Here is another one of those things that I found while looking for something else. After building and using a Solar Hotdog Cooker for a couple of years, I became interested in furthering my knowledge on solar cooking. I found a lot of web sites with a ton of great information. Some solar cooker designs are fairly simple and some are quite complex. While surfing the net I also found a YouTube video with some guy using a Sun Oven cooker in his back yard to cook a favorite handed down family recipe. Here is the thing that I found while looking for something else. After watching the video I clicked on the link he had in the comments and found out that this guy was Jack Spirko and he had a podcast, TheSurvivalPodcast.com. I had only listened to a couple of podcasts in the past and was not a huge fan of podcast media but I clicked on it anyway to see what else Jack had to offer on solar energy. As it turns out Jack Spirko is the voice behind the international Modern Survival movement. Something that I had not heard of before. No, this is not a bunch of guys dressing up in camo and playing out in the woods, but more correctly termed Modern Family Preparedness. I like Jack’s term for why he spends so much effort in helping others help themselves, "Helping you live the life you want, if times get tough, or even if they don't".
Some of the things that Jack Spirko had to say about being prepared started to really hit home with me after having experienced a terrible gasoline shortage in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and surrounding counties not too long ago. It is somewhat shocking to see how delicate the balance of our supply system is and how we are so dependent on available fuel. If the fuel is not available to the local gas stations we can’t get back and forth to work. If the supply trucks for the grocery stores can’t get fuel, they can’t deliver food to those stores, which means for most people we are going to get very hungry in a couple of days. I am planning to take at least some of Jack’s advice to get my family a little bit more prepared to handle at least some of the minor bumps in the road of life. Some of Jack’s suggestions would make almost unnoticeable changes in our lifestyle and most will cost very little over and above what we already spend from week to week. From what I can tell, Jack’s advice will help us lead a better and more secure life if times get tough, or even if they don’t. Thanks Jack.
Now you see what I mean when I say, “One thing leads to another”.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to vote in my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Buddy's Corollary - Do it Yourself
I was working on my wife's car the other day. I was just changing the oil and oil filter, as I had already replaced the rear brakes a few weeks ago. I tend to save a lot of money by doing my own maintenance on our vehicles. How many times have you heard the phrase, "If you want something done right, Do it yourself"? Often times the school of hard knocks is the best teacher. I prefer to learn from other peoples mistakes when I can as that is usually the less expensive option and is often less painful. I have always changed the oil in all of the vehicles that I have owned. I have heard many horror stories of people going to an oil change shop and driving out without oil in the engine, or missing the oil filter or drain plug. My dad lost an engine that way about ten years ago when the kid at the oil change shop filled his engine with gritty oil from the bottom of a nearly empty oil drum. That was quite painful to him as he tends to drive a car till the wheels fall off. I usually drive a car for at least nine years before changing it out. A couple of years ago my Economics Professor was discussing economics on the level of things that we had versus the things we wanted to have. Professor Pickens asked the class, "How many of you are driving your dream car today?" I was the only one that raised a hand. My daily driven 2000 Jeep Wrangler is ten years old now and I don't have any plans for changing it out. Still driving it, and still loving it.
A good friend of mine, Buddy Harrington has an addition to that old saying of "If you want something done right, do it yourself". I have often referred to this as Buddy's Corollary. Sometimes common sense wisdom is subtle and you might just miss it if you don't stop and listen carefully from time to time. Buddy has many years of experience in working on cars, trucks, and tractors. He ran his own business for many years repairing broken and worn out heavy construction equipment such as road graders and bulldozers. He knows as well as anyone that anything mechanical will eventually either wear out or break. When you learn to fix things yourself you have the confidence that the job was done right the first time. After all, who has the time to fix it again?
Anyway, here is Buddy's Corollary: "When you want something done right, do it yourself. -- And when it breaks you will know how to fix it." Simple wisdom, but oh how right he is.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to vote in my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
A good friend of mine, Buddy Harrington has an addition to that old saying of "If you want something done right, do it yourself". I have often referred to this as Buddy's Corollary. Sometimes common sense wisdom is subtle and you might just miss it if you don't stop and listen carefully from time to time. Buddy has many years of experience in working on cars, trucks, and tractors. He ran his own business for many years repairing broken and worn out heavy construction equipment such as road graders and bulldozers. He knows as well as anyone that anything mechanical will eventually either wear out or break. When you learn to fix things yourself you have the confidence that the job was done right the first time. After all, who has the time to fix it again?
