project updates

Ok, so in the last post you learned that I am now TV-less. I know now how the peoples of yesteryear discovered and invented. It's called "learning by doing". That is what I am engaging myself in. It's awesome.

I currently have two main projects in the works:

#1 Building a media computer
A while ago my [cheap-ass] DVD player died. I've been using my old powerbook as my iPod syncing source, downloaded movie player, and DVD player since then. What I really wanted, however, was a dedicated machine to do all this. The powerbook really wasn't up to the task. I've also decided that it's time for me to use open source as much as possible. My main computer at home is ubuntu already, so it's not too much of a jump. To build the machine. I'm basically following this guy's steps, minus the tuner card (since I have no input on that front anyway). I got one piece today, but UPS screwed up so I have to wait till tomorrow for the rest. What I have done in the meantime was to a) unlock my DRM tunes and audible.com books (not really that many tracks) and b) get my iPods to sync with amarok. Not too difficult, really. Hopefully I'll have that stuff running this week sometime.

#2. Brewing my own beer
This is pretty straightforward; I'm just following directions. I've got some friends who have done it, and I've been wanting too for a while now. I went to the modern brewer, got some stuff, and now I just need to get a big pot to boil in. It needs to be stainless or enameled steel. I'm leaning towards getting a turkey fryer for this use, since then I'd have one of those as well. For bottles, I collected all I need over the fourth. Right now, I just need the pot, I need to wash a bunch of stuff, and then I need to brew the wort and wait a little while. Should be fun.

I'll take pictures get the steps up here for both projects. Other than that, it's been a lot of reading, online and off. Some cooking. Even a little exercise. Honestly, I actually feel smarter without the TV constantly on. It's crazy.

Tashfeen wins the prize for first commenter in the last post. I'm going to name the prize as one free ticket to see Hellboy II, since we just made plans to go see it. Should be good; I'm really looking forward to Guillermo del Toro's directing. Megan will get the runner-up prize, which I have yet to figure what it is. I'll know it when I see it.