test soon as we can see this the dns changes have taken place.

delayed gratification

A long time ago I posted about a shotgun, four and a half years ago. I had just started shooting trap. I have been in lust with it ever since. On 1/1/10 I bought it. Here's the original post. Now if only the temp would come up far enough that I could convince anybody to go shooting with me I'd try it out.

Bwahahah! Posting issues resolved. Not that I expect I will be an exciting blogger. I do have some news though.

For International Talk Like A Pirate Day Heidi designed a new cable pattern for a hat. It's based on the carrick bend. It's over at www.knitlikeapirate.com I've finished two of them now. One a test knit, another was so we could photograph certain construction phases.

hrm.. been a long time

It's been a chaotic time here on the frontier of boredom. Work is good. The house is good. The car has a new suspension installed by George and me. Ed got very old very fast, and was in a lot of pain. That lead to the decision to put Ed to sleep. We're thinking about new dogs but haven't made a decision yet. Meanwhile I've worn through the soles of three pairs of boots. Granted some of them were a couple years old, but still. It just seems rediculous that I should have to go buy new boots when the uppers are ok. But apparently we've become the sort of society where unless I want to wear work boots or logger boots or pumps as a woman I can't have resoleable shoes. At least not that I can try on locally, which is an issue given my orthotics.

I guess now you all know why I haven't been blogging much. My life is not full of excitement.

Desktop Seige Engine Contest

Aka Easter Egg Chuck 2009. We had an Easter Egg Chuck in 2007. It was awesome. This time we're doing it again but smaller. I don't have exact dates for the contest but I'm guessing right around Easter!

The Rules

Torsion, Gravity, Elastic powered throwers only.
No pneumatics or chemical launchers.
Must fit in a 5" x 5" x 5" cube. (throwing arms may extend beyond the box)
No throwing arms over 12" long.

Devices cannot require contact outside the 5x5x5 cube when cocked, and must be freestanding in their ready to fire position. Throwing arms may extend outside this cube but must not be in contact with anything outside the cube. (AKA no slingshots or wrist rockets)

Build out of whatever makes you comfortable. Lego, Mechano/Erector sets, wood, carbon fiber, aluminum.

We will be throwing Plain Pastel Easter M&Ms.

There will be separate judging classes for torsion devices, and for gravity devices.

Put questions in the comments and I'll answer them in the post.
If you say live in California but participated last time and want to play again, you should mail in an entry, yes you Steve. Or you know anybody else who wants to mail one in. We will find a designated operator for your device.

Rules Clarifications

• Cavorter asks "Is there a limit on methods of winding torsion engines? For instance, does it have to be hand cranked or can it be motor assisted"

  
  Powered methods of winding/setting a torsion device are fine. If you want to use a mini winch to cock the device, or a drill to tighten your tension bundle go for it. Devices which use the motor to throw the projectile are out however.
  

• Chilly asks "Can I enter more than one device?"

  
  Sure, you can either in the same or different classes. I am planning on building two myself.
  

• Chilly asks " And do we need a rule that the machine, when cocked and set to fire, doesn't need to be held in place artificially? (i.e. - a wrist rocket with the handle cut down to less than 5" would be the automaticat winner in this contest)"

  
  Uh.. yeah we need a rule to fix that, because what fun would that be. Devices cannot require contact outside the 5x5x5 cube when cocked, and must be freestanding in their ready to fire position. Throwing arms may extend outside this cube but must not be in contact with anything outside the cube. (AKA no slingshots or wrist rockets)