Anyway, here is Buddy's Corollary: "When you want something done right, do it yourself. -- And when it breaks you will know how to fix it." Simple wisdom, but oh how right he is.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to vote in my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Alternative Energy
The scientist/experimenter inside me is always looking at new technology, especially technology that involves alternative energy sources. I’ve never considered myself a tree hugger, but I (like everyone else) love clean air and water. After several years of looking at real-time data and looking back at historical records, I really believe that man-made global warming is a political fabrication. I believe that changes on the Sun’s surface and Earth’s volcanic activity spewing tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere have a greater effect on global temperatures than all of the SUVs put together. None-the-less I am a huge fan of Alternative Energy for replacing at least a portion of the fossil fuels that I use every day to reduce pollution and to reduce costs of energy. For many years I have been a fan of the back to the basics approach of Mother Earth News and an avid reader of Home Power Magazine. Some of the more practical and immediately available alternative energy technologies include solar, wind, biodiesel, and geothermal energy.
A couple of years ago I helped my oldest daughter with a 5th grade science project. What better way to pass on my love for science and alternative energy than to create a solar powered project. After looking around I found some ideas for a relatively easy to make Solar Hotdog Cooker. In making the cooker we used a variety of learning tools to complete the project including math which we used to plot out a parabolic curve to create the reflector that would suit our needs. We still have the cooker. It still works just fine and has never used any additional energy beyond what was needed to make the components and what we used to assemble it five years ago. Besides all that, I think that our Solar Hotdog Cooker makes some of the best tasting hotdogs and bratwursts that I have ever tasted.
I think that one of the most fun ways of using alternative energy is using wind power to push a boat. One of the most memorable and relaxing trips I have taken with my wife was a day cruise around Lake Norman on an old sailboat. There is something magical about hearing the wake sizzling behind a boat with no other noise around except for the creaks and splashing noises the boat makes while cutting across the water. I was content watching the world glide by while my wife dangled her toes in the water. One of the best tales I have heard about sailing involves a power boater yelling at a sailboat as he thundered past, “Get out of the way slow poke, it will take you all day to get where I am going! The screaming engines on the power boat drowned out the sailor’s response of, “I’m already where I want to be.” Well that brings up another topic, but I will leave building and sailing wooden boats for another post.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
A couple of years ago I helped my oldest daughter with a 5th grade science project. What better way to pass on my love for science and alternative energy than to create a solar powered project. After looking around I found some ideas for a relatively easy to make Solar Hotdog Cooker. In making the cooker we used a variety of learning tools to complete the project including math which we used to plot out a parabolic curve to create the reflector that would suit our needs. We still have the cooker. It still works just fine and has never used any additional energy beyond what was needed to make the components and what we used to assemble it five years ago. Besides all that, I think that our Solar Hotdog Cooker makes some of the best tasting hotdogs and bratwursts that I have ever tasted.
I think that one of the most fun ways of using alternative energy is using wind power to push a boat. One of the most memorable and relaxing trips I have taken with my wife was a day cruise around Lake Norman on an old sailboat. There is something magical about hearing the wake sizzling behind a boat with no other noise around except for the creaks and splashing noises the boat makes while cutting across the water. I was content watching the world glide by while my wife dangled her toes in the water. One of the best tales I have heard about sailing involves a power boater yelling at a sailboat as he thundered past, “Get out of the way slow poke, it will take you all day to get where I am going! The screaming engines on the power boat drowned out the sailor’s response of, “I’m already where I want to be.” Well that brings up another topic, but I will leave building and sailing wooden boats for another post.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Who am I? - Part 3 - Do what you love.
My dad was born in Monroe in 1927. He started working for the Charlotte Police Department as a records clerk in 1945. When he turned 21 he became a police officer. He worked there throughout his 43 year career and retired in 1987 a Sergeant. After finishing his 43 year career and retiring he worked with the MCSO for another 12 years in recruiting new reserve deputies. Then he went to the Anson Co. Sheriff's Office to assist them with recruiting new deputies. They say police work gets in your blood. It definitely got into his. I guess I got that bug from him.
Set goals and do what you love. Makes sense to me.
I grew up around police and the police department but never really thought about getting into police work. Some time around 8th grade I developed a love for science. The other kids around me wanted to grow up to be Firemen or Policemen. I wanted to be a Doctor, a Scientist, maybe even a Marine Biologist. After graduating from East Mecklenburg High School in 1980, I went on to get an Associate in Arts Degree at Central Piedmont Community College and later an Associate in General Education also at CPCC. I spent a couple of semesters at UNCC studying Math, Computer Science, and Accounting. After completing an Internship with what was then the Mecklenburg County Police Department, I joined them in Jan 1984. After a couple of years of chasing speeders and fighting drunks, I found that this was not for me. I left the Mecklenburg Co Police to join the Charlotte Police as a Crime Scene Search Investigator in Oct 1986.
CSS Investigator / Forensic Scientist. There is that Scientist word again. Now I was in my element. Do what you love.
