CampGND Draws closer, and I’m worried about ’the project'. Having got really excited about SATnogs, it’s been really frustrating to learn that the project is currently just a shell of what it could be. As far as I can see, there’s some STL files describing items to be printed, some software and some other things, but a complete lack of documentation. Poking through other branches of the main software, I did find what looked like a kind-of-incomplete bill of materials. …

So, campGND is about to happen and I’m beginning to look forward to it. Unfortunately for me, Tom’s told me I should have a project - I can’t just turn up and be a gin fuelled rocket for the duration. I mean, that’s going to happen anyway, but whatever, I can be productive too. Given that my favourite toy is radios and space, I figured I should do spaceradio stuff. I’ve had the half-idea of doing a portable satellite tracking unit for a while. I want to get back into nerdy radio again, and it’s a pretty good way of doing it. Searching, stumbling and coming across things lead me to SatNOGS - A modular, open ground station built around VHF/UHF. The target platform is, of course, rtl-sdr, arduino and, surprisingly, a TP-Link WR703N. …

So, judging by the reaction I got to last night’s post, I think I may be a touch addicted to EVE to the detriment of other things. Let’s find something to replace that with! I’ve always liked running. As a kid, I could effortlessly run 1500m races and do well, and win at 400m and stuff. I tried some longer distances too, 4k, 5k. It was good. But then I got older, discovered alcohol, self abuse, developed growing-related knee pains I could use as an excuse and suddenly university happened. Just as suddenly, university finished, and I was thrown out the door into the real world. …

Abu Dhabi’s a funny place. I’ve been here for a few days now, and I’m beginning to settle in - y’know, getting over that ‘phwoooar, I’m here’ disorientation you tend to get when you’re 4000 miles away from home in a country that doesn’t speak your language. I have no doubt at all that I’m seeing a very sanitised version of Abu Dhabi. I’m seeing, more or less, the capital that the leaders of the UAE want me to see. It’s a metropolitan city that’s full of tall building, enormous malls, big roads and big cars. Not totally dissimilar to my experiences in the States. Of course, this time I’m right in the city, not in the ‘burbs. …

So everyone who has the pleasure of knowing me knows that Internet Spaceships are a big deal in my life. So what happens when they’re taken away? Well, I focus on new things, but that’s a discussion for a different post. What does happen, though, is that I get a chance to take stock. What with being on a laptop and having a crap connection, I’ve been forced to step back from spending all night, every night on the game. This can only be described as a Good Thing. Less time video gaming and thinking about games is definately a great benefit to my lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong here - I absolutely love the medium, but people stare at me, aghast, when I tell them of the 7 hours I spent at my desk in the battle for 6VDT. I choose to not tell them about the numerous nights and days when I can easily spend that time at the desk, just farting about in EVE doing ’nothing important' …