On the last day of the year, I like to look back at all the photos I have taken during that time.  In this case, the number of images I chose to keep is 5,267.    That works out to an average of 14 per day.  In reality, I shoot only 2 or 3 on any given day but occasionally shoot hundreds at a time while on vacation or during special events.  I should also note that for every photo I keep, I usually discard 3 or 4.  Just viewing the collection is a four-hour project (@ 3 seconds per).  Regular followers of this blog will have already seen ~10% of them (generally speaking, the better ones).  Here is one that did not make the cut but I think is deserving of a spot in the 2018 lineup.

Jeanine and I spent some time house-hunting after a late breakfast at the Blackbird Cafe.  While driving through Arlington Heights, we came across this most impressive water tower. It was constructed between 1921 and 1924 (the year my father was born) in the Classical Revival style, to provide water storage for Lexington and the higher elevations of Belmont and Arlington. The design is said to have been inspired by the rotunda from the Samothrace temple complex in Greece. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

With the approach of the new year, I always seem to want to better organize my life and the things in it.  This morning I spent some time optimizing my tripod collection.  Yes, that is a thing.  I am now down to seven. A small, medium and large table top model, the camera stand in my studio and another table top version I use for supporting cameras being photographed, and my two main travel tripods, a small one and a medium one.  I switched ball heads between a few and made a couple of weight reductions on my travel gear.  In the afternoon, I turned my attention to my shop.  Among other things, I made a caddy for my metric and SAE Allen wrenches.  Designing it took three times longer than making it.  Not illustrated in the photo is the different ways the blocks can be nested front-to-front or back-to-back for more space-efficient storage.

As someone who does not drink coffee, I have little appreciation for the fine art of brewing the perfect cup.  Not so Maya.  She is an aficionado of the brewing process, more so than the drinking part I would venture to say.   The process to me seems quite straightforward.  Grind some beans, put them in a filter, and pour in hot water.  Done.  I was only listening with one ear as Maya explained the proper technique and offered this filter as an example of what it should look like when the water has been introduced in the perfect spiral pattern at the proper rate.

Until now, I have been too busy with organizational and product schedule issues that I have not had time to do any 3D printing.  With most people on vacation this week, I have had time to design and print a number of parts.  First up was a small tool caddy used to store an assortment of bits within a section of the tool tray in my toolbox.  A close examination of the photo below will reveal a number of 3D-printed items used for the same purpose.  I take pleasure in having my tools well organized so this was a great application for my first print.  The part turned out dimensionally perfect and was put into immediate use.

I am looking forward to doing some 3D printing at work this week. I prefer designing my own parts rather than downloading something from the internet. It has been a while since I used a 3D CAD program so I spent a few hours re-familiarizing myself with the one I use most. I designed a number of useful items that I will print tomorrow including the one pictured. Try and guess what it is. The answer is below the photo.

Right angle bracket to hold the inductive charger for an Apple Watch

As is our tradition, we start Christmas Day by removing the stockings from their hanging spots on the fireplace mantle and taking a seat on the couch. Each person in turn extracts a single item and tries to guess who it is from. This usually lasts for an hour or two and then we sit down to breakfast featuring from scratch popovers. Every year Jeanine worries that they will not come out just right and every year they do. Fully nourished, we return to the living room and begin the serious business of the present opening. We use a Secret Santa system (each adult is assigned one person to gift) which in theory should cut down on the number of presents to be opened. Even so, we manage to stretch things out for a couple of hours after which most of us are ready for a nap. This year Nicolai took the lead on adding a late afternoon charcuterie course to the dining menu which had the net effect of delaying dinner until 8 pm and even rounder bellies.

I suggested a nature walk this afternoon and quickly had three willing participants.  Consensus built for a hike out to the Devil’s Staircase, so named for the rock formation leading to the top of Fairhaven Hill.

Once to the top we posed for a dronie after which Nicolai did a bit of rock climbing while Maya and Kyle took turns flying my quadcopter.

On the way back, Maya announced, out of the blue, that she could carry me out of the woods if I ever became injured.  Fifteen seconds later I turned my ankle and thought it might be necessary to test her theory.  Even though I had no trouble continuing under my own power, the kids deemed it necessary to test who could carry whom to safety. Kyle was able to run uphill with Nico over his shoulders.  Maya scooped up Kyle like she was throwing on a shawl. Nicolai was more than strong enough to pick up Maya but they never managed to achieve a satisfactory state of balance.  Nicolai had better luck with Kyle hanging on to his back but that combination ended quickly when it began to look more like a mating act than a rescue effort. Suffice it to say, we returned from our walk convinced that all family members could be extracted from the wilderness should the need arise.  I would venture to say that no other family on the planet spent Christmas Eve in this way.

All three kids have picked up their mother’s passion for cooking and good food.  Nicolai is particularly good at breakfast dishes, seen here preparing something wonderful that his father did not get to sample. The family spent most of the day relaxing, eating, and playing games.  Jeanine’s sister, Susan, arrived from Burlington and among other things got us hooked on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Nicolai suggested the entire family go out for an afternoon of wall climbing.  We packed up the crew and headed down to Brooklyn Boulders, an excellent climbing facility very close to my office.  Nico has the most experience and coached his siblings who demonstrated remarkably good innate skills.  Jeanine did a cardio workout while I handled the photography.  I have a slight case of carpal tunnel syndrome and thought it best to give my wrists a break. Everyone had a great time and I am hoping this becomes a holiday tradition.

Karuna, Nico’s girlfriend, has been creating some amazing images which combine her athleticism and photographic flare into what I am calling Karunart.  These are truly amazing self-portraits and I think she has a future both as a model and a photographer.

Cengage, the company Kyle works for will be moving to a new office in May of 2019.  It is located across the street from his apartment, literally. He and his colleagues had a chance to tour the 14th-floor offices with a commanding view of Boston Harbor. Photo courtesy of Kyle.

When I worked near Central Square, street art could be found everywhere.  Somerville does not have as much, but this recently completed wall mural is quite interesting and can be found along my commute less than a half mile from the office.

Maya returned home from Olin for the holiday break.  She promptly fell asleep on the couch to begin recuperating from the demands of her sophomore fall semester.  Maya has been thriving at school and we love to hear about her many projects.  She will be joined by Nico tomorrow and Kyle at the end of the week.  Jeanine and I are looking forward to having a full house again.