Jpd2h’s Weblog

two amazing epiphanies learned tonight

January 15, 2009 · Leave a Comment

two things i learned tonight while watching the president’s farewell address and then Gordon Ramsey’s tv show “kitchen nightmares”:

1) President Bush’s foul ups and the way he spoke with such poor delivery (e.g. turning the page of paper at the podium and not even looking down because he was reading the teleprompter), made me realize how tough a job being President of the United States is.  and, although you’ll never here me say “let’s reelect another George Bush”, I do respect the job he did–given the many very tough decisions he was forced to make.

2)  Watching Chef Ramsey in his show, “Nightmare Kitchens: Episode entitled ‘Giuseppe’s’” (which you should watch because it made tears almost run the length of my face), I formed a new opinion of the chef and learned an important part of life.   I used to think he was purely arrogant, but now I like his directness and think him far more human (watch the episode entitled “Cafe 36″ and you will see what I mean), because I think it shows respect for the person he once seemingly attacked.   Regardless, I learned from watching his show, that there is an irreplaceable joy that one enjoys from serving people directly.  Whatever the form, corporatations serve the consumer indirectly; and professions that enable me to serve people on a personal level is just more rewarding.   I feel this, as I slam the keys on my keyboard.

The only question remaining in mind is whether I would feel a loss if serving individual people directly would leave me at a loss when they didn’t help create that human connection.   I guess that is what one has to risk.

I battle constantly with the idea of publishing my posts in favor of immediacy and inarticulate posts.  I value so much peoples’ time that I don’t want to waste it.  I hope you trust that I am trying to do the best by you: my readers.   Share and Love!

→ Leave a CommentCategories: wisdom

Pequa® Heavy Duty Drain Opener

January 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

If your shower or sink drain needs opening because it is clogged with soap and/or hair, and you want a liquid plumbing solution, purchase a bottle of Pequa® Heavy Duty Drain Opener because it works amazingly well and better than Drano Liquid Plumber.   My local hardware store told me about this stuff, and I sure am glad they did, because I was tiring of wasting my money on buying bottle after bottle of the Drano® brand product.  

A side note…    If a bottle of Pequa® used as instructed does not solve the problem, you might want to try buying a metal snake attachment for your electric or battery powered drill.   This is the next least expensive and best potential solution to a clogged drain, relative to having a plumber make a house call.

→ Leave a CommentCategories: good products

Stephen Wiltshire

November 5, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Stephen Wiltshire is the genius autistic painter, and now somewhat of a celebrity.  His extraordinary ability to look at an entire metropolitan skyline and then make a detailed sketch of it from memory has earned him the nickname of “the human camera”, but he is more than that.  As an advocate for modern teaching processes that address people’s different learning styles and natural gifts, his story and talents move and amaze.   Discover for yourself why Stephen is so great.

Watch this video, which was shot in October 2008.  Read all about him on his About Me webpage.  Or my favorite way…watch more videos about him on his News webpage.

Now I just need to save up enough to buy at least one of his original pieces!

Enjoy.

→ Leave a CommentCategories: ADD/HSP/Hunter · education reform · learning disability

3D printing

December 6, 2007 · Leave a Comment

Three-dimensional (”3D”) printing is a method of converting a virtual 3D model into a physical object. I only learned about this recently, but I am all about it.

I love designing–especially in 3D–and I can’t wait to be able to see a 3D printer make a 3D model of my own design. But what has recently become new use for this technology has me blown away. Apparently, biotechnology firms and academia are studying 3D printing technology for possible use in tissue engineering applications where organs and body parts are built using inkjet techniques. The process would essentially involve printing layers of living cells are onto a gel medium, which are then slowly built up to form three dimensional structures. According to the wikipedia article on 3D printing, “several terms have been used to refer to this field of research: Organ printing, bio-printing, and computer-aided tissue engineering among others.”

Why the technology is so great: 3D printing is optimized for speed, low cost, and ease-of-use, making it suitable for visualizing during the conceptual stages of engineering design when dimensional accuracy and mechanical strength of prototypes are less important. No toxic chemicals like those used in stereolithography are required, and minimal post printing finish work is needed.

apparently this technology has been around since _(year)_. Like most–if not all–technology, 3D printers prices have come down considerably since. Printers sell from $__ to $__, depending on ____.

How much does it cost?

a couple pictures of created 3D models

the video of the printer creating a model

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Technology
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