Planet John

If you are close to a strong waterfall, there are a couple of basic tips to remember. The water coming down from height is quite a powerful flow. When it hits the ocean bottom, it generates a powerful current that can suck things in. The water at the bottom in some places may seem shallow or slow, but in most is very deep and swift under the clear, cool surface. The surfaces of rocks near waterfal...

A Rube Goldberg machine is a device that people make to do a really simple thing in a really complicated way. It operates sequentially, each step triggering the next, like a chain. For example, you might have a ball roll down a ramp, then run into something that flips a switch, which knocks over a cup, which tugs on a string, and so on. Every bit makes the next bit happen. Use is not the point of...

A Lightning Ridge black and jelly opal, is a natural stone from Lightning Ridge, a mining region in New South Wales Australia. Lightning Ridge is famous for its black opals, which are prized for their dark body tone and the play of color displayed through the stone. When the body tone of precious opal is light to medium and the color play is fine, it is known as jelly opal. On a black and jelly op...

Pinball Dreams is a Brawl Ball Brawl Stars map. It has bounce pads, angled walls and bumpers that influence how players and the ball are moved around. Control over the wide open center of the map is often a major focus of contention. On either side are tighter paths that some brawlers may venture into to flank or reach the goal more safely. You can also rocket players or the ball across the map if...

If you have a video cord you need to pass through the hole, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you will want to consider the cord size and hole size. A typical HDMI cord, say, has a thick connector, so the hole has to be big enough to fit the head of that through. If it is too small, you will have to make it larger, using a drill bit of the same or slightly larger di...

The one thing I’ve always wanted for those times as a kid is driving a little car I can sit in. I’ve seen other kids with them, typically battery powered ones that zip along the ground with simple steering wheels and stripped down plastic seats. Some of them even have working headlights or buttons that play sounds. They tend to walk slowly and only on smooth surfaces, such as a pavement or short g...

When I consider the types of noise I hear in a day I realize, they mostly come from machines, vehicles or people. These noises are frequently loud or repeated over and over. Some of them indicate something I need to take notice of: a phone ringing, a car horn. Others are just there, such as a fan you are running or traffic outside. After a while, I don’t notice them, yet they still occupy the spac...

Here's a quick vlog about the old Ford Kuga. It features a walkaround of the car and basic overview of its condition. This is the model from the previous generation, affectionately described as having a plain and practical appearance. Inside, there's a surfeit of hard plastics, and everything feels old compared to those newer cars. The dashboard offers a tiny screen and lots of physical buttons cr...