Revisiting My Favorite Childhood Cartoons

Are the cartoons I loved as a kid actually good? I revisited my favorite cartoons from long ago to determine if I what I liked then was actually good. Do these television kid shows hold up? Let's find out.

Batman: The Animated Series - Dark, brooding, excellent.

My Favorite Projects from 2015

2015 was a busy year!
I started a podcast, am planning for another, posted more videos to my youtube channel than ever before, made my 200th blog post, and even wrote a novel! I also built a few projects.
Here are my favorite projects from this year

Detailing Your Car Indicates DIY Ability

How well do you detail your car? That may be an indication of how well your DIY projects will look.

Shop Tip: Steal Ceiling Storage Space

Horizontal space is a premium in my shop as I will soon have a vacuum former and I need a place to put it. I've been reorganizing my shop in preparation.
I needed horizontal storage space for plastic sheeting, but I didn't have the room. What did I do?

Don't Make Me Take Off My Sweatpants

We live in a society that craves interaction and attention, but seeks it in in the form of social media likes online instead of from a person. Robots take over for sales associates. movies began coming to our doorsteps through the mail, and then streaming straight to our homes. Even I would rather buy something from Amazon online than have to get dressed and go to a store.

Shop Tip Concrete Tube Storage

What's the best way to store dowels, 2x4's, and long items? A concrete tube form is the answer. They are four feet long and come in diameters of 8", 10", and 12".

Ward's Holiday Gift Idea Buying Guide - You Need This! And This!

I'm making shopping easy for you this year. I break down categories and tell you what you should buy your friends and family this year.

How to Write a Novel; Tips for Writers

Am I qualified to tell you how to write a novel? Technically I am, I just finished my third novel, all three having been written over the last six years during separate NaNoWriMo challenges.

Essential Hand Held Tools

Power tools are a lot of fun, but hand tools are necessary. Hand tools offer precision and fine movement. Which hand tools you need depends on the job, but I'm going to tell you want I use. My projects range from wood working to props and plenty in between.

Fallout Crosscut Table Saw Sled

I needed a cross cut table saw sled, but I wanted something different, and I wanted a challenge. Could I make a Fallout video game inspired sled that looks like it fits the aesthetic? You tell me!

Shop Tip: Undeniable Usefulness of Wire

This is a handy tip  for cord management. If you need to manage multiple cords at one receptacle or coiled wire, extension cord, or rope, you need this tip.

Buy the Most Expensive Vacuum Cleaner

I want to spend as little money as possible, but I also want the best value. I would rather spend $100 for an item that will last me three years than $35 on something that will last one year.

Skyrim Dragon Priest Costume Build

For Halloween 2015 I was Morokei, a Dragon Priest from the video game The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.
The costume consisted of the mask, robe, armor, and the daggers. How did I do it? Great question, here is the how to.

NaNoWriMo - Write a Novel in November

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a challenge to write 50,000 words during November.
Be adventurous and write. Even if you just write a short story, that may be something you've never done and that makes you a winner (kind of)!

NaNoWriMo is coming!

Make, Mold, and Cast a Skyrim Dragon Priest Dagger

I wanted to try to mold and cast a prop. For my first casting I decided to also try cold casting which uses metal powder to achieve a genuine metal finish. Building the dagger is relatively cheap, casting is where the project gets expensive.

I will walk you through the project step by step from building the dagger and then molding, casting, and cold casting the Dragon Priest dagger, while listing all the supplies I used.

If you've read my previous blog on Building a Skyrim Shield, you know I really like  the video game The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim,

Short Story - Keeping Up with the Jones or An Odd Love Story

Keeping Up with the Joneses or An Odd Love Story

words: 1431

Veins bulged on Randall’s forehead and neck as blood rushed to his brain, his concentration directed at the unseen sound. Even inside his garage, he knew he would see it soon. An instant later a blue muscle car rounded the corner. The driver accelerated and the car’s engine roared. Randall’s eyes focused, willing a rock from the road to hit the car. His efforts were rewarded when he heard a soft metallic clink. Success.

Gordon Gekko Would Tell You that Discomfort is Good!

Discomfort for lack of a better word,  is good.

My Collection of Halloween Costumes

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year. It provides an excuse to build something really cool related to my Halloween costume. I like making things and learning new skills.

Halloween costumes through the years.

Taking Advantage of a Bad Situation

Is writing about a bad situation taking advantage of it?

