Category: Uncategorized

I’m getting a newer Mac computer so I can get running with Sketchup CAD on it, which I’m glad to see is no longer a Google product.  I’ve been putting off getting into Sketchup for years.  The fact that I thought it was still associated with Google was a factor in putting off getting into it more recently, since Google had become so terrible with its censorship starting during Trump’s administration.

I’ve been using much older OS X operating systems for many years now since I own a lot of expensive software for those systems that still works great, and also some crucial software that I absolutely depend on no longer even exists for the newer Mac operating systems, so really the newer Mac systems are almost useless to me.  But it will be good to have a newer Mac OS around for various reasons anyway such as using Sketchup, and being able to watch streaming videos on Amazon once again or whatever, etc.  I was planning to make a newer Mac OS system as a Hackintosh before I came to Florida, but I don’t have my previous equipment with me now.

I wish that I would have started my motorcycle box project by designing it in CAD, but whatever, I’ll be putting it into that now.  I can see all sorts of potential alternative uses for it as well such as being a durable shelter, and I can create and refine all of those concepts in CAD and present them here without needing to go through the effort of actually building the variations.  I think it is great that it can fulfill multiple purposes, such as normally being used as a motorcycle shed but then also being able to be used as a shelter, for example.

Since the current design is only about four feet wide it should fit between the wheel wells of most trucks, but I’m sure it could also go on top of the wheel wells if the truck is smaller or if the shed is larger, as long as it is secured properly.

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I’ve fallen out of my more regimented eating schedule lately, but it will be easy to get back into that.

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When I’m out riding my motorcycle I’m always thinking about how much I love it.  I’ve been having a few issues now and then, such as when I start at traffic stops I find that it can be easy for the motorcycle to be in the wrong gear.  What is strange is often when I make an extra effort for it to be in the proper gear is when I find that it ends up not being that way, which causes a lurching or delayed start which is embarrassing.  In fact often when I think “this would be an embarrassing place to have a delayed start” is when it actually happens due to my trying to over-compensate.  I think I should bring it to a shop for the gears to be looked at and calibrated.

Another problem that I sometimes have is with the turn signals, where it is easy to accidentally leave them on because I’m focused on looking out to navigate traffic when turning from starting at a traffic stop.  The indicator light is tiny and out of view when it is blinking, so really it almost may as well not even exist.  At night I don’t have that problem because I can easily see the actual front turn signals blinking.  I bought some indicator lights that will be apparent to me during the day, so I won’t have that problem once I install them.

Florida is a great place to have a motorcycle.  I’m surprised that they aren’t even more popular.  It is very inexpensive to have a motorcycle, where the motorcycle, the gas for it, and the insurance are all very affordable.

The Honda Rebel that I have is a great smallish-size, which is no problem for me even though I’m tall.  Its top speed is in the 70’s and it revs rather high at that speed; however since the engine is of a simple and durable type it is said to be safe for the engine to ride that way for extended periods of time.  I really like the way that it looks, but I wish that its front tire was the same size as the rear one.

The only place that I don’t like riding my motorcycle is on the interstate, which is uncomfortable to do with my bike.  I’ve tried doing that for short distances as an experiment and I disliked it every time.  Since my bike only goes in the 70’s you can imagine the problems that can occur when traffic is going in the 80’s.  Also the pavement on the interstate often has potholes and other issues such as debris scattered on it and weird grooves cut into it.  The bike is great on smaller highways though, and such highways almost always run parallel to the interstates anyway.

I really like the helmet that I have since it gives a 100% unobstructed view, as if I’m not even wearing a helmet at all.  It is rather loud with the wind noise though, so I’m looking into how to reduce that.  A few people have commented that its retro-style makes it look like an Evel Knievel helmet, which it does, although I wasn’t thinking that when I bought it.  I prefer that style to newer ones that look like a Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet or an “Ant-Man and the Wasp”-type helmet that has a lot of curves and angles and other visual noise on it.

I would never want to ride without a helmet.  Things have hit and deflected off of its visor many times so far, such as large insects and gravel from cars and trucks ahead that would have been a problem otherwise.  Also when it starts to rain the drops feel like needles or even bullets on my skin, which would be very painful on my head and face.  The helmet allows me to wear whatever glasses that I want underneath its visor, such as sunglasses.  I purchased a tinted visor for it but I returned that since I have the most options with it being clear.

