My word for 2024 is Integration, and I am applying this goal to all of my projects. In this post, I integrate my interests in Podcasting, gardening, home repair, painting, video design, and parenting into a single message on productivity and self-improvement.
Video
AI Summary
Monica is a free AI assistant that I have added to Google Chrome, and she so kindly offered to summarize my video.
💫 Summary Source
Improvement Dave wrote:
This video drives me closer to having a Podcaster tone of voice so the Video really drives this post. Also, in the post I share that I am slated to be a guest on the “If You Ask Betty” Podcast. This post is about me preparing my setup to arrive at that recording ready to roll. I had an issue recording on my current setup in 4K and then did not have an issue recording after I set my recording to 1080p.
The ways Monica caught my meaning and extrapolated the connections I inferred are amazing. I love how parts of the summary are inaccurate, for example, Monica stated that I will attend the “If You Ask Betty” Podcast and play the role of Ken.
Extended AI Summary
Detailed Summary for I Can Beach by Monica
00:04 Improvement Dave (David Kolmer) is excited to be on a podcast about the Barbie movie and is celebrating by throwing sand on his front yard to practice “beaching” like Ken.
- David is a fan of the podcast “If You Ask Betty” and has listened to the Loki series multiple times.
- He bought one ton of sand and plans to purchase another ton to create a backdrop on his front yard.
- David’s wife is not impressed with the sand on the lawn, but he finds it fun and is practicing for his role as Ken in the podcast.
06:14 The speaker is working on fixing a pipe and plans to solder a new piece in place.
- The sprinkler system is still in good condition.
- The speaker purchased a piece of 1/2-inch pipe from Lowe’s.
- They are using a husky cutter to cut out the old pipe.
- The speaker plans to solder the new pipe in place using tinning flux and solder wire.
09:21 The video shows the process of using a torch to melt copper wire onto a snowboard, with some mishaps along the way.
- The person lights up a torch to melt the copper wire onto the snowboard.
- They accidentally melt the snowboard in the process.
- They continue to apply the wire to the copper until it starts to discolor.
- They notice steam coming out, indicating a problem with water in the line.
- Despite some mishaps, they managed to successfully apply the liquid metal onto the painting.
12:28 The artist is experimenting with melted metal on a painting.
- The artist didn’t initially want melted metal on the painting but decided to try it.
- Some parts of the painting have liquid metal splatter.
- The artist cleans off the discoloration on the painting with a wet rag.
15:35 The speaker discusses a plumbing issue that caused potential damage to their painting, but they were able to fix it by soldering a new piece of metal into the line above it.
- The shut-off valve for the water was failing, which could have caused damage to the painting.
- The speaker soldered a new piece of metal into the line above the painting to fix the issue.
- Some silver tinning came off the painting while applying gel medium, causing concern.
[END MONICA AI CONTENT]
Beach Photos
I can Beach. I bought a ton of sand but I still need to purchase the second ton of sand after it stops raining all the time. I am strong, but there is no reason to shovel sand when it is wet a second time. That gets heavy!
Soldering Copper Water Pipe Photos
Here is a photograph of the old gate valve that stopped working last winter (2023), I simply shut it off and opened the bleeder valve planning to fix it in the spring (2024 / Now).
Here are two shots of the final product with the ball valve I installed in the video.
(I learned I should work on my home improvement instructional video skills.)
Abstract Painting Photos
I have been trying for a while now to find a way to create “A Painting that Moves“. I am still unsure if I have gotten there, but I am getting closer. I have a history of painting abstract waterfalls on flat canvas, but now I am creating a support to drop the paint down where the paint spills as the waterfall. The paint would spill off the support onto the plastic liner so now I am crafting a support that has a 90-degree angle so the “Spilage” can be captured into the final piece.
The excess or runoff pool is quickly becoming my favorite part of these “gravity paintings.” I am spending more time making sure the pool below looks right and adding more color and texture to draw the observer’s eye to that aspect of the painting. These paintings are breaking the 4th wall in a way because they are working into the 3rd dimension and that is exciting to me.
Front View
Top View
These paintings hang “Sideways”, if you want to see more about that I have a video on that here.
I have found an artistic outlet through painting for years now. I really started painting a lot in 2005, when I lived in Lampang Thailand, and broke my foot. I had nothing to do and was not able to get around very well, so I used painting to pass the time and perhaps it aided me in the healing process.
I don’t have a very strong online art presence, but I do have an Etsy shop and a Facebook Page.
KOLMER (FB)
“The reason to make art is to innovate and self-express, show something new, share what’s inside, and communicate your singular perspective.”
Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Improvement Dave 