Some Thesis Ideas

The urinals in the men's rooms at work have automatic flushing sensors. These sensors use motion detectors to determine when to flush the urinal. The best I can figure they're armed when you stand in front of them and then trigger once you step away.

I've noticed a strange trend that sometimes they don't exactly work properly. Sometimes they flush when I step up to them and then don't do it when I step away. Sometimes they do nothing. But most times when they act up they flush over and over again while I stand in front of them and then revert back to normal once I step away. It's odd, but it doesn't happen everyday. In fact it's fairly rare that it does happen. Today I think I figured out the problem.

I have a black merino wool sweater. I've deduced that the only time the urinals act up is when I'm wearing this sweater. My hunch is that the reflective properties of the soft micro weave sweater are different than that of most shirts/garments and thus cause the sensor to freak.

I verified this today by three separate trips to the restroom, each time being sure to use the same receptacle. The first time (wearing the sweater) the urinal was at it again - flushing over and over again. The second time (sweater removed, polo shirt) no problems - normal operation. The third time (sweater back on) the urinal went all catywompus on me again.

This may not be enough data to back a doctoral thesis on Operational Malfunctions of Automatic Urinal Flush Sensors or Reflective Properties of Black Sweaters, but so far I think I may have something. I'm going to try it on another floor and see what happens.

Letter in the RS

If you get a subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine you may or may not have already seen it in the June 2008 issue. My dad - an avid reader of the magazine got a letter published, heighlighted here to the right.

The letter reads: "So glad to see Zappa Plays Zappa recognized in RS's Best of Bock. I took my son to see this concert last fall and was able to tell him it was as good as any Frank I ever saw."

This proceeds an article in the May issue of RS about ZPZ, and further so a letter he wrote to the mag (as discussed here) about ZPZ.

What can I say, he loves his Zappa.

Juice

I came home tonight after meeting up with Micah and Ed and was really craving some juice. I was like, "man I really could go for some lemonade." But we were out. So then I realized we had some key limes hanging out in the kitchen and I was like, "oh I can make some limeade!" Let me tell you it was like milking an iguana, but the reward was worth it!

Alright Already... Progress

I'm making progress putting the Corrado back together. After some good work over the weekend, the transmission is basically done and today I gave it a coat of paint for good measure. The progress has really helped to motivate me to do more work. I cant wait to get the car back on the road.

Also, just for fun I thought I'd take a picture of the intake manifold. That's right - mirror black.

Washed + New Picture

I just turned 20k miles on the Rabbit and I couldn't be happier with it.

Coincidence?

There's a funny thing about coincidences. What is it about them? I cant put my finger on it. I'm sure of one thing at least, Phil and I don't own mid-engined Porsches.

Acronyms FTL

If I hear APQP, PPAP, PPDV, and ADVPP in the same sentence again I'm going to do something stupid.

I can do that in the summer...

Skier1 attacks a crazy line with some big air. Skier2 says, "thats nothing, I can do the same line in the summer." Crazy video.

Track Day Horay!

I'll put some words in here later. Great time.

More HDR

Fun with HDR

John's Garage - the one we're working on the Jetta in.

Yes, we did have to role the fenders. Base ball bats need not apply, this was sledge hammer territory.

The Rabbit, looking especially fresh.

Track Prepared

I've been buesy the last two weeks working on John's GLI. The plan was to get it race prep'd for a club track day comming up this Saturday on the 12th. Uprades included getting the thing running (first of all), big brakes with race pads, new cv joints, new bushings, tie bars, and 15 inch wheels with sticky-ickies. Look at that stance!

WTF

WTF. Yes, WTF indeed.

Disaster!

This picture makes baby Jesus cry.

Future Plans for the Rabbit

I picked up a badgeless grill for me new Rabbit. The pic has been touched up in photo shop to indicate the finished prodoct after some minor body work that will be requiered.

Here's the question: Color matched or keep it black?