[ Update: May 17, 2023— I thought of a way for the lid on the bike box to be even more simple while still hinging on the front roof, so I will be re-making my box to be in that style, as in the following sketch:

I think the original removable panel design would have been ok, but I should have focused a bit more on making the panels as small as possible. ]

I’ve been building a weatherproof shed for my motorcycle.  It’s coming along well, but it has been taking longer than I thought it would.

I think the biggest mistake that I made was not designing it first using CAD, but rather I designed it only on paper.  I promised myself during my last project that I would never do another project without designing it first in CAD, however my current computer is rather old and not compatible with the latest version of Sketchup, so I would have had to go through the extra expense of buying and configuring a newer computer and then also paying for the Google Sketchup software.

But now I’m tempted to buy a cheap Windows PC and get Sketchup for that, and then recreate the design of the box using that after the fact, actually.  I’m sick of not being set up for designing things in CAD, and I want to make sure it won’t happen again.

The idea of the box was to make it as compact as possible, where I used a concept of water-tight removable panels, as shown in the above pictures.  (I also still need to add some extra reinforcement gussets to parts of the design, I will post updates over the next few days as it is coming along.)

After spending some time working though it I’m confident that the panels are going to be very water-tight.

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The other day someone suggested putting the main large panel on a hinge so it can be lifted upwards rather than needing to be removed, which I think is a very good idea; although I think the box would need to be less compact in order to accommodate that without having leakage problems, as I have illustrated in the following picture which is a theoretical side view of such a box:

(A) The LIFTED PANEL that always has an angle in it so it will mold to the shape of the point in the roof when the panel is closed— where it will ensure that no water will get inside the large opening when the panel is closed.

(B) The location for the HINGE(S) which should be attached halfway down the front slanting roof, where any water running through the hinges will simply run the rest of the way down the front roof without getting inside anywhere.

(C) The LARGE ACCESSIBLE OPENING that will exist when the panel is lifted.

If I were to put the main panel on a hinge, I would want to make sure that the hinge would naturally not let any water into the box, such as in the above picture.  So I think it is really too late to employ such a hinge on the current design that I’m building; but I don’t think that it will really be a problem since I’m confident that the removable panels will not really be an inconvenience to deal with.  One benefit of the removable panels is that they allow the box to be more compact than it would have needed to be if it had a hinge.  Actually I could have made the panel a bit smaller even but I think it is too late to worry about that now, it will be fine.

Another reason that I want to get CAD running is so I can at least make a real working design of an alternate version of the box that uses hinged panels as in the above rough sketch.  I can get away with using removable panels with a box for my motorcycle because it is a small bike, but for larger motorcycles I think such removable panels would be too large and heavy to be practical to deal with.

After finishing motorcycle classes in Orlando I passed my driver’s test.  Of course it is essential to take such classes where they teach all of the important aspects and the students then practice it.

When I was leaving I said to the instructor, “Sorry if I was a bit of a space cadet sometimes,” or something like that, and he looked at me rather weird for saying that.  Actually I think that was a pretty weird thing for me to say in hindsight.  He never suggested to me that he thought that I was being a space cadet or whatever, but rather it was just my own neurosis speaking I guess.  I actually said that because I’m confident with how my skills have improved during the class.  I can be a bit ragged when I initially learn something, but then it all rapidly comes together in a solid manner.

I’m going to continue to do the exercises that I learned in the class for entrenching habits such as properly braking, swerving, and handling corners for example, which is something that motorcyclists continue to practice and refine throughout the time when they are riding.  I’m doing well so far, it’s going to be great.

I got this great motorcycle that I’m learning how to ride.  I really like my E-bike but I also wanted to have a gasoline powered vehicle that is faster and has a bigger range.  The biggest deciding factor was the fact that they don’t allow E-bikes on the long road to the beach in the mornings and evenings because it is so narrow, but I’m looking forward to having it for all sorts of reasons of course.

I rationalized that I would sell my E-bike to help pay for the motorcycle, but I really don’t want to do that for a few reasons.  One because it can go places where a motorcycle can’t go; another because it can haul heavy and bulky things that can weigh hundreds of pounds using the dolly cart; and finally because I would lose money selling it, especially because I know that I would want to re-buy a similar bike like it again in the future.  So I’m going to avoid selling it if possible.

