Quite Curious

Make. Learn. Invent.

I liked the Maker Faire last year, but this year was even better! The faire is sponsored by Make Magazine, and it encourages do-it-yourself-ers to come and display their best - everything from steam powered machines, to homemade robots, to alternative bikes and cars. What’s fun is being able to talk to the inventor and ask questions. There were also various shows and demonstrations - some entertaining, some explaining the science behind the magic. I loved it. Then again it’s very me - quite curious, and super-geeky.

This year’s theme is “Re-Make America”:

Following on President Obama’s call to “begin again the work of remaking America”, Maker Faire 2009 will be organized around the theme of Re-Make America. Held in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 30-31, Maker Faire celebrates what President Obama called “the risk takers, the doers, and the makers of things.” The fourth annual Maker Faire will showcase individual creativity and grassroots innovation in the largest festival devoted to DIY culture and technology in the country.

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Maker Faire Website >

Vegas, baby!

Vegas is the perfect weekend getaway. It just happened to be the weekend after my company’s layoffs, so it was great way to unwind after such a stressful week. It was only a three day trip (Sun-Mon), but we were able to cram in a lot of activities into that time! We were able to see Le Reve, our first Cirque du Soleil show, which was mind-blowing. (The stage was made out of water!) And best of all, our trip was a sweet, sweet deal - it came to $300 which included one Cirque show, round trip airfare (SFO to Vegas), and 2 nights at the Excalibur hotel. There is an upside to a recession.

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Bad Movies, Great Popcorn

I received a party invitation from my friend Brian Haslanger, for Bad Movie night. What a great idea for a get-together! The invitation read:

Prepare yourselves for Bad Movie Night: Disaster Edition. We’ll hang out at my house, drink refreshing beverages, and watch two terrible films. The general plot for these movies: One scientist saw it coming and nobody listened. Now we are all doomed.

Our choices: (one line synposes written by Brian)

The Core: The core of the Earth stops spinning.
Daylight: Sylvester Stallone is a taxi driver/EMT stuck in a tunnel collapse.
The Day After Tomorrow: The next ice age happens overnight.
Poseidon: Cruise ship turns upside down.
Armageddon: Asteroid will smash into Earth unless Bruce Willis can dig a hole.
Volcano: Tommy Lee Jones is a geologist.
Twister: Bill Paxton chases tornados.
Firestorm: Howie Long (the football guy) is a firefighter. There is a prison break at some point.