Mrs. B's Classroom & Sled Progress

 

I just finished reading this one - good book. It's the story of a lady who leaves her job with the newspaper and takes a job teaching school on Chicago's South Side. She doesn't have a teaching degree but because the City of Chicago can't find enough teachers, like a lot of other places, they have an internship program to get you in after jumping through a bunch of hoops. After she's in the classroom she has to start dealing with unreasonable expectations and help that was promised but doesn't show up along with all the problems the students bring with them. I found the book especially interesting since I too taught at an inner-city school when I first started my career. It was nothing like what she had to go through, fortunately, but I definitely could relate. There's one line in the book that really hit home with me while she was summarizing what she had learned after being in the classroom for a while. "I learned that staff meetings in education are like hostage situations." I got a chuckle out of that one.

I got a few more pieces cut for the sled at the new gym. I'm planning on going in a little early today and getting a few more cut out. The bottom skis need a bunch of holes drilled in them to fasten the UHMV on and I need the hardware as well. I did a search for the UHMV and found a place that would cut customs sizes. Two pieces came to $45.00 for the material, but when all the rest of the charges were totaled up, it was $220.00. No go on that. I found stuff on Amazon that will work but I'll have to run it through the table saw and rip it down a little. I've only got three more weeks of school and I want to be able to weld it there, so I need to stay on it. 

VW & Boxing Gym

 

Surly was here the other night and he gave me a ride to the end of the driveway so I could get the mail. He had Buck Owens cued up, so I heard a little bit of the song. The driveway is long, but not long enough to hear the whole song, even if it is only 2:29. On my bicycle trip on the Katy Trail years ago, my buddy and I spent the night in a bicycle hostel that was right next door to a little bar. We were urged by the management to do some karaoke, so I chose to do some Buck Owens on my one and only experience with karaoke. Nice thing about it was I'd never have to see any of those people again. A singer I'm not - maybe I'll go back for an encore performance when I learn to yodel. That'll impress 'em!

 I finally got the head for the VW engine stand bolted up to the engine. I'm still not sure why it didn't fit initially, but it's a done deal now. I cleaned off a spot for the stand close to the trailer, so we won't have to move the engine more than a few steps. I'm going to pull the tailgate off the trailer, after blocking the wheels on the dolly, so it'll be ready to move when my help shows up.

I delivered the speed bag platform mount yesterday. Coach Jen and I walked three miles first, checked out the progress of her gym and then did lunch. Lunch conversation was all about her plans for the gym. She plans on opening up right after the first of the year. I don't know how much help I'm going to be with the eye surgery and teaching, but I plan on helping with the boxing as soon as I'm able.

She's waiting on a couple of contractors to finish their part and then she can clean things up and move the rest of the equipment in. It's going to be a nice place when it's all done.

Sledding

 

 I did a bit of "fingering" yesterday and came up with the sled plan for Coach Jen. I'm making this thing from scrap material I came up with, so that dictated the design to a large extent. The good thing is, other than the pipe, I won't have to buy any material. 

I got the prybar out yesterday to lift up the VW motor to bolt it onto the stand only to find out the bolt pattern isn't correct. I had another VW motor once upon a time and I remember having it on the stand, but apparently, not all VW motors have the same bolt pattern on the bell housing. I checked the mount against the trans and it wouldn't bolt up there either. However, the trans and the motor appear to be the same. I don't know much about VWs as far as what fits with what, but right now all I want to do is get the motor on the stand and move on. I'm going to try and get that taken care of today, finally.

I'm going to the gym this morning to see about a job for Jimmy. He had talked to me a while back about cutting down a boxing ring. I want to see if that's still the case and get it in the pipeline if it is. Depending on the weather, stop at the park on the way home and do a little walking. Two weeks until the 5K.

The Edmund Fitzgerald - A Bit Late

 

I missed the anniversary of the wreck last Sunday. As much as I listen to the radio, you'd have thought I would have heard something, if not the song, someone mentioning it. As a side note, when my buddy Kevin and I did the Detroit half marathon, we ran by the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral. Of course, the song was stuck in my head from there to the finish line, which was the 50-yard line of Ford Field. 

I've seen a lot of that attitude over the years - still see a bit of it at the community college level. 

Speaking of which, I went to an advisory committee meeting last evening. I didn't feel like my presence helped much, but the food was good. I did talk to my boss about my assignment next spring. It appears I'll be teaching on the same nights Coach Jen wants to have boxing nights when she opens her gym/health club. I won't be teaching until the middle of March, but I'll be convalescing from eye surgery part of that time. I told the boss I'll honor the commitment, but if someone else is looking for more work it won't hurt my feelings if he gives my spot away.

