If it weren't for a chance meeting with an old instructor, I'd say that the $25 entry for the Maker Faire may be better spent elsewhere if you're middle-aged and have neither children nor the patience to learn to knit, sew or do other crafty/hobby things. It IS interesting, even educational, but the price is steep, considering a fifth of our workforce isn't working.
Typewriter Person, May 2010
(this was underexposed, hence the graininess)
Maker Faire is amalgam of hands-on arts-and-crafts and do-it-yourself exhibits, tech demonstrations, tech art, and a carnival area organized by
Make Magazine. I went to see the human-powered carvinal rides made by
Cyclecide, which I enjoy because they are so unlike the passive experience of standard rides. They encourage, and in fact require, active participation, because they won't budge unless people actually exert energy to make them go! My personal favorite is the merry-go-round, because it involves kids screaming "pedal faster, dad!!!" at the guys in the center who look like they might keel over any second...
On to the chance meeting. I was walking down an aisle and saw a man at an exhibit with a name tag that said "Ron." I gaped at him, thinking "I know him!" Given my blatant stare, he easily caught me looking and asked if I wanted to play with the electronics he had on display. That's when I recognized the voice. "Aren't you Ron H***?!? I took your Conceptual Physics class at SFSU!" He looked a little frightened at that point, so I assured him I loved his class -- Ron gave fun demonstrations during lectures and handed out tickets for the
Laserium at the
Morrison Planetarium to students who did well, or who whined loudly, as I did.
Ron and Me, May 2010
Confession: I actually groused to his brother, who exercised at the gym where I worked nights after attending classes in the morning and track practice in the afternoon, because I was too chicken to complain in person. Ron has been associated with a science museum called
The Exploratorium forever. The Explo is a definite must-see for Bay Area visitors and residents alike, as I believe it was the first of its kind.
Colorful Calliope Player
One last distant memory. Back in the day, Doggie Diner was the place to go late at night, not because the food was good, but because it was cheap and open late. The heads from the restaurant sign show up at these festivals, and yes, they were at the Maker Faire. Good times...
This looks like it was so much fun. I have to say I'm a tad bit technologically impaired, but I love seeing exhibits where you get to be up close.
ReplyDeleteSounds like great fun. Love the doggie cart. You sound like you've had a most interesting life filled with great experiences.
ReplyDeleteThe little movie is great .... made me grin.
ReplyDeleteProject? What project? Telllll meeeeeeeee! Pleaaaaaaaassssse!
It was fun, CM & Julie, but still way too expensive, when you consider that all the exhibitors had to pay money for the right to be there, as well, so you have to keep digging into your pockets to participate in many of the exhibits.
ReplyDeleteI was searching this entry for something about a project, Martina, and realized it was a comment I left on your page! I'm working pro-bono to put together a budget for the first year of starting up a company here. I have a total of a week and a half to work on it before I present it to the managing director of the company who MAY buy the company I used to work for on the slim chance that if they do, they will also offer me a position executing this budget. But I also have to keep applying for other jobs while I do these projections, and that in itself is almost a full-time job!
So I will be quiet the next days, won't disturb you, won't ask about Doggie Diner, drücke beide Daumen, wish you all the best,
ReplyDeleteMartina (croiser les doigts)!
"Want to play with my electronics?" I'll bet he says that to all the girls.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like it was worth the money. I will keep you in my thoughts on your "Project" and think nothing but good endings. I do understand the job search thing.
ReplyDeleteDoggie Diner can best be described as a greasy fast food joint across from the San Francisco Zoo, Martina. The dog heads used to be mounted on the roof.
ReplyDeleteAre you filing that one away for future reference, Tim?
Thank you, Jules. I just emailed the current version to my boss, and am meeting with him in 7.5 hours at 11:00 am. Looks like I'm off to bed, now!
Oh, those doggie heads are too cute! I'm saving this post for my nephew, who will LOVE that picture!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of the Doggie Diner heads, too, Ethel.
ReplyDelete