Summer projects?

Every summer I try to busy myself with various informal projects for which I have little time and energy during the semester. I plan to dedicate much of this summer to: exploring this part of Sweden with my mistress; picking blueberries; fishing; building various things for my room; planting lots of herbs and stuff; building various toys and the like; playing with javascript and xml just for fun; etc :p

In addition to the above I've decided to take on a more systematic and structured project, namely to produce a large number of medical mind-maps as the first step in creating an educational website specifically for Swedish med-students. I've been toying with the idea for a long time, and I've made some headway mostly through the process of compiling my own notes... I think it'll be fun, and it'll be a good way to prep for the coming semester. Haven't yet decided on how to implement the interactive aspects but I thought it'd be good to start with content first :p

How 'bout you guys, have you got any projects planned? :)

Trying to limit how much shit the kids break.

Getting ripped!

Taking a week long trip to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas.

Getting my 1967 Chevy pickup (with lumber rack) in working order again so I can use it to assist with reroofing my 35 year old shake roof (that leaks into a strategically placed tub in the livingroom).

It's winter here so I have a project of sorts - I've stripped down my Harley piece by piece of the last two weeks (in the evenings after work). Over the next few weeks I will reassemble her piece by piece until I KNOW that every part is as good, clean and reliable as ever - and shiny, it's all gotta be shiny.

I cannot explain why but doing this is very enjoyable - perhaps it is the risk that I'll fuck something up (I do get a little edgy when I head out to the shed to start working on the bike). After 5 minutes turning bolts I am in an indescribable happy place. :cool:

If you haven't read ...

http://a1.vox.com/6a00c225254de1f219...3e098e1d-500pi

... yet, you should.

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Originally Posted by Timbuk2

If you haven't read ...


... yet, you should.

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No haven't read it - though I am aware it has little to do with actual motorcycle maintenance and is therefore not paramount in helping me maintain my motorcycle at this point in time - I promise if I ever come across it in a bargain bin I will read it.:D

Heh.

It was more a reference to the indescribable happy place you ... described. The book gives a sense that maintaining an old and much loved bike brings contentment. Although it is a book about philosophy.

I sometimes miss the time off I could have in the summers. But things do slow down and I can be outside more on the weekends of course.

My main goal is relaxing, reading more books, biking a bit more, going to a few new places and continuing to dispose of/sell possessions so that I have less "stuff" (and more money for liquor).

More money for booze :up:
Let's see what I going on this summer. Hmmm, looks vehicle maintenace, camping, trying to convince the wife to learn to ride(an annual tradition/tiff), making good use of Colorado's medical marijuana laws before they regulate the holy piss into them, and... dammit. I just remembered that I agreed to resod the yard this year. Wifey wants some fancy drought-resistant fescue. So, looks like I'll also be putting in a lot of OT at work also. Now I can't wait for winter to arrive.

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Originally Posted by Aimless

Every summer

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Every day is a good day for projects. :noob:

My list of projects is pretty numerous, no idea how I will finish them all. Ever. In my lifetime. :sour:

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In addition to the above I've decided to take on a more systematic and structured project, namely to produce a large number of medical mind-maps as the first step in creating an educational website specifically for Swedish med-students. I've been toying with the idea for a long time, and I've made some headway mostly through the process of compiling my own notes... I think it'll be fun, and it'll be a good way to prep for the coming semester. Haven't yet decided on how to implement the interactive aspects but I thought it'd be good to start with content first :p

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My suggestion? Start learning HTML5, PHP, MySQL, Javascript, CSS, HTML, etc. I would suggest starting with CSS, HTML, and Javascript + .jQuery (a library of functions built in javascript) as this will be the minimum for implementing an interactive website. In addition, not doing it in Flash means that whoever is using it will also likely be able to view your site on an itouch, iphone, or ipad, unless Jobs decides to change his mind down the road. You'd use HTML5 mainly if you wanted to include video. PHP and MySQL would mainly be if you wanted certain parts of the site tailor made based on queries. Like for instance, someone using your site wanted to all mind-maps related to the circulatory system, you could use server side includes to make one page with mind-maps for the heart, veins, arteries, and major vessels, where-as someone just looking to study the heart would just get a page with information related to the heart on it.

Doing this at the same time as going through med-school would be pretty absurd.

:sour: Have to finish reading that O'Reilly book I bought on this crap so I can finish my own site.

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Originally Posted by Knux897

Getting ripped!

