Internet of food: Arduino-based, urban aquaponics in Oakland

Amazing stuff. Combine this with Tiny Homes and you can almost completely live independently. The future is awesome.

Life is all about relationships but that does not necessarily mean its all about being in a relationship. #independence #community

Munny:jewelry holder

 

Finished my second munny (a while ago, just haven't had time to get some good pictures of it)!

This was my gift for my girlfriend. 

The first picture is what I used as the kind of design I wanted for the munny. The blank munny was a glow in the dark one, since they didn't have the normal white ones. 

I had the whole idea of making the head open by a hinge in my head, but I didn't know how to actually make it, so I pretty much winged it the whole time, making mistakes along the way. I thought i could add clay and shape it by hand to close, but it never closed properly. Another challenge was trying to figure out how to fit the hinge on the munny. What i did instead was use the clay to reclose the head, but with the hinge and the screws in place so i didn't have to worry about cutting more of the vinyl on the head. After i baked it, I sanded down the clay and cut the head open again for a smooth sharper edges. 

I painted the munny by mixing red and brown for a kind of mahogany colour and used a thin paintbrush to add the gold lines. I was totally making up the design as I went, and after I finished I realized the lines in the head made it look more like a ninja... and the layer of gloss I added didn't look smooth. It looked too sloppy. A shiny mahogany ninja that could open it's head...

So i scraped all the paint off and repainted the whole munny and simplified the design. I didn't use the glossy finish. In my opinion it looked a lot better with a matte feel. It makes the colour look more uniform and simple. 

I originally wanted it to be a jewelry box, but the head was too small to hold anything, so I rolled some foam paper and hotglue gunned felt over it, then fit it into the head to make it a ring holder. It didn't turn out EXACTLY the way I expected it to, but it turned out great in a different way. 

- Mike

Gregory Isaacs - Cool Down The Pace

Decent Sunday morning find. Easy on the ears.

You're living right if you can make your family your friends and your friends become like family.

I found myself talking about my friends and I realized how much I owe who I am to some of them. They might not realize it but the little things I learn from them have helped me become a better person and get through tough times even when they aren't always there to talk to. (Cheesy sh!t but its true)
I probably would have given up on life if it weren't for some of these people because it's people like that who make you want to change the world for the better.

Good times with new friends, old friends, and CUPCAKES! hahaha

Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Really feeling some oldies. If you guys know some please post.

I wanna love like

Despite all efforts, we are still flawed. Yet the successful use those as opportunities for change.

It's kind of funny how so many people get smartphones are used primarily for games. They never realize the true potential of these machines. I've read articles on the bus, answered emails in bed, written down numerous quotes and ideas and somewhere out there someone is still only playing angry birds. I find this hilarious because technology can be used to hinder you but also empower you. It's a weird thing, at least I think so.

There seems to be a recurring theme in life. Dichotomies dissolve and barriers fall. In the end everything is connected and definitions are constructs of the mind trying to make sense of it all. But we never really get it right.

LOL the random conversations about drugs with my roommate, when he is definitely high as a kite.

Kill the Light

First off, this new Blogger format is confusing to me. Second of all, I'm home sick once again. Haha. Man to see tall buildings, patios, drinking beers in the summer time with good company. To longboard around the city at night. To smoke one and stare at the sky. The vibe of a living, breathing, active city. This song makes me play a mini movie in my head of shenanigans during an amazing night in the city of Toronto. Hope ya'll are living it up for me. 1Love. - Paul

Why are people too afraid to change the world?

This will be quite the term. 3 courses - 2 actsci and one about Society, Tech, and Values. Also joined a volunteer/charity club, an entrepreneurship club and a mobile app developers club. I don't know how much time will be left to find a job or dance. We'll see.

Organizing, I can do. But prioritizing, scheduling, and initiating are a different matter. I'll work on that for now.

Learned how to make pork adobo this weekend and fam said it was pretty good. Awesome.

How do I lose myself so easily?
There are days where I'm completely introverted and others where I talk random nonsense like a fool. Does anyone else deal with this?

"Rise and let us be on our way"
- don't let fear of letting go of the past hold you back
- don't let fear of what the future may bring keep you from moving forward

The Help

Amazing Movie. Also it's kind of shocking to believe that this was still the norm back in the 1960's.

Sean Paul - Never Gonna Be The Same ( Official Video 2010 )

As much as I hate change, I have to force myself to adapt. If not I'll be stuck.  The most you can do is remember the past because in the end that may be all you have left. Remember the past, look forward to the future, and live to the fullest in the present moment.