Build an Elliptical Desktop in 30 Minutes

On July 26, 2016July 25, 2016 By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

xcx_1050 I moved my elliptical machine into my guest room/office this week to make room for the new rowing machine I just “had to have” but had no room for in the workout portion of the garage. I had the space available and, after adding some component shelves to the walls beneath and beside the “extra” TV I gained this week when my husband insisted the spare bedroom needed a 40″ high def TV, (Don’t get me started, at least it was a daily deal on Amazon) it might spur me to get off my ever expanding backside more during the day.

The only rub was that I have always disliked the magazine/iPad tray on this Nordictrack CX 1050 Elliptical that caused heat to build up on the touch screen beneath. So, lightbulb! I’d get a desk to stretch between the stationary arms so I could use my new favorite tech toy: Logitech k480 3 device Bluetooth wireless keyboard to use my laptop via the nifty screen mirroring app that came on the Sony DVD player that I attached to the old TV so, when I wasn’t striding and working on my blogs, I’d be able to watch videos & Netflix, etc. while spending hours on the elliptical. Let’s not all fall out of our chairs at the same time laughing hysterically. Hmmm

Of course, the desktop I ordered came nowhere close to working. Undeterred, I gathered up scrap wood from some of my other “projects of desperation,” as I call the things I build when I can’t find what I need to suit my purpose, and set about making a desk that would work for me. The best news for anyone who doesn’t have power tools, or isn’t comfortable using them, is you can go to Home Depot (or Lowe’s) and they’ll cut your wood for free and the whole thing can be assembled with wood glue if you don’t want to use screws.

Parts:

1 Piece 24″ x 12″ wood sanded (I glued & clamped 2 scrap pieces together)
1 Piece 1″ x 2″ x 26″ wood sanded
1 Piece 1″ x 2″ x 30″ wood sanded
1 Piece 1″ x 8″ x 24″ wood sanded
1 Piece 1″ x 2″ x 12″ wood sanded
Wood Glue
Clamps

Assembly Instructions:

Lay the piece of 1″ x 2″ x 30″ wood (on it’s 2″ wide side) on your work surface. Measure 15″ across and mark the enter point of your wood. This is the cross member that will lie underneath the desk across the widest part of the stationary side arms of your machine. The portion of the arms that are furthest away from the computer / screen of the machine.
Measure 6″ away and lay down your 1″ x 2″ x 26″ piece of wood (sitting up tall on it’s 1″ skinny side) to begin to form the slope for a better viewing and working angle – this is where you will see the piece of leftover closet rod I used. Measure 13″ across and mark the center point of your wood. This piece is the piece of wood that will be sandwiched between the two pieces of wood that create the angle of the desk that will be closest to the front of your elliptical machine’s moving handles. My machine handles move in a very compact movement, so these measurements work for my model (shown above). You may need to adjust the measurements at this point to make sure that your arms have enough room to move once the desktop is glued down in step 4.
Apply a line of wood glue to both of these pieces of wood on the portions facing up toward the ceiling. I use Gorilla Wood Glue. It dries in about 30 minutes and holds tight.
Mark the center point of the piece of 24″ x 12″ wood at the top and bottom and connect the points with a solid line on the side that will be underneath (facing the floor and glued to the cross members). Mark a point down from the top at 7″ at both ends and in the middle and draw a line connecting the marks and crossing the middle line.
Lay the piece of 24″ x 12″ wood with the line side facing you, then lay the top cross member (1″ x 2″ x 26″) glue side down, matching the center point you marked at 13″ with the center line on the desktop underside, and make sure the cross member is in perfect alignment with the edge along the top. Clamp the cross member to the top firmly.
Match the center mark on the 30″cross member with the intersection point on the lines you drew on the underside of the top, line the top edge of the cross member up with the line all the way across, then firmly press the glued side down, clamping at the ends. There will be an excess 6″ that is not attached to anything beyond the 30″ cross member.
With the bottom of the desktop still facing up, make sure that you can see the center point marking at 13″ then mark a point 2″ in from each end of the top cross member.
On the bottom cross member make sure the center point is clearly marked at 15″ then mark a point 3″ in from each end.
Remove the clamps and run a line of glue across both cross members between the marks you made. Do not run the glue all the way to the ends.
Take the piece of 1″ x 8″ x 24″ wood and mark the top and bottom edges at 12″ (the midpoint width-wise). Line up with the center points you marked on the cross members and press the 1″ x 8″ x 24″ firmly in place. Open the clamps up a bit and re-clamp the sandwiched cross members in place. Allow the glue to dry for 30 minutes.
Turn the desk over and allow the clamped ends to overhang your work surface (I put it in place on the elliptical so I could finish the last step while it dried).
Make sure you can clearly see the marked center point at the bottom of the desktop. Take the remaining piece of 1″ x 2″ x 12″ wood, mark the center point at 6″ about 3/8″ up from the bottom of the wood when stood up on it’s end.
Run a line of glue along the edge of the desktop facing you 6″ out each way from the center point. Spread it with your finger so it won’t drip while you are placing the 1″ x 2″ x 12″ with the edges aligned at the bottom so that the 1″ x 2″ stands above as a lip or edge that guards against your keyboard, iPad, Book or Magazine slipping off while you are striding. You can secure it with a expandable clamp, or strap clamp meant to stretch for this purpose, or do like I did and, using 1 1/2″ trim screws and my power screwdriver, sink a couple of screws in from the front and fill with wood filler to hide the holes.

