Wireless Field Day Approacheth! #WFD8

I received the good news that I'll once again be attending a Wireless Field Day in San Jose. This time around we'll be visiting Aruba, Cisco, Fluke Networks and Zebra so far. As the event gets closer the full list of sponsors will be unveiled. I will be spending quality time with some familiar faces, and getting to socialize with a couple of delegates whom I've only met once or twice. It's always sure to be a good time!

The full details on the event will continue to expand on the Tech Field Day website for WFD8. Bookmark the site and check back to see how things are unfolding.

The full delegate list for WFD8 is thus: 
Blake Krone, Chris Lyttle, Drew Lentz, Jake Snyder, Jennifer Huber, Keith R. Parsons, Lee Badman, Peter Paul Engelen, Richard McIntosh, Sam Clements, Scott McDermott, Shaun Neal

How To Restring an Oil Rain Lamp

I am the proud new owner of a Creators Three Goddess Oil Rain Lamp! Sadly, one of the monofilament line got broken during shipping and I had the seemingly odious task of restringing the lamp foist upon me.

Searching online yielded very little information about how to take apart the lamp and what to expect upon doing so. There are two PDFs online describing the process of restringing and one describing repair of the lamp, how much mineral oil to use, but none with helpful photos.

Prior to taking apart the lamp, spread out a large trash bag  or plastic sheeting to catch any oil which might still be in the bottom of the lamp.

Disassembling the lamp is done by removing the three brass acorn nuts which hold the bottom of the lamp (the oil reservoir) to the center portion of the lamp. The lamp pump assembly is affixed to the bottom of the center portion of the lamp. Unscrew the top nut of the lamp where it joins the electrical cord/chain and slide it down the electrical cord and away from the lamp center. Working on the lamp from a position where the lamp is still suspended in mid-air is extremely helpful. Tying a knot in the electrical cord at the top of the lamp will allow you to suspend the lamp while you work on it.

The monofilament line is held taut by a series of interlocking brass couplings. The larger, outer brass couplings are the portion you can see sticking out of the top of the lamp, where the monofilament line appears to come out of the top of the lamp.

The smaller brass coupling is what holds the monofilament lines taut as the filament is threaded through the holes in the bottom of the lamp base and then back into the brass coupling in the top of the lamp. Make note of the threading pattern, you will replicate this pattern when you're replacing the monofilament line.

Using a small chisel or tool with a beveled edge, pry the smaller fitting out of the center of the larger fitting. Collect all small fittings and place them in a lidded container containing a mix of hot water and Fantastik (or some other grease cutting cleaner). Once all of the small fittings have been removed, remove the monofilament line from the lamp by unthreading it from the holes. Remove all large brass fittings and place them in a lidded container with a grease cutting mixture and let them soak. Clean the center of each small brass fitting, ensuring there are no clogs or blockages present. Set aside the small brass fittings to dry. Repeat the cleaning process with the large brass fittings. 

When all fittings have been cleaned thoroughly, restringing the lamp can begin. Work from the inside out to make the process simpler.
I tied the "starter" end of the monofilament line to a pencil to keep a good length of filament on the bottom of the lamp so I wouldn't have difficulty making a good knot in the filament when I'd finished threading it through the lamp.

I used 40 pound clear, monofilament line to restring this lamp. Monofilament line is also commonly referred to as fishing line. Do not use anything heaver than a 40 pound line, as you will have difficulty reinserting the smaller brass couplings (I'll cover this a few paragraphs later).

The inner circle rain pattern on this lamp is diagonal. The filament was threaded from the bottom of the lamp and then two holes to the right of the hole which would create a vertical rain line. The length of the inner circle rain pattern filament line was approximately 24 feet in length. This length will allow for a foot or so extra length at the bottom. This will make knotting the thread at the end easier.

The outer circle rain pattern on this lamp is vertical. The filament was threaded from the bottom of the lamp and straight up into the hole in the top to create vertical rain lines. The length of the outer circle rain pattern filament line was approximately 40 feet in length. This length will allow for a foot or so extra length at the bottom. This will make knotting the thread at the end easier.