I bought a “half helmet” for the motorcycle because I thought it would be the least obtrusive, but it turns out that such helmets actually obstruct your hearing because the air rushing past your ears blocks out the other sounds.  I didn’t realize that a helmet covering your ears allows you to hear the traffic around you.  There are also other ways to stop the wind noise but I now also want a helmet that protects more of my head.

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Yesterday I went on a long trip with my E-bike to run an errand where I went 70 miles each way along the coast.  I have three batteries and I was able make the trip with my bike because I was able to recharge the batteries when I reached the destination.  The batteries get much better milage when you use petal assist and don’t start and stop a lot.  I find that they can get up to about 35 miles per charge in such conditions, where otherwise they get about 20 miles per charge.

I got into a bit of a wreck with my E-bike on the trip.  I was inside an area in a construction zone that was cordoned off by cones, and the front tire glanced off the edge of a road that was being cut which was higher than it appeared, which made the bike topple forward while I was going pretty fast.  I broke my fall mostly with my hands and arms, but my head and face still hit the road a bit nonetheless.  Thankfully my teeth avoided being hit.  Somehow my upper lip hit the road along with the side of my face, but not my teeth.

I hate the sensation of being in a wreck such as that.  It all happens in an instant but time seems to slow down as it is happening.  When I finally came to a rest on the road I was certain that my mouth and face were badly inured, but thankfully I’m fine with only a few small cuts and scrapes.

Due to that experience I decided to get a different style of helmet for the motorcycle.  At first I didn’t want one that covers my entire head, but those also protect your face and mouth.

I’ve been studying about riding motorcycles, and I’m finding that there are technical methods for every aspect of it that are important to habitually do in order to be safe.  Of course it is nothing like riding an E-bike which is really no different than riding a traditional bicycle.  A motorcycle can be pretty safe if you take the right precautions and take it very seriously though.

Over the previous month I’ve been getting into shape by loosing weight.  I did a week long fast at the beginning of the month, and I just finished another fast where I drank only smoothies made with an apple, a banana, some water, and the rest of the blender filled with greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens.  I also add seaweed powder (Spirulina) and about ten bitter apricot kernels to the blend.  I’ve been having that every day no matter if I’m fasting or not, so my body is always submerged in vitamins.  It tastes very good also.

The bitter apricot kernels are said to be an anti-carcinogen, and I believe it.  See this article on News of Interest.TV talking about that.  (I need to replace a video on the article..)  When I lived in PA I grew and drank wheatgrass juice which has the same effect along with other vitamins as well.

The first time I fasted last month I had nothing but water.  That might sound like it would be difficult to do, but in fact it is easier than when you fast by only eating less, because subconsciously you are not expecting to eat later in the day, therefore your body does not kick in with hunger pangs nearly as much, if at all.  Also you feel hungry for only about three days, and then the hunger pangs go away altogether for the rest of the week for some reason.  I loose about ten pounds when I fast that way.

I happened to see this video the other day talking about the benefits of fasting.

I would recommend for anyone starting to diet to start with a week long water fast, and then to shift to a healthier diet once you start eating again, especially one that has a lot of leafy green vegetables.

I’ve been combining my fasting with being more of a “small portionist” than I have been in the past, and I’ve been sticking with it well.  Actually the portions aren’t really that small, but rather I’m not taking seconds and only eating what I’ve planned to.  I’m also eating very healthy food.  Some people assume that being a vegan is a way to lose weight, however vegans can be overweight just as easily as meat eaters.  Raw veganism is a good way to loose weight, however.  See this article talking about raw veganism.

I’ve been busy getting situated in Florida.  It’s a great place, it has been warm and sunny almost every day since I’ve arrived.

I saw my first alligator today.  The ponds and lakes here have signs saying that you shouldn’t swim because there is a danger of them, but I was really starting to doubt it.  The one I saw this morning was about a foot and a half long, he was sunning himself on the bank of a drainage ditch on the side of the road.

Two animals I was expecting to see a lot of were Iguanas and Flamingos, but I’ve never seen either of them.  Apparently I’m right at the northernmost edge of where both of those are in the state.  It’s good that Iguanas aren’t here though because they eat bird’s eggs and even bird chicks.

There are a lot of other interesting birds however, some of them being as tall as Flamingos such as many types of Herons and Storks, along with all of the other sea birds such as Pelicans.  There are also a lot of birds of prey like hawks, where sometimes I see them flying overhead carrying a huge fish that they grabbed out of the water.