TIPS:

I used 2 1/2″ wood screws driven up from the bottom through the closet rod because the round surface against the two flats didn’t adhere as well with the glue.
I used 1 1/4″ trim screws from underneath to secure the 30″ cross member to the desktop so that everything was extra secure.

Yours will be more “finished” looking than mine because I was utilizing scraps and you’ll be cutting to exact measurements with new pretty wood.

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Rare Treat: paid iPhone apps for FREE

On May 17, 2016 By ls1228In Extreme Blonde Moments, SafetyLeave a comment

I’m always on the lookout for technology I can run from my iPhone or iPad that will make my life easier, safer or more fun. The apps listed below will help me free up space on my devices, help me find my way to safety if I’m lost without a signal or in an area unmapped by traditional navigation apps, capture an entire website in one screen shot, and will help me get back into 5K form in just 7 weeks. The bonus is that, for a limited time, the apps are Free! Hmmm

Free Up Space – Normally $4.99 It recovers wasted space on your iOS device by:

Finding duplicate photos: If you take a lot of photos/selfies you should use this feature often. This helps you find duplicate photos of all levels ranging from least similar to exact duplicates.
Resizing Photos: You can save a lot of space by resizing large photos. Quality is maintained while reducing the size.
Compress Photos & Videos: You can save storage space by compressing large photos & videos. Once you’ve compressed them, you can easily share them with your friends via attachments, messaging apps etc.

SwiParty – Normally $1.99

Easy-to-use music map. Swipe to stream your personal party playlist!
SwiWorkout classifies and recommends workout music for you.
Fast tempo on the right, slow ones on the left; New on top, old on bottom.
SwiWorkout gives you a playlist immediately!
You can suggest/add workout music you love by contacting Swibeat directly: http://www.swibeat.com/Contact.p

Run 5K Pro – Normally $1.99 Train to run a 5K in 7 Weeks!

EASY TRAINING PLAN

30 minutes a day, 3 times a week – and you’ll be able to run 5K in 7 weeks;
Effective training plan from professional coaches;
Use outdoors and on a treadmill;
Audio cues during all workouts to keep you focused;
GPS maps saved for each training session;
Apple Watch support.

NEVER GET BORED

Gradual increase of workout intensity for best result;
Inspirational quotes keep you motivated while running;
Motivational tips on running with each training session;
Listening and managing your favorite music from the app;
Sharing results with Facebook & Twitter friends.

MUSIC TIMED TO YOUR WORKOUT

Unlimited access to the best running music right from the app;
Music tempo adjusts to your workout rhythm – music plays faster as you run faster;
New mixes from talented DJs are available every day;
All genres – from Classical and Oldies to Rock, Hip-hop and R&B;
Convenient search and suggestions to find perfect mixes.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

Calorie counting;
Detailed statistics: pace, distance, time and other parameters;
Synchronization of your stats & logs with an upgrade from the free version;
Synchronization with Apple Health app;
Integration with Runkeeper, Fitbit, MapMyRun.

WebpageShot – Normally $4.99

A simple tool to convert a webpage into an image.
It captures the whole web page not just what you see on the screen.
It also provides a screenshot extension for Safari on iOS 8.

iArrow – Normally $1.99 iArrow provides navigation where there are no roads. The app will lead you back to your car, campsite or hotel and help you reach the nearest settlement if you get lost. This app features a built-in database of 2,000,000 localities around the world and does not require internet or cellular connection.

Unlike navigation systems that show a blank map, iArrow instantly launches and very clearly indicates the direction and distance to the destination. The app consumes little energy and saves battery power.

Great for travelers, fishermen, hunters, extreme or off track athletes and anyone who works in remote locations. You can save the coordinates of key points along your route to your clipboard to share via SMS, Email, Twitter, Airdrop, etc..

