Merlins Tower

Cool Tool: The Portable Burr Coffee Grinder

Posted on July 11th, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Camping, Coffee, Food, Hack.

This really is a nice Grinder for Coffee Beans - Portable and convenient.  I needed a easy to clean and something small and easy to stash. This fit the bill and works really well. I bought mine off of Amazon - As I do for alot of my items.

Some people call me a coffee snob as I like the best of the best coffee’s.  I still use my aeropress - I have a k-cup Brewer and I am trying my hand at roasting my own beans too.

This works so well for the Aeropress and for work when I bring in some fresh bean to all of us to try out. This is just such a simple grinder and so easy to use and works like a charm. Not much else to write about on this but go and buy one today for a nice Burr Grind.

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Allstate Insurance - Tilt Shift Commercial

Posted on January 31st, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Photography, Photoshop, Video, YouTube.

In my attempt at Photography - I have been playing with the Tilt-Shift to make a scene look like it is a model platform.

Seeing this Allstate Insurance Commercial on TV today it reminded me how much I like this technique and this would be a fun project to do someday on video.

If you check out Photoshop Nations on Geeks - You can see some of the Tilt Shift Attempts in photoshop.

If you want to learn more about Tilt Shift Photography Take a look here: Wikipedia - Tilt Shift Photography

Technorati Tags: Tiltshift, Tilt+Shift, Tilt, Shift, Photography, Techniques, Allstate, Insurance

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Flip Clock Screensaver for PC or Mac

Posted on January 17th, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, Freeware, Gadgets, Life.

I have been looking for a good screensaver for my PC that will give me a nice looking flip clock on my desktop. And I finally found one. It is freeware from 9031.com. Check them out there are a few other screensavers and check out their wallpaper generators too.

fliqlo - is a quick and easy setup - and only has a few adjustments available the left right keys switch between 12 / 24 hour format and up down arrows increase or decrease the size of the clock.

I like this because I can see this from way across the room and even down the street if need be.

I like the clean simple look. Nothing fancy just a great looking flip clock.

Enjoy

Technorati Tags: screensaver, flipclock, pc, mac, freeware

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Simple iPhone Speaker Enhancer - Low Tech

Posted on January 17th, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Cell Phone, Communication, Hack, MP3, Music, Toy, Weird Stuff, iPhone.

I could not pass up sharing this simple smartphone ( Blackberry, iPhone, Droid etc) Speakerphone Enhancer. I wish I would have thought of this - This really is a quick and dirty (only if you leave the glass dirty) Solution that really works. I can’t believe how well this works. I tried it today and the sound is increased - Now this is not hi-fi - But it works in a pinch when you need a little extra boost. Make sure to put the speaker side down - The bottom of the iPhone down. This causes an echo chamber and increases the volume of the sound. Just a little quick and easy solution. Great from when you are away from your regular speakers or dock.

But if you want a little (Well a lot better speaker system for your iphone - I would suggest checking out this page at amazon: Iphone Speaker Docks.

Info From UnPlugged.

Technorati Tags: iphone, blackberry, rim, speaker, dock, cheap, hack, speakerphone, enhancer

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Video: The History of Writing and Fountain Pen Usage..

Posted on January 3rd, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Communication, Fountain Pen, Journaling, Notetaking, Video.

I recently saw this on Twitter and had to share this great video - By the W A Shaeffer Pen Company and Produced by the Jam Handy Organization (Just love that name)

This is a Western Electric Company Print Copyright MCMXLVII (1947)

This video starts out with a little girl attempting to communicate with her crayons - Drawing the start of communicaton - it then goes on to shows the progression of the alphabet from the early Egyptian times to the modern alphabet.

The video then goes on to show the progression of the pen from early reed pen to the “Modern” fountain pen.

What I really liked was they show old style pens - eyedropper pen - different ways of taking ink with you, The full progression of fountain pens. Make sure to visit your local dealer to match the pen to your handwriting style. (Still good advice) Fine , Medium or broad tips.

I also liked that they showed how the pens are to be filled.

Here it is - The Twenty Six Old Characters. (Internet Archive)

Technorati Tags: History, Alphabet, 26, Letters, Alphabet, Communication, Western, Electric, Jam, Handy, Twitter, Fountain, Pen

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How a Fountain Pen is Made

Posted on December 7th, 2009 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else.

Here is a video from How It is Made I found on YouTube - How to Make a Fountain Pen Start at aprox 2:00 Minute Mark

They are showing how an Aroura Fountain Pen From Nib to Body and everything in between - It is only 5:00 Mins But it is very cool to see all that goes into the production of a high quality fountain pen. I found it fascinating how they put the iridium on the nib. Then I can’t believe how they cut the nib down the middle with that really fine diamond blade.

Well Enjoy and I am sure you will get a better appreciation to all the work that goes into making a fountain pen.

Technorati Tags: Fountain, Pen, You, Tube, How, it, is, Made, Nib

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Coffee Cup Art - Sharpie Love

Posted on July 26th, 2009 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Gadgets.

As most people that know me - I like pen and I love attempting to draw - But then you find someone that can really make beautiful art like - Cheeming Boey - Styrofoam Coffee Cup Artist.

His preferred Medium is the plain white Styrofoam coffee cup found in many coffee houses. He only uses a fine sharpie marker to work on his creations.

Some people are saying that this is not art - I believe art is in the eye of the beholder - Take a look at Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol - He used many different mediums and he is touted as a great artist. Or how about scrimshaw - Drawing on whale bones (Waste ByProduct of the Whalers) and filling in the creations with candle black or tobacco juice. Boey - is just using the type of medium today’s waste byproduct of the modern day world -  Styrofoam cups and  drawing with Sharpies.

I found out about this artist on Twitter the other day Linking to the Sharpie Blog.

His Photos of his Cup Creations Can be found on Flickr - Boy Obsolete - Cup Creations.

Below is how he creates one of his pieces of art - Click to see full view.

Technorati Tags: Coffee, Cup, Art, Sharpies, Sharpie, styrofoam,

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