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<h1>Blog</h1>
<p>A collection of thoughts, life updates, projects, and images in chronological order.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Spring Break - Day 2</h2>
<p>It's spring break this week, and seeing as there are lots of things planned, I figured I'd jot down the main points each day.</p>
<p>Autorama. Bigger than the Detroit Auto Show (somehow). This is definitely the event of the semester. Other than maybe industry day/student exhibition. It was a good show, with lots of cars I know little about and bikes that I know a little about. My two friends that have actual knowledge on the subject were our guide.</p>
<p>We weren't just there to see the show, however. Tickets were paid for by the school so that we could man the school booth and sketch for the public. It's always a great time. You get to draw whatever you want and meet new people.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/Sketching.jpg" alt="Me and other students sketching cars at the CCS booth at Autorama 2024." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Sketching at Autorama</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While on our shift, we met Andrew Berry, a senior at LTU who is also majoring in transportation design. He was friendly, very talented, and we got a bit of a first-hand look into what it's like at another school. I've very glad we got to meet.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/LTU_Encounter.jpg" alt="Meeting an LTU senior, Andrew Berry." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Andrew Berry from LTU</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Of course, the rest of the day (before and after) was spent walking around the show. I don't really know many details about the cars, but here's a truncated selection of what I found most interesting.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303125314_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Rat rod truck.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303130300_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Dutch Door Stop 101 (Model A chassis, Dodge body).</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303130450_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>1974 Vanguard CitiCar.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303131721_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>1972 Honda CB750 drag bike.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303132324_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Beetle.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303133419_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Flying Finch (1946 Ford truck).</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303135227_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>1988 Chevrolet S10.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303135642_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>GMC 1500.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303141050_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>1986 Shelby GLHS.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303141501_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>1981 Honda CBX (Assembled from parts).</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303141852_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>1987 Harley-Davidson Sportster.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Autorama24/IMG20240303162728_1000.jpg" alt="." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>Hot rod truck.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>I'm a bit embarrassed of my lack of knowledge. I'll get my friends to correct me, and I'll update the info at a later date.</p>
<p>My friends and I hit the road for Wisconsin tomorrow. Hoping all goes well. It should.
<p><b>Created:</b> 2024-03-03</p>
<hr />
<h2>Spring Break - Day 1</h2>
<p>It's spring break this week, and seeing as there are lots of things planned, I figured I'd jot down the main points each day.</p>
<p>Today is the first day, though technically not. There were still classes, but not for me. It is still winter, so the air is cold, but we gathered a group of people and went to the weekly cars and coffee event. It was expectedly devoid of much life. There were the 6 or 7 die-hard attendies, which was still nice to see. We left an hour later when there were only a couple left.</p>
<p>My dad arrived around noon, and we had a nice lunch after loading up the car with the stuff I no longer needed at school and the remaining car parts.</p>
<p>Autorama is tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to it.</p>
<p><b>Created:</b> 2024-03-03</p>
<hr />
<h2>Midterms</h2>
<p>We had our midterm presentation in studio earlier this week. It went well with lots of great feedback from Joe Dentale (Ford Creative Design) and Matt Tandrup (Livewire Creative Director). I think this is one of the best classes so far. Lots to still improve on, but I have a direction now.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/20240229_Midterm-board_1000.jpg" alt="Skyline photo lightning in Detroit. Featuring the Fisher building." width="1000" height="563" />
<figcaption>Midterm board. <a href="./static/media/20240229_Midterm-board.jpg">Full-size image.</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>I'm looking forward to fleshing out the details and getting a good start on the model over break.</p>
<p><b>Created:</b> 2024-02-29</p>
<hr />
<h2>Couple of Pictures</h2>
<p>There was a big storm a night ago, and I got a picture of the lightning lighting up the clouds.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/20240227_Detroit-weather_1000.jpg" alt="Skyline photo lightning in Detroit. Featuring the Fisher building." width="1000" height="563" />
<figcaption>Storm featuring the Fisher building.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>My frind built a Y-wing from some clone battle packs. I reworked the gunner area and build a stand for it.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/20240228_Y-wing_1000.jpg" alt="Clone Wars era LEGO Y-Wing model build out of 501st battle packs. Captain Rex minifigure in pilot seat." width="1000" height="563" />
