Another day in Monte Cristi!

Doing some more work!

I'm going through changes. As I stay in one place, I'm working on myself, traveling in other ways.

I'm getting set to work on the goggles again!

This may be my last chance to edit the goggles this month!

It can be difficult to get going on a project.

I want to make these goggles so that I have a design that fits my face.

I hope also the faces of others.

They look solid to me!

I want to expand the strap holders.

That's functionality.

The style, there are a few areas that I want to edit. However, I may leave those for future iterations.

I find it hard to find a productive working environment.

Often, the places with resources (wifi, AC, water, etc.) are busy, loud places.

To a certain extent, one has to work anyways, regardless of the environment.

However, I think that some environments are so "dirty" that one loses instead of gains by working in them.

After a while of fighting, I found a way that I think works to angle back the frame!

Introduces some more tough stuff, but I think I like this!

After a bunch more work, I now have a larger holder!

OK!

Here's another draft, let's call it version 0.8!

This has the basic features that I wanted. Still presumably numerous adjustments before finishing.

Some imagery!

Now working on the goggles again!

I'm aiming to make the appropriate frame shape. Then, print!

I think it's now starting to look somewhat more aquiline!

I make some edits by hand, others by calculation. Each has its advantages. Working with concrete numbers enables one to reach exact locations, and makes it easier to adjust or reproduce results. Working manually enables one to reach outcomes that look or feel appropriate, and to work more flexibly.

I now feel like I can modify this design as I desire.

When first working on it, I felt like I had to think through each maneuver beforehand. Now I have more freedom!

I've often been reluctant to throw away work. However, one benefits from doing the work itself, such that it's often easy enough to regain the lost work, plus a fresh start.

In this case, the manual adjustments gave me some sense of how I want the shape. However, I messed up in a choice I made to switch editing from one source side to the other. As a result, I have to redo these steps. I'm going to use numbers, so that I have a repeatable process. It's ok to make mistakes. That's part of how we learn.

Many difficulties along the road!

The model now feels real, physical, to me.

Like I can hold it in my hands, wear it on my face.

I'm having difficulty getting the frame to curve around the face in a way that I want. Also, I'm getting to like the flat look. Considering just leaving it flat, at least for the first run.

I kind of like this version. I'm tempted to leave the geometry/shape. That would leave only working to fix other aspects of the model.

Looking at the model with a photo of my face underlaid, the goggles look phallic. Not sure that I want to wear these!

Maybe it looks different in person. :)

It looks like the 150 days would end on December 28, so maybe Friday December 27 would be my last available date for leaving Republica Dominicana.

As we practice, we improve!

Plausibull (n.): Fakery that makes sense.

Step by step!

Continuing to work, here in Monte Cristi, Republica Dominicana!

It's so convenient to have a consistent place to work, stay, etc. I'm considering spending much longer in one place, then carrying on!

We continue to make minor adjustments. Occasionally, we reach breakthroughs, making more major adjustments!

Another loud day full of mistakes!

Plans often go awry. It's important to have alternative plans.

Our understandings are limited.

So, let's make do as best we can.

Keep at it!

I look forward to continuing to work on my projects: work, travel, hobbies, relationships!

(Not necessarily in that order.)

There's so much more available time when you're staying in one spot instead of traveling!

Maturity, balance, persistence, work!

Work >>> worry.

I have approximately a three-week window when I'm considering leaving Republica Dominicana. December 7 - December 31. Probably aim for the middle, December 14 - December 21.

We should train ourselves towards positive action & attitude as we surf the waves of life!

By the way, it feels great to check off items in a checklist!!!

Whoever invented DEET should have like a million dollars. Probably does.

Here there are numerous boys, I think Haitians, who walk around with wooden boxes. At first I thought they were handcrafted lunch boxes. It turns out that they are shoeshine boys. It's funny when they offer to shine my shoes, because my present pair look like dress shoes but are actually made out of a flexible rubber, more like sports shoes!

It's remarkable how modern Republica Dominicana can be in some ways. Sitting here on wifi, I feel like I'm in the continental US.

I'm thinking of waiting on Venezuela for the situation to become calmer.

Idea: chocolate milk cheese.

Lately, I've been waking up in the middle of the night. Instead of complaining, I've been using the occasions to think, write, etc. It's quite convenient! And I've still been getting enough sleep and waking up again at a normal time.

This is another gorgeous area. Expansive desert, sea, bizarre rock shapes, beautiful sun, clouds, etc. I want to take so many pictures, but still lack a phone/camera. Also, many are hard to appreciate without the 360 view, breeze, aromas, etc.

So many ways forward!

Another sunny day!

People can be very short-term creatures.

Within a conversation, maybe even within a sentence, people can switch between "tu" and "usted" (informal or formal "you").

