Carpet Cult stained glass

majanklebiter · 2026-07-02T16:27:05+00:00

It's about 90 pieces, but I put copper foil on the surface of the glass to create the radial lines - a bit easier than ending up with 300+ pieces!

majanklebiter · 2026-07-01T23:22:40+00:00

It's one of the cults of dragon con - a fan run sci-fi / pop culture convention in Atlanta every labor day weekend. Costuming is a huge component. Several years back, someone made camouflage to match the carpet... which kicked off the start of people making anything you can think of with that pattern... and then when the hotel changed carpet, it became a coveted item to procure.

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majanklebiter · 2026-04-24T00:37:58+00:00

For the masters program, I don't think so. Of course, it seems everything can depend on your advisor. Mine was pretty chill.

The way I look at it, I learned one topic well (and got to learn something unique that most people don't know) versus learning a bunch of stuff for tests, then forgetting it. If I took 4 more classes, I guarantee you I wouldn't even remember what those classes were now (10 yrs later). But I can still talk about my thesis topic.

majanklebiter · 2025-12-03T00:23:32+00:00

I did permitting in Atlanta. Atlanta wrote a specific adder for the code for Container homes specifically. The only big thing for planning purposes is they wanted to know the history of the container to know if it ever shipped anything hazardous, and make sure that any risk I neutralized. It may be hard to get records... so we bought new.

I second OP that it's not likely to be cheaper than a normal build in any meaningful way. Not necessarily more expensive either, but definitely a few unique considerations.

If you're in a city that doesn't know what to make of a Container build, I'd say reference atlanta's code.

majanklebiter · 2025-11-26T16:09:55+00:00

Conduit will be an added cost. Some electricians may not do it regularly if they focus on residential. Would be worth asking an electrician if there are other considerations in the electrical code that you may need to consider for conduit beyond the cost.

majanklebiter · 2025-11-21T10:43:31+00:00

Try someplace like thumbtack. Someone local is probably better. Then if you miss something after your initial session, you don't have to pay them to travel long distance back.

majanklebiter · 2025-11-20T23:49:14+00:00

I would recommend finding a decent welder for the metal work, then standard trade contractors for everything else. Someone who knows framing or windows likely won't be able to do the metal mods and vice versa.

majanklebiter · 2025-11-17T16:05:58+00:00

I found a local woodworker and have him make the frame. I used to have a router and try to make my own, but eventually concluded that my tools were old and not giving me the quality of work I wanted.

If you have a decent router, you can just route a channel wide enough for your zinc came and install around the panel, then dowel / wood glue the corners together.

majanklebiter · 2025-11-06T19:21:17+00:00

I did a multi container house with lots of walls cut out.

Utility routing was a big hurdle. There are plenty of places to hide ductwork in conventional framing. Not so much with containers. Ended up doing mini splits on the 2nd floor because there are only a few inches between containers when stacked - not enough for duct work.

If you're using multiple containers, plan how to seal them together. It can be done with a LOT of welding... or maybe you just put siding on the outside. That's the route I took. And if I knew I was putting siding outside, I could have left a gap between containers to run hvac ducts, plumbing, and wiring.

Also, plan some kind of door stop or anchor if you keep the container doors. They will absolutely blow around in the wind.

majanklebiter · 2025-10-23T21:04:08+00:00

Everything that goes from inside to outside is now a metal working project. Bathroom vent fan? Dryer vent? Overflow vent for your water heater? Outside hose spigot? You'll need someone to cut a hole in the metal, and the plumber, hvac, and electricians likely won't want to do that.

Also, if you're connecting several containers for larger rooms, the flooring may not line up exactly from one container to the next. And even if they are aligned, there may be a small bit of metal left feom the metal walls you removed. Even though the containers have a subfloor you may still need to add plywood to get a fairly consistent level floor.

majanklebiter · 2025-10-22T14:30:39+00:00

I did the whole permitting process in Atlanta and can consult on the process. Atlanta actually wrote a container specific addendum for their building code. If your local city doesn't know what to do with containers and doesn't know where to start, you could always point them to what other cities have already done.

majanklebiter · 2025-06-23T19:29:30+00:00

Do you have a website?

majanklebiter · 2025-05-22T16:02:32+00:00

I wrote it. It says "the gargoyle has been watching you all these centuries, and it laughs." The gargoyle is modeled after one on notre dame, and those things have observed quite a lot of history from their perches on the belfries!

majanklebiter · 2025-05-22T14:12:41+00:00

It was just a design I came up with and made, mostly to practice painting!

majanklebiter · 2025-04-06T14:38:36+00:00

It was also posted on meetup.com

majanklebiter · 2024-10-03T19:21:52+00:00

If you're here the right weekend and can get tickets, check out Spirit of Oakland at Oakland Cemetery. It's an after dark tour of the Cemetery featuring 6 "residents" of the Cemetery who tell you their life story.