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Atta boy :D one of the main reasons I'll be staying in Umeå over summer instead of going back to sthlm like I usually do is that I want to be able to make good use of the fitness centre here so that I can work out even when the weather is shit :o also my basic membership is upgraded over the summer :)

Summer's a good time to get started on this sort of thing.

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Originally Posted by Angel_Mapper

Taking a week long trip to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas.

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:up: Much envy...

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Originally Posted by Dreadnaught

continuing to dispose of/sell possessions so that I have less "stuff" (and more money for liquor).

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Mmm, same here... it'll be necessary :o

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Originally Posted by Illusions

Every day is a good day for projects. :noob:

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I know! But that's the kind of thinking that keeps me from getting anything done >_<

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My suggestion? Start learning HTML5, PHP, MySQL, Javascript, CSS, HTML, etc. I would suggest starting with CSS, HTML, and Javascript + .jQuery (a library of functions built in javascript) as this will be the minimum for implementing an interactive website.

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Thanks for the tip about .jQuery, I've been out of the loop and hadn't heard of it :up:

I have a tendency to get so caught up in reading and fiddling with the technologies and their use in presentation that I have little time and energy left for actually producing useful content, so my goal for this summer will be to learn the bare minimum needed to get a draft up and running, with one or two somewhat-complete examples. The idea is to actually get something done first, so that people can get an idea of where it's going :)

So I'll take a quick look at HTML5, freshen up on CSS, take a more in-depth look at javascript, and get some content ready and marked-up with XML.





I've decided that my planting experiments will be limited to: basil (one or several sorts), thyme, garlic, and maybe some tomatoes. In addition to this I have vowed to not let those little potted herbs you can buy at the supermarket die on me ahead of time :o I'd also like to find some kind of citronella to plant indoors in the hope of destroying mosquitoes once and for all :sour:

In addition to this, I'll be producing at least one batch of sprouts per week. Mung beans, green lentils, chick peas, radishes, wheat, mustard, maybe alfalfa. It'll be yummy :heart:

Get my bachelor's degree!

I hope to get all my shit unpacked and put away. Past that little chore, I plan to spend as much time in a drunken haze as possible! *Pain meds have quit working again!*

Get a fucking job.

Also go to india in order to butter up a bigwig that i as of now do not actually know so that in future i might be able to work in india in order to help stop women being treated like less expensive slaves...

Throw away my alarm clock.

Learn how to budget.

I'm so shit with money.

Minx, now you have me in a slight pickle. What projects do i have/want to have this summer:

1) I'm still looking at getting a car to replace my Puma as it's dying.

2) Finish my management diploma and hopefully get a pay rise and improved job role.

3) I have the first two weeks off in August with my partner, hopefully the weather is nice which will give me the chance to use 1 and go visiting new places. I fancy seeing a lot more of the south.

4) Like our humped friend here, i need to look at my finances as me and the lady really want to buy a house.

No, what you will do is make fantastic bread and pizza at home.

Eg:



And you will use your own sourdough culture to do it. You'll wash it down with home-made ginger-beer. You and your partner will cuddle on a couch in the home you will have bought from your bread-savings :heart: in the light of the setting sun. What's on TV? Who cares??! :)

We don't like Alton Brown. :downcast:


My summer project involves being a pool bum. And practicing my lobster imitation.

Also, making a bead necklace or two. :)

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Originally Posted by Aimless

How 'bout you guys, have you got any projects planned? :)

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Take a trip with my kids, get together with my best friend in MN, (hire) repair for the ice damming damage, clean and wash the gutters, paint interior hallways, clean out the garage, turn some lawn turf into trees + flowering perennials, finish the basement waterproofing job (that I started a couple of years ago, ugh), sort the kids' outgrown clothes and ....

The Law of Threes tells me that's too much to expect. Realistically, I will probably leave the lawn project for fall anyway, when it's not so sticking hot.

I have five separate projects, most only tangentially related, and all entailing a major tedious aspect. Probably won't finish them all, but there's no harm in having high expectations. Should be a great summer.

Law of Threes. ;)

It's not like there's much to do here...

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Originally Posted by littlelolligagged

We don't like Alton Brown. :downcast:

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You WHAT! :mad:

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Also, making a bead necklace or two. :)

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I helped my sisters make paper beads for necklaces a while back... it was fun and we saved the planet a little :)

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...e-Paper-Beads/

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Originally Posted by GGT

Take a trip with my kids, get together with my best friend in MN, (hire) repair for the ice damming damage, clean and wash the gutters, paint interior hallways, clean out the garage, turn some lawn turf into trees + flowering perennials, finish the basement waterproofing job (that I started a couple of years ago, ugh), sort the kids' outgrown clothes and ....

