Merlins Tower

Lego Move Over - We Now have PixelBlocks

Posted on January 4th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Craft, Gadgets, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

I enjoy looking at catalogs, and I love the Gadget sites (ie. Levengers, Hammacher Schlemmer, Think Geek, CompGeek, Cyberguys etc…) While I was drinking my morning coffee and just finished my morning run thru of my email - I took a look at FireBox.com - And their PixelBlocks Caught my eye. This really is a cool toy - I can see it almost replacing Lego's well for at least in the art department. Vision, Dream, and Fantasy - Those are the names of the sets of PixelBlocks available (550, 870 and 2000 Pieces) With any of these sets you can really make some impressive looking deisgns. Such at this nice looking Dog done all in Pixel Blocks.

But you wonder how are you going to make your own design to play with all of these different Pixel Blocks - Don't Fear - PixelBlock.com is here to the rescue. On their Website you can upload your own photo and have it converted into your own pattern that you can follow This Free service is called Digital Stained Glass. Besides just making pictures with this interesting toy you can also build some interesting designs because these blocks allow you to connect them three different ways (Slide, Half Slide and Peg Connect) and comes in a wide array of colors. I think this would be a great mind expanding toy to play with or to at least play with your kid?

TAGS:PixelBlocks Pixel+Blocks Lego Bricks Pixel Art Stained Glass Stained+Glass 2d 3d

0 comments.

The Ink Free Writing Instrument!

Posted on January 2nd, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Art, Communication, Craft, Gadgets, Journaling, Sketching.

The Metal Stylus Ink Free Pencil - It is made of Stainless Steel Alloy and is about 3.15 inches long. Grand Illusions from Cryers Hill in the UK has this Pencil for sale which will last almost forever (Or Until you loose it).

This type of pencil is one of the oldest forms of writing instruments used by many of the great thinkers and artists starting in the Medieval and Renaissance - They used a tool with a nib made of silver, lead, gold or bronze, to do what is called SilverPoint / MetalPoint. Metalpoint artwork is known through out the world. Below is one of the most famous metalpoint drawings.

Leonardo Da Vinci - Virtuvian Man

Unlike the metailpoint nibs of the past which needs a rough surface to help the metal oxidize on the paper this pencil only requires normal paper or copy paper to make its permanent mark as seen below. I can see using this to write in your journal as this makes it permanent with very limited ways to erase this mark. 

For addtional Info on Silverpoint you need to checkout SilverPoint Web - With some beautiful creations in their gallery. But MetalPoint Drawings are not just left for the master of old but there are many masters of this artwork today. You need to check out Illusions Magazine and artwork of the Late Dennis James Martin. (More on Dennis Martin - Artnet - ASKArt.)

TAGS: ART silverpoint metalpoint nib nibs leonardo da vinci Leonardo+Da+Vinci Silver+Point Metal+Point Inkless Pen Pencil Stainless Steel Stainless+Steel

1 comment.

Aeropress Review Recap

Posted on December 18th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Coffee, Gadgets.

Well it has been some time since I purchased my Aeropress Coffee Maker and have been using it almost daily (3 or 4 times a week) for about 8 months or so (I forgot when I purchased it) I absolutely love the coffee that this device makes. Plus it is so very easy to use.

Here is what I do to make coffee with this is to grind two scoops of beans with my burr grinder I have it set to espresso grind. I then pour it into the aeropress. (To setup the aeropress all you do in put in a filter on the bottom twist the cap on to the press and you are done) Next heat the water I use water that is about 165 degrees (This seems to be the perfect temp for coffee as it will not release bitterness) and pour to the top of the #3 marked oval. Next I use the included paddle to swish the coffee around for about 10 to 20 secs. Then I put the plunger into the top and start the pressing. The pressing takes about 25 to 35 seconds to completely get all the water thru the grinds. I am usually using a larger 14oz coffee mug. The coffee is only about 1/2 full don't be alarmed you need to add additional water to the desired level as you have espresso strength coffee without it. Depending on how I feel I may add cream and sugar or just drink it black. Thats it about 90 secs to a perfect cup of joe. (Note: As I write this I am drinking a cup)

The coffee this device produces is the smoothest and best tasting coffee ever. Even if you go to Starbucks or your local coffee joint you will not get a better cup of coffee. Yes every once in a while I will use my french press but that usually has a fine gritty taste as it doesn't filter as well as this does. But it does produce a nice foamy crema on top. But 95% of the time I am using the aeropress - In fact I have not used my nice drip coffee maker since I got this. (Anyone want to buy a used coffee maker - It is a Cuisinart® Brew Central Coffee maker)

The past few weeks have been great using the Storyville Coffee I got as a buzz agent. If you remember this is the coffee that is roasted the day it is shipped. SO it is very fresh and very tasty. Well for the other evening for the beer tasting my good life long friend Dave decided to come as well. Well he Showed up bringing gifts. First, he is a coffee snob and roasts his own beans at home. Well, I decided to ask a true coffee snob what he thought of the aeropress and what it produces. He was impressed with the flavor and sweetness from his own beans. So much in fact he will be placing an order for the aeropress coffee maker. Yes he said he read the hype online about it but just could not believe how well it produced a cup of coffee until he tasted it. In fact he called me this morning and said he brewed coffee with his beans and said it just didn't have the same amount of flavor as the aeropress coffee maker produced.

If anyone needs a good Christmas Present Idea I would suggest giving one of these. 

Addtional Resources: Sweet Maria's Take on this (About 3/4 way down the page) and How to Brew
Single Press Coffee Review of Aeropress
Video of Aeropress in Action

TAGS: Aeropress Coffee Beans Burr+Grinder Coffee+Grinder Drip+Coffee Aerobie Gift

1 comment.

