I normally do not do woodwork.  Its just something that hasnt ever really agreed with my hands.  I can visualize what I'm after but cant ever seem to get it done.  This time was a little different - partly because I lowered the expectations a little in my hammock hanging "vision".

A contractor looked at the project and wanted to drill the holes to mount the "hooks" directly into the brick.  I veto'd the idea and moved forward with my own plan.  Yeah, my way costs more but I think it looks a lot better this way than putting large holes in the brick. 

Further, Im not so sure the brick is structural.  Seems more decorative to me!  I wanted to move some of the load stress away from the wall via a wooden frame.  Costs me just under RM300 in materials.  Hammock stands from ACE are RM450 so this isnt too bad.  Hammock?  Just RM35.  hahahahaha!  Karmini picked it up as a souvenir from Cambodia recently.

As you can see in the above, my materials are waaay overkill compared to the hammock.  Wonder where I learned that?  At least this way the weakest link isnt going to be my fault.  We can spring for a better hammock later if we like.  The mounting holes I put in the brick are for partly for stability and given there are 4 per side as apposed to 1, it should be plenty strong - small holes are easy to fill later if we want to remove the frame.

"Look what my husband made.  Just dont look at me!" - Karmini

Some complaints about the event but at least there were cars and chicks to look at.  I took only a few pics but if curious just Google for more.

Random shots...

"Drifters" The green car had an interesting brake setup... not sure WHY though.

Something different...

 

More:  The Xtreme Nights
More:  Active forum on event

 

Some parts of the US have warm weather - pretty much all year.  Kansas?  Not so much.  Malaysia is just hot all the time.  Early morning hours can be nice but the malls are not open then. 

So here I am at Subang Parade doing shopping amidst "cold weather" decorations reminded there isnt any cold weather at all.

Deep down I miss the winter but for the moment... eat yer heart out! hahahahaha

This car has been sitting a long time (or seems so).  Used to be two of them!  Kinda like the two-tone look so if I ever get second beetle maybe I'll paint it similar.

Many Hot Wheels are made in Malaysia... dont know where else but maybe after Christmas I'll look out for some of these.

The body on this was pretty good.  A lot more detail than "plain" bodies that often come with RTR setups.  Large engine, AWD, and HPI (not clone of a clone) - probably not a bad setup.

A very crawler/monstertruck chassis r/c truck on display.  Not sure how good it is in either role but the frame is a little different - and looked weak.  Pic on right shows a VERY large model on lower shelf.

Doesnt really show in pic but this r/c model has a lot of detail in th interior.

Twisties!  Ok, nothing special but the "CHICKENATOR" part gave me a laugh.

Ok, where to start...   Lets start with the morning paper handed to me at the McD's drive through.  No, lets go back a few days to an email...

There is an email floating around Malaysia that says, in short, "be like President Ahmedi Nijad" since he is so humble.  What?  Hitler kissed a baby or two... so make that at least TWO things they have in common.

Anyway.  Today I get the paper and in it is a copy of a story by Eric S Margolis.  You can read an online copy here: http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Margolis_Eric/2007/12/09/4715227-sun.php

The bit goes on about how nice Iran is and how they are not producing any weapons worth mentioning and even if they did, would take too long to be ready.  More anti-bush blahblahblah mixed in for good measure.  The article stresses how wrong Bush is on Iran building long range weapons, nukes, and especially long_range_nukes.

Quote from Eric:

So does SVR, Russia's intelligence agency. Iran's civilian nuclear power program eventually could produce highly enriched uranium for weapons, but there is no sign of Iran developing any long-range delivery capability.

Problem?  They have and are proud of it.  Read about what they are up to here:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1196847322495&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

In short the above link says that not only has Iran been testing long range weaponry but is up front about it.

The Ashoura missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers and is capable of reaching Israel, US Army bases in the Middle East and eastern European cities, including Moscow, said the TV channel.

What else do we know and when did we know it?  The Eric writes like he knows everything... I find this a common trait with those that use "neocon" in a sentence.  Eric has to admit there is at least some "growing nuclear infrastructure"... all for peace Im sure.  He also states:

U.S. intelligence chief Mike McConnell made public a bombshell National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) report that concluded "with high confidence" Tehran had halted its rudimentary nuclear weapons program in 2003.

Gee, I wonder what happened in 2003?

Wha...?

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - entertainmentminute Evel Knievel's hard life killed him—it just took longer than he or anyone else might have expected. The hard-living motorcycle daredevil, whose bone-breaking, rocket-powered jumps and stunts made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

Man even *I* played with one of those friction "Stunt Cycle" toys.  Pull the cord and let 'er rip!  Carnage and crashes were to be certain.... it was pretty quick too!  Or at least my memory of it makes it so. heh.  There was also a crank setup that REALLY got things cooking.

Seems I'm not the only one that remembered the toy!

Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69

There are more shots of Karmini and others in the photo albums!