Within a short period, as the weather shifts, different types of people come or go.

Loud motorcycles, music, etc.

So much to see!

Another week!

Bright & sunny!

I feel like I'm getting to know the locals, and they're getting to know me!

Bike's breakng down. I plan to fix up the bike, probably into better condition than it was in when I got it, before I leave.

I'm doing a number of chores, basically reloading for the next stage, while in town, before going to Haiti.

It feels refreshing to have a chance to fix or replace so many parts!

I have difficulty keeping the weight of my possessions down. While traveling by bicycle, every ounce counts.

Still unsure exactly when I'll go. There's a three-week window, from December 7 to the end of the month.

Keep at it!

Now working on the goggles on a different computer. Even the previous things directly copied over look quite different!

Looking at the goggles on a far larger monitor, my first reaction is somewhat surprised that I made that at all, let alone on such a small monitor.

I think the design looks somewhat clunky. I still want to wear a pair. I view this first iteration, and probably at least a few more if I continue with this project, as practice.

It looks interesting, different than other glasses or goggles on the market.

This computer is waaaay faster than the previous one.

The model actually looks (to me, anyways) like a pair of goggles.

There's a learning curve to adjust to different keyboard layouts, etc.

Now working out a method to angle back the outer edges of the frames. Instead of the frames running perpendicular to one's vision, having the frames curve around the face.

Feels solid to get back into the game!

Last session on the goggles for the week.

"I'm ok with this!"

My thoughts on how the goggles are turning out, on seeing my previous model.

I'm now wrapping up the overall shape of the frames.

I'm leaving next week for catching and fixing any problems that I notice after this. Then, in the first week of December I plan to start the process of printing!

I'm a somewhat obsessive planner, analyst, etc., in conducting my projects. It's a funny contradiction/contrast of mine. In some matters I'm very spontaneous, messy, casual, while in others I'm OCD. I think it depends on how much I care about the activity. For example, I get quite detail-oriented for work, passion projects, relationships. I get quite haphazard for everyday activities, etc. I guess maybe I'm more on the obsessive side?

I'm getting to know deeply, to "grok" the goggles!

Much of this refinement process involves smoothing out rough edges.

As in general, for example in editing a text one removes the sharper phrases that don't read smoothly.

"Woah, cool! I made that?!"

My thoughts on seeing the draft of the model after the first three weeks.

Looks like the lower part of the frame now will likely rest on the middle of the nose. I think that this is a sensitive sinus area. As such, I want to modify this next week, so that it rests instead on more angular parts of the nose.

I also want to fix/improve the mirroring process. It now looks somewhat uneven, for example around the lower nose joins.

Numerous issues only show up after you draft. For this reason, I think it's important to allow leeway.

I look forward to wearing these!!!

I'm now more patient.

After the bank process went through, feeling more normal again. Bought groceries. Withdrew cash.

In Latin societies, I feel more personable. People greet me, I greet people. Interactions are more often friendly. Less often confrontational, as I feel North American societies can be. As a result (of this and other factors such as preferable weather), I often feel happier in Latin countries.

I'm seriously liking my adopted town of Monte Cristi, and even having an adopted town!

My week without cash has taught me much. First of all, in terms of obviousness, cash is extremely useful.

Also, people are often supportive. If you ever find yourself in a crush, it's probably best to get out and talk. Most people do not want someone suffering in their community. People will most likely provide the necessities.

Also, I like Caribbean food!

I commit more than before to working responsibly, taking care of logistics, and ensuring that I contribute whenwhere I can!

Looks like the worst of the storms are over for now, metaphorically & literally!

Last night, went for a walk. Found an enclosed area right before it started to rain!

Far fewer dogs, motorcycles, insects here. Plus, nice views!

Next, going in to do some more work!

The edges of town have more padding away from the busy center. I've been thinking of my stay in Monte Cristi as a short residence in town. Already I'm heading to the quieter edges of town!

Instead of waiting for just the right moment -- create just the right moment!

A delivery truck for a Dominican snack, Hojuelitas, keeps parking on the street in front of where I work. I think the driver may be stopping at the banca next door to buy/check lottery tickets. The truck is decorated with local slang, only some of which I understand. Including: en pila, aplatanao, papaupa, como tu 'ta?, que chulo esto e'e!

Investigative epidemiology in Republica Dominicana: The people seem to yell often. With all those loud motorcycles, dogs, and music, they may have hearing loss. The people pronounce Spanish without many of the letter "s". With all that sugar in coffee, bread, and other foods, they may have tooth decay.

DEET works WAAAAY better than the alternatives!

A heavier rainfall.

Wet weather makes me feel a thousand times heavier.

On the topic of aging, I feel that the older I get, the more in touch I become with who I am, my interests, etc.

