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Moss

Published
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Meta
on December 9, 2007
in Projects and Vivarium v2.0
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Today’s adventure turned out to be quite an interesting science project. I started this morning studying about moss and lichen, debating whether to order some for the vivarium. After reading various articles about moss and lichen, I decided to venture into the rain and see what I might have growing in the woods out back. I hit the jackpot!

I’m going to, once I finish writing this, hunt a bit online to see if I can identify what species of moss I found. But what I noticed (and harvested) are at least three different kinds distinguished by where they were growing.

First, there was the stuff that grows on the ground (close-up). It’s kind of spikey, and reminds me of a palm tree. I also got a clump that had spore capsules.

Next is the stuff that grows on rocks (close-up). This moss seems to be a combination of two different kinds. What you mostly see are broad-leaves with a few fern-looking stem/leaf combinations thrown in. In this picture, you can see also that growing along with this moss are what appear to be clovers. Since it happened that way naturally, I left it.

Finally, there’s the stuff that grows on trees (close-up). This type definitely looks fern-like. The other interesting observation is that, unlike the other two that seemed to grow in random directions, this stuff grows directionally in nature , with the stems all aligned vertically and growing/pointing up the tree-trunk.

So, I put the moss in the vivarium in the same places I found it outside; ground-moss went on the ground, rock-moss went on rocks and tree-moss when on/near wood. I also decided to remove some plants and rearrange things. After doing more research about the plants I have, I’m afraid that the palm and ferns are going to grow sufficiently that some of the other ‘fillers’ in there would just be too much.

So, as of right now, here’s what it looks like.

Vivarium 2 Progress

Published
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Meta
on December 8, 2007
in Projects and Vivarium v2.0
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In the previous episode we were left with me waiting for shipment of some Terra-Lite. Well, it arrived as did the cork tube that would serve as the waterfall. :-)

So, I put down the Terra-Lite and on top of that, a layer of vinyl screen material to keep (hopefully) dirt and other stuff from working its way down into the water supply. On top of the screen, I put the substrate, which is a mixture of about 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 peat moss. This picture shows the substrate and is also a good view of the working waterfall.

After that, all I had to do was put some plants in the ground. You can see pictures of some of the plants here. I actually only used about half of what I bought because after I got home and did some research, I found that the palms and ferns are likely to get HUGE. I opted to go light for now and give them room to grow.

So, with that, I’m just going to let it grow for a while and we’ll see how it looks in a few weeks/months.

The woodpecker

Published
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Meta
on November 29, 2007
in Asides
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I finally got a good picture of that damned woodpecker who has been pecking the hell of out of my house the past year or so.

Enjoy.

While he’s an asshole, I suppose he is a pretty bird.

New Project: Vivarium v2.0

Published
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Meta
on November 26, 2007
in Projects and Vivarium v2.0
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A long, long time ago, and some of you remember, I set up a really cool tropical vivarium that housed all sorts of plants and critters. Some of you also remember that after I moved into the country, maintenance of said vivarium became increasingly difficult and it turned into a graveyard. The tank sat for years in the back room with dry ground and dead plants (among other things).

About a week ago, I finally got around to cleaning it out. The plastic cylinders you see were the base of the “false bottom” I used in Vivarium v1. Those came out too, as I’ve decided not to use the “false bottom” concept this time around.

The idea for this one will be similar, but a bit more complex. Here is the test placement of rocks and wood pieces I’ll be using. There will again be a small pond in the middle to support water-growing plants. There will also, again, be a waterfall. But this time, rather than just having the water shoot from a hose mounted to the back, the waterfall will consist of a stream dripping through a small cork-tube (still on order). Under the pond (and around the front and sides) will be a shallow layer of small river rock. The pond will be enclosed by a slice of cork bark on one side and some large rocks on the other.

From this angle you can see where I’ve added Terra-lite behind the cork bark slab. Unfortunately, I didn’t have very much, so I’m also waiting my new shipment to arrive. But conceptually you can see how it will work. The Terra-lite will come up about 3″, then be covered with nylon “screen” material to keep the substrate mixture from settling in it. The substrate, a mixture of topsoil and peat-moss, will cover the Terra-lite forming the “land” areas of the terrarium.

