Recent Posts
The TRAPPIST-1 Chord
In February, 2017, astronomers announced that the nearby star TRAPPIST-1 has seven Earth-like planets. The orbital periods of the six innermost planets have nearly integer ratios. When periods are related by integer ratios, then the corresponding frequencies are related by integer ratios, too. The … [Read More...]
Architecture: Intimacy Gradient
I am inspired by architect Christopher Alexander's book A Pattern Language. One of its sections, Pattern 127 Intimacy Gradient, recommends ordering the spaces of a building so that public areas are closest to the entrance and private areas are more distant. Following this pattern creates what is … [Read More...]
Two Freezers on a Generator?
The freezer will need to run 24/7, and so I'll bring my Honda EU2000i generator and refill its gasoline tank throughout the week. To conserve gasoline, the EU2000i has an "Eco-Throttle" mode that keeps the generator in idle. The generator still outputs 115 volts, but at low capacity. When the … [Read More...]
New Shelter?
I've been bringing the same 26-foot-diameter wooden dome to Burning Man for 12 years. While I could continue to bring it for years to come, it takes much time to assemble and take down, and its cover is not dust tight. Since The Cupcake Cafe needs a dust-free environment, either the dome's cover … [Read More...]
Cafe Infrastructure
Most theme camps in the Black Rock Desert are bars. Why is that? Having brought a sake bar to Burning Man, I can say that bars are easy. To create a bar camp, aside from hanging wall decorations, I just needed to bring sake and prepare to wash sake cups. Working the event was easy: I just served … [Read More...]
Cupcake Cafe at Burning Man 2017
Imagine you are walking along one of the roads at Burning Man. While you may be heading toward a particular destination, you welcome distractions. As you pass The Cupcake Cafe, someone emerges with a tray. “Would you like a cupcake?” they say. A handwritten label on the tray says “Cupcakes by … [Read More...]
Metal Workshop
I've been working every day on the fabrication of Miles in this workshop. I think I'm going to complete the project before I need to leave for the Black Rock Desert. Unlike other years, the tools that I'm using are difficult to transport to the desert, and so if I don't finish the project before … [Read More...]
Materials for a Ten-Year Lifetime?
Usually I design Burning Man projects to last for the week. This choice means that wood and metal remain unpainted and that nothing is supposed to get very wet. Then if I want to save a project and return it to the playa in a future year, I need to store it out of the weather, and that takes space … [Read More...]
Shape of a Spur Gear
Geneva devices link adjacent digit wheels of Miles. The devices cause 9-to-0 transitions of a digit wheel to advance the wheel on its left by one position. For instance when counting from 19 to 20, the digit wheel that represents the units position advances from 9 to 0. Then through the Geneva … [Read More...]
