Lego Robot solves Sudoko Puzzles

Lego has really kept up with technology and innovation with its NXT kit and Mindstorms series. It's essentially "...an intelligent, computer-controlled LEGO® brick that lets a MINDSTORMS robot come alive and perform different operations."

When I moved from sticklebricks to Lego I really felt quite special. The next step up was Technics Lego which was far too serious for a boy who preferred burning stuff and smashing windows. 

This NXT kit provides mindboggling opportunities for Lego geeks to develop next generation Lego robots. I stumbled across this article by CNET about a Swedish programmer that has built a Lego robot that solves Sudoko puzzles. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.


There's a great youtube vid:

Knit Your Kit

I've been purchasing various items for my trek recently and I've had a rush of inspiration. As my closest friends and family will know (and much to their amusement), I've always been a big fan of knitting and whilst I haven't lifted a set of needles since I was about 7, it will always have a place in my heart. There's something very special about knitting your own gear - and I'm not joking here.

For starters, it's extremely theraputic, it relieves boredom and it's productive and eco-friendly. Ok - you can stop laughing now. It actually comes as no suprise to me that knitting is making a big come back. Corporate investors are chucking money hand over fist at the next 'knitting innovation' and today, ladies and gentlemen, I present www.woolandthegang.com 



It's a huge relief that knitting is back on the cool map. I've been ashamedly hiding my knitting fetish for too many years now.

One small stitch for man; one giant stitch for mankind.

International Hairdressers Expedition

This made me smile.

Music 4 the Mountain

I'm starting to have a think about my ipod selection for the trip. My main worry is the lack of places to re-juice the music machine. I thought a solar charger might be good so I checked out the 'Free Loader' but with 42 Reviews on Amazon and 2 ** it looks like a waste of time: Freeloader Solar Charger.

But I did find this and although it's not solar, I can charge it up before I go and it acts like a portable battery charger. I might get a couple just in case. The power of social reviews is great for gadget hunting: Power Traveller Monkey

I really don't want to be without music. Can you imagine standing at the base of Mount Everest listening Bread of Heaven. Wouldn't it be great to take these brothers with me? ;-)

Out.

National Geographic: Everest at 50

Ok - a short post about a National Geographic Feature from 2003 called "Everest at 50". There are some great articles and photos here:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2003/05/everest/everest-text

I'm really quite excited about this trip now. I've been checking out the latest activity on the mountain here:

http://www.mounteverest.net/

Rabies

Alongside the fundraising (currently: £3.1k), the purchasing of trekking/camping gear and the initial set of vaccinations, I've now got to fork out £100+ for a Rabies injection. I've been told that it's not mandatory but having read the wikipedia entry for Rabies, I'm kind of tempted to get it sorted.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies

I bet you didn't know that 'Ketamine' has shown the potential for rabies virus inhibition in rats. Amnesia here we come.




I've done a couple of 10 milers since the last post. Everything is going according to plan. Final kit list is being prepared. Visa for Nepal is on the list this week.

Test

Testing a blog post from my blackberry. Woosh.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

The blog starts here...9 weeks to go

It's exactly 73 days today that I leave for Everest Base Camp and the Yak mischief begins. I've had all my immunisation jabs (Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Hep A and B, Meningitis, Diptheria, Polio) and my final one (Rabies) is due on August 27th. I still haven't got my Visa for Nepal but that's on the list next week. 

Anyways...this was a first entry to kick the blog off and get my head around the Blogger tool. Don't expect any lyrical dancing on this blog. It's a small scrap book of thoughts and ramblings in the run up to my trek. More news soon folks...