Full and wonderful day.. a perfect wqay to end a half a century,.. My life is very full and entertaining when it isn’t hectic and unpredictable.   I began the day by working with homer n figuring out how to rewire the 60kw generator he borrowed to produce three phase 408 volt AC..to poewr his new robotic router.   We spent about 30 min on the phone staring at these ancient wiring diagrams . trying t figure out how to get the gneerotr rewired..

 

the rest of the day had a mix of normal day job stuff.. and some cool

new stuff. I recorded some interviews with some senior colleagues

giving career advice to younger folks in the company..

This afternoon I had an hour talk with some folks in film and media business about motivating kids for engineering careers. One of them had a great idea about extendign the concept of STEM (science technology engineering and math) .. to STEAM ( science  technology, enginineering ARTS and math).. I know it’s a small differntence.. but I’ve been thinking about ways to bring the right half of the brain into the mix for energizing kids on math science and engineering. The mix of arts and technology is what turned me on so much at burning man.. it’s a GREAT way to get kids of all wiring to consider technical fields.. especially those that matter in the world. I’m going to think of a way of moving on that.. watch this space..

After another set of very interesting and productive day job meetings I rounded out  the day with a half hour conversation with ‘Leela, a 10 year old future etymologist. She and her mom had written our Chairman and asked for help in a think project (putting gps on butterfly’s wings !)..    For the last several years most requests from kids to the company get routed to me.. I think that’s kind of cool.. anyway.. teh conversation with ‘Leela was amazing and enlightening.. she’s one smart kid.. She gae me a homework assignment that I’m still trying to work out even now..

After yoga.. one more project.. benn F. and his friends came over for help with a high school prank. they are working on a battery powered hovercraft to run in the annual hallway race.. we cobbled together some stuff.. hovercraft base, new shovac, inverter and deep cycle battery to see f the idea could work. We got close.. but we need to recharge the battery to be sure it will work.. wathc tis space and we”ll see..