I just posted a new video on YouTube where I hooked up the stepper motors and driver boards. Purrs like a kitten!
I’ll have another post this weekend with links to the products, code examples, etc. showcased in the video!
UPDATE: Sorry for the delay, my HTML is a bit rusty! I’m populating the parts list here. Keep checking back to see what products have been added!
In a previous post, I mentioned Raspberry Pi projects as one of my recent challenges. I ordered parts to upgrade my robot gripper arm – full rebuild from top to bottom. Here’s a video update!
It’s still a work in progress so in the near future I’ll cover:
I’m amazed at how affordable the parts are if you’re starting from scratch. Granted, the bulk of the expense is in the tools and consumables. This project is crazy fun and educational at the same time! If you have kids, robotics is a great way to work together and learn something new!
Stay tuned, more to come soon!
I’ve been tinkering with video recording and editing software over the past couple weeks and made a couple videos that are live on YouTube. While I’m working on the Raspberry Pi projects I presented a couple game reviews as practice for future content! Check these out!
If you watched these videos and want to support my work please:
More content is underway!
I’ve always considered myself more of an analyst than a speaker so, like most people, I worked off my strengths. Then, after a few months of speaking to a group at work about project statuses, I decided to test myself to see how I perform during a presentation. I started a semi-casual video series on YouTube about video games that I enjoy as a 40+ card holder. I’ve watched the video a few times all the way through after posting it and, honestly, I’m split. Part of me thinks it turned out ok for a first time post. The other part of me is horrified, haha.
I ended up doing several short retakes due to the number of times I said “um” and “uh”. It didn’t eliminate the number of times I said it but it did significantly reduce them. This will be the hardest part and challenge myself to improve my presentation skills through this series of exercises.
From the perspective of this blog, I am tying some of the self-improvement and learning aspects throughout each video production. I should be to measure then-and-now versions comparatively. So here it is! Please check it out and let me know what you think!
If you would like to see more of my content please SUBSCRIBE on the YouTube page, click the thumbs up button, and please, most of all, share this video!
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If someone asked you what turns you into the worst version of yourself, what would you say? For me, when I’m behind the wheel I find my patience tested. Things like a driver in the passing lane pacing the car to the right of them and tailgaters. Another driver cuts you off, traffic not moving, etc.
In all honesty – I hate driving. In my early driving years, I loved it. Getting behind the wheel was unbridled freedom. The world was an endless road that I would drive until I ran out of gas, money, or both. Today, if I’m driving by myself, getting in the car for a long drive is like getting trapped in a metal coffin for the next 6-8 hours.
Another major point, I dislike a lot of the vast amount of bad behavior deemed relatively normal behind the wheel. For example, as I drove through downtown Blacksburg, VA a Corvette tailgated so close I didn’t notice. When I realized it, all I could see was an inch of glass and the roof of his car. And I drive a car! (I was on a hill, too, but still that’s close!)
Louis CK did a skit on bad behavior while driving. A word of caution if you haven’t seen it, there is some language. To sum it up, would you say something to someone in an elevator that you might say behind the wheel? Probably not, and that’s his point.
Over the past year or so, I started a challenge. When I feel myself losing my cool on the road I try to think of a time when I did something unintentionally that may be upsetting to another driver. If you get cut off, have you cut someone else off? Was it intentional? How does the other driver know you didn’t intentionally cut them off?
When someone needs let into the lane I try to accommodate when possible. If someone wants to pass me, I get out of their way. I don’t expect others to reciprocate but when they do I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s kind of like that commercial a few years ago where a person opens the door for someone else, then they in turn hold a door for another person, etc. It was in-line with the “pay-it-forward” mindset.
Also, remember that when you lose your patience you risk your safety. Keep your focus – eyes and mind on the task at hand. It only takes a second to lose control, figuratively and literally. Additionally, the world will be a little better place when you check your patience.
