Logging Layout

So, Brent and I have been passing around ideas on a future logging layout in the basement. We've been trying to figure out how to have the right balance of scenery, track, interest. And not to mention figuring out how to make the space work for multi-family uses. Not that the family accounts for much more than 2 cats, 1 dog, 5 "sometimes" adults (the 5th one is not always here, but she makes good suppers!).

So we are working out how to allow ourselves a good amount of run in a 10x14' space that can really only be used around the walls. We tried a square type walkaround (as in walk all the way around, glorified table) but that got poo-pooed by the planning regulator. I was wrong that it's only slightly larger than a 4x8.

So we are working around the walls. Hopefully figuring out a nice way of building a layout that is above any other required uses of the space and well out of reach of small fingers, and allows those small fingers to store their toys underneath. One plan we both liked was the CVR plan by Ron Newby. Especially the switch back for the Okanogan Lumber Company, so we are thinking of ways we can work that in.

So, between homework I'm hoping we can get a good handle on this so that by sometime in the summer when I finally get the basement finished we can start building.

BTW - I used Paint.Net for the image, because I don't have Photoshop on this machine again. Very useful, and very lightweight.

Cheers,
Eric

This is how I feel...

Jalopnik

So very true!

Pour My Heart into It...

My lovely wife challenged me last night to re-evaluate my focus and what I pour my heart into. Lately I've been pouring my heart into one thing only, something which as of late isn't returning on the investment, no matter how hard I try. So Becky's suggestion was to look at what I'm doing, and all the things I have going on in my life and re-evaluate what I'm pouring my heart into.

It's tough, we both have the John Rebus protestant work ethic. Not that I think there is anything wrong with that, but it's leading to an unbalanced life. I think that I need to concentrate on our home more, school more, even enjoying life more. It's hard though because I feel like I'm not doing what I should be if I'm not beating myself by working hard. But maybe there is more to life! You know, back when I had hopes and dreams, I looked forward to stuff, felt positive moving forward.

So I think I'm going to shift my focus a bit, really work hard at school, get some more stuff done at home. Still put in my 100% at work, but leave work at work. And hopefully it'll work out better for the future.

-Eric

P.S. Dex and Piper have decided that the upstairs room is much more dull than having the ability to walk on keyboards and knock off pens in the living room/office. They truly are becoming stinkers. I forgot how much fun Kittens are!

Lost and Found at Church

Ever tried to lookup Lost and Found at a church, especially one with a very good/big website. I "found" alot about Sheep, converting to Christianity, and grief counselling, but not one thing pointed to where I might find my wallet. Teaches me for trying to be quiet in church :-)

I'm enjoying school, though I'm writing this in class. It's been really good having some enthusiastic professors who are teaching like they want too, and learning something that I want too (or don't already know). Dr. Gavrilova for example is very good at bringing in information from the real world and providing examples. My programming paradigms is interesting as we are studying functional programming which is completely different then what I'm used to (imperative) but is becoming more common in multi-core, cloud type computing networks.

The kittens are doing well, Dex has decided he likes to come downstairs and sleep on the chairs (sorry for those of you who are allergic like me), and Piper is slowly warming up to the larger world of our house. Piper is actually more likely to get along with Keira I think then Dex is, though I figured it would be the other way, and is a big fan of kick boxing Keira's squeak toys. We need to get some more pictures, because they've already grown a ton, even though we've only had them 3 weeks!

But I should pay attention here now, we are talking about Pascal (which I'm not sure has been used other than to teach for the last 15 years!).

Cheers,
-Eric

P.S. Oh yah, I bought my first game in years (Trainz 2009), it's so Brent and I can test out some designs for a new layout! Very exciting.