Lately I’ve been making my own food rather than eating in restaurants, but today I made an exception and went to a great Indian restaurant.  I’m getting back into the routine of making raw food as well as other types of food that I like such as Mexican food and vegetarian Sushi.

I’m keeping busy with things, I hope all is well..

I’m now situated in Florida, which is a nice place.  The weather is warm and the people are polite and kind.

Over the past week I’ve been getting set up with basic essentials such as a bike and a cart for it.  I’ve found that the area is a bit too large for a petal-only type bike, where local trips are often 20 miles or more.  So I was starting to use a strategy of taking buses to get into regions with the bike and cart, which was working well, but the bus drivers were starting to complain about bringing the cart onto the bus, especially one driver who refused to let me board, which upset me so much that I cursed him out a bit.  But he actually did me a favor because it prompted me to order an electric bike which is more suitable for my situation here.

I haven’t forgotten PA though, which is also a nice place.  I’ll start posting to NOITV again soon.

I hope all is well..

Today is an interesting situation.  My apartment is no more, the landlord kicked me out.  There is a lot about the situation that I’ve never written about, but things have been pretty sketchy for a while.

A married couple bought the building a few years ago when the original landlord sold it, and they bought it while the situation was in full swing, so of course they knew what they were buying into.  After they bought the apartment I’ve only been in contact with the lady, so I don’t know how much her husband was involved.  She seemed pretty supportive about the situation, and for a while she essentially implied that she knew about it all, which was pretty reassuring, but then later she changed her tune for no apparent reason, and relatively recently she started trying to kick me out— however she was doing it in a way that suggested that she wasn’t actually “serious” about it, but rather it seemed as if it was just some sort of a run-up to the resolution happening, which of course hasn’t happened yet.

Actually I didn’t take her seriously about being kicked out this time either, expecting her to “change her mind” and say that I can stay when the time drew close, so I wasn’t nearly as prepared for it to happen as I could have been.  But also I was glad to leave a mess under the circumstances.

As far as I can tell it seems that people had been “telling” her what to do when it comes to the situation.  I asked her if she was a Freemason when I was starting to get aggravated with her, and she said that she was not, although who knows if she is or not.  But in any event I think it is unlikely that she would have gotten into the situation due to having some sort of malice toward me, although I suppose it theoretically could have been the case.

Actually though more than a few times she did imply that she was “not on my side” with the situation, which I chalked up to being a “test,” or a “joke” which I thought was actually just some sort of a way of communicating that she knows about the situation.  I just couldn’t accept that it could be possible that she would get involved with the situation if she wasn’t ultimately more or less supportive.

I was expecting the resolution to potentially happen in the middle of the next month.  It’s a shame that I wasn’t able to finish what I was working on.  I was very well set up with my computers where they were very well integrated and streamlined.  I left behind thousands of dollars in equipment, but worse than that it took many hundreds of hours of work configuring it all.  I only have all my important hard drives and a laptop now.  I loved all of my tools, which would have gone to fantastic use if the resolution would have happened.

It does feel rather liberating to be away from that disingenuous situation.  However without the resolution happening all other potential relationships may as well be the same way.  That is why it was essential for the resolution to happen there if it is going to happen in PA.  Obviously it not possible to just “move somewhere else” in this area under the circumstances.

Also recently people such as her have even been ridiculously and offensively trying to make my important decisions for me, without even consulting me about it!  Only I’m capable of making my decisions, unlike the unenlightened and deceitful people that I’m unfortunately stuck being associated with.

Why are people so opposed to the resolution happening, anyway?  I only need clarity so I can make the proper decisions, so what is wrong with that?  People don’t have to be involved with my organizations if they don’t want to be.  There is no good reason for the resolution not to happen—but rather there are only bad reasons.  Don’t people care about the horrible things that are happening in the world?

I hope all is well..

I hope people are having a good new year.  I’ve been having having issues with the heating in my apartment, but so far it hasn’t been cold.  It has been unseasonably warm outside over the past few days, but even if the weather gets much colder I will be fine until it is fixed because I have a space heater that I could use if I really need to, ect.  I’ve updated NOITV as well.

I hope all is well ..

I hope people are having a nice new year.  Last month I was working on technical issues, and I will continue to be focusing on technical aspects while also posting new content and keeping the blog stream moving more frequently.  I hope all is well..