Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of questions that people frequently ask me.


What kind of stuff do you do?

I do a little of everything... I try my hand at whatever interests me. There is some arts and crafts stuff in here as well as some engineering. There are plenty of things that don't fit any real category.


Is there anything you don't do?

Sure, there are things that I don't / won't do... bad karma and all that... Oh, technically? Not really. There are things that I have not tried, and things that I am not that good at, but there seems very little that I have tried and can't do. Of course, now that I have written that, it is all going to come back to haunt me.


Come on, there has to be something you can't do. Ok, you got me. I can't wrap Christmas presents. I can cover little balsa wood airplanes with tissue paper, but I can't wrap a square box without the pattern being off, the ends not closing right, etc.
Can you tell me about this stereo/computer/vacuum cleaner?

Sure... what do you want to know?.. Before I do though, wouldn't you like a sales person? I don't work here...
I seem to get this a lot in stores. Maybe I just look helpful.


How do you get to (usually someplace in Boston)?

Another one of those "Why do people ask me this?" question. Unless you have a map, I can't help you much. This entry ended up here after a Boston trip where no fewer than four people asked me for directions. I could help the one with a map.


Why do you do all these silly projects?

A better question (for me anyway) is: "Why shouldn't I be doing these silly projects?" This is a good question for me to ask myself as it keeps me out of trouble (usually). I know that a steam powered bicycle or a 17 stage newtonian cannon sound like good ideas, but what would the authorities think?

Really, the reason is that I am currious. I want to know how things work and I want to know if some idea I just got works or not. So far, most do, but even those that don't teach me something.


Why do you do you work with computers?
-or-
Why are you working here?

It pays the rent. Seriously. There are many people out there that are excelent writers, artists, photographers, mechanics, singers, songwriters, chefs, teachers, etc, that do what they do because they enjoy it. They work where someone is willing to pay them. If I could get paid to tinker all day, I would (and in some ways I do), but the fact of the matter is that there isn't a lot of demand for what I do as hobbies. Then of course, there is the little matter of demand performances. As a hobby I enjoy everything I am doing here... If I were required to do these day in and day out they may loose their appeal. Then again, I would be willing to test this theory. Anyone want to hire a full time tinkerer?


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