After a long hiatus from writing, I’m back and working on some new content for the blog. I’ve had some great side projects to share very soon. There will be videos on my new YouTube channel, too! Plus, I haven’t forgotten about the driving piece I was working on previously and will post that soon, as well. Some of the recent shenanigans include:
Remember to challenge yourself every day!
I’m working on another article and will post it soon. I started a new job 3 hours away from home 2 weeks ago, signed our lease for the next living space (moving over the next 4-6 weeks), and fighting off a nasty case of bronchitis that hit me early last week. Living in a hotel in a foreign town, new on the job, and keeping your neighbors up all night
with an annoying cough adds a bonus points to life’s latest challenge.
The next post will be about keeping your patience in check, the “decay of modern society”, and driving. Sounds provocative, right? That might be a little over-the-top, but I promise it’ll be thought-provoking!
One of the things I love most about LinkedIn is their Learning site. It is Premium access content but it has a wide variety of topics to obtain training.
Before the trigger words “Premium access” scare you off, please let me explain something very important. It’s a monthly fee for multiple features and the Learning access is only one facet. The courses are all included. If you bill one month for premium for about $30, you can take as many courses you can possibly fit into your day. If you’re already using it for your job search and didn’t know what Learning had to offer click that icon on the upper right in your LinkedIn window! Start searching for something new to learn!
Here’s the link to all the features: https://premium.linkedin.com/
For example, have you ever wanted to take Six Sigma Green Belt training but aren’t able to at your current job? No problem! They have a full 17 hr 19 min course consisting of 11 major segments that you can take at your leisure in the evenings. If you took one course per day you’d be done in less than 2 weeks. Some of the course segments are closer to an hour so you could easily double-up a couple courses in a night.
There are courses for practically anything such as:
You can even learn how to build video games with Unreal Engine! The possibilities to learn are practically endless!
Keep in mind, maybe you already have a certification in something but you’re tasked with building a training course at work. By taking a course on LinkedIn Learning you could get some ideas for how you’d want to structure your employee training at work.
If you still have any questions after reading things feel free to leave a comment here on this site or connect with me on LinkedIn through my link on the sidebar.
Disclaimer: if you take so many training courses in a day that you forget to eat or sleep I do not take responsibility for your time management – but there is a course for that!
We’ve all seen people holding signs at intersections begging for money. I wanted to share a story about how a man was driving to work and noticed a homeless man with a sign. What struck him was the man’s sign said he was looking for work and to “take a resume”. Brandon, the poster on LinkedIn, decided to talk to Mark Harrity about his situation to find out more. Convinced by his plight, Brandon posted Mark’s resume on LinkedIn getting his name out there. Brandon’s post is below:
I read through the comments to his post and found a mix of encouragement and cynicism. Some of the (paraphrased) comments I found:
Stop – we don’t know ANYTHING about Mark’s situation. Alternately, maybe he
We don’t know without talking to him.
My father knew a man where he worked that went through a terrible divorce. The financial toll turned his world upside down. He even lived in someone’s barn for a couple years. Granted, the rural areas don’t typically have homeless shelters nearby to go to. In the end, he found a way to survive. He got back on his feet. At the time, he did have the fortune to be employed.
This is a great example of a random act of kindness. Brandon took a few minutes of his time to ask a man he doesn’t know a few questions. He took a few minutes to post a stranger’s resume online to give him a chance. Will Mark pay it forward? I hope he does. However, that isn’t really the point. If Brandon hadn’t paved the way, Mark may not have the opportunity to pay it forward.
Follow Brandon’s example. Take a moment and help someone in need.
Challenge yourself to find the positive!
Although not evenly distributed through February, I completed the fifth of five posts challenge today. I’ve been working on a couple of these simultaneously over the past few weeks. It’s given me an opportunity to reflect on several topics that are important to me.
I’ve been putting together some ideas for the next few posts. I’d like to also revisit the first five and build upon them in depth with more personal experiences and examples.
I’d like to thank my wife, parents, extended family, and friends who have encouraged me to put my (digital) pen to paper. More to come soon!