Speedbag platform mount with the adjustable angles installed. I really like the look of the finished product, so I figured I should post it one more time.

I was going to bolt the VW engine on to the engine stand head I worked on a couple of weeks back, but the way the engine is sitting on the dolly, I need to lift up the engine a bit to have enough clearance to sneak the mount into position to bolt it on - maybe see if I can lift it up and throw a block under it today. I'd like to get that one checked off the list.

I cut some pieces for the sled for Coach Jen's gym. I think I've figured out how to make this thing using mostly scrap material I've come up with. I need to sit down and sketch out a plan to finalize the design and then get after it.

Lots to do, like always.

Senior Citizen

 

I usually listen to a CD in the truck during my commute, rather than the radio - no commercials and nothing but my favorites. I don't go too long without listening to some jazz, and Mose is often the first one I turn to. This cut is from the CD The Earth Wants You, which is a collection of tunes about life as an elder. Something I can relate to. I did get the results from my blood work last evening. Everything came back A-Okay. Cholesterol 148. Since the heart attack it's never been above 150 - something to be said for a decent diet and regular exercise.

I finished up the mount for the speedbag platform. The two angles with the slots will get painted today and that'll finish it. The square tube has a pretty thin wall thickness but the angle bracing should stiffen things up to cut vibration. If you want a fast rebound on the bag, you need to have a solid platform. This one will be a couple of thick particle boards glued together. Should give good action and it's adjustable in height - can't have a boxing gym without a speedbag.

I still need to make the chin-up bar and sled. I've started on the sled but just barely. Now that the speedbag job is done, I'll pick up the pace on that one.

I haven't forgotten about the vintage trials bike. I'll get a little bit more done on that this week as well.

This & That

 

Bobby Allison passed away on Saturday. He was one of my favorite racers back when I was a big fan. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to a terrible racing accident that scrambled his brains. Racing also cost him the lives of his two sons, Clifford and Davey. RIP Mr. Allison.

The Marines celebrated their 249th birthday on Sunday and Veterans Day was yesterday. Thanks to all who served, regardless of the branch of service. Hopefully we'll see some improvements in the armed forces now that we've got some new people that will be in charge. 

I received my "spit tube" in the mail the other day for the medical study I volunteered for. They advertised for people with industrial experience and may have ingested, breathed in, or otherwise absorbed various chemicals. I filled out a questionnaire and was selected as a subject. I think the primary goal has to do with ALS but I'm sure whatever they find will be used for other research as well. I'm also listed as an organ donor on my driver's license. Anything I can do to help others with whatever's not used up after I die, they're welcome to it.  

In addition to mailing in my tube of spit, I put in a brisk mile of walking at the park, and I got my blood test taken care of. I also finished up the speed bag project with the exception of two clip angles that need to be welded on. I was all set to do that when the lens fell out of my glasses. I normally wear a pair of reading glasses when TIG welding rather than my prescription glasses. The readers are just cheap ones from the Dollar Store but I tried gluing the broken frame back together. I'll see if that worked today. I've got a couple of other pair around here for computer use if not. Either way, I'll finish the welding and then get some paint on the thing so I can deliver it.

Maybe finish weld the tabs on the Rickati gas tank as well. Need to keep working my way back.

Progress on Two Fronts

 

Since I decided to start at the front and work my way back, I installed the controls on the handlebar yesterday. The front brake cable is hooked up, but the throttle and clutch cables won't be hooked up until the engine installation is finalized. As you can see behind the bike, I've still got some more cleaning to do. 

Looking forward from the saddle - I'm real happy with how the tank turned out. It's kind of a shame I have so many different things that distract me from staying focused on developing my metal shaping skill. There's so much to learn but you can't master anything if you don't devote the time - 10,000 hours of your best effort according to Malcolm Gladwell. And, of course, you need the requisite tools and equipment as well. Tools I've got, time not so much. While I can't run with the big boys, I'm thinking this bike will be nothing to be ashamed of, though.

I got the machine work done on the speed bag hanger. Looking to get the rest of the parts made and welded together today. 

While it wasn't too cold yesterday, I started the shop heater while I was working out there. I wanted to get it ready for the inevitable cold weather that's coming, and it was a bit chilly and damp out. I should have enough propane to easily make it through the winter, but I want to make sure I keep at least two full tanks to run the generator in the event of a power outage.