Fountain Pen TV Ad

Posted on December 8th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Communication, Gadgets, Journaling.

I just saw an interesting commercial on TV: it was for a Christmas Gift Pen Set - The only information I found on it was from Woolworth.UK website:

Description:

The classic pen set is an outstanding gift with six beautifully designed writing instruments, ideal for all occasions.

The classic fountain pen nib contains one of the toughest metals, Iridium, making it virtually indestructible.

The refill flow system ensures an even supply of ink whilst writing and eliminates blotting. As well as the fountain pen, a further five high quality writing instruments are included in the classic pen set.

All are suitable for left and right handed users.

Contents:
  Fountain Pen - Ball Pen - Roller Pen - Tow Colour Pen - Micro Pen - Propelling Pencil - 66 Piece Refill Set

 I just thought it interesting that in the ad they show throwing a fountain pen at a dart board (And Hitting a Bulls Eye none the less) and the pen still writes - Then they used the pen to stab a soda can and the pen still writes again.

My take of this ad is it is showing that fountain pens are not a flimsy pen but a sturdy rugged pen. They also show the pen being used for some "Fancy" writing. My take is that they noticed that people are starting to use fountain pens again and here is a quick way to get a quick buck from the people that don't know what to purchase. Now mind you I have not seen these pens and I am not against low cost fountain pens (I have several and love using them) I just hope these are somewhat reliable and nice to use as I feel this will be a easy way to introduce many people to the use of a "Fancy" fountain pen.  

The Ads here in Pittsburgh show this is available in Giant Eagle, Altmyers, Eckered Drugs, & CVS 

So whats your take? if any one can find a Google or YouTube Version of this ad let me know I will add it to the site.

Would you give this as a gift? 

Merlin - DigitalAlan 

TAGS: Fountain Pen Set Fountain+Pen inexpensive adult gift

10 comments.

Free Printable Rulers

Posted on December 4th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Craft, GTD, Gadgets, Hack, Journaling, Miquelrius, Moleskine, Toy, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

How many times have you been out and don't have a Ruler to measure something you saw at the store or to see if it will fit an application you are working on at home.

Well I have found an easy solution for you. What you need to do is to keep with you is a paper ruler in your wallet/organizer. And Mitchell Charity's Site he has placed several different versions that you can print out on your printer (as long as you don't allow the printer software to resize it) that you can cut out and keep with you in your organizer.

I printed out the Metric and Inch Ruler. Hey you really never know when you need an exact measurement (well a pretty darn close measurement). I put these up against my nice metal ruler that I keep on my desk and these are really close.

This is a nice cheap  inexpensive way to add a measurement device to your organizer.

TAGS: Analog paper ruler organizer hack gtd

15 comments.

TSA Selling Surplus on Ebay

Posted on December 3rd, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Gadgets, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

Would you like to buy 10 pounds of tools? How about 25 pounds of stainless steel scissors? 15 pounds of Craftsman's tools? Well the TSA sends over all of the confiscated items to the PA Surplus Property to sell - And they sell it on ebay. You can find alot of interesting items for sale - Hey this might make a great place to purchase a few Christmas gifts. Give all your friends a nice multitool or a swiss army knife.

TAGS: TSA EBAY SURPLUS AUCTION CONFISCATED KNIFES TOOLS

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Storyville Coffee Time - Spreading the Buzz

Posted on November 26th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Coffee, Communication, Gadgets.

Recently I joined a website called BuzzAgent - a website that gives you products to try and let other people know about them - Or to create a buzz. This is a form of word-of-mouth advertising. I guess it is like this blog where I tell you what I thought about a product I tried (The Good, The Bad and the Ugly) but in real time with live people. ;-)

Well this assignment I got sent a shipment of Storyville Coffee - I got the Prologue version of their beans (Caffeinated) They also have Epilogue (Swiss Water Decaffeinated Version) - They only have Coffee Flavored Coffee and let me tell you it is fresh - In fact they ship it to you the day they roast it. Honestly this has to be some of the freshest coffee I have ever tasted. But you don't just have to listen to me to believe this because I got some friends involved to try it out.

I was meeting some friends for our annual after-thanksgiving morning coffee and deserts - We all bring our leftover deserts and have coffee and the leftovers deserts (Pies, Cookies, cakes, etc…) . This has been a ritual for a few years. Instead of us trying to fight all the mall traffic we get together for a nice circle of friends to chat and basically have some fun and extend our Thanksgiving.

Today, I was able to serve the coffee from Storyville. I ground the beans in a new burr grinder and loaded up the Bodium French Press. The kit beside having this fresh coffee also included a DVD about coffee and coffee brewing. We actually watched the DVD that was included in the kit (fun and informative). One of the comments made was that this had to be the best coffee he has ever tasted. (He usually buys his from the local coffee house) He mentioned that their was no bitter taste at all. I told him that it  had to do with the process of making the coffee in the french press but more importantly it was also how fresh the coffee beans were. After we tried the Storyville Coffee we then tried some of the standard starbucks coffee pre-ground in the French Press. I think everyone was amazed - becuase we did the same type of brewing and time but the taste of the starbucks pre-ground was not nearly as good as the fresh tasting Storyville Brand. I think I created a coffee lover as well as one of my friends said he normally doesn't like coffee as it usually tastes bitter and / or burnt. But he loved the non bitter smooth taste of the Storyville Brand, he did like the Starbucks but did comment that the Storyville had a better taste. They all didn't know how much a good brewer (The French Press) and fresh roasted coffee beans would make a difference.

I have always been a firm believer of the French Press and the Aeropress Coffee Maker (The Makers of the Aerobie Frisbee). And this taste test this morning proved just that.

Tags: coffee aeropress french+press adult pastime cake cookies thanksgiving black+friday

3 comments.

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