and enlighten yourself.

Movie Review: Oblivion

This is a NO SPOILER REVIEW.  Read on in safety.  

Look, I'm a pretty jaundiced old hard science fiction fan, with no love whatsoever for overproduced spectacles trying to hide the fact that there isn't a coherent story within.  (Exhibits 1, 2, 3a, & 3b).  But this is a pretty damned good movie.

It actually has a story, to which was added top-notch Hollywood production and acting.  Since seeing it this evening, I've read through several lists of plot holes, and at most only one hole holds up.  (There is considerable hatred for this movie brewing out there, BTW, and I'm not entirely sure why.)  I'm going to see it again to (a) sort out that possible hole, and (b) enjoy the spectacle on the big screen again.  One more thing: long time science fiction movie buffs will recognize several plot elements from various classic movies.  Not really rip-offs, I'll argue that it's more a case of "good artists copy, great artists steal."

Beyond that, I'm not going to tell you a damned thing about the movie.  This is a movie you must see cold.  Don't go reading any list of plot holes first, don't read any more reviews that may let loose a spoiler and ruin your fun, just go see the thing.  3.5 out of 4 stars.

Bonus link to a thoughtful, non-spoiler review at Liberty. 

Note almost a week later: I thought about that hole a bit more, and it's not a hole.  I think the writers either (a) got a little sloppy and didn't explain this one (but it would be hard to do without spoiling one surprise, so...), or (b) got it right and left one tiny little hint that wouldn't be a spoiler.  OK, now I've got to go back for another showing, if for no other reason but to look for that hint.