Microblog

Replenished my stock of fleece sweatpants, my go-to couture in this time of Covid.

Tonight, night two of our spontaneous anime festival. Grateful for streaming.

Used a straw constructor toy I just happen to have to help understand the axes (red=x, green=y, blue=z—the rotational axis) for each joint in my current robot according to industry standards. I find it difficult to think spatially, so need to double-check

Swore when I knocked a mug of coffee onto the keyboard while tutoring a student online. It could’ve been worse: I said sh#$ rather than f&$#, and the keyboard still works.

On my bike ride with a friend, a preview of things to come.

Posted A Place Where Masks Are Apolitical.

Didn’t shower.

On my walk through a university campus almost devoid of students, an umbrella with no owner.

Sang Happy Birthday to our 12-year-old nephew, along with Mrs Google.

Walked twice around St. Paul’s Lake Como, chatting with a friend.

Each morning this week I’ve looked out at a different scene. Today, cold air met St. Anthony Falls.

Kale and white sweet potatoes, one of our favorites.

Looked out at the Molecule sculpture in Gold Medal Park: bright red I-beams, detailed with a layer of fresh snow, lit by the rising morning sun.

Included Coastal Seafoods on my chilly walk, probably the best seafood store in the Twin Cities. Seniors get 20% off on Tuesdays, hence the line.

Walked on a wet sidewalk.

Spent way too much time working on the robotic arm I’m building. Currently it has 8 servo motors, 3 microcomputers, pneumatics, and machine vision. The main challenges, now, are software engineering and redesigning subassemblies as I learn more. Then, I’ll take it all apart.