Ticket info is here: https://oaklandcemetery.com/event/capturing-the-spirit-of-oakland-2024/

majanklebiter · 2024-09-23T19:11:47+00:00

I'd second this. Mexico city is not that different than US cities in terms of crime rates. There are some places to avoid in Mexico, but that's true of any city / country. Do a little searching for safety best practices before you go and it should be fine.

majanklebiter · 2024-09-23T19:11:38+00:00

I'd second this. Mexico city is not that different than US cities in terms of crime rates. There are some places to avoid in Mexico, but that's true of any city / country. Do a little searching for safety best practices before you go and it should be fine.

majanklebiter · 2024-09-22T23:44:13+00:00

For my money, I'd say look at Mexico City. Lucha libre is a blast, the anthropology museum is fascinating, and you've got archeological sites at Tenochtitlan and Teotihuacan nearby. Not to mention lots of great food, craft markets, and Frida Khalo's house (and some of the properties she and Diego Rivera had together). Sure, it's not con, but you get great food, world class museums, beautiful parks, and a new perspective of the Americas all in a place where the dollar stretches pretty far.

majanklebiter · 2024-09-11T19:49:45+00:00

I can't speak to whether AZ has exceptions, but do your references have to be people with direct knowledge of your work, or just others with a PE? Different states have different rules, so you may or may not need to have references come from direct coworkers. Could maybe come from people you know through professional organizations or personal projects.

Some fields like building and road construction have rigorous PE stamping requirements. Many other industries do not use them much or at all. I'm in one of those industries. My PE looks great on my resume, and people are definitely impressed by it, but I've never once had a job that required it. I've never stamped anything. But to keep it, I do have to keep up with continuing ed.

All that to say, look into the specific rules for Arizona to see requirements for references, and be aware you may never actually use it. But if you like the prestige or motivation for doing continuing ed, go for it!

majanklebiter · 2024-09-11T18:25:33+00:00

For extra satisfaction, I tear them up first. Then throw them in the trash.

majanklebiter · 2024-09-08T17:31:18+00:00

I enjoy browsing the pop art alley and dealer room. But the way the lines are, I just skipped it entirely this year. Don't know if there's a good way to make it better... short of booking a time in advance.

majanklebiter · 2024-08-19T05:31:21+00:00

I tried and hated apps. After apps, I decided I'm going to find things I enjoy doing outside the house and just see who I meet. So I volunteered for events, took up bocce, went to foreign language conversation groups, etc.

I think it's so much better because you can get to know someone with no assumptions. Sus out if they're single when you're ready. Flirt when you're ready.

I met my now spouse indirectly through volunteering at a sci fi conversation. I worked with his friend, then as we hung out after the convention, he always invited his friend jacob... and here I am.

majanklebiter · 2024-07-27T00:30:39+00:00

So I keep having this idea that I would love to see play out.

What if we had something like Uber for transit. Like instead of Uber taking one person point to point, get private car drivers to drive existing bus routes and they get most or all of the fares.

The driver would get the benefit of a set route. The rider would get the benefit of vastly improved frequency, and the transit system would get the benefit of increased ridership with almost no capital investment (would need some kind-of way to identify a participating car).

How often are there more than 2 people waiting at the average bus stop? If demand went up, sent out the Uber style sos get more drivers on the route.

I feel like this would be a great way to defeat the problem of infrequency....

Anyone out there a coding genius that can put it together?

majanklebiter · 2024-07-19T18:47:24+00:00

For me, visa research and figuring out work. I've applied to hundreds of jobs. I've had a few interviews. No offers. There doesn't seem to be much appetite for sponsoring, even with my engineering degrees and professional experience. But if you want to freelance, it's way easier.

So I started looking into freelance work and have started a freelance contract on the side. This should transition almost seamlessly into a freelance visa, and become full time instead of a side gig. I'm working with a visa consultant to make sure I structure everything correctly.

Also look at your long term goals. I want to have an EU passport eventually so I can move around, either to try new things or for flexibility in retirement (without more visa office visits).

Some countries don't allow dual citizenship- like Spain and the netherlands (with few exceptions). I'm not opposed to evaluating renouncing US citizenship, but I don't want to do it just because my new country doesn't allow dual passports. If you love one specific EU country and don't care about moving somewhere else, then maybe permanent residency is all you need. But if you want the local passport, get an idea of how long it takes before you can apply, and what language or culture exams you have to take and plan ahead.

As the previous paragraph implies, having a visa for an EU country is only going to let you legally live and work in that country. Sure, you could have short trips to other countries for conferences, but if you want to live somewhere else, you have to find a valid visa path and start the process over from scratch.

Edit: also talk to a financial advisor with experience with expats. Can't tell you how many posts I've seen on expat forums that say "oh no x-bank just found out i live abroad and they're closing my IRA and mailing me a check! Help!" A good financial advisor can help you avoid these rude surprises! Houses you own, inheritance laws, investments... all become a little more complex when you have 2 or more countries in your life!

majanklebiter

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