I became a Supervisor in CSS in 1989. The rest of the county police followed me a couple of years later when the two separate police agencies combined to become the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 1993. There you have it – Life is a adventure, Set goals for yourself, and do what you love.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Set goals and do what you love. Makes sense to me.
I grew up around police and the police department but never really thought about getting into police work. Some time around 8th grade I developed a love for science. The other kids around me wanted to grow up to be Firemen or Policemen. I wanted to be a Doctor, a Scientist, maybe even a Marine Biologist. After graduating from East Mecklenburg High School in 1980, I went on to get an Associate in Arts Degree at Central Piedmont Community College and later an Associate in General Education also at CPCC. I spent a couple of semesters at UNCC studying Math, Computer Science, and Accounting. After completing an Internship with what was then the Mecklenburg County Police Department, I joined them in Jan 1984. After a couple of years of chasing speeders and fighting drunks, I found that this was not for me. I left the Mecklenburg Co Police to join the Charlotte Police as a Crime Scene Search Investigator in Oct 1986.
CSS Investigator / Forensic Scientist. There is that Scientist word again. Now I was in my element. Do what you love.
I became a Supervisor in CSS in 1989. The rest of the county police followed me a couple of years later when the two separate police agencies combined to become the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 1993. There you have it – Life is a adventure, Set goals for yourself, and do what you love.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Who am I? - Part 2 - Stitches and Life Goals
Let's take another look at my list with this in mind and see what that list means. Hi, my name is Larry Griffin, pretty good so far, not much I can change about that. Lets see, I'm not just 48 years old, I am a traveler exploring the universe walking through life on an adventure that has taken me around the sun 48 times. A couple of short years ago I saw my 44th trip around the sun coming to an end, but I was not ready to stop just yet. I started looking forward to continuing my adventure and beginning my 45th trip around the sun. I have heard many times that to be successful in life you need to set goals. I had just started this 45th trip around the sun with a goal in mind to go back to college and finish my degree. Just after I completed my 47th trip around the sun, I completed my goal with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Pfeiffer University.
I was born at a very early age here in Charlotte at Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Most of you are probably not old enough to remember that name. Charlotte Memorial was just a single hospital that became CMC or Carolina's Medical Center about 20 years ago and since then they have become one of the largest heath care providers in this region. If some of you are working towards a business degree you might want to look at the CMC business model to see how they became so successful in only 20 years.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
I was born at a very early age here in Charlotte at Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Most of you are probably not old enough to remember that name. Charlotte Memorial was just a single hospital that became CMC or Carolina's Medical Center about 20 years ago and since then they have become one of the largest heath care providers in this region. If some of you are working towards a business degree you might want to look at the CMC business model to see how they became so successful in only 20 years.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Who am I? - Part 1
Hi my name is Larry Griffin. I am a 48 years old native Charlottean. I have been working for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for the past 26 years mostly as a Crime Scene Search Investigations Supervisor. I have a wife and two daughters, 11 and 15 years old.
Whenever you start talking about yourself, you can either go on forever or get stuck after a few short sentences. As I started writing this to tell you who I am, I got stuck. Let's see. If I add in my education and type real slow I might stretch this out for at least two or three more sentences. As I sat there and looked at this short list about me I noticed some things about it. I noticed that for a very short list it would be painfully boring for you to sit there and read a laundry list of things about me. I noticed that all of the sentences start with "I", just like my teachers always taught me to avoid. Then I noticed something else about this list. STITCHES. Yes, stitches... the needle and thread kind of stitches.. A list about me is not just a list. A list about me is also a row of stitches in the fabric of my life that forms me. These stitches and the fabric of my life makes me...ME! A list of things about me makes me who I am.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Whenever you start talking about yourself, you can either go on forever or get stuck after a few short sentences. As I started writing this to tell you who I am, I got stuck. Let's see. If I add in my education and type real slow I might stretch this out for at least two or three more sentences. As I sat there and looked at this short list about me I noticed some things about it. I noticed that for a very short list it would be painfully boring for you to sit there and read a laundry list of things about me. I noticed that all of the sentences start with "I", just like my teachers always taught me to avoid. Then I noticed something else about this list. STITCHES. Yes, stitches... the needle and thread kind of stitches.. A list about me is not just a list. A list about me is also a row of stitches in the fabric of my life that forms me. These stitches and the fabric of my life makes me...ME! A list of things about me makes me who I am.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
Things that I have found, while looking for something else.
I have a bunch of fun things mentally filed away under the category of "Things that I have found, while looking for something else". I seem have a wide range of interests that often fall into that category and one of my other favorite personal categories of "Well, one thing let to another, and then…". Anyway, I thought that others might enjoy some of the things that I find interesting so I decided to share them in this blog.
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
What is a Shadow Catcher? I'll let the cat out of the bag on May 1st 2010. In the mean time don't forget to take my poll on "What is a Shadow Catcher?".
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