APP FEATURES

User Guide
You do not need an Internet connection *
2,000,000 settlements in the database
Built-in online map
Ability to search for objects by address
Automatic detection of the address of the current position
Indication of GPS accuracy
Determination of direction using magnetic compass
Determination of direction using GPS coordinates
Radar mode that displays Favorites, History and settlements
Displays full information about position, speed, altitude, etc.
Lock screen
Settings
Metric and Imperial Units
Low energy usage
Support for iOS8 and iPhone 5/5s/6/6+

WORKING WITH COORDINATES

Support for the latitude/longitude, UTM and MGRS coordinate formats
Support latitude and longitude as decimal degrees, degrees/minutes/seconds etc.
Easy input of coordinates – special keyboards for each format
Setting destination using azimuth and distance
Convert GPS coordinates between degrees formats, UTM and MGRS on the fly
Viewing coordinates on an online map
Sending and receiving coordinates via SMS
Import and export coordinates via SMS, Email, and Airdrop
Import and export list of coordinates
Import and export links to Google, Apple, Yandex, and OSM maps
Import coordinates from the clipboard
Automatic determination of format of imported coordinates
Easily add, delete, or edit coordinates
Automatically save the coordinates in History
Search in Favorites and History
Sorting Favorites/History by new and nearest points
List of nearby settlements

I am not anxious to need the iArrow app, but I am going to load it in the off chance I ever get lost and need to find my way out of the wilderness. You can find all of these in your App Store.

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I Thought Blogging WAS a Non-Impact Activity

On October 20, 2015 By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

Some of my 2000+ followers may have missed me for the past 2 weeks. It seems that my obsession with using my computer, iPad and iPhone for communication, research and yes, blogging, has combined with my exercise routine to add yet another painful ailment deal with.

24 years ago I was a passenger in a car accident that broke my pelvis in multiple places, broke my ankle, caused a reverse curvature of my C-Spine, gave me a memory impairing concussion, and severely damaged my sciatic nerve which has resulted in doctors advising me not to take part in any high-impact activities ever since.

I try to follow their recommendations: I swim, do Pilates, walk (never run) on the treadmill, lift very light weights and I blog. None of that should have caused me injury, but apparently all can contribute to the aches and pains I have radiating out from the teeny tiny little nerves in my neck, the cervical nerves:

C5 – controls the Deltoids (the rounded part of the shoulder) and the Biceps (flexion of the elbow and rotation of the forearm)
C6 – controls the muscles that make up the wrist extensors and enable wrist extension and hyper extension and the movements that are tied to the Biceps (front of the upper arm)
C7 – controls the Triceps (muscles in the back of the upper arm that allow the elbow to straighten)
C8 – controls the hands

I suffer from Cervicogenic Headaches: Headaches originating from the neck often as a result of repetitive or prolonged turning of the neck (e.g. breathing during swimming), slouching (especially during sitting, sleeping or use of a computer), bending forwards of the neck (e.g. hunching over to read a phone/tablet), shoulders forwards activities (such as gripping the band handles for rowing or butterflies at Pilates).

The last two weeks have been unbearable. I’ve had a nagging headache in the top of my forehead and in my temples; pain, stiffness and difficulty turning my neck; my mid-back, shoulder blades and elbows ache; I have painful pins and needles and numbness in my hands and fingers; as well as a few bouts of dizziness.

I thought I could manage the pain with trigger point injections in my neck and upper back and a good massage. I was so wrong! The combination resulted in even more pain and numbness and now has me in wrist neutralizing braces while I’m awake as well as trying to sleep.

Neurontin combined with a muscle relaxant dulls the pain enough for me to get a few hours sleep at night, but I am only comfortable on my back. Unfortunately lying on my back compresses the base of my skull on the right and makes the pain and other symptoms worse.
Typing puts my wrists in the wrong position and sends shooting pains up my arm & directly across my shoulders to my neck symptoms that mimic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. So now I have wrist position neutralizing braces for use during the day and while I sleep.

If these remedies don’t start to work soon I will be off to my favorite ART (Active Release Techniques) and Myofascial Trigger Point Release practicing chiropractor, Dr. Ron Higuera. He has worked minor miracles on my body, but there will be cussing, crying and pain while he’s fixing me, so I think I can be forgiven if I am willing to try the chicken’s way first…hmmm.

If you are on Facebook and are interested in the things I may not devote an entire blog post to, but that make me wonder, piss me off, funny quips, photos and other things, I have a page followed by more than 2,000 people who find me engaging and/or mildly amusing: https://www.facebook.com/extremeblondemoments

iPhone, iPod or iPad Not Charging?

On September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 By ls1228In UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have been through every version of the iPhone and am now on an iPhone 6. I had a 2nd Generation iPad and upgraded to an iPad Air 2 with both cellular and wifi options for connection, as well as purchasing an iPad Mini for my husband.

