Saturday, January 6, 2007

Computer Desk

I have had a project in mind for some time now. It is a computer desk. Looking around my workspace here I think it is time I did more than think about it.

The desk is a New Yankee Workshop project. Norm's plan call for the creation of a pedestal desk in which the components CPU, Printer fit inside the pedestals. There is space for paper storage cable runs across the back etc. All that you see is the monitor. The keyboard and mouse fit in a false drawer, there are drawers for storage of... well junk really. There are hidden drawers for CD or DVD storage (and probably more junk). All and all a very nice design.

My workspace looks like the dog's breakfast, and she would have to be terribly hungry at that. I have cables everywhere, equipment scattered here and there, filing on top of that and well you get the idea. But my desk is really not much more than a table with one small file drawer. So I can be forgiven. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)

I have made a few tries at this project before but have not had much luck. The last time I went looking for wood for it there was nothing available in Mahogany which is what I wanted to use. The plans call for Heart Pine which is impossible to find here. I will try to find something in pine or fir this time and maybe I will have better luck. Those woods are pretty soft so I may have to modify the plan to address that problem. Also the original plan is for a tower. I will have to rework the measurements to handle a desktop. I also have a scanner that will have to be accommodated some how. A few little modifications here and there. Hey that's why they call it a plan, it's not carved in stone, there are always solutions to every problem.

If I can find suitable lumber I should be able to find the rest of the hardware I need at Lee Valley Tools. (Actually it is just a great excuse for going over to Lee Valley). Should I get this project underway after a couple of false starts now, I will let you all watch my progress here.

Building the desk will be one thing getting all this mess cleaned up to move it into new digs will be a project on its own.

The New Yankee web site is http://www.newyankee.com/
The Lee Valley tool web site is http://www.leevalley.com/
Check them out they are pretty good woodworking and hardware sites.

Now where did I put the furniture polish?

Randy

Sunday, December 31, 2006

New Years

New Year's Eve. A time for looking back and for looking forward. I guess we will continue our new New Year's tradition. For the past few years now we don't wait up till midnight. Oh yeah we watched the new millennium roll in, it was after all Y2K and I am in the IT business, but that was a requirement. And we stayed up for 2001 just in case the new millennium technically started then, and it would be a few years until a person could do that again. But after that it did not seem so important to see the New Year in.

We're not party types. In fact we are early risers so partying late is definitely against the grain. If you are not out partying it up let's face it in the 500 channel universe there is really nothing on New Year's Eve. They assume that everyone is out not home watching TV.

I enjoyed the new year's parties we went to don't get me wrong, some of my fondest memories were from new years parties. I remember dad going to a party at the town hall in Holdfast. He was going to do the "old waltzeroo" and if falling on the ice in the main intersection of town was the old waltzeroo he did. And speaking of dancing I remember Nancy starting a conga line when the DJ played "Locomotion" at the hall in Erinwoods. That was practically a rite of passage as everyone got in on the train.

Then there was the year that two friends of ours resolved not to dis each other. The resolution was made mere minutes before midnight. This couple Jerry and Pinky could not be in the same room without putting each other down. And it was a battle royal of one-ups-man-ship to watch after that. But having had a few they decided that it was a rather poor way to get along so they resolved to stop it. They got their last digs in just seconds before midnight then the truce began. Then the "compliments" began some that could be interpreted as no quite complimentary. Then the first insult struck. "Way to go Pinky, that resolution lasted a whole 6 minutes" and the resolution were over and everything was back to normal.

So unless it is an important year, our new tradition is to get a good night's sleep so rather than forcing a late night. And what a good tradition it is. The new year looks much better a few hours later when you are rested. It is not so dark and God willing not so cold. And all the drunk people are at home an not on the road. It is so peaceful and quiet. A relaxing breakfast and the year is off to a grand start. Yep I like our new tradition. And since we have Belle now and it is her habit to get her last walk at 8:30 and be off to bed by 9:30 (so she will be ready for her first walk at 5:00AM) we might as well join her.

Happy New Year!
Randy