This is one of the ongoing weekly notes, as per Thej.
Work
Lot of research into the audiobook market, something I let slip over the past x months. Turns out this is still a fast-growing segment of the publishing industry (~27%). Need to finish this up!
Health
Started up the daily jogging, including my eldest son, in the early morning (the younger son joins us on the weekend, but he still needs a little more sleep on weekdays).
PM2.5 is overcoming the two operating air cleaners, have to add more at this point. The BYD Dolphin PM2.5 filter works fantastic. Went from 110 outside to 11 inside in 2 minutes. When it gets very cold here (usually only for a week or so) we will be able to escape to the car for heat and PM2.5 filtration (and powering our devices).
Transportation
The BYD Dolphin is still doing well, some updates to that page on its functions (and irritants, there are a few). Still in pristine condition (I did back into some banana trees the other day, very low impact and nothing noticeable on the bumper).
I have two other transportation projects:
- Revamp the bicycles
- My bike needs new tires (worn), and handlebars (clean the mold) - Cleaned the handlebars, still need new tires.
- Jon's bike needs new rear tire tube - Done, and sent to the cousin, as it no longer fits Jon.
- Ben's bike needs to go to Jon (size it properly), and Ben needs a new bike. - First part done, need to get Ben a new bike still.
Motorcycle project
- Retrofit the motorbike to have saddlebags, and an extended seat back (with backrest), so that both boys could fit behind me safely. This will require some welding, and plastic / fiberglass modding, and upholstery. This is a little intimidating to me, but I did find a nearby upholsterer to use (the local guy has moved without forwarding address). My brother-in-law has a welding rig. The plastic / fiberglass will be something I have to figure out. This is probably a good place to start (YouTube video).
Food
We've been continuing our hunt for great Ramen (Japanese-style) in Chiang Mai. So far we've tried maybe 7 and only two are at the top (in my opinion, a 5-star and a 4-star selection). Unfortunately, the 5-star Ramen place moved from 3 minutes away to 30 minutes away, and the 4-star is also 30 minutes away (in another direction). I'll have to go ahead and figure out how to make authentic Ramen myself. I'm gathering up the various ingredients. I've already got Miso soup under my belt.
Christmas
Successful on all the shopping and final aspects of the meal planning. We'll be taking off the day (which is Wednesday this year) from school and doing home things. My wife needs to be with us when we get the new license plate for the Dolphin, so we will go and pick that up on Christmas day, otherwise it is eating, unwrapping, and playing during the day and into the night.
Creative Tasks
Still ongoing (not yet completed):
- Get the eGPU working and install and configure Stable Diffusion
- Read Stable Diffusion book and workbook
- Soldering Christmas ornaments with boys
Urgent Needs
Going through possessions and either refurbishing, disposing (if not salvageable), or redistributing. This is ongoing, and some good progress this past week.