Things i carry
Computer Batteries

Image by ikelee
Things i carry with me. I actually only either carry the Mt. Rosa sling bag or the Backpack (the backpack more lately, the Mt. Rosa or the Booq Bag without my powerbook in it is what i carry if i go out i keep my camera and my axim usually in those bags) the stuff i carry for work i usually leave at work, but sometimes i’m out in the field and i’ll have to carry it with me.

Things i carry but you dont see
-Toothbrush, toothpaste, small bar of soap all in a plastic baggie, and a first aid kit
(extra’s just incase, cause if the boy scouts taught me anything, its be prepared
-All the chargers i use for all my electronic equipment (Powerbook Adapter, cell phone chargers, camera charger, Dell Axim Charger.)
-House and Car Keys (really they go in my pocket as well as my chapstick)
-Spare Ethernet cable
-Bottle of H20
-Crackers and a snickers bar
-Lots of paperwork…
-My IT Field Kit (which as XP Pro slipstreamed with SP2, screwdrivers and bits, Symantec Antivirus, Microsoft Office XP and Driver’s on a CD of computers we use at work, a 512 Gb Thumbdrive and a 10Gb USB/Firewire Combo external Drive)
-My Bible

Strap-On Video Rocket
Computer Batteries

Image by jurvetson
Having successfully flown on a J-size motor, she was ready for the challenge of a K. You can see the video camera hanging off the side, with half an Easter Egg fiberglassed on for a nosecone (rocket details).

The long-burn K185 is a wonderful motor. From the ground video, you can hear its throaty roar with the deep Doppler Shift of a 480 MPH departure.

As she was pulling 7 g’s, the weight of the flight computer’s 9V battery ripped through its restraining straps. Luckily, it did not tumble far enough to yank the power wires out, as the rocket depends on the computer and its sensors to deploy the parachute. With that mishap barely avoided, it was a perfect flight, returning close to the far launch pad without a scratch.

Here’s the video from the rocket.

Fail, Fail, Fail
Computer Batteries

Image by Velo Steve
Confession: I took this photo just so I could whine publicly. There, I said it.

1) My 5D Mark III’s joystick failed, with the gasket at its base protruding from the case. It probably got bumped when I wasn’t looking.
2) Go to Canon’s site to set up a repair. Seems pretty smooth. It says I need to use a shipper with tracking information.
3) Go to the UPS site. They have forgotten my account credentials. Not for the first time. Decide to "ship as Guest".
4) UPS requires a contact name, which Canon doesn’t provide. Go deeper into the web to see how this should be handled.
5) Computer suddenly shuts down, as if a tree has fallen on the power lines. It’s a nice day out, and the computer is pretty new.
6) Trying to be safe, I was using a UPS (not the shipping company, a power supply). It’s the UPS that died!
7) Play with the UPS. Not much to go on, but the "check battery" light is on.
8) Pull the battery – at least my screwdriver still works.
9) Grab my digital multimeter. It’s dead.
10) Pull the battery from the multimeter. It’s 9V, and we’re low on those.
11) Connect a 9V of questionable origin. The display now has an "H" and a square on it. More than before, but still useless.
12) Find an old analog multimeter and pick the best 9V battery.
13) Try that in the digital one. Still not working.

It’s all the failure I can take for now. Tomorrow I’ll drive the box to a local store which apparently takes UPS parcels. On the way back I’ll get batteries. Anything not working after than goes in the trash.


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