Korean Cardboard Pinhole Camera Action!

 Pinhole Art Combo

Ok, we have another DIY pinhole contender and this time it’s from Korea. All pre-cut cardboard construction with metal knobs and brass pinhole means it’s going to be easy to put together but watch out if your going to use it on the beach! The native format is 120 roll film but includes some cardboard spacers to hold a roll of 35mm film, so you can use it and get panoramic images and have them developed at your local Photo-Hut (just tell them not to cut the negatives!) For $20US if is a pretty good kit, the film combo ability is the big seller here.

(translated version here) 

Pinhole Art Combo

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Want the frustration of flying a remote controlled plane but don’t want to spend the money on buying one just to smash it into the dirt? Give the German ‘Flug Modell Simulator’ a spin. Don’t worry, there is an English version so your not going to be hopelessly lost. I tried to use it with a keyboard and discovered exactly why the joystick was invented. There were wooden pixel splinters all over the place. If I can find a better control option I might give it another try. It could be a very useful tool in learning how to do tricky things like turn the aircraft while it’s flying towards you or what to do when you can’t see your flying money sink anymore because your let it fly out of visual range. Looks as if there are options to attach a real R/C transmitter to your computer via the training port (if your rig has one) and use that as the controller. If you have the means I highly recommend it. I own an antique Graupner transmitter so I’m SOL, but if you happen to have on go for it, you might be able to get some stick time in even on IFR days.

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Volcano Augustine Blows It’s Top

North America has another volcano that is spewing lava and ash, this time it’s in Alaska.

Current Level of Concern Color Code: RED The explosive eruption that began at 7:58 A.M. AST (16:58 UTC) ended at approximately 8:03 A.M. AST (17:03 UTC). We remain at level of concern color code RED. Based on seismicity, preliminary estimates indicate that this event is at least as energetic as the events of last week.

Alaska Volcano Observatory – Augustine – Eruption Page

Car Problems

Well my car has driven over 179,000 miles and for this it has rewarded me with a failed emissions test. Great. I guess that’s what the check engine light was trying to tell me a few months ago. I figured out that its something called an EGR valve, it re-circulates hot exhaust back into the cylinders so it will burn the un-spent fuel. I looked into getting a new one but it costs $170! Ouch! I’m going to give cleaning it a shot. Worse thing I can do is break it and I’ll have to buy a new one. So, if I’m lucky I will be able to get that part back on line and I can register my car and put the pretty tags on it so I don’t have to actively avoid the police whenever I go out and about. Whee! Another project.