The change from the old style charging cable to the lightning cables/port was great, for a while, but now, despite using Apple branded/supplied cables, blocks and docking stations, my Apple products display these messages intermittently:

Not Charging
This cable or accessory is not certified and may not work reliably with this iPhone/iPad (whichever happens to be plugged in)

To say I am frustrated is an understatement! I love my Apple products (although I am a loyal PC girl) but I am at my wits end – I’ve even gone so far as to buy a Samsung Android based phone on another carrier just so I know I always have a hot backup. Even I see that as an absurd waste of money. I NEVER had this problem on the older versions of my iPhone and iPad but since I’ve upgraded I’ve had nothing but issues!

I’ve scoured the internet and read articles, forums, blog posts and watched videos all describing the same issue I’m having, but none of the suggested fixes have stopped the problems I am having!

All of the articles came to the same three conclusions:

The wall adaptor (i.e. Block) is bad
The Lightning or 30-pin USB cable is bad
The charging port on the iPhone/iPad/iPod is bad
The internal battery is bad
The software has crashed and needs a refresh

Suggested Fixes:

Move to another wall plug – you could be using a bad outlet
Change the USB charging cable (The cables are prone to fraying at both ends and are covered under the Apple warranty. It may be able to be swapped for free if you have a recently purchased Apple product) If you are using a third party cable, make sure it’s a certified Apple compatible product (the cheap ones usually aren’t and fail a lot). Amazon Basics are reliable and less expensive third party options, plus they have longer options than the standard supplied USB cables. If you an charge via your computer, but not via the wall charger, or vice versa, your cable is not the problem.
Use a different charging block
Do a “Hard Reset” by pressing the power and home key simultaneously until the Apple logo appears then let go and let the reset finish

None of these suggested problems or fixes for them resolved my problem.

Today, after another day of struggling to keep my phone charged, I came across an article on c|net that suggested the problem could be microscopic debris in the USB port on the computer, the charging block, the USB Port on the computer/charging block/phone charger/portable charger, Or even the USB end of the charging cord. Finally something new (that made sense) and that I hadn’t tried!

Hmmm

Think about the places that iGadgets get left: pockets, purses, briefcases, backpacks, desks, counters, floors, center consoles, car seats, virtually everywhere that dust, lint, dirt, and gunk gather. That poor little charging port doesn’t have a chance!

A trick suggested by an Apple Guru is to take a small anti-static brush or brand new toothbrush and gently brush out your iPhone’s charging port. Toothbrushes work well because the bristles don’t conduct electricity. Make sure to brush out the USB ports on your computer, charging blocks, car chargers and the other ends of your charging cords then plug everything back in.

Hopefully you see the little lightning bolt in the right top corner of your device and your problem is solved. If you don’t you may need to see if you’ve somehow damaged your charging port by getting it wet…I hope not because that could require either an expensive fix or complete replacement of your device.

If you are on Facebook and are interested in the things I may not devote an entire blog post to, but that make me wonder, funny quips, photos and other silly things, I have a page followed by more than 1,900 people who find me mildly amusing: https://www.facebook.com/extremeblondemoments

Beware iPhone/iPad Wifi Assist

On September 29, 2015September 30, 2015 By ls1228In Extreme Blonde Moments2 Comments

Today is very short.

Users of Apple iPhones and iPads have begun complaining that an update to their operating system has resulted in unexpected data overages. They are not imagining things.

Apple seems to have found a sneaky way to make it seem like they never lose data connection by boosting the crappy wifi adaptors in their products via installation and automatic activation of a feature called, “wifi assist” in the most recent ios9 update! What this does is turn on your cellular data plan (the one you pay for – remember: wifi usage is free) to boost poor quality wifi signals.

While it seems like a good idea, consider the following:

Using Wifi on your apple devices is free – if your cellular data kicks in, it draws down your monthly contract allotment and you will run out, causing you to be charged for excess data usage at a higher rate per mb
Unlike the Facebook charge hoax that circulated yesterday, this story of a “hidden” potentially costly feature in ios9, is indeed true as reported on: CBS News , Gizmodo, Mac World, zdnet, refinery29 and many other tech websites yesterday. Click on any of the links above and you’ll be able to see the information.

I have unlimited data on my iPhone, thank God for the Grandfather clause in my plan, but not on my iPad. Lo and Behold I checked, in the very strangely placed location for the on-off button, and found that the feature was automatically enabled on my iPad.

For those who don’t want to pay for a bunch of sneaky minute charges, here is how to turn off wifi assist: The off switch is somewhat buried, located in Settings>Cellular near the very bottom of the screen, under the cellular settings for all of the apps installed on the phone. Click the button on the screen to off and you are good to go.

As soon as my husband gets home, I am making sure his settings are changed too! Hmmm indeed!