Increasingly, I notice & choose my projects such that they fit in with my expected activities over the long term. For example, I blog about my travels, which I expect to continue (traveling) for years. I have freelance writing work, which fits with my expectation to need work that I can take on the road for years. I am developing goggles, which I expect to need for years. Seems more efficient to work on something that can last than to expend the same effort on something of shorter duration utility.

I've always been self-aware, self-conscious, etc. However, now I feel like I've had the chance to develop into much more of the person I want to become, my ideal self. Before, I felt like much of my self-awareness was theoretical, concerning who I wanted to be as an unreached ideal. Of course, there's ever room for improvement!

Working on the goggles some more. They're coming alive!

With more work, the product becomes better, as does the producer!

Working on 3D products is fun.

It's like playing with stuff in your hands, but it includes all sorts of tools, and you can save, reload, and otherwise modify the stuff. It's extra convenient for those of us who are clumsy!

I'm now working on refining the measurements. I want to make the frame fit on my face, and the lens and strap fit in the frame.

This is somewhat difficult. I have some measurements for my face. I'm tracing the lens shape by hand. I'm also making minor adjustments in the model.

Overall, I'm figuring things out as I go, trying to get a method to get the frame fitting. I still expect to have some problems in the printed product. Still, I want to minimize those, so that at least the first learning pair fits enough to wear!

I now feel, about this goggles challenge and more generally, "I can do this!"

At first, challenges often seem insurmountable. There are so many unknowns, about oneself and about the task. Yet, as one gets into the challenge, one learns the ins and outs, and becomes more capable and more confident.

Coffee also helps!

Often the problems along the way turn out to be the best parts!

It's starting to look like an actual set of goggles, to me. At first, it looked like a rough sketch, messy.

The goggles feel to me more like a model now, less like some sketch of an idea.

At first, I had the idea for the goggles. Drafting the approximate shape, I was quite unsure how to do most of the tasks involved in assembling the proper shape.

Now, it feels like a bike or something, a product that already exists.

I feel like I'm hammering away at the model, instead of vaguely reaching for some way to transfer notions onto computer.

In some ways, it's extremely unlikely for any new product to repay its investment in development. Suppose that I simply wanted a pair of goggles. Tons of models are already available for prices ranging around $100-$200. The number of hours I've spent on this design -- which may still to fail even to provide basic functionality -- would already have been enough to work at a paying job and earn several pairs of goggles. However, I was thinking of various (perceived) improvements anyways, and wanted a month-long challenge anyways, and want to improve at 3D product design anyways. Therefore, many of these costs are not costs for me, or in a sense sunk costs. As such, I may be able to make fun, personalized goggles, which other people can also use. Still a gamble, but I feel that I'm already gaining more from the challenge than the costs by far. Plus, if it works out, then I and others can have a new design to develop for years to come!

Now swinging the upper frame part way above the nose, trying to reach a comfort zone on the forehead above the nose.

You develop techniques as you go. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Made it to another draft!

Here is some imagery.

Another rainy night last night. More rain, including thunderstorms, expected the rest of this week.

I like the desert, the people, the food.

Desert people seem to survive!

I'm worrying somewhat about the forecast storm. Not too much, I think it'll be fine. However, probably an unpleasant amount of rain, maybe worse outcomes.

So far, my week of poverty has gone quite well, thanks in large part to the generosity of the people here!

I'm now planning to stay in Monte Cristi at least to the second week of December. Maybe also further. I'm even considering staying until the end of December, when I think my visa expires, but that may be pushing it too tight, and I'm not sure that I want to cross the border on New Year's Day. Maybe I'll go around mid-December.

This is one of the nicest places I've been. I'm going to feel sad leaving Monte Cristi, Republica Dominicana!

It's hard to handle the stresses of the road, or even everyday stresses. Still, it's important to push through, find ways, instead of giving in.

Much of the fun of various activities and events comes from the surprise of not knowing. When visiting a different place, it's often safe and informative to read up beforehand, but it's also a surprise (often pleasant) to arrive. No amount of preparation completely sets you up for the arrival.

I think that I've often been irresponsible. I chalk some of it up to my not-so-conscientious personality type. Humans become more conscientious with age. I'm noticing that development in myself. It comes as a pleasant surprise to see myself more interested in taking initiatives, taking action. And I think that it leads to more desirable results, outcomes.

Overall I think/feel that I have a more positive attitude now than I did as a younger adult. I think that's also a common side effect of aging.

We have unprecedented technology nowadays. Of course, in the future our technology is likely to look crude and outdated.

I guess that we can strive to make the most of our ongoing situations. Even though things will be different later, at least do what we can now.

Whatever the case may be, keep on rockin'!