Silver Fabrication
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- Written by Steven Kuck
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I started taking a silver fabrication class at Amalgam Arts Atlanta this September. The first day was spent getting to know studio, where to find certain tools, what you were allowed to use, and what you shouldn't touch. Naturally, the torches were on all the wrong lists - at least for the first day. Our first "project" was to take a length of wire and fashion it into our names. Mine was relatively easy, except for the "t" and that just forced me to add a little flare. It is red brass, not silver, but this was just to get used to bending and shaping the wire.
The second or first "real" project was to create an Egyptian coil bracelet. This project took several weeks (one class of 2-3 hours per week) to finish. We started with sterling silver wire, cut it into lengths, filed them, twisted them, soldered them, pickled them, hammered them, annealed them, and wove them into a bracelet. The bracelet was adjusted for consistency, burnished, antiqued, tumbled, and polished. Some of the work was redundant, much of it simply experimental, and all of it educational and fun. We were given enough silver to make about 18-19 links and the clasp, which was barely enough to fit my Mom's very small wrist, but it fit her perfectly! Of course she loves it, she has to, but she claims to have gotten a few compliments that just swell me up with pride.
Motorcycles
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- Written by Steven Kuck
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I love to share my hobbies. When yet another friend of mine mentioned a vague interest in learning to ride, I immediately wanted to get a good trainer bike.
I started riding in 2001 when I got my first motorcycle, a Suzuki Savage 650. Following up on the whim I looked for the same model online and found one right away. It has been about three weeks since I first saw that ad and now it is registered, insured, and has brand new tires. I rode it about 60 miles today to break in the new tires. (New tires are smooth and slick so they are more likely to slide on you if you are not careful. They should be well-ridden before handing the keys to a beginner.)
Colorado Springs Trip
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- Written by Steven Kuck
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I spent the Fourth of July weekend in Colorado Springs visiting my very good friends Pete and Cristine. Pete is at Fort Carson and took me on a brief tour around the base. It's pretty mundane and boring for military types, but getting to look inside the gated, heavily armed community is intriguing to us civilian types. Cristine and I spent the mornings hiking in the hills. July 4th included Leadville Airport, fireworks in the mountains, and a trip to the Colorado Renaissance Festival. I took a few pictures along the way and heard Ceann for the first time.
Rough Air
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- Written by Steven Kuck
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I'm facing the decision of whether or not to continue flying. Last Thursday I went up flying again for the first time since my surgery. I did not enjoy it. It was late in the afternoon so even straight and level flight was a constant battle against countless thermals.
I would prefer to fly early in the morning to avoid the thermals and it would make it easier to stay in the pattern at PDK for practice. My current instructor has expressed reluctance to drive the long distance to the airport for an early flight. To be fair, there has been no refusal, but it seems obvious that it would be out of the way and inconvenient. After my last flight left me frustrated and $400 lighter (much of that just to get to the airport where I did two landings) I had to seriously consider hanging up my wings for good and selling off my gear. Is it time to simply be done with my flying experience? Should I savor the memories but let it fade into the past?
Connor's Growth
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- Written by Corey Kuck
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It's cliche, but Connor continues to surprise with his leaps of logic and empathy.
Just last week, after seeing us do it once or twice, Connor took a salad fork and tried to unlock the bathroom door using the cheater lock opening. At least if he locks the doors all the time, he can start helping with getting them open soon! Luckily when he locked himself in last week he was able to turn the knob enough to get it open since our stashed screwdriver for downstairs was not in its exact place. I bet the 30 seconds of looking for it could have been bad for Connor and me.
Then this morning we got to his daycare a few minutes early, so I was waiting with him on the porch. Our daycare has a porch swing, so he was swinging gently on it. He got up and pointed where he was just sitting and said, "You". I asked if he wanted me there and he nodded. After I got seated, he started swinging me and even asked, "Higher?" (complete with the proper inflection for a question!) as I ask him when he's on our swing!
Every day is a new surprise!