As tinkerer and problem solver, I appreciate the time it takes to formulate and build solutions as well as share them with others. I know I've been neglecting my posts due mostly to work changes and increased use of Twitter, FB, and Snapchat, but I think it's still important to chronicle the work of people that are working to solve our 1st world problems an creative ways. So here's a salute to the best Crowdfunded projects I've backed in no particular order.
Juiceboxx by Juiceboxx Inc., Columbus, OH- DEC2014
What is it? A cable manager for your MacBook charger. It snaps on your AC adapter and provides better ears to wrap your cord around. I pledged for my MBA and MBP, and still use them today. They come in different colors for those wishing to match their other accessories.
Free Rider Pannier by Ryan Moseman, Denver CO- AUG2014
What is it? A bicycle pannier with theft deterrent hardware, made from re-purposed fabric from the local awning shop. I pledged for one and it lived up to it's billing. It carried my groceries, my backpack, bike lock, and more. Best part was when I wasn't using it to haul gear, it tucked away nice and flat. You can find these and more on the Green Guru website if you're interested. I had to purchase new panniers after my beloved Green Monster was stolen in Wooster, OH.
Venturi Belt by D. Griffin and Brandon Hembree MAY2017
What is it? An adjustable web belt to hold up your trousers. Easy on and off. This is my go to belt. I pledged for Gray and Black belts with Black and Slate buckles so I could mix and match. The hardware is great quality and after breaking them in I haven't had a single issue with stitching or adjustments.
Allpa 35L Travel Pack by Cotopaxi SEP2017
What is it? A travel pack with several internal compartments and clean external lines. The 1st generation of this pack gets the job done. It has a modular design so you can add a water bottle pocket, the rain cover, or clip anything you might want to the exterior like a towel or wet socks. I hope they improve the to tight waist belt pocket, and provide some kind of internal compression to keep the lines of the bag clean. There are only compression straps for the main compartment. This bag has been to Costa Rica, several business trips, and multiple road trips with me since and it's one of the best ways to travel small.
31 May 2018
30 May 2018
And Now For Something Different
If you haven't noticed, I'm no longer coaching in Erie, PA. I started my post at The College of Wooster in August 2016 and have been there ever since. I've traveled to Scotland with our team in January 2017. In May 2017, I was asked to Head Coach with Beyond Sports Tours in Costa Rica. Those trips were great fun and I have many fond memories of the athletes and those countries. Between moving and starting a new job I'm so far behind on blogging, that I've decided instead of playing catch up I'll renew my fervor for writing by sharing with my most recent trip to Vietnam with Bring It Promotions as an assistant coach for the 2018 Binh Dien Cup. I still journal daily, and will try my best to update weekly with tales of wit and woe.
28 May 2018
Rest-Memorial Day 2018
A set of tags,
crumpled letter,
worn boots,
photo by the rack.
A pool of blood,
dressings on the ground,
flat line,
i'm sorry you didn't make it back.
Taps and tears,
rifles and flowers,
two hands under folded flag,
heads lift up from black.
Honor and duty,
tamed by none,
more than a friend,
always part of this pack.
crumpled letter,
worn boots,
photo by the rack.
A pool of blood,
dressings on the ground,
flat line,
i'm sorry you didn't make it back.
Taps and tears,
rifles and flowers,
two hands under folded flag,
heads lift up from black.
Honor and duty,
tamed by none,
more than a friend,
always part of this pack.
--Rest Now--
26 May 2018
Kickstart my, wait, never mind...
Key Stak by Mike Kamber
I pledged $35 for an aluminum Key Stak with a clip and bottle opener, and gave the creator more for iterations in different colors, with and without lights, in addition to clips, and bottle openers to give as gifts to friends. The purpose of the project was to stream line your key carry, and add a light in the process. The project description reads like a study in carbon fiber techniques and I'm happy to support someone that's trying out their chops working with different materials. But this project definitely soured my experience with Kickstarter.
Timeline:
Pledged- Dec 2013
Estimated Delivery- Mar 2014
Arrival of Reward- Nov 2014
The Reward:
I received the items I backed. The issue is the flimsy construction and finishing. If this was billed as a carbon fiber DIY kit, then it would be a bit more truthful. And I probably would have put in the effort to find quality hardware for these Key Staks. Instead I've opted for Orbitkey as gifts instead of this monstrosity. I would not back projects from this creator again.