Each run of filament is tightened by pulling on the filament enough to stretch it enough to allow you to press the small brass fitting into the larger brass fitting with the filament pinched in the center. As the filament is pulled/stretched, the diameter of the monofilament will decrease by a very small amount, allowing you to pinch the filament in place with the smaller brass fitting. Use a tiny hammer to tap the smaller brass fitting into place. It does not require much force, tap gently.

When you've successfully threaded the new monofilament line through the lamp, tie a knot in the filament underneath the center of the lamp. Tying three tight knots, one after the other will be sufficient to keep the filament in place.

The oil ran lamp uses mineral oil to give the effect of rain drops cascading down the monofilament line. Mineral oil is readily available at drug stores or grocery stores. The typical cost of a pint of mineral oil is just over $5.00. The lamp will take about 2 pints to fully submerge the intake hose of the pump in the base of the lamp (2 pints = 32 ounces). This equals ~$15 in mineral oil. People are selling 32 ounce bottles of mineral oil labeled as Rain Lamp Oil for $24.95 plus $13.00 S&H. Don't be pulled in by this tactic! Buy your oil rain lamp oil from your nearest grocery/drug store! 

If the pump is the problem with your rain lamp, replacement pumps have been seen selling on eBay for $65.00 plus S&H.

Introspection, Basic Truths and Transformation

I wouldn’t have ever imagined the personal transformation I would undergo as a result of beginning a yoga practice. Admittedly, I first came to yoga for superficial reasons. I had become bored of running and I was seeking a new challenge. What I found on the yoga mat was more than a butt-kicking workout. I found myself. I jokingly refer to the time spent on my mat as ‘forced introspection’. Taking 75 or even 90 minutes a day to turn inward and focus on the self, the breath, was not something I had done. As I faced each physically challenging asana with calm, measured breath, I also began to face myself and the choices I’d made with the same calm determination. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” was starting to make sense. With each conscious decision, I was cultivating my own new reality. Turning inward each time I got on my mat was helping me clearly define the direction I was moving toward off my mat.

I marveled at how the simplest truths became profound when combined with a physical challenge I did not initially envision myself capable of achieving. Shifting my perspective allowed me to see that what I could or could not do was not bound to the past simply because things had always been that way. If I had the strength for wheel pose, I had the strength to manifest a new reality of my own choosing.

I have let the specter of judgement keep me hidden away for too long. I shied away from social media for fear of saying the wrong thing, or saying too much. Instead, I said nothing which might reveal the personal revolution I was undertaking. I will no longer be silent about what I think or how I feel. This journey has just begun, but I feel I must share my truth in this or else I will be incapable of sharing anything else.

I recently enrolled in a 200 hour yoga teacher training program so that I may give back some of the power of change and mindful, determined living into my new community. The experiences I’ve had through coming to my mat each day have been so profoundly rewarding, I am called to pay it forward.

Sharing my story allows me to blog again about Wi-Fi without me feeling that I’m not saying something which I feel needs to be said. We only get one go around in this life. I think it is of upmost importance to be mindful in one’s intentions and move from a place of authenticity.

Do not be surprised if you see more posts from me on this theme. I briefly considered starting a different blog to separate the technology from the spiritual but quickly rejected the idea. I think I would be doing everyone a disservice by compartmentalizing myself to suit an presumed audience. If I’ve written about cookies and cameras, why would I not write about the most meaningful choice I’ve made - to begin and continue a yoga practice.

It has been three years since I started this journey. I had no idea where it would take me when I began, but I am plotting a clear course for where I want to go.

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My sincere gratitude to everyone I've crossed paths with at Breath and Body Yoga in Austin Texas, every single one of you have contributed to my growth. To all of the teachers at BBY: you are more powerful and influential than you could possibly know. You all deserve a shout out (in alphabetical order) Christine, Cynthia, Desirae, Diana, G’Nell, Jen, Jess, Kat, Kate, Katie H., Katie O, KK, Laura, Lauren, Louise, Michael, Mindy, Natasha, Sami, Shannon. XOXO