Today’s crossword, shown here, was something pretty clever. Two of the clues were the alphabet. Two groups of thirteen letters. Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe because I was busy planning how the robot club can make components that match the size of the square prototyping board shown in the photo. The plan was to build our own logic gates, one to a board. But Agt. M says we should be able to fit four in there. The subject of my [already acclaimed] booklet is the ordinary [carbon film] transistor discussed in vivid detail a beginner who is just interested would want to know. I say again, I don’t consider anyone either an expert or/nor a teacher unless they have an uncanny ability to do this. Unlike other authors, we are in the process of building and testing every example presented in the text. With pictures. We are still seeking some proof-readers and need a few volunteers. Unlike the flotsam of Amazon offerings, our books will be properly proof-read. (The link was quickly taken down on the advice of a lawyer who pointed out it was somehow my responsibility to carry liability insurance.)
My research was cut short by this totally bothersome teenage geek with a rasping voice. He was in the coffee shop trying to pick up this gorgeous 15 year old girl while pretending it was a study session. I got geek brothers so it was double-grating on my nerves. But geeks can never get to the point, so this went on for hours (her toe was bouncing her heel under the table waiting for that idiot to make his move). Finally, I walked to the far end of the store. Sure enough, there was some loud-mouth lady yak-yak-yak over there, too. As I left the store, the geek went running up to the loud-mouth. It was his mother. Now, does anyone honestly think the entire store did not notice the yarmulke?
The club doesn’t have a Lexus, I made that report in error. It is an Infiniti, which I believe is a Nissan product. We are quite aware that nearly two years have passed and we do not yet have even a prototype robot. See photo of Agt. M next to the Infiniti. Which is next to the scooter. We got photo-bombed. The main obstruction is the estimated $1,000 cost not counting the tools. For the mini-table saw, new drill press, and small grinder, add another $400. That’s what brings us back to publishing the book. If it proves as superior a product (by comparison) as the tests have shown, we hope that translates into some hard cash.
There exists an alternative to all these tools, but nobody over here knows how to operate it. A laser cutter. In particular, the Full Spectrum 40w CO2. But that’s like on a distant wish list. The architect next door to M has a 3D printer. Make no mistake about it, we are not falling behind on anything that having a fist-full of money would not solve. Since we are doing things, we have critics. But when was the last time a critic started a club that lasted two years? Or anything else that lasted. Well? Huh?
I have not finished reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Actually, I had trouble getting past page 111, less than a third of the total. The reading is too difficult to enjoy and this gets progressively worse with each chapter. It’s like I want to tell the author, “Okay, already, we get it. Now stop”
Instead I watched “Threads”, the English anti-nuclear TV show. They don’t use garbage bags in the movie, they use “bin liners”. The implication is that the same disaster in America would be far worse because of the way we’ve allowed our system to deteriorate. We have far more prisoners in the jails and not that many doctors who could do their jobs without fancy equipment. Most Americans have no clue about a food supply beyond the nearest market. And our authorities will waste untold resources chasing looters around the block.
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