|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 6, 2022 16:02:20 GMT -7
Perhaps the longest thread from the old OC is this one on the building of a new home dome for the IIB.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 6, 2022 16:02:54 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 18 2012, 10:52 AM If you're going to steal a topic title you might as well steal from an IMAX film. However, one cannot copyright a film title so I guess I didn't steal it after all.
For those of you that have been following my exploits these six or so years (has it really been that long) you have followed along with my dream that has gotten progressively bigger and bigger as the years have gone by. I finally put a stop to it with the Minolta projector and suddenly wondered how I would ever use it as a 30ft. dome was a requirement. For the past two years I have been trying to get a building permit so I could indeed build such a structure on my property. While I would not wish this process on my worst enemy, I guess it is like giving childbirth, when it's over one is so joyish and re-leaved one doesn't remember all the pain and expense that went before.
So I find myself on Friday the 13th of 2012 the proud owner of a building permit to build a 30 ft. dome structure. Will it be perfect...No...will it work for my needs...Yes! The one major realization that has come to me so far is that I can no longer dream about having a planetarium but now I must actually build it. Thankfully I am allowed 180 days between each inspection (of which there are many) but I certainly hope I will be able to beat that schedule. This will probably be my last major project as finances always force me to build things myself. I'm not at all sure how I will handle working at 20 feet in the air, but the die is cast.
So follow along with me if you will, as I start my climb out of dome purgatory, and hopefully to a heavenly domed chamber.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:30:53 GMT -7
Posted by: SteveDurham Jan 18 2012, 03:20 PM Congratulations ARE in order! My advice......well, I actually have no advise, In fact I'm kinda speechless at this point!
Good Luck with the build!
Steve
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:31:12 GMT -7
Posted by: Ken Miller Jan 18 2012, 03:28 PM Ron
This is fantastic news! I have been really looking forward to seeing this actually happen. I want to see that finished dome!!!!!
Ken
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:31:29 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Jan 18 2012, 03:30 PM ok...got hammer? mm
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:35:22 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 19 2012, 08:15 PM There are things that happen in life that just basically tell you things are going together in perfect harmony. Well, a rather fantastic person who lives in England was the only person in my first attempts to find other amateurs in this rather unique hobby, to answer my plea on Dome-L. He in fact sent me material that led me to Dr. Gare and the HPA. That amazing man is known to many as Ray Worthy. Mr. Worthy is well known to amateurs and professionals alike as one who is always willing to share his vast experience in the planetarium field. He has posted here as to his experiences with dome building. So what does this have to do with my dome. Well, Mr. Worthy came all the way from England to break ground with me for my new planetarium building. Actually Ray was on holiday with his wife, son, and daughter in law. When he heard that they would be passing near Phoenix he twisted some arms to guarantee a meeting. What an honor to have this icon of the planetarium community spend some time with me. I "stole" Ray away from his family for an entire day and they joined us later for a good old American steak dinner. This gentlemen and his family are true ambassadors for the UK. And Ray is a most unique man who I could have easily spent a week or more with. Hopefully I made their stay as much fun as their visit was for me.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:36:22 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 19 2012, 08:37 PM I must be doing something right if Ray congratulates me on my endeavors.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:36:56 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Jan 19 2012, 11:51 PM On a serious note, just how frick'n cool is that Ron? Glad Ray was around to share in this next step of "the dream."
NOW...On the silly side (that's side "B" for those who still have some old 45 records) Just can't help myself...noticing the two prickly ole cactus, you know, the ones on the far right and left in the picture. mm (insert sound of me clearing my throat here)
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:37:20 GMT -7
Posted by: SteveDurham Jan 20 2012, 06:51 AM That is TOO FUNNY, "mm"......somehow we all need to get out there for a day or two to get our fingers in the "pie".
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:37:59 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 20 2012, 10:33 AM QUOTE(moonmagic @ Jan 19 2012, 11:51 PM) * On a serious note, just how frick'n cool is that Ron? Glad Ray was around to share in this next step of "the dream."
NOW...On the silly side (that's side "B" for those who still have some old 45 records) Just can't help myself...noticing the two prickly ole cactus, you know, the ones on the far right and left in the picture. mm (insert sound of me clearing my throat here)
The two old prickly ones are in the center. The ones on the outside are Saguaro's.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:38:21 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 20 2012, 10:35 AM QUOTE(SteveDurham @ Jan 20 2012, 06:51 AM) * That is TOO FUNNY, "mm"......somehow we all need to get out there for a day or two to get our fingers in the "pie".
Every time I see a picture of me I realize how much less food I really need to eat. Time for my walk.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:38:42 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Jan 20 2012, 12:05 PM As wise Garefield the cat once uttered.... "I'm NOT fat, I'm undertall!"
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:39:03 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Jan 20 2012, 12:25 PM Steve- Yes, that would really by exciting to participate in some way on such a project. I am REALLY interested to see how this structure will go together.
There was a time when I imagined that as I neared my retirement, that my retirement money that I had saved might allow me the luxury of being able to do such "crazy things" as to go spend a month or so to help a friend "drive a few nails." Oh yea, back to reality and the economy or lack there of...(insert grumblings sounds coming from cantankerous guy.)
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:39:27 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 20 2012, 12:44 PM QUOTE(moonmagic @ Jan 20 2012, 12:05 PM) * As wise Garefield the cat once uttered.... "I'm NOT fat, I'm undertall!"
Well, I am undertall, that's for sure. I believe they call it "vertically challenged". The problem I'm finding is that even if I turn sideways I still scrape through tight spaces.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 7, 2022 10:40:13 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Jan 20 2012, 12:48 PM QUOTE(moonmagic @ Jan 20 2012, 12:25 PM) * Steve- Yes, that would really by exciting to participate in some way on such a project. I am REALLY interested to see how this structure will go together.
There was a time when I imagined that as I neared my retirement, that my retirement money that I had saved might allow me the luxury of being able to do such "crazy things" as to go spend a month or so to help a friend "drive a few nails." Oh yea, back to reality and the economy or lack there of...(insert grumblings sounds coming from cantankerous guy.)
I will be documenting the entire process so you should get a fairly good idea as to how this will all work.
I hear you about the destruction of retirement money. It makes you wonder why try and save anything at all. Building this is probably nuts right now but if I don't start it, it will never get done.
|
|