Inventorless Invention Beat: Netflix Choose For Me

By Sarah Hughes

Every once in awhile divine inspiration falls, but sometimes it is wildly disappointing as sometimes ideas exceed the dreamers ability to realize them.

Like da Vinci’s flying contraptions, here are some ideas that are before their time. Perhaps somewhere someone out there has the ability, talent and resources to make them a reality. Hopefully sooner than later – having some of these things like the Netflix Pick For Me Wheel would make life easier right now – mostly by enabling the ability to do nothing.

Drawing of plane wing
Leonardo da Vinci’s designs for a flying machine. Public domain from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_inventions_of_Leonardo_da_Vinci#/media/File:Leonardo_Design_for_a_Flying_Machine,_c._1488.jpg

Do you also have a great idea that will never be? Put it in the ether — er — internet so maybe someone, somewhere will get inspired to make it for you and take all your credit. Though a paycheck or a dedication would be nice. Reply in the comments or send an article to publish to honeyitsthursday@gmail.com!

Netflix Choose For Me

Have you ever been sitting in front of the TV staring at Netflix trying to pick a movie getting frustrated that you have no idea what to watch? Maybe you’re trying to pick a movie with someone and you can’t decide what to watch together.

If you’re tired of debating over mindless entertainment, this invention will get you to the watching part faster, though you and Netflix will probably have to try to figure out how to get it to work.

There would be an icon that looks something like a game show wheel, which you would click and it would pick a movie for you, presumably at random with some sort of algorithm…bleh math word. All you would have to do is enter an audience rating, a number of stars other Netflix users have given it, a language preference, and/ or a genre. The genres could be based on the more specific sub genres Netflix generates, or the more basic ones like Drama or Horror. You could mix them for absolute ridiculousness. Perhaps you would be able to have it choose based on similarity to a movie you’ve watched recently. Each option could be toggled on and off.

Like the idea of a recommendation, the wheel would be customized to you, except it would pull up one movie based on some specifications. It would then either play immediately, or give you a chance to veto it, depending on what you indicate in the settings menu that’s under either “Your Account” or the Choose For Me Wheel. You would never be stuck wasting time trying to find something to watch on Netflix again.

Netflix envelope ballots
Netflix’s DVD program is holding a contest. Just answer the inside of their envelope and follow the instructions to compete for a prize and vote for your favorite DVD, or actors. Photo by Sarah Hughes. All rights reserved.

Maybe you would end up seeing more movies now that your indecisiveness is removed, hypothetically allowing you to give a well-versed opinion on Netflix’s on-going contest that allows you to vote for favorites.

Letter from the editor

Dear Honey Readers,

You may have noticed we took May off to travel and work on other projects! We’re back and we hope your as excited as us for what we have coming up in the next few months. Here at Honey It’s Thursday, the month of June and July, we will be focusing on Technology and it’ll be wiring!

Creative work will be taking on a futuristic theme and using technology as a partner to literature, as in “Once Upon A Steve” by writer Sarah Hughes.

Please see our special upcoming series “Inventions I Would Make If I Knew How” in which our writers will be pitching ideas for technological improvements amateurs such as themselves would like. Some are simple added features – others are full blown wacky inventions. One thing is certain – if you see them on the shelf or in the app store – it won’t be because of our building them. Though hopefully we will inspire them along the way to existence, as some would be really nice to have.

We look forward to finding pieces of tech and/ or gadgetry to review. What makes your life easier? Have you been eyeing a cool gadget or app? Let us know your ideas in the comments!

plant growing
Plant Nanny is a delightful animated app that reminds you to drink water along with a digital plant. Photo by Sarah Hughes. All rights reserved.

Also, our ears are a listening harder than the NSA (National Security Agency) for tech news related to privacy and development. Well, our listening harder is debatable, but we would love to discuss it and share opinions with you.

In light of the election, there may be some political pieces. Right now we’re leaning towards playing with view point and seeing if we can give a non-partisan opinion on political climate. We figure you can get your news and obnoxious online fights somewhere else.

pattern pieces
What will this be for LOJ? Photo by Sarah Hughes. All rights reserved.

After we run out of things to say for the technology theme, we will be moving on to talking about sewing, costuming and events like Labyrinth of Jareth (Aug. 5-6, 2016) and Wasteland Weekend (Sept. 22-25, 2016). During our break we did a ton of work on bellydancing clothes, fairy dresses and interior design pieces. Now, we can’t wait to show them off!

skirt pattern for sewing
Crafting a pattern piece for a specialty design. Photo by Sarah Hughes. All rights reserved.

If you would like to be a part of any of the above ideas, feel free to comment your interest! Know any tech you want written about? Have an interesting political or tech-news related idea? Want more of something we have planned? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks for reading,

Honey

DIY Easter egg centerpiece

By Sarah Hughes

Spring is here. Here is a way to get away from obnoxious pastel colors wrapped in plastic pink grass, but still have seasonal decorations.

