Author Archives: twsobey

WA-ACTE Summer Conference Presentations on Robotics and Lock Picking

Posted on August 6, 2024 by twsobey

(Updated: Additional links requested in the session at bottom) I’m presenting to middle and high school CTE teachers at this year’s WA-ACTE Summer Conference on two topics: Robotics and Lock Picking. The “Lockpicking and other mischievous way to learn engineering” … Continue reading →

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When Driving Is Not an Option

Posted on July 7, 2024 by twsobey

Title: When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency Author: Anna Zivarts Completed: July 2024 (Full list of books) Overview: I met Anna a couple of years ago when our kids did gymnastics together. Out of the … Continue reading →

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LilyTiny

Posted on June 26, 2024 by twsobey

It’s time for ToorCamp again and this year I’m helping people learn to program LilyTiny microcontrollers. You can use these at the Fairie Yurt to control the EL wire (prototyping this currently) or over at the Maker Stage to create … Continue reading →

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Rebar Ladybug

Posted on June 21, 2024 by twsobey

A few years back, I made a rebar dragonfly. Shortly after I started work on a ladybug to join the dragonfly on the fence, but ran out of welding gas before finishing. For over a year it sat there, slowly … Continue reading →

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Get the Picture

Posted on June 20, 2024 by twsobey

Title: Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See Author: Bianca Bosker Completed: June 2024 (Full list of books) Overview: About a year ago, I was asked to … Continue reading →

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Shielded

Posted on May 11, 2024 by twsobey

Title: Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable Author: Joanna Schwartz Completed: May 2024 (Full list of books) Overview: This was a somewhat depressing read. I think most people understand that police violate people’s civil rights often and the reasons for … Continue reading →

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Running Around the World (Now with Arduino)

Posted on May 4, 2024 by twsobey

About a decade ago, while running with the Boise Area Runners, I challenged the club to (collectively) run around the world in a year. I set up a Google form where people could input their mileage then gave monthly updates … Continue reading →

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Mayan Center Village and Dangriga

Posted on April 12, 2024 by twsobey

Just before Avery was born, we had been traveling more with recent trips to the Bahamas and Africa. She went on her first international trip (to Canada) the day after the 2016 Presidential election, when she was about 2 months … Continue reading →

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Drunk

Posted on March 28, 2024 by twsobey

Title: Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization Author: Edward Slingerland Completed: Mar 2024 (Full list of books) Overview: Why do people drink? We know it’s unhealthy yet we continue to do it. This book covers … Continue reading →

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Biking Uphill in the Rain

Posted on February 22, 2024 by twsobey

Title: Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle from Behind the Handlebars Author: Tom Fucoloro Completed: Feb 2024 (Full list of books) Overview: I’ve been reading the Seattle Bike Blog for a while now and was excited when … Continue reading →

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