I've been making commissions doing storyboarding, where its become evident that I need to practice on my speed in my free time. I've said this for years, but now that a client is dependant on my abilities, its really hit home that if I want to keep making money, I must be faster.
I've been neglecting my flight studies for quite some time now. Whats a bitch is theres really no way around finding just a "flight tutor", but on the other side, I've been all over the place making band art, band fliers, storyboards, local movie concepts, and miscellania, on top of helping my elderly dad, that I haven't had the time to check out other flight schools.
Still, I have a deposit remaining in this flight school...the sum of only a couple of hundred dollars which could definitely cover my solo certification. I want to at least earn that before I hit the road...either to a more cost-efficient flight training program, or a job or...something...I've even explored the option of sneaking my way into being able to AFFORD being a pilot by looking into aviation mechanic training.
That's been fresh on my mind on account of all of the stress I've endured with the motorcycle. Critical electrical failures has made riding it, my only vehicle, not as reliable. The battery keeps draining to death...and it ain't the battery's fault. I narrowed it down to either the Stator or the Voltage Regulator...and thats when shit took a turn for the crazy in my life.
See, I need this vehicle in my life...not only do I love it, but its my ONLY ride...one day I would love to afford something with four wheels, air conditioning and a roof...having been fucked over by garages far too many times in the past couple of years, I took it upon myself. I bought a $30 owner's manual, and I did me some READIN'. This book details every part, everywhere, how to tell if its busted and how to replace it if it is. I knocked out the maintanence myself.
Its been slow...its been exhausting...its been nerve wracking, since I'm dealing with a magnetic component that gets crammed in with moving parts, submerged in oil at the low end of INSIDE the engine....but I did it...I ordered the voltage regulator online, its a significantly easier part to replace, and I wait for its arrival. Either Friday or post Memorial Day.
I won't relax until after a safe test drive...
...in the meantime. I've been frequenting the forums more often...things have changed slightly, but I think its for the better. I still miss epic photoshop threads from time to time, but maybe they'll come back someday. With the stresses of my motorcycle lately, and the worries of my future in aviation that past several seasons, I haven't really touched flash, but I haven't forgotten about it either. I still honestly WANT to animate again....but the speed of the storyboards and the detailing of some of this album-art esque designs have spirred a vigerous motivation to start doing comics again...like, NOW. So get ready for that sooner than any animated toons!
*sigh*...I want to fly again. I want to ride again. But hey, at least I can vent to you guys. Thanks for taking the time to read. :D
-This is Phobotech!-
I've done animatics for Cyanide & Happiness, Purgatony, and WWE Storytime! I'm also a voice actor that's performed roles in One Piece, Gundam: Witch from Mercury, & Smite!
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The Low-Down: May 2014
Posted by Galneda - May 23rd, 2014
Comments
Like a chef, we're only as good as the ingredients are. Seems like you're on the right course though. I doubt the new stator will be a problem, should have nice shiny copper windings of the proper diameter and length... I should know better, but I don't have any newer toys :| My cousin's got a huge ass quad thing in the garden shed, but that's his to break and fix.
Could always be worse, how'd you like to put a 100 lb starter in this thing? http://www.newgrounds.com/dump/item/5c5351a3e8c6e9ede29addf5b420c69d eh, only the flywheel's showing on this one... the cover got blown off ours a while back, badly dented by the brush-hog.
Ha! I have no experience in the matter, but at least its already jacked up to accessible heights...doesn't even look like you need to take much off to get to where you need! Never really thought about it before, but tractors seem to be designed for easy access repairs...
...but again, what the hell do I know? I'm an ignorant city-slicker. My way of seeing it is I'd try anything once, and learn along the way.....I guess I'm not stressed out about the thought of tractor repair because deep down I know it ain't MY tractor, lol
Modern farm equipment (and damn near all International Harvesters) are impossibly hard to work on; same with Mitsubishi cars... you have to pull off so many components, just to get to the simple things, like spark plugs, or an accessory belt :p
The best news of this post, is that you're not afraid to try doing for yourself. My Pop always used to say, you'd do as good a job or better yourself, than if a pro were to work on it. Why? Because it's your stuff! Speaking of which, how's your Pop doing?
Damn man, hard times on planet Earth. Sorry about you, your bike, and your dad. It's really inspiring to hear that even with one mess after another, you're taking everything thrown at you and making yourself better by it, though. Taking the time to improve your story-boarding skills when someone needs them, taking the time learning to fix your bike when it's in disrepair, even looking at learning a new trade to save up money for flight school! It's really sweet that you're helping your father out as well. How awesome <3
I hope these upcoming months will start to be a lot smoother after a rough, downhill tumble.
Speaking of photoshop, there may not be a lot of photoshop threads of late, but I still like screwing around in MS paint and posting them results as reaction-images in the forums if I can't find a proper one. I decided to test this out on Wegra and it's worked out pretty well so far, haha.
And I can't wait to see what you have in mind for newgrounds. Even if they aren't animations, anything you upload is sure to be freakin' awesome lol.
VicariousE
Erm... kinda skimmed this, but you've got problems with a (de)magnetized flywheel? I thought most bikes took points to power things.. ah well, I've only worked on old crap, magnetos, carburetors and such.
Hope the new voltage regulator works okay, I've had problems with them in the past, engine doesn't run as smoothly :| If you've got an imported bike, should be no problems though... it's the American metal that requires domestic replacement parts... the knocked off aftermarket stuff from overseas, is usually repurposed crap :\
Galneda
Not sure about a flywheel, but its a Stator. It uses the kinetic energy of the moving parts of the engine using magnetism to generate power...like an alternator, but stationary (hence its name).
I'm kinda concerned, though, of the origins of this new stator I've put in...no telling if it'll be a troublesome aftermarket part...but, theres no doubt in my mind that the one I pulled OUT of the bike has been there since 2002, so its possible I may have prevented a headache from happening in the future...just in case though, I'm keeping the original stator in a box, safe and clean.