Quantum Pixel Fixation

It's About Time!

2009-09-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

Eliminating power cords would really help my OCD!

3D Scanner and Printer

2009-08-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

This technology has been around for a while, but still very impressive. Like most things they keep getting smaller, faster, and cheaper.

Free-Time Trifecta!

2009-06-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since I've had a minute to post anything here, but by some miracle, the kids are asleep, the house is clean(ish), and I'm not passing out from exhaustion, so what better use of this free-time than blogging? Actually I can think of many things I'd rather do, but at the same time there are a few things I'd like to share.

A quick update on Parker: He's doing well, gaining weight, and smiling a lot. So far there haven't been any real complications from his VLCADD. His liver is functioning properly, and all his blood work looks good. He's really lean, I'm guessing that's due to the special formula, but he's gaining weight really well, he's up to nearly 14lbs. already! We've started a new blog for him, mostly to help us keep track of important information, low-fat recipes, etc. I doubt it will be too entertaining for the general public, but your welcome to check it out at parkerwatch.blogspot.com
The Latest Project: I'd like to chronicle all the details of the saga that was my most recent
"home improvement" project, but I just don't have the time and/or energy, so here's the abbreviated version.

Premise - Mount a flat-screen TV in, yes IN, the wall and devise a way to rotate said TV so that it can be viewed from side A (Master Bedroom) and side B (Master Bath). You may be wondering why you'd want to see the TV from the bathroom...but I say, why wouldn't you? Actually, the idea was to do this for Traci's birthday so she would be able to to watch movies (chick-flicks) from the bathtub. Then, by spinning the TV around, we (I) get a new TV in the bedroom. Win-Win, right?
Abbreviated Saga - The project quickly took on a mind of it's own, and ended up costing more time, money, patience, sanity, effort, and marital harmony than I ever expected. To be fair, Traci was a good spot even though she had to sleep in the guest bedroom for three days (did I mention that she didn't know what I was doing - it was a surprise!) and take care of the kids by herself. In the end I had to build the box (for the TV) twice, buy multiple tools (not necessarily a bad thing), and make so many trips to Lowe's that I know the cashiers by name!
The Results.

Before.

Drywall Removed.

Studs removed, upper and lower framing done.

Trim and molding installed.

Trim and molding stained.

Box and TV installed (1 wk. since last photo!).
All the wiring runs up through the wall.

It works!

Backside.

Finished!
I forgot to take a picture with the TV turned on, but I promise that it works.

In the end, it would have been easier, faster, and cheaper to just buy two TV's, but what's the fun in that?

Project Sipster

2009-04-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

Take that Prius...

Patent

2009-02-08T19:47:00.000-08:00

In September of 2007 I spent a week in Japan working on a redesign of the 787 lavatory handle assembly. It was somewhat of a whirlwind trip, working more than 80 jet-lagged hours in 6 days. I spent the week in a conference room filled with Boeing and Jamco managers, with my laptop connected to a projector and worked on the redesign while everyone watched. Working under such crazy deadlines is never fun, but doing it while a group of people look over your shoulder is a whole new level of excitement! In the end, it turned out pretty well; I was able to visit Tokyo, and ended up receiving a U.S. patent for the handle assembly.

I'd like to say that my first patent was for something more exciting than a door handle, but hey, I'll take what I can get. The patent is assigned to Boeing, since, per contract, everything Teague does for them is technically their property, but I'm listed as an "inventor". I always wanted to be an inventor when I grew up...

You can check it out here. US Patent No. D577984 S

Stupid Name...Incredible Engineering.

2009-02-03T20:23:00.000-08:00

Meet "Big Dog" from Boston Dynamics. This is one of the most impressive things I've seen in a while. The video is pretty long, but worth a look.

Work Stuff...

2009-01-30T20:44:00.001-08:00

Over the past year or so I've been working on the interior for Boeing's new airplane, the 747-8. It has been a lot of hard work and too many late nights, but the project is wrapping up and I thought I'd post a few images of the new interior. These images were taken from Boeing's website (newairplane.com) and don't show a lot of detail because the exact specs of the interior are still proprietary. What you see are digital renderings of our preliminary interior surfaces, not actual photographs, since the plane hasn't actually been built yet.

Door 2 Looking Aft - Stairway to Upper-Deck

Zone-A - Premium Class $$$
(Fittingly the "Snootiest" passengers get to sit in the "nose" of the plane.)

Main-Cabin - Looking Aft
(Notice the vertical space - I'll be able to stand in the center without my head hitting the bins.)

Another view looking aft at the door 2 entry.
(Business Class Seats.)

Goodbye Office...Hello Nursery.

