DIY StickPic Trekking Pole Attachment

As most people do, when they come across the plastic material known as Instamorph or a dozen other trade names, I started trying to find problems that I could solve with it.

Enter the problem that I didn't even know I had.  Since Disney banned selfie sticks, I figured it was time for me to get one. But the only time I need it is for group photos while backpacking. That leads to commercial solutions, like:

The StickPic is an attachment to affix your camera mount to the tip of your trekking pole.  It's not that expensive, but my solution is so cheap it's hard to calculate.  The StickPic appears to be limited to a compression/friction fit made in several models to cover the broad range of trekking pole tips that exist.  My real inspiration came when I noticed that the StickPic is white plastic. I figured out two different ways to thread it onto my poles, but I could still make it a compression fit if that works out better.

Enjoy the video. Buy the stuff you see in it with these links and we'll all be happier.

Glow Inc. Ultra Green V10 Glow Powder 1/4 Ounce

Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Polly Plastics Moldable Plastic Pellets. 16 oz. EZ Grip Jar

RetiCAM® Smartphone Tripod Mount XL - Metal Universal Smartphone Tripod Adapter - XL, Black

Glow in the Dark (GITD) Zipper Pulls

When life tells you to be able to see what you're doing, you need phosphorescence (yes, I spelled that right the first time without Google).  Using some 2mm rope from glorope.com, some rubber cement, and some clear 1/4" heat shrink tubing, I up-scaled my already awesome Camelbak Octane 18x into a daypack to remember.  Check out the video below to see how it's done.

How To Remove A Fence Post

Attempting to replace an aging fence can be very frustrating, but it's aggravating to get those fence posts out of the ground.  The concrete is heavy and the post is awkward.  After digging two out, by hand, with a neighbor, I needed to find a more efficient way.

This video shows the usage of a farm jack and a chain to accomplish this common Texas task.  Farm jacks are pretty cheap (try Harbor Freight), and chains are handy for lots of reasons.  Follow the instructions in the video and tailor them as you learn the right ways to implement this technique.

Or you can just pay someone to do it.

By the way, a reciprocating saw cutting the stringers off right at the post is the way to go.  Leave the sledge hammering to the younger folks.

Crouton saga continues

A little more reasonable sized croutons are found at Tom Thumb. Isn't that nice?

Got flies? Solve it, cheap.

Pretty gross. But, no matter how many times you scream at remind everyone in the house, flying things make their way in.  Once they're in, you can smear their guts all over with a fly swatter or fry them with the battery operated version.

Until Now.

With just 3 purchases from Home Depot, you can make a simple, sanitary solution. Set a reminder on your Google calendar every six months to change out the trap and it will last years.

Here's the parts list:

1. Undercabinet fluorescent light fixture (Don't put it under a cabinet, though.  Put it on top of your cabinet.)
2. Blacklight fluorescent bulb, sized for the fixture above (bugs like the UV light)
3. Sticky box fly trap (bugs will brush against this and get caught)

You may have seen something like this, even if you didn't realize it, in restaurants.  The cool blue glow of that white thing sitting on the wall of the kitchen at your favorite place does the same thing.  The principle is pretty basic.  Attract flying insects on a one-way trip to their afterlife.

Find a good spot on top of one of your cabinets.  Set the fixture up there, with the blacklight bulb installed.  Run the power cord off the side of the cabinet so that you can plug it into the wall. The fly trap would normally hang somewhere, but we're just going to lay it on top of the bulb and fixture.  Make sure to remove the sticky backing so that the insects will be captured. Then just turn on the light.  It won't suck too much juice, but if you really don't want it on during the day when the attracting light won't work as well, you can add a timer.

At night, when you're padding through your kitchen at night with your white socks on, they'll glow like you're at a rave. No need for a night lite.

Depending on how many insects you let in, the fly strip will last several months, but it's easy to check.  If it loses its tackiness, swap it out.  If it gets full, swap it out.  It's a couple of bucks to replace.  The light bulb will last years. And you'll be surprised at how many bugs you'll catch.

Check this one out.  Got more crane flies than houseflies this time.

Starbar Ez Trap Fly Trap 2 Pack - 3004323 (Google Affiliate Ad)Fly from here.

How to View Venus in the Daytime, With the Naked Eye

I've known about this from my earliest days of interest in astronomy, but I never made it happen until the handy events in the week of March 26, 2012 (and today as it happens). I have recently tormented my family with helping them experience the joy of astronomy during the daytime (like this other event), and now you can enjoy it, too.

Venus

It is possible to see the planet Venus in the day sky, you just have to know where to look.  During a single day, Venus is essentially the same distance from the sun, and travels with it across the sky.  It doesn't change much from one day to the next, either.

Without technology you can find it by measuring the distance that you notice the very bright "star" in the evening or morning.  (Remember, Venus is also known as the Morning Star; or just ask an astronomy buddy.)  So, once you know that it's about a fist-width away from Sol, or an elbow length, or whatever, you just wait until some time during the day. Given a clear sky and blocking the sun behind a building, you put the relevant appendage back up, measure off the correct distance and start staring.

But, nerds have long since solved even the most mundane problems for us, and this one is no different.  Sky charts are electronically generated now, like the nice people over at Heavens Above do quite well. You can put in your location, set the clock to whatever time you want, and it spits out a picture.

Leave it to The Google to kick it up a notch, and a long time ago when Android was still young.  Get the Sky Map app on your phone, make sure your sensors are calibrated and your location is set (usually automatic), then hit the search button.  Type in Venus, hit enter. A circle will show up telling you what direction to move your phone, when you get Venus in the circle, it will expand and you'll see the planet on the screen. You can zoom with the screen controls (or finger spreading) to get a little finer location.  If this happens to be in the day, and the phone indicates that Venus is not obscured by the Earth, if you keep looking in the right direction, you'll be able to see it.

It takes a bit of concentration to make it appear, but once you see it, it will surprise you at how easy it is to see.  With some practice, and checking the night sky frequently, I have been able to glance up at the daytime sky and find it unaided.  Show your friends. This is an impressive trick for those adults who have lived their whole life not realizing that you can see a "star" in the middle of the day.

Sky Map App

FYI, if you use one of those fruity phones, I don't know how you would do this, but it's probably possible. Just ask a genius.

References:
Google
Heavens Above (Android app)
(used to be Google) Sky Map App
Calibrate your phone compass
China eclipse