<figcaption>501st Y-Wing.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><b>Created:</b> 2024-02-29</p>
<hr />
<h2>50°F, Overcast, and Windy</h2>
<p>I was out on a bike ride with some friends yesterday and couldn't help but notice the weather. Just warm enough to have a light sweatshirt on with a bit of wind and a cloudy sky. There is something special to me about this kind of weather. I was asked if it was because it reminded me of being outside as a child, but that alone doesn't quite capture it. It's more the transitional feeling of going from something social and fun to finally splitting up for the day and heading home. Right between the two. You know the end is near and you can feel those around you anxious to get ready to leave, but you just want to stay out a bit longer. Oddly perfect for our the events of the afternoon, though I wouldn't apply my description to the dynamic of our group. But that is what it reminds me of. A sense of longing. For the people, for the event, for a sense of normal in a busy or lonely schedule. I'm likely projecting a bit, specifically from the past, but I suppose that's the point. If I were more skilled, I might write a poem to describe the feeling, but I'm no poet. Maybe when I have a bit more free-time. Or, more likely, retired.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/20240209_Bike-ride-group-sidex1000.jpg" alt="Group photo of my friends and our bicycles on the steps in front of the GM RenCen by the Detroit River." width="1000" height="750" />
<figcaption>My friends and I outside the GM RenCen by the Detroit River.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Side note: I've discovered how to type symbols and special characters on Mac, so I can type Ángel's name correctly now without having to copy and paste characters. Exciting stuff.</p>
<p><b>Created:</b> 2024-02-10</p>
<hr />
<h2>First Post</h2>
<p>New year, new site. Looking forward to working on it.</p>
<p><b>Created:</b> 2024-01-09</p>
<hr />
<h2>Jeep CJ-7 Turn Signal Repair</h2>
<p>A while back, I noticed that the passenger side turn signal on my 1985 Jeep CJ7 was out. The right turn signal indicator would stay solid when the headlights were turned on. I pulled the bulb assembly and found this:</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Before.webp" alt="Disassembled turn signal lamp assembly: housing, wire harness, contact that broke off wire, degraded rubber grommet, bulb, and lens cover." width="1280" height="960" />
<figcaption>Lamp disassembled.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The wire responsible for turning the bulb “high” was broken from what I assume is fatigue. The rubber meant to support the wire and contact pin was severely degraded and falling apart, exposing the bare wire where it met the pin. This also means the wire could freely flex at the joint, and going over bumbs or just general road vibration could have eventually wore it down. I didn't see much in the way of corrosion around the wire, so that's why I assume it was stress related.</p>
<p>Anyways, the bucket was severely rusted, and the gasket was a poor excuse for one, so I cleaned up the bucket with some sandpaper and gave it a light coat of lubricant to hopefully hinder the rust and cut a new gasket from two layers of craft foam. This is definitely a short-term solution, but with school fast approaching and the fact that this will be garaged for the next 9 months I wasn't too concerned. Next spring is Jeep repair time, this summer is “cobble it together until then” time. I also cleaned up the driver side bucket the same way and cut a new seal just to try and keep it from rusting any more.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Cleaned_Bucket.webp" alt="Sanded and re-foamed turn signal bucket" width="1280" height="960" />
<figcaption>Bucket cleaned.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Next, I got to repairing the harness. The pin was a crimp-on, and there was no easy way I was going to be able to uncrimp it for reuse. So I did the next best thing, soldering. Anyone that takes pride in soldering would probably stare agasp at what I did, but again, I'll fix it correctly in the spring. I just trimmed back a bit of sheathing on the wire and soldered it to the bare copper on the side of the pin. Pretty or preferable? No. Does it work? Yes.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Soldered_Harness.webp" alt="Soldered and repaired turn signal harness" width="1280" height="960" />
<figcaption>Connector wires repaired.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Finally, everything was reinserted into the bucket. I reused the dryrotted rubber piece that was still in the bucket because it needs that to keep the pins in place and put tension on the bulb to retain it. After it was all reassembled, I put some Shoe Goo (it's what I had lying around) on the exposed end to try and prevent the same thing from happening again quickly.</p>
<figure>
<img src="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Final_Front.webp" alt="Front of final lamp assembly" width="1280" height="960" />
<img src="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Final_Rear.webp" alt="Rear of final lamp assembly" width="1280" height="960" />
<figcaption>Final Assembly.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Pretty happy with how it turned out given that I didn't spend anything or go anywhere other than my garage to get it done. Here's a video of it being tested:</p>
<figure>
<video src="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Flasher_Test.mp4" alt="Turn signal test, and lamp flashes as expected" controls="" width="1920" height="1080"><a href="./static/media/Jeep_CJ7_Turn_Signal_Repair/images/Flasher_Test.mp4">CJ7 Signal Test</a></video>
<figcaption>Signal testing.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Now to repair the muffler I blew… but that's for another day.</p>
<p><b>Created:</b> 2023-07-20</p>
<p>P.S. I did end up getting a new muffler on. That'll be a future post.</p>
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