What have you been up to lately?

[Nakedgun]

Two different relatives asked for telescope advice yesterday!
Between chat, text, and social media that took up most of yesterday.

~

I think I'll stop giving advice, no one follows it anyway!


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[Lady Fraktor]

It is Svätý Mikuláš Eve, do not forget to clean and polish your shoes and put them on the window sill!
Hopefully I do not have a boot full of coal in the morning!

[helicon]

I fixed a toilet on the 2nd floor whose tank would not fill after flushing. I found the problem - a sticking float. The float is supposed to move along with the water level, sinking when the toilet is flushed and then rising as the tank fills. The problem was that the float was sticking and not descending, hence the tank would not fill. I freed it up mechanically and then sprayed WD-40 liberally. Problem solved and I saved $280 by not having the plumber come out.

Now my eyepiece allowance has increased by $280!!!

[DeanD]

It is Svätý Mikuláš Eve, do not forget to clean and polish your shoes and put them on the window sill!
Hopefully I do not have a boot full of coal in the morning!

You would need to make sure you use the right boot from your avatar. I don't think many gifts (coal or otherwise!) would fit in the left one...

[pakarinen]

I fixed a toilet on the 2nd floor whose tank would not fill after flushing. I found the problem - a sticking float [...] Problem solved and I saved $280 by not having the plumber come out.

Now my eyepiece allowance has increased by $280!!!

Ok, so a lot of people around here hire companies to put up outdoor Christmas lights and decorations. Since I put up my lights and the swags on the garage lights, I'm thinking that should give me about $250 in the astro bank. Yeah, that's fair...

[Thefatkitty]

I work too much, so Sunday I thought I'd do something I like: making stuff

My daughter asked me if I could weld her a Pisces; it's her Zodiac sign. No problem child; ask and ye shall receive

I then thought to weld my mother-in-law a golfer for a Christmas present; I used some dollar store spoons and a bicycle spoke for the club's handle. Some green felt on a piece of wood for the green, and a marble for the golf ball.
The golf ball is not to scale, but the idea's there...

Nice way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon

[Razz]

I work too much, so Sunday I thought I'd do something I like: making stuff

My daughter asked me if I could weld her a Pisces; it's her Zodiac sign. No problem child; ask and ye shall receive



pisces01.JPG


pisces02.JPG



I then thought to weld my mother-in-law a golfer for a Christmas present; I used some dollar store spoons and a bicycle spoke for the club's handle. Some green felt on a piece of wood for the green, and a marble for the golf ball.
The golf ball is not to scale, but the idea's there...


golfer.jpg


Nice way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon

Those are awesome, Mark! I can weld but my skills are nowhere close to that!

[Razz]

I've just been working on my astrophotography knowledge, as well as trying to get some basic equipment. It's a release for me, I can forget about my job and enjoy myself. I'm the only mechanic in a small garage with an owner that thinks he has 6 mechanics. He can't say no to anyone. And he promises I can fix it that day. Me and him butt heads constantly and I do have a bad temper. We went at it today. Not important for this post but just wanted to explain why this hobby is a release for me. I come home, check out this forum and forget about my day and learn.

[Ylem]

I work too much, so Sunday I thought I'd do something I like: making stuff

My daughter asked me if I could weld her a Pisces; it's her Zodiac sign. No problem child; ask and ye shall receive



pisces01.JPG


pisces02.JPG



I then thought to weld my mother-in-law a golfer for a Christmas present; I used some dollar store spoons and a bicycle spoke for the club's handle. Some green felt on a piece of wood for the green, and a marble for the golf ball.
The golf ball is not to scale, but the idea's there...


golfer.jpg


Nice way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon

Very nice Mark, all I do is walk around making messes everywhere I go according to Wifey

[Lady Fraktor]

@Thefatkitty You constantly amaze me with the sculpture skills Mark! Very cool.

Yesterday was the start of the end of season tear down of the racing motocycle, it will be finished today then various parts sent out for NDT inspection.

[pakarinen]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

[Nakedgun]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

~

Exactly! Mars occultation getting closer each minute.



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[Razz]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

Stopped checking forecasts and developed an odd interest in clouds...

[DeanD]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

Stopped checking forecasts and developed an odd interest in clouds...

Its funny how we love viewing Nebulae in space, but don't like them here on Earth!

PS: I was at a members' night of our local astronomical society a number of years ago when people began complaining that someone was using a spot-light to the south (they assumed it was probably a farmer shooting foxes). Everyone joined in the complaints because the light was bright, flickering around and going right up to the zenith.

But then someone said "That's not a spotlight, it's an aurora!" This was something very rarely seen at our 35 degree S latitude, and the complaints switched to excited yells of awe...

Same light, same mucking up of deep sky viewing, but what a difference when the perspective/understanding changed.

[Lady Fraktor]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

Stopped checking forecasts and developed an odd interest in clouds...

https://cloudappreciationsociety.org

[Razz]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

Stopped checking forecasts and developed an odd interest in clouds...

https://cloudappreciationsociety.org

You really shouldn't encourage me...

[Butterfly Maiden]

I am getting quite busy with my nail clients at the moment. At this time of year my workload really ramps up.

I am getting lots of pre-bookings ready for upcoming Christmas parties and other events.

The designs being requested are ranging from sparkly nails to snowmen and Santas, and many other designs in between.

There are of course business parties being attended that require more 'sophisticated' designs, so although they present a bit more pressure to get the look right, the final results are much more rewarding.

I really love this time of year. There is more work involved doing the intricate designs, but it is challenging and a lot more satisfying.

Here are a couple of designs I did for Sophia recently. They are of the more 'generic' styles for everyday wear, but beautiful nonetheless, and she loves them

[pakarinen]

Checking the forecast, looking at clouds, checking the forecast, looking at clouds...

[Chich]

But then someone said "That's not a spotlight, it's an aurora!" This was something very rarely seen at our 35 degree S latitude, and the complaints switched to excited yells of awe...

I lived north of 60. At some times of year Aurora was pretty much a nightly occourance and quite often fillled the sky. Our astro group would have complaints as well, but a little different. There were several observing sessions cut short because all you saw in the eyepiece was a green glow. No pleasing anyone

[helicon]

Nice work Vanessa. My mother is keen to have her nails and toenails painted along with other localized grooming. Whenever I see her I hear tales about her cosmetologist.