leapinggnome.org

A little while ago we had a cold spell in the area, with night lows dipping very close to the freezing point. Since our landlord is cheap and had already turned off the heat for the summer, things got very cold up here in the Nutinis apartments. I decided I would take a break from working outside (it was cold out there!) and work on some of my computing projects that had been collecting dust. If I turn enough computers on, my room is bound to get warm right?

Anyway, I picked up a dual proc PIII server motherboard to tinker with a while back. My second 600 Mhz processor arrived from ebay the weekend before last and after several trial and error cycles getting the right stuff compiled in for the onboard scsi, I finally compiled my first SMP kernel! I’ve always liked the idea of running dual processors but never had the money. I plan to use the box as a router/file server for the apartment.

Speaking of things collecting dust, last summer I picked up a TV tuner card and got started on making a Mythbox. For the uninitiated, MythTV is a project that uses a computer running linux and a TV tuner card and turns it into a fully functional PVR. Well, almost fully functional anyway. I still need to pickup a remote for the thing. I have played with the machine on and off for the last year trying all the various super quick and easy Myth linux distributions. Mainly this includes Knoppmyth and Mythdora, though I think I tried a couple others. I had various problems and setbacks and mostly other projects that were more important, but I’ve been working on it the last couple of days and it is finally up and running. I now have 3 computer running 24×7:

1) Win 2k3 Terminal Server
2) New dual proc router/fileserver
3) MythTV machine

Alright, I have homework to do. Toodles.

Today, as most of you are aware, is Memorial Day in the US. Many towns have a parade on Memorial Day, but not us. Our parade was last week Saturday, on Armed Forces Day. From what I understand, the two holidays are very similar. I think Memorial Day is more to honor those who have given their lives in service. I’m not really sure why we have our parade on Armed Forces Day instead of Memorial Day. Originally I thought it was so those involved in the parade here could attend another parade on Memorial Day, but looking at some of the local area events pages doesn’t turn up any Memorial Day parades in the area.

Memorial Day is a nationally observed holiday in the US, so many businesses (at least the small less important ones) and all government associated shops get the day off. Of course, this means MTU has the day off and I don’t have to work or go to classes. Today it was beautiful outside (much unlike the parade last week Saturday) so I took the opportunity to put my bicycle back together and take it for a spin. I ended up biking out to McLain State Park. It’s about 10 miles away from my apartment, and makes for a nice ride. When I get there I can walk along the beach and go swimming. I didn’t do any swimming today — it seems a little too cold yet for me to hop in lake Superior — but I did see one person out there cooling off. On the ride back from the park it became apparent that I have spent way too much time driving and not enough time on my bike. I was completely exhausted by the time I made it back home. Need to start biking to work/school from now on. Saves me gas money and helps me to get in better shape.

Quite a bit has happened in the last 6 days since I posted here. Tuesday afternoon was nice, so I went down to the police station and had them do an inspection on my bike. It passed every check on the list even though the horn was a little weak. It was nice to get that done with. I went for a ride that evening out to McLain state park and back, putting the first 20 highway miles on it! It was fun if not a little scary, listening to every little clink and rattle the bike made doing 60 down the road. I kept waiting for the timing chain to skip a link or for something to lock up and send me flying over the handlebars. Thankfully the bike ran just fine.

I’m accustomed to cruising through the backwoods snowmobile trails at 60+ MPH — on a snowmobile you get the illusion of the snow being soft and fluffy and ready to provide a soft landing should you get thrown from the sled for some reason. Staring down at the asphalt road surface moving underneath you in a blur is completely different. Probably just something I need to get used to.

Anyway, yesterday I went down to the secretary of state and after a little hesitation, got them to file the paperwork so I can finally get a title for my 1974 dream machine. To my great surprise, they told me I’d be able to get it registered and plated as soon as I presented proof of insurance! Last night I got it insured through Progressive.com ($202 for 12 months!) and went back to the SOS to get the plate and registration. I was fully prepared for it to be a long, drawn out battle to get my paperwork on the thing, but it only took 3 days!

I also took the written motorcycle skills test today. Generic stuff about lane positions, defensive driving and state motorcycle laws. I passed it pretty easily this time and now have my Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP). The final step in me cruising around on it this summer is for me to get the actual motorcycle endorsement. I need to take my TIP down to a certified motorcycle road testing place (there’s one just down the street) and pass the actual road test. I am generally excited about the whole thing.