The Law of Threes tells me that's too much to expect. Realistically, I will probably leave the lawn project for fall anyway, when it's not so sticking hot.

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Originally Posted by Loki

I have five separate projects, most only tangentially related, and all entailing a major tedious aspect. Probably won't finish them all, but there's no harm in having high expectations. Should be a great summer.

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Sounds like a busy summer :) You should get some boxes and wood logs and straw and grow different kinds of mushrooms!

I envy everyone with a garden, even though I don' envy them one bit for the backbreaking maintenance-work...

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Originally Posted by Loki

It's not like there's much to do here...

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You, too, should start baking. Sourdough bread and cakes and cookies. It will do you good to spend time cooperating with a living creature this summer and in the fall you can set up a system where students who submit assignments on time get cookies in class.

I can give you a recipe for one of the simplest yummiest gooiest chocolate cakes ever!

Right now, working 2 hours a day 5 days a week. Want to get that up to around 8 or more, have two or three jobs going at once if I can wing it. Since I lost my scholarship (which wasn't that much) I still need to pay for school. Oh, and find time to "get ripped" as well. Exercising every day with BSG.

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Originally Posted by coinich

Exercising every day with BSG.

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Battle Star Galactica? :think:

Big, strong and GAY!

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Originally Posted by Timbuk2

Battle Star Galactica? :think:

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Yep. Figured I'd get around to watching it eventually, and the library I think has the entire season for free. :D

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Originally Posted by coinich

Yep. Figured I'd get around to watching it eventually, and the library I think has the entire season for free. :D

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Okaaaaaay.

Pumping iron while watching ...

http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/G...aHelfer112.jpg

I can buy that.

*xylophone in the distance*

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Originally Posted by Aimless

You WHAT! :mad:



I helped my sisters make paper beads for necklaces a while back... it was fun and we saved the planet a little :)

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...e-Paper-Beads/

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His recipes always seem so odd.

I do get entertained because I have been into most of the grocery and other Atlanta-suburb stores he uses for filming.

*sigh* I should go to Harry's.

Paper beads sound fun.

Going back to the original question...

Now that Brandy has her mom in a home, she wants to turn the back room into a play-area, nursery type thing. Which means she wants me to move shit around for her. She has already started picking stuff up and piling it in the room to make sure I don't claim it as my cave :(

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Originally Posted by Aimless

Sounds like a busy summer :) You should get some boxes and wood logs and straw and grow different kinds of mushrooms!

I envy everyone with a garden, even though I don' envy them one bit for the backbreaking maintenance-work...

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I live in an apartment...There's plenty of grass here, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't belong to me. :noob:

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You, too, should start baking. Sourdough bread and cakes and cookies. It will do you good to spend time cooperating with a living creature this summer and in the fall you can set up a system where students who submit assignments on time get cookies in class.

I can give you a recipe for one of the simplest yummiest gooiest chocolate cakes ever!

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A) This is what girlfriends are for. :o
B) Most of the projects involve other people as well.

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

Now that Brandy has her mom in a home, she wants to to turn the back room into a play-area, nursery type thing. Which means she wants me to move shit around for her. She has already started picking stuff up and piling it in the room to make sure I don't claim it as my cave :(

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You already have your play area. :downcast:

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Originally Posted by Loki

I have five separate projects, most only tangentially related, and all entailing a major tedious aspect. Probably won't finish them all, but there's no harm in having high expectations. Should be a great summer.

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1. Win the girl.
2. Find the foo/McGuffin.
3. Defeat the villain.
4. Save the kingdom.
5. Win the hearts and minds of the townsfolk.

Are these the five you speak of?

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Originally Posted by Illusions

1. Win the girl.
2. Find the foo/McGuffin.
3. Defeat the villain.
4. Save the kingdom.
5. Win the hearts and minds of the townsfolk.

Are these the five you speak of?

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I take the fifth. :o

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Originally Posted by Timbuk2

You already have your play area. :downcast:

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I've got a 360 and Wii in the living room, a PS2 in Oceans room, the SNES, Gamecube, and PS3 in the bedroom, and my desk in the "why the hell is this here" nook on the edge of the living room.
I want a single room damnit! So I can finally say I have space for a claw machine or other equally awesome arcade machine.