going to bed earlier and earlier. Getting up later and later.

I'm looking at the Wee Blinky directions. I like what I'm seeing. I want to play around and see what happens when I put the parts in the wrong spots.

Stuff started coming in today.

Got my box with the vice in it and the box with the make shirt, make volume 1, and the wee blinky.

I want to build the wee blinky, but have no batteries, and the soldering gun hasn't arrived yet. I'm tempted get one of the non-variable soldering irons out and putting it together.

I really really am.

I find it flattering.

mrattis has "broken eyes", by which I mean he instinctively sees imperfections and often what needs to be fixed. This helps to make him an excellent mechanic who literally does *not* know how to leave a problem unsolved. Imagine a pool of blood with writhing tentacles, each with a different tool attachment, and you've got Chris.

So I went to Lowe's today. Got some tools, and other things relating to my elctonics education that's a coming in the mail.

I really do like the Kobalt hand tools. I needed a pair of snips for this project. So 2 birds 1 stone on that one. Got the lights.

I've cut them apart. I'm thinking a tube next time, or maybe resolder things into a tighter package. Used weather proofing tape instead of silicon glue. While I could figure how to glue the photo-cel in, the rest was too bulky, and not shaped right to fit into the lid. Oh well.

The guy at 7-11 made a comment about needing energy, I said no, they're for christmas presents. He gave me a weird look, and then after I explained it, thought it was really cool.

There is a light blue, a dark blue, a red, and a yellow. The light blue is the only one I have seen lit so far.

I still need to paint the jars. Not looking forward to it. Painting in the cold is always a little dogdey.

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In June I helped echidna_boy see the light (8 points). In March I put money in sibn's expired parking meter (14 points). Last week I set admiral_k's puppy on fire (-66 points). In July estrojenn and I robbed a bank (-50 points). Last Sunday lorriejharris and I donated clothes to the needy (11 points). Overall, I've been naughty (-83 points). For Christmas I deserve a spanking! Sincerely, mrattis

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Since I was a kid, I've wanted to learn hobby electronics. I learned to solder before High School. However my elders wouldn't let me. They all pushed me towards computers. The closest I got to hobby electronics was being shown how to build a computer when I was about 10, and in 7th grade using a multimeter with different every day objects to test resistance.

But I never really knew what I was looking at, or what I was seeing.

As for the Soldering I mostly fixed my headphone wires when my head phones broke.

Anyway recently, Make Magazine came out with a book, and two sets to go with it.

I tried to order the deluxe set, but it and the regular set are not available. (I did try both). So I went to Amazon and decided to try and build the set. I came pretty close, I'm using some tools I already have, and bought a thing off Maker's Shed. I came close to their price, with some better equipment. Better multimeter, better (50 watt adjustable instead of 30 watt adjustable) soldering iron.

Anyways, I think the Sun Jar in the Christmas post will be a good, beginner project. Since all it requires is taking things a part, painting, and gluing things in place. I should be able to do that in my sleep. I used to build models, and miniatures.

I'm actually making a hand made present this year.

4 sun jars. Following the guide on Life Hacker. The person I'm making them for was with me when I bought the jars, but she thinks they're for something else.