Saturday, September 27, 2014

Done The Impossible

It's been a while since I've done a completed bar code sculpture. Not for the reason that I haven't been doing anything in this vein, but because I'd undertaken what so far has been my most ambitious undertaking!!!

Another of those things where I wondered to myself if it could actually be done. I set out to make a spaceship (what I primarily told my co-workers when they'd ask what I was making this time).

More specifically, I set out to make a mid-bulk transport ship, classcode 03-K64 Firefly!!! Being as it was done almost entirely from memory, I think it came out pretty good!!!

I made it all in parts to be assembled at the completion. The part I started with was the main engine. I tried three times before I came up with a satisfactory result. The first two came out as cones instead of bulbous. Next I made the side engines, then cargo hold (in flat form, to be folded up at the end).

Next I did the front deck and finally the main deck. The final day, yesterday, I peeled the labels & stuck them down to wax paper to bring the whole rig home for assembly!!! It was coming out way too big to store in my locker. One of the failed main engine cones found a new home in the cargo hold, keeping the top from caving in!!!

I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly’s a good design. People don’t appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what’s solid.

They're having the design contest at my work again this year. I was considering seeing if I could put this and the dodecahedron in as non-judged entries, just to show them off!!! If I do, my son was saying I should get a couple dinosaurs to put in the cargo hold!!!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Spider, Man!!!

As promised, here's a second post in one day!!!

Last Wednesday at work I headed out to break with some of my co-workers. Three were already out there, and as I rolled up, they were talking about having a seat by my buddy there, indicating the planter wall. I checked it out, and say, "Hey, it's a daring jumping spider!!!" Recalling the first one I saw, and take out my pen and start trying to get him to put up his dukes in the fighting stance. This one wasn't quite as bold, only raising one foreleg in a blocking gesture. I'd never seen one with the white striped legs before. I snapped a couple pictures, and one of the girls took a few, too. Paparazzi!!!

Self Portrait II

OK, Mr. always behind on posting stuff here with a quick update!!! Back in August I showed my work in progress. Couldn't have that on my tray this long and not have made progress, right??? I actually finished it around the 26th, and even had the picture and edited it.

I'm mostly pleased with the way it came out. The wheel and tire are a bit small (one of my co-workers, also a Ford guy... even though I'm not a REAL, hardcore Ford guy... made the comment that I have 13" wheels in the pic!!!) and my son's girl thought my left arm was freakishly long. Gets several comments and a good amount of attention. The moon is based on a tattoo one of the girls at work has on her belly button, but her moon is blue & looks a lot grumpier.

I've got at least one more instant post I may do soon...

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Aztec Falls Revisited

Finally getting some more pics from Aztec Falls up. Once again, I've got a ton more I could do, but for now you get this.

You start off at a place called Splinter's Cabin. There's not much of a cabin there, but just a bit down the trail from there is a pretty cool bridge.

I'm not a fan of graffiti out in nature, but I actually kinda liked the addition to these rocks!!!

As you make your way down, the upstream part has a wide, shallower area. I call it the kiddie pool.

A nice little jump off point. It's about as deep as it is tall, so be sure to bend your knees on the way down!!!

Farther down is the big jump off points. I used the boy's height and checked the high jump against it in Paint Shop Pro. Looks like I was real close with my estimation of 35 to 40 feet up. You can see there's something of a pillar to the left side, which could be climbed to pick up that much more height, but it's a little tricky.

I like the splash down shot that looks like the shape of a body.

On the far side, near the base of the 20 foot jump, there's even a natural rock ramp to climb out on!!! You can see that in the bottom left of the last shot. I'm sure we'll be back next time!!!

I've got the idea to share how I stretched my birthday out to a week, perhaps that'll be next...