Short Story - One for the Gipper

One for the Gipper

words: 977

BAM… BAM… BWAP

Reggie squeezed his thumb, hoping to expel the pain and prevent swelling. He kicked the hammer in frustration. It went skidding across the floor. “I don’t need baseboard anyway!”

Stop Caring - How to Gain Confidence

Self confidence, what a tricky thing. While I've lacked it for most of my life, now it's dependent on the subject.

Motivation, I Can't Get No...

It's incredibly difficult just to get motivated and then just as difficult to stay motivated.

I Used to Be Afraid of the Dark

Like most kids I was afraid of the dark.

While fears change, every single person has fear. As we age, it becomes social. We don't want to talk in front of a group or look silly in public. The only way to overcome that fear is to face it.

Listen to These 5 Podcasts

September 30 is International Podcast Day. As such, I'm going to tell you about my five favorite podcasts and why you should listen to them.

Why I Hate Group Work

You will find yourself in a situation, be it work, social, civic. or otherwise where you are part of a team that has a specific goal. Reaching that goal is going to take teamwork and collaboration. Here are tips to succeed or fail, depending on your goal.

Short Story - Sitting on a Rocker at the End of the Day

Sitting on a Rocker at the End of the Day

words: 2099

No, You Can't Be Anything You Want

We've all heard the encouragement of, "You can be anything you want. You can be the President."

It is absolutely critical to instill in children the drive to reach for the stars. You don’t want to limit them at a young age, but what do you do when that child is in high school and they can’t make it to the stars? 

Hit the Squirrel!

It's cloudy and raining. The windshield wipers swipe back and forth as you squint, trying to distinguish the dull gray horizon from the asphalt. You see movement in the road. It's a squirrel scampering across. Your first instinct is to swerve, to avoid hitting the squirrel.

I'm a Successful Blogger - My 201st Blog Post

201 is a big number and it’s taken me two and a half years to reach it. Is my blog a success? Yes!

Short Story - That Rare Instance When Imagination Meets Reality

That Rare Instance When Imagination Meets Reality

words: 1678

The Benefit to Doing Something You Hate

I hate mowing the yard. I don't like any part of it, the time, the heat, the noise, etc.
Is there a benefit to mowing the yard?

My New Business Venture

I have decided to pursue a new business venture.
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a man who told me he was an entertainer. He then handed me a card that has his picture, his name, and the statement "Ernest T. Bass Imitator."

Dashing Rogue Imitator

My All-time Top Movies

Following up on my IMDB Top 250 post, here is a list of my favorite movies. Everyone likes lists, right? What's better than a movie list where you can pick apart my personal tastes?

I Gave Up, Sometimes That's Okay

Almost two years ago, I was one movie away from watching every movie on the IMDB Top 250 list. It was a goal I set over a decade ago. My sole focus wasn't completing the list, and the road to almost completion happened gradually. I never met that goal.

Short Story - Homerun and Nails in A Smashing Good Time

Homerun and Nails in A Smashing Good Time
words: 1280

Glass exploded, impacting the interior of the car and driver. The woman screamed struggling to simultaneously scramble away and undo the seat belt. Dots of blood began forming on her arms and face from the glass. Homerun used the aluminum baseball bat to remove the remaining jagged pieces of glass left in the window channel. He reached inside the car, snapping the handle off as he jerked open the door. He pulled the woman, now free of the seat belt, out of the car, throwing her to the ground. He sat in the driver’s seat, fiddling with the knobs and buttons on the dashboard. The turn signal began blinking, and sound escaped the speakers. Homerun marveled at the sound, but was unable to control it. He punched the dashboard before he stood back up.

One Day I'll Make a Movie

One of my dreams is to create a feature length film. The first step for a film is a script, and at least I have that.

Get Over Hating the Sound of Your Voice

I used to hate the sound of my voice, and I've never met anyone that didn't feel this way. Your voice never sounds the same in recordings as it does when speaking.

The Best Tool for your Shop

What's the best tool?
There is no single end all, be all tool. It comes down to the best tool for the job or the best tool for your area of focus.

I can't tell you the one tool you need, but I will tell you about the power tools I've used and the power tools I absolutely need on certain projects. Though, if you want to be philosophical, I suppose you are the best tool.

Short Story - Madness Always Lurks Close

Madness Always Lurks Close 
words: 1406

“That’s what I need, you got that.” Ray’s voice crackled over the cell phone.

