Fixed the charging port on my Laptop

So I noticed the charger on my laptop was loose and not charging anymore.  I started looking at and saw it was smashed and broken.  I googled a solution and found some YouTube videos to replace the part.  I was shocked by how complex the repair was. While I was looking at it my 6 year old wandered by and said oh yeah I dropped it while plugged in.  Don't worry she is still alive... For now.  So I ordered the part I needed off amazon and got it in a few days.  Taking the computer apart wasn't hard with video help.  After getting it apart I cut the metal tabs of the old part off and removed it.  Next I removed all the old solder from the holes in the circuit board.  This part took about a half hour and was very difficult.  That's what the braided copper was for.  After doing 1 hole I would sand the tip of my solder gun otherwise it wouldn't work as well for the next hole. Eventually the new part would fit in the holes and I could resolder it.  The only issue I had was 2 extra screws.  So I took it back apart and found homes for them.  Put it back together and plugged it in and it worked great! Cost $45 which was $5 for the charging port, $24 for a good soldering iron, $8 for solder and, $6 for the copper wire.  Geek squad wanted $135.  It was actually kind of a fun experience.

Coaching

So my second season coaching soccer is over.  It's kind of bittersweet.  Coaching for 3 hours straight on Tuesdays and Thursdays was tough.  But, it was also rewarding and fun.  Especially my U8 team, they were motivated and wanted to learn.  I wish I could have had more time to teach passing and technique to them.  By the end of the season they were playing well and coaching each other on the field.  It is Interesting to me, that in the coaching class I took we were instructed not to force the kids to pass.  But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't teach passing to U6 and U8 girls.  Just teach it to them and let them figure it out on the field.  If I did anything this year I hope I helped the girls enjoy soccer and I also hope they all play again next year.  That would make my job a success.  

So now I am free to ride on Thursday nites again. Look for me at the Hub ride soon.  I will be the one attacking backwards.  

Awesome Hack of a Microwave

http://madebynathan.com/2013/07/10/raspberry-pi-powered-microwave/

It's been a year?

Wow it's been a long time.  I am going to give this blog thing another try.  This is more about my life and less about racing however.  Hope you like it.  I went thru and deleted the other blogs I was following, that weren't updated in forever.  Sorry if this is you.