Cool so far, eh?

YouTube

Published
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Meta
on November 7, 2007
in Personal
. 0 Comments

I realized a few minutes ago that many of you may not have seen some of my old videos. I’ve uploaded them to YouTube for your enjoyment.

Also see…

Funky HyperCharger
Saber Duel
The Attack from Within

The new dream

Published
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Meta
on November 7, 2007
in Projects
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You might remember that, earlier this summer, I sold my beloved Mazda MX-5 “Miata”. I didn’t sell because I didn’t love the car. I did (love it). I sold it because after 2 years, I needed more power. But I couldn’t justify putting the dollars required into a car that was so new and so sweet. I mean, this Miata did everything she was designed to do perfectly. Perhaps if I had an older Miata that ran like crap, I could justify the improvement. But with this one… no. And from what I hear, the new owners are quite happy with her just the way she is.

So, now, without my Miata, I’m still hungry for some speed and agility… and I’ve found the perfect car to satisfy that appetite: The Lotus Elise.

Of course I can’t afford it today, but it gives me something to dream about.

PS. Watch the entire video.

Here is another video worth looking at.

Finishing touches

Published
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Meta
on November 5, 2007
in Home Projects and Projects
. 1 Comment

With the major work out of the way, it was finally time to start addressing the detail work that remains. I forgot to take ‘before’ pictures, but this past weekend I ripped up the remaining vinyl floor from under the washer and dryer and replaced it with some prettier vinyl tiles. Then, around this ‘laundry room’, I added the transition molding I picked up from iFloor.com.

Also, I picked up an armoire that fit perfectly in the space and will serve as a pantry/linen closet… something I sorely needed. (Special thanks to Sharon for installing the new hardware. Looks nice, doesn’t it?)

Finally, if you’ve ever been to my house, or paid much attention to my remodling project pictures, you should have noticed that I suffer a severe deficiency of furniture. No more!

All that remains is to install the rest of the transition molding around the stove in the Cozy and around the doorways… where I’ve already run into an issue. Ugh! More on that later.

… on Finances

Published
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Meta
on October 4, 2007
in Personal
. 3 Comments

Ok, I’m not an expert. But over the past few months I’ve learned a thing or two.

Are you still keeping your savings at your “usual” bank down the street? What kind of interest are you earning? If you follow the recommended practice, you should be keeping 2-3 months salary in liquid accounts (ie, you should be able to convert it to cash easily). If you are like me, you keep a fair chunk of change in a savings account for emergencies. But if you are like I was, you’re savings account draws between nothing-1% interest.

Want to know what I did?

Continue reading ‘… on Finances’

And yet another month +

Published
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Meta
on October 4, 2007
in Personal
. 1 Comment

Since the last time we talked, I turned 34. Fucking 34. It’s not quite 35, but pretty damn close. Being 33 was kind of cool. I felt mature yet not-quite-old. 34 feels too close to 35 which is too close to 40.

To update those avid readers who hang on the edge of their seats…

1. Smoking: I really did try to completely quit, but it’s not been so easy. I’ve cut back quite a bit, but I’m not completely free of it yet… yet!

2. Workouts: Still a loser.

3. Love life: Ok, I’ll confess… a little. I met the most amazing woman.

The other stuff… haven’t had much time to think about it.

Almost a month

Published
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Meta
on August 11, 2007
in Personal
. 2 Comments

I think this is a new record for the longest I’ve gone without posting. A quick update:

Smoking: It’s been up and down. It certainly isn’t easy.

The Workouts: I’ve been a big loser.

My Love Life: No comment.

The Miata Upgrade: I opted to save myself a chunk of cash and sold the car instead. I think I’ll start riding the bike again… and maybe buy a new one.

The House: It’s 95% done. I just need to finish up some small details and decide if I’m going to sell or rent it out. Regardless, I’m going to move.

Politics: Honestly, I haven’t had much time to think about it.