Of Mice and Makerspaces. . . Originally published August 8th, 2011

The time has come to answer a few questions. I've been dropping hints as to my plans for a little while, now here is a better look at the concept. . .

The question I've gotten from quite a few is, "what is a makerspace?". The short answer is that a Makerspace is a place where people with common interests can meet and collaborate on ideas and projects. The long answer goes much deeper. A makerspace not only offers workspace and resources, but also learning opportunities, as it is built on the idea of peer knowledge and sharing.

The makerspace I intend to build will be based completely on this collaborative principal. Aside from housing my own creative aims, I intend to begin by offering lab space for writers and designers, supporting the endeavor by offering classes from Tai Chi to basic mechanics tutoring. Eventually, I intend to grow the space to house areas for people to work on their projects and to provide a general tool lending library, if you will, for same. Although the classes would be made available to everyone, the latter services would be provided to members for a monthly due. A physical store would be attached to the face of the makerspace, providing a place for artisans to sell their goods on consignment, further supporting the entire endeavor.

Currently, we are still in the conceptual stages. I am building up the finances on my own and will be, over the next few weeks, seeking consulting assistance from local support groups in the community. When I get closer to finding a facility, I may even begin looking for outside investors, if necessary.

More to follow! ^.^

For a Long, Lost Friend. . .

Morning awakes
Though my body still feels tired.
Slowly arise,
Though I can hardly step.
And the light is shining so,
Brighter than I've ever seen--
I can't help searching for
Silhouettes of you.

Please hold me tightly;
Please smile so warmly;
Searching within these thunderstorms--
Searching through until dawn.

Remember that one time?
I long for the past times.
I'll tell you what I miss;
I keep on missing our own,
One chance encounter. . .

So what is Fathers' Day? If you were out the day before, it would seem to be just another endeavor into commercialized consumerism. If you get past the surface, though, looking through the last-minute gift shoppers storming through stores trying to figure out a good 'mandatory' prize, what do we have left?

Truly, Fathers' Day is a celebration of memories.

Today, we made a few. Through a persistent blatter of day-long rain, we set out with no particular goal in mind. After a roundabout ride across the island, we ended up in Copper Harbor, hiking through the rain to capture a letterbox, picking agates along the shore, and discovering another possible branch in the family tree. We got pretty wet, yes, trundling through the boreal forests, but a lazy saunter home to some dry clothes and a homemade pot of chili served to top things off. Like I said. . . Memories.

My father and I are separated by a thousand miles; our occasional phone calls are never enough. Camping excursions, fishing trips, all those things I've learned because of him. He is the reason I can repair a lawn mower with an elastic hair band, or back up a trailer just as easily as driving a straight line. There are no gifts that I can find to repay him for what he's given me, except for the gift of time. Those moments we have, fleeting though they are across the miles, are themselves gems to be revered and then passed on through my own children.

To those out there, fathers and children alike, I hope today's memories were good ones.

Unplugging Destiny. . .

Throughout a couple hundred thousand years of human civilization, technology has continued to develop to both the benefit and detriment of humankind. Bicycles were a nice addition to our lives, as well as eating utensils and indoor toilets. I'm certain more than a few people could have done without the guillotine, but where would we be without the advent of the steam engine and, later, the internal combustion engine?

The thing is, we are constantly turning out items and ideas to make our lives easier, but have we gotten to the point where that is impossible? Have we reached a plateau whereupon every gadget and feature we tweak into our daily routine only hurts our productivity; steals our time? Have we, as a society, forgotten how to jettison things that don't work as planned? Perhaps we've forgotten the failure that was the PDA; good idea turned paperweight.

Now, I have to admit that I love the internet. The ability to not only find the answer to potentially any question, but to find an item on the other side of the planet, purchase it, then have it show up on your doorstep a few days later is both convenient and wonderful. Through social networking sites, I have gotten in touch with friends I had feared lost to the passing of time.

. . .And there, of course, are the games.

So where has it all gotten us? Where has it gotten me? I have, of late, come to the realization that I haven't quite made it to where I want to be at this stage of life. I am a steampunk, which means by nature that I am a recycler and upcycler. I invent and I reinvent. I have the ability to live simply, but do I, truly? How much time have I lost to online diversions in the pursuit of quick information? What have I done to achieve my career goal of becoming a reclusive writer?

Beginning with this new day, I am going to unplug. I am going to turn my back, temporarily, on some of the conveniences of the day, with the intent of getting back some of the productivity I've lost these last few years. I have accomplished so much recently, and I refuse to backstep. The world needs my contribution, so here I come. We often forget the power we have over our own destinies.

I will not be completely isolated from the modern world, as I will be coming back from time to time to report my progress. For now, it's back to an earlier time. See you around. . .