2009-01-18T16:45:00.000-08:00

Over the Christmas break we decided to get the baby's room ready to go. I figured we'd throw on a little paint and slap up some trim; no big deal. I was wrong. I'm always surprised at how long this kind of stuff takes. Even though this time we were only painting halfway up the walls, it still took a whole day just to paint! Luckily my parents were in town for Christmas and were able to help out (thanks again by the way).
I forgot (as usual) to take a good "before" shot of the room, but I've posted a few pictures below to chronicle the transformation from office to nursery.
I guess I'll have to move my desk to the basement. Oh wait...we live in Washington...they don't have basements here. I suppose the dining room table will be my new desk.

Before. (Oak Trim, No Chair-Rail)

Halfway Done.

Done. (Almost)

We're planning to add a wall border and a few other things, but for the most part we are ready. I guess I should say that the room is ready, because I am definitely NOT ready. I keep asking people if having two kids is going to be as hard as I think it will be. So far, everyone has said no...it will be harder. Thanks, that really helps!

Say "Awwwww".

I HATE Internet Explorer!

2009-01-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

If you're viewing this page with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, I have now idea what you can and can't see! I view and edit this blog using Mozilla Firefox, and recently pulled it up on Traci's computer to edit a post using IE. To my surprise, half of the elements on the page don't even show up! All the text to the left is gone, and the animation in my technical difficulties post is magically not there. AWESOME! So if you're using IE, I promise my blog isn't as lame as it appears. I'll look into it, and see if I can find out what's going on. If anyone out there has an idea as to what's happening, I'd welcome the help. Thanks.

Get Firefox here.

New Blog Section

2009-01-13T20:50:00.001-08:00

In June 2007 Traci and I bought a house here in Washington. At the time it seemed like a wise decision...the market was strong, prices just kept rising, and houses were selling within days (sometimes hours) of listing. After an exhaustive search and weeks of fence-sitting we decided to take the plunge. Then, as we signed the papers I distinctively remember hearing a loud "POP". I didn't think much of it at the time, but I've since realized that it was the housing bubble, and we popped it!

As home values drop and houses sit on the market for extended periods of time (the house next door has been for sale for over a year), I've decided the best thing to do is pour more, yes more, money into this house. That's the logical thing to do after all, right?

To chronicle this "investment" I've decided to dedicate a section of my blog to the projects I undertake around here from time to time. With each one it becomes more apparent that I am definitely NOT a carpenter, and each time I swear that I'm done with the whole DIY (Do-It-Yourself) thing, but somehow I inevitably forget and try again. Anyway, to start things off I've posted some pictures below of a project I did in the playroom/office last year while Traci and Lucy were visiting her parents in Connecticut. Enjoy.

Before.

Cabinet Base Construction.

Finished Cabinet Frames With Counter/Seat Top.

After.

Paint and Baseboards (walls used to be beige).

Traci's Desk.

Comming Soon.
- Nursery
- TV Stand

Technical Difficulties

2009-01-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

I'm currently experiencing some technical difficulties. Most likely as a result of my complete lack of knowledge with respect to HTML/XML code. Apparently the comments function is not working and in an attempt to fix it, I've removed all of the text from my sidebar "widgets". Awesome! I'll hopefully be able to fix it tonight.

Update. The sidebar text is back! But the comments still don't work. :(

Update 2. Success! The comments function should be working now. I guess I'll get back to work.

Facebook...Who Knew?

2009-01-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

Recently an old friend got a hold of me through Traci's facebook page. I was quite reluctant to create my own facebook account at first; especially since my only prior experience with it was hearing the teenagers in my ward talk about it. Anyway, I decided to create an account so that I could get in touch with the aforementioned friend, and now I must say that I'm kind of hooked! I can't believe how many people I'm finding that I'd lost contact with. People from high school, missionary companions, family, etc. it's crazy! Apparently I'm a little late in the game, but I guess it's better late than never. So, if you've yet to join the facebook nation, I highly recommend it.

Check it out here Facebook.

Ariel Atom

2009-01-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

Click on the image for a great video of the atom in action!

Ever Put Your Finger In A Table Saw?

2009-01-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

And So It Begins...

2009-01-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

I've debated for some time now weather or not to start a blog. Traci has been doing a great job of covering the interesting activities of the Johnson family on her blog for the past year or so. The purpose, if you can call it that, of this blog is more to provide myself with an outlet for random thoughts and a place to share some of the crazy things that happen to me. I suspect that I'll throw in stuff about my family from time to time as well as links to things I find interesting. Hopefully you'll find something entertaining here. Also, I'm making a goal to never use the word "blogosphere" ever again. Enjoy!