I pledged $35 for an aluminum Key Stak with a clip and bottle opener, and gave the creator more for iterations in different colors, with and without lights, in addition to clips, and bottle openers to give as gifts to friends. The purpose of the project was to stream line your key carry, and add a light in the process. The project description reads like a study in carbon fiber techniques and I'm happy to support someone that's trying out their chops working with different materials. But this project definitely soured my experience with Kickstarter.
Timeline:
Pledged- Dec 2013
Estimated Delivery- Mar 2014
Arrival of Reward- Nov 2014
The Reward:
I received the items I backed. The issue is the flimsy construction and finishing. If this was billed as a carbon fiber DIY kit, then it would be a bit more truthful. And I probably would have put in the effort to find quality hardware for these Key Staks. Instead I've opted for Orbitkey as gifts instead of this monstrosity. I would not back projects from this creator again.
We have lift off
Apollo Technical Pen and Drafting Scale by Pranay and Paul
I backed the Apollo Technical Pen at the $65 level and received a Pen as a reward. I also ponied up for an extra stylus tip and pen roll. I do love pens. My go to pen is Uni Jetstream 0.7 which I'll have to write about later since it by far one of the best pens I've encountered to date. I decided to back this project because in my love for pens is also a love for refills. It was billed as a pen that could accept many different types of refills. Instead of buying boxes of pens to try, I could just try the refills and the ink.
Timeline:
Pledged-NOV2013
Estimated Delivery-FEB2014
Arrival of Reward-SEP2015
Update 05JAN2015
I have been using the pen with slight modifications to the refill. I have pierced holes at the tip of the refill tube to allow for better airflow. I noticed that at times the ink would not flow properly. Being a great fan of the Uni Jetstream and having full knowledge that the refill couldn't be empty I used a push pin to increase the airflow an minimize the suction effect on the ink. Haven't had a problem since.
Update 02JAN2017
I used this pen faithfully for an entire year. I gave up on open ended refills, because they were imploding/exploding, er the ink was not staying put even with the relief I was providing. I switched to an enclosed refill from Monteverde. It's my journal pen now. The Monteverde ink was originally purchased for a cool pen I had from college, but I could never quite find the refill
Update 10DEC2017
Last update came in on 09FEB2016 and people still haven't received their reward. As evidenced in the comments section. They promised to have replacement and retooled parts to address the exploding refill issue. They have not fulfilled thousands of orders and it looks as if a refund is not coming any time soon. Kickstarter needs to get a handle on these campaigns that don't address issues with their backers in a timely manner. 5 years is way too long for no product and no answers. This pen is decent. I still use it to journal with when fountain pen is inconvenient to carry. Lesson learned.
I backed the Apollo Technical Pen at the $65 level and received a Pen as a reward. I also ponied up for an extra stylus tip and pen roll. I do love pens. My go to pen is Uni Jetstream 0.7 which I'll have to write about later since it by far one of the best pens I've encountered to date. I decided to back this project because in my love for pens is also a love for refills. It was billed as a pen that could accept many different types of refills. Instead of buying boxes of pens to try, I could just try the refills and the ink.
Timeline:
Pledged-NOV2013
Estimated Delivery-FEB2014
Arrival of Reward-SEP2015
Update 05JAN2015
I have been using the pen with slight modifications to the refill. I have pierced holes at the tip of the refill tube to allow for better airflow. I noticed that at times the ink would not flow properly. Being a great fan of the Uni Jetstream and having full knowledge that the refill couldn't be empty I used a push pin to increase the airflow an minimize the suction effect on the ink. Haven't had a problem since.
Update 02JAN2017
I used this pen faithfully for an entire year. I gave up on open ended refills, because they were imploding/exploding, er the ink was not staying put even with the relief I was providing. I switched to an enclosed refill from Monteverde. It's my journal pen now. The Monteverde ink was originally purchased for a cool pen I had from college, but I could never quite find the refill
Update 10DEC2017
Last update came in on 09FEB2016 and people still haven't received their reward. As evidenced in the comments section. They promised to have replacement and retooled parts to address the exploding refill issue. They have not fulfilled thousands of orders and it looks as if a refund is not coming any time soon. Kickstarter needs to get a handle on these campaigns that don't address issues with their backers in a timely manner. 5 years is way too long for no product and no answers. This pen is decent. I still use it to journal with when fountain pen is inconvenient to carry. Lesson learned.
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