Donnie’s faced scrunched, processing the request. He checked his blind spot and changed lanes before replying. “You want a thousand pairs of socks in assorted colors?” Donnie wanted to hang up on the old man, but you don’t do that to the man that created a crime syndicate.

Conquer Life... Quicker

I like efficiency. Whether attempting to unload groceries from the car in a single trip, determining how to make the fewest cuts with plywood, or the most efficient route to run errands, I don't like to waste my time or effort.

Efficiency. Where speed meets precision.

True Detective Season 2 Episode 8 Finale Recap

Recap has moved:

http://crossthenetflixstream.blogspot.com/2015/08/true-detective-season-2-episode-8.html

Technique Does Not Make an Expert

"Nobody has a monopoly on being you... and if you think your technique is what makes you interesting, you are being ridiculous. Share your techniques."- Adam Savage

Shop Tip for Small Spaces

What do you do when you keep obtaining equipment, but your shop stays the same size?

True Detective Season 2 Episode 7 Recap

Recap has moved to:

http://crossthenetflixstream.blogspot.com/2015/08/true-detective-season-2-episode-7-recap.html

Short Story - Wanting What's Mine

Wanting What’s Mine

words: 1496

 [1] INTERIOR. LIVING ROOM. EVENING.

Well dressed guests are shaking hands, hugging exiting the front door. They’re mourning the passing of Tom, the father of Will, Kayla, and Jason. Guests call instructions on storing the food they’ve left. Jason is near the door, his girlfriend Rita nearby. Jason took care of his father who was in failing health. Will is in the kitchen, the older brother, wearing a sharp looking suit. Kayla is on the phone, talking with her husband and kids who left earlier.

Be a Professional; Life Tips from a Former Car Salesman

These are a few things I gleaned from selling cars that will help you in dealing with people in person, on the phone, or online. These are things I learned by trial and error, witnessing good and bad examples, and doing whatever I could to sell a car.

Simple Stencil for Tagging

I wanted to create a simple stencil to tag some of the things I have and will build. This is not high precision, but it gets the job done.

True Detective Season 2 Episode 6 Recap

Recap has moved to:

http://crossthenetflixstream.blogspot.com/2015/07/true-detective-season-2-episode-6-recap.html

Ensure You're Always Lucky

What does it take to succeed?
Many will say luck. When someone excels they got lucky, but that luck took a lot of hard work, time,  and dedication. How can you be lucky?

True Detective Season 2 Episode 5 Recap

Recap has moved to:

http://crossthenetflixstream.blogspot.com/2015/07/true-detective-season-2-episode-5-recap.html

Short Story - Want More Toms? Get More Toms!

Want More Toms? Get More Toms!
The story decidedly NOT about shoes.

2084 words

Tom aimed the laser pistol, firing at Duke, Roadblock, and Skeletor. He imagined the figures falling to the ground defeated. He checked the sight, adjusting it before aiming at the figures again. In mid aim, a knock on  his bedroom door broke his concentration.

“Hey, what’s that?” Kate asked, flopping onto the bed. Tom handed her the laser gun. “I used a toy and parts from a toaster. Now it’s a laser gun.” The bright orange gun had toaster coils affixed around the barrel with knobs screwed into the grip.

“When did you do that? I was just here last night.” Kate flipped the gun over, looking at the end of the plastic barrel. “This is pretty cool.”

Tom tilted the barrel away from her face. “Never point the gun at yourself, or anyone else.”

Kate smiled. “If your toy gun fires real bullets, everyone’s in trouble.” Kate handed the gun back. “How do you always get so much done? You’re always building cool stuff.”

Tom smiled. “I wish I had even more time. If there were two of me I could really get some work done.”

“No way.” Kate replied. “Then I’d feel even worse about how lazy I am.” She flicked Skeletor off the bed post. “Get your bike. You can’t stay in your lab all day.”

Tom threw laser pistol on his bed and followed Kate out of the house.

Build a Skyrim Shield

This shield is from the video game Skyrim. Each of the nine holds, or cities, has this shield with a unique symbol. I'll take you through my process of creating two shields. One I approximate as game accurate size at 24" with the Dawnstar symbol and another at 18", with the Windhelm symbol.

Dawnstar hold shield

Windhelm hold shield

True Detective Season 2 Episode 4 Recap

Recap has moved to:

http://crossthenetflixstream.blogspot.com/2015/07/true-detective-season-2-episode-4-recap.html

Build a Picnic Table

You could build a picnic table from scratch or you could start with a kit from a home improvement store and improve it.