Here we are again.

Didn't we just elect a president? I am having a hard time of accepting that we have to start right away. Worrying over who is being elected. When the reality is that there is little difference in who is elected. In fact about the only reason I vote so I feel like I have a right to complain when my candidate absolutely forgets their promises. Well I will vote for the President and I am hoping that since he can't run again he will step up Projects- books - movies Project have been on the back burner due to health issues, mostly it is my back. Arthritis seems to be moving Fromm my knees and hip to my lower back. Buu I am learning to live with it and will get back out into the shop. My wife has asked for a plant stand and I am planing on building it and giving it to her for Mother's Day.

I have been reading Joe Bageant "Waltzing At The Doomsday Ball" and I it has been worth it. Strongly recommend it if you want to know how the white underclass so often. End up voting against their self interest. Well hopefully the next blog will be sooner.

Quick post or Comment

Made the mistake of watching a TV reality show called "Repo Games" only confirms what my Daddy used to say "that some people are dumber than Dirt". On the other hand I saw it for what it was meant to be. One to make us feel superior to the poor dumb a#$ that were playing the game. Second the failure of our nation education system. If you have 30 minutes of your life you want to waste then watch Repo Games. You will come away shaking your head thinking how a show like this can become a form of entertainment.


On NPR this past week there was a article on the employment rate of the young and how it was significantly lower in parts of Europe. They particularly use Germany's apprentice system as a example of a country getting it right. It is well worth you taking the time to look up this article on NPR Morning Edition and listening or reading the transcript. It is something we as a nation should be thinking about.
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/04/149927290/the-secret-to-germanys-low-youth-unemployment

When you consider the US obsession with reality TV like "Repo Games" and the success of Germany's education and apprentice system you find yourself understanding our country slide into third world status. The proletariat writer Joe Bageant was all too right in his accusation of the educational systems as a failure on purpose. After all it is easier to keep people in check when they don't understand anything but what you tell them.

Projects - Movies - Books

Project wise not much this week other than focus on continuing sorting out the truck. Locating supplies I need for it and tips on how to proceed with the repair to the body damage. Although part of me says don't rather make sure it is mechanically sound but cosmetically unattractive therefore unnoticed by folks who might be tempted to steal it to strip it. Food for thought.

I am getting materials for the laptop desk and hope to get started on it next week.

Movies I have watched was  English version of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" extremely disturbing show as I knew it would be from reading the trilogy. The deprivations of mankind on women and the corruption of our government with the excuse of for the good of the government makes it even more so.

Books I have started James Lee Burke's "Rain Gods."  and as usual his understanding of the southern underworld is strangely disturbing in realizing that this actually exist and while the names have been changed to protect the authors hide the truth is still apart of the story. Good read as usual.

In Books I have ordered the collection of Joe Bageant's essays from Amazon called "Waltzing at the Doomsday ball"

I will post a review after I get it and have a chance to read it.

Up coming projects

Everybody has a dream ideal of what they want to do with a shop. For me it needs to be able to do a variety of projects. But basically it will be set up for woodworking. But I want it able to undertake mechanical project that are within my comfort range as well as electrical and metal projects that are part of the whole ideal of reuse and re purposing of dumpster diving and sidewalk finds as well as from scratch work.

One of the things I intend to do in the near future and over the next year is cosmetic and mechanical improvements on a recent purchase of 1997 Dodge Dakota. Essentially I want to repair body damage and repaint the truck black as well.

I also recently completed a remote caddy. Is it me or does it seem as the more media components and TV are made the more complex the remote. I would try a universal remote but I am afraid these smart controls would only make me feel dumber.

My next wood work will be a laptop tray to use at my favorite easy chair. I am looking at a design similar to what Woodworking for engineers web site has done.
















Here is hsi excellent web site
http://woodgears.ca/projects.html

So with the projects that I have in mind it is the reason I said the shop I setup will be combination of primary woodworking but capable of mechanical work.

To my family who may or not read this blog. Think 110 V welding rig and a small cutting torch for my upcoming birthday. Feel free to go expensive.

I am still haunting Craig's list and pawn shops for a mortise machine, bench top planer and joiner. Eventually I will find one at the price I am willing  to give.

Well with that in mind I guess I better get busy.

A quick note

A recent survey of Europeans on whether they would like to immigrate to the US . The majority said no mostly because of the health care policy and our economy that they felt favored the rich over the working class.

Interesting isn't it that we are no longer the country of choice for immigration in Europe.