1. Remember when you stuck glow in the dark stickers on the ceiling? Or how about those lamps that had shades that spun the planets and stars in a swirl around the ceiling? Building off of this idea, I am imagining a small projector, no bigger than the size of a lamp, that projects google earth onto the ceiling, funneled through a very simple program, which allows for basic zoom and movement through the use of a joystick controller with arrows. I have no idea how to do this yet.

2. Another idea works on cognitive behavior modification or awareness. A small clamp-on screen (or thumbdrive style) counts the minutes you spend on a specific site (or sites). The user has the potential to program in a timer, which can shut off access to a site after a certain amount of time, or prompt a message reminder you punch in such as “Leave your desk and look outside a window!”. Ultimately, the goal is not one of reprimand but of awareness. While I wouldn’t trade my online time in for anything, and can find interesting things when chasing down a rabbit hole, ultimately, I would like to increase my efficiency for how long I spend on task versus distracted.

3. A third idea is to make a small, portable projector that has legs that fold into itself like a plein air painter’s easel. While there are many mini-projectors on the market, I like the idea of making one from scratch and designing the exterior. I especially liked the round chamber of a few antique projects I saw as well as the X-accordion expansion system. Again, I really have no idea about how to work with the insides, so I am not sure really what this project entails.

4. Finally, I have recently adopted the second pet of my life. Because we adopted her from a friend who had two cats but could only take one, I think the one that I now live with is maybe getting bored without having her buddy to chase during night frenzy time. This cat is getting fat. And as much as she loves little yarn balls and fake mice, they are pretty dead after a few swats. I’m thinking she might really enjoy (and get some exercise) chasing something that actually moves away from her, or reacts to her presence. The idea here is a little toy with a built in sensor that is covered in yarn to still be soft.