Fixing things
My kid’s mini air hockey table stopped working the other day. Thought it was batteries at first, but or course it was more complicated. After some disassembly, I discovered that one of the lugs had broken off the switch.
Luckily it was a double throw switch, but only used in a single throw application. I’ve seen this a lot in toys and other goods. I imagine it’s something to do with its cheaper to maintain inventory with one type rather than both?
Anyway, a quick lesson in soldering and electricity for six year olds and we’re back to air hockey.
Across the Atlantic: Day 10
I’m fascinated by the discussions that California doesn’t have enough fire hydrants because money is being spent elsewhere. But I’m scared of this “In the aftermath of disaster, healthy communities ask themselves, What did we do wrong? Unhealthy ones ask, Who did this to us? Nations that externalize their internal issues lose the ability to address them.”
Across the Atlantic: Day 9
This past year has been tough, with the prospect of mortality becoming more real. As always, Arthur Brooks puts it in perspective.
Across the Atlantic: Day 8
No real words. Except maybe listen to science.
Across the Atlantic: Day 7
I thought this was solved…. (https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2025/01/bears-ears-shrinking/681222/)
Across the Atlantic: Day 6
True:
Nobody wants to say aloud, “The Constitution is all very well up to a point, but the needs of the National Association of Birdhouse Manufacturers must come first.” Inevitably, though, our words come into alignment with our interests, and our thoughts then come into alignment with our words.
Across the Atlantic: Day 5
It’s true. And I’m generally an introvert (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2025/01/throw-more-parties-loneliness/681203/)
“You don’t even need to buy anything, or clean up beforehand, if you’re feeling particularly punk. All you have to do is invite people in.”
Across the Atlantic: Day 4
We need an instrument, to take a measurement. Or maybe we don’t…
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/01/kids-temperature-thermometers/681200/
Across the Atlantic: Day 3
“Maybe the dark-mode age was inevitable.” (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/01/rise-of-dark-mode-apps/681162/)
I even have my Atlantic app set to dark mode.
Across the Atlantic: Day 2
Over Christmas break, I mentioned to my dad that I had read 118 books so far this year. He scoffed that I was wasting my time tracking that information. I poorly explained that it was part motivational and part just interesting to know how much time I was spending on something that’s important to me. This article (https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/12/a-better-way-to-set-goals/681174) does a better job at that.
Hylocomium splendens
Washington has more of this than anywhere else I’ve been. I’m totally in awe. My daughter grew tired of me marveling at on this hike we did at Olympic National Park.
Across the Atlantic: Day 1
As I’ve been slacking on using my Atlantic subscription to its fullest, one of my 2025 goals is to read at least one article every day.
Although it was published last week, I couldn’t resist starting with this article (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/12/tortilla-masa-heirloom-artisanal-revolution/681102/) because who doesn’t love a good tortilla.
Slightly jealous
I spent probably far too many visits to the general area of the Pike Place Market over the past week in Seattle. But it’s a really impressive space.
One of the things that struck me is its longevity and how it survived numerous challenges where sections of it may have been torn down or redeveloped.
It made me somewhat jealous of what Seattle has and what we’re not accomplishing in Pittsburgh’s strip district, which while it has many awesome attribute, it could be great. Sure the Terminal Building was largely saved (I really can’t imagine what it would be like 1/3rd shorter), it’s becoming a bland corporate destination rather than a more organic, quasi public space. We really need to do better here.
Water Dog
I’ve long wanted a dog that can ride on top of a kayak and on a recent vacation I was able to train Jax to sit on top of my boat. No spills despite him being a chaos pup!
Christmas Eve
It’s 60F (15C) today here in Pittsburgh. While it’s nice to spend some time outside, it makes it hard to not be concerned about climate change. Pittsburgh’s December temperature typically ranges from 30-40F, so this seems to be not normal. Playing outside with the kids seems like a great example of shifting baseline syndrome.