Materials:

  • Fake paper or ceramic eggs (you could use real eggshells with the egg carefully blown out through small holes – don’t swallow. Or squeeze too hard for that matter).
  • Acrylic paint in desired colors (I prefer Americana brand and drew inspiration from 1960s knickknacks #hipster #didntsoundasannoyinginmyhead).
  • A variety of paintbrushes
  • Paint pens (which make details easier).
  • Water in a cup safe to clean brushes with.
  • Some drop cloths or old newspapers to protect your crafting surface.
  • Somewhere to allow eggs to dry that touches the freshly painted egg minimally. It could be an empty egg cartoon. A cut-up paper towel roll might work well too.
  • A cool vessel to put the eggs in when you’re done (Try a birdcage or a cool dish. Maybe fashion a nest – there’s a cool way to do it with papier-mâché materials and string).
  • A ruler or a stencil if you’d like it to be neat (#nope).
  • You can use masking or artist tape to tape out stripes (just don’t press it down to hard – the goal is for it to be removable later).
  • (Optional) a cute little clip-on creature – butterflies, birds, beetles.

How to:

  1. Decide on a pattern. You can cut it out from a simple picture to make a stencil, or try to free hand. Visualize your pattern on the egg. If you want to do this fast, consider a more abstract or simple design like paint splatters, stripes or dipping/ rolling the paint on.
  2. Apply base coat to the egg. Let it dry. If you are using the paper eggs this will go quickly (perhaps 20 minutes to dry). Check your egg carefully for wet spots.
  3. Apply a second coat of the same color if the first coat looks sheer or uneven. Allow this to dry. It should take approximately the same amount of time as the first coat to dry.
  4. Tape-off or measure out your design on the egg. Just make sure whatever you do is removable (pencil usually shows through paint and tape must be applied gently). In general, the more time you spend laying out or measuring for your pattern, the more professional the end result will look, but the more time it will take for the entire project.
  5. Paint details in a noticeably different color. Allow to dry the same time as before.
  6. Add details and outlines with a paint pen. Dry as before.
  7. Arrange in container of choice. Add optional flying friends.
Bird on birdcage
Add birds to your centerpiece to give more detail. Photo by Sarah Hughes

Now stand back and enjoy your grown-up seasonal centerpiece and stay tuned for more design ideas.

How to get your apocalyptic fix

By Sarah Hughes

You went to Wasteland Weekend, you loved it and now you’re wishing there were more apocalyptic activities to do during the rest of the year. Here are a few ideas!

skirt, elbow pads, tank top
In imaging a dark future, clothes can be destroyed, rather than created carefully. Photo by Sarah Hughes

Go to War-Mart, a car show or a Jugger game – The consensus seems to be it’s a bit of a drive for some, but fun if you make a day of it.

“SAVE THE DATE!” says Wasteland Weekend’s Facebook page, “The first ever Wasteland car show! Sat. May 21st, 2016 in Torrance, CA.” More details coming soon.

Host a themed dinner – Just pick something garish for the main course. Mmm…Goat heart!

Ryan Berry, known as Grav in the desert, is a San Diego Local leather worker who sometimes hosts fundraiser dinners. He says of an apocalyptic pig BBQ he hosted, “I choose to go with a Wasteland theme because it is my favorite theme. From short films to games to movies to stories, I like the wasteland and the themes it allows you to play with.”

Watch a dystopian movie – Netflix and chill? See our reviews. Some cult classics include Mad Max (1979) and Death Race 2000 (1975).

Check out the online fandom – whether it be Fan Fic, How-to Videos or the Gallery on an apocalyptic website.

Nuclear Snail Studios on YouTube has how-to videos that will make you doubt the quality of your distressing skills, while also revealing some top-notch tips. Watch this video: https://youtu.be/4pmVEvLuvEU

Work on an outfit or an accessory – Invite your friends and make a day of it! Start with a base from something torn you have laying around or a thrift store piece. Wastelanding is one type of crafting that can be inexpensive.

Hit up a Goth club in your distressed gear – Sabbat in San Diego is quite fun!

Join us every 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturdays at Numb3rs, 3811 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92103” says clubsabbat.net.

Buy your tickets early! – They’re cheaper that way. Wasteland Weekend 2016 is Sept. 22 through 25.

“Tickets for Wasteland Weekend 2016 will go on sale on Saturday, March 12th, at 9am Pacific Time” says wastelandweekend.com. “There will be a limited number of discounted early bird tickets available at $85. Once those are sold out, tickets will be available at their full price of $135”

Plan a photo shoot – either behind the camera or in front of. A little vanity never hurt anyone except maybe Pavi from Repo: The Genetic Opera.

Attend a convention – Comic Con in leather!

Join a Meetup – Read apocalyptic books, dress up like zombies or just find people with similar interests.

Attend a costumed premier – Mad Max: Fury Road was a blast for this!

Pick a day of another festival to go with a group in gear – This way your friends can look more scary.

Go camping with a few Wasteland-minded friends – Dress silly and have a ton of fun, in a more intimate gathering than a large event.

Post on social media about your grungy habit – you may find you have friends who love it too.

Write an article – Submit it here!

May these ideas sustain and inspire you to creatively destroy in your quest to re-imagine the Waste before you.