Present Problems and things to do with cardboard containers
December 31st, 2006Have you ever been in the position where your wife/partner/significant other, having expressed themselves in the clearest terms possible that they do not want a Christmas present this year, then proceed to exhibit scarcely-disguised disappointment when their wish is complied with? I have always been useless at buying “surprise” presents. Further, I have always harboured grave doubts about my ability to buy the gift that I just know she will like. On two occasions in the increasingly distant past, I have bought Sian items that she was pleased with. I think that to achieve this on a third occasion would be to push my luck a little too far.
Via this blog, I make a plea to those who are in the market for receiving presents from me. Firstly, make it clear that you would like something for Christmas and secondly, give me a general idea of the sort of thing that you would like. There is a third condition, however. Please keep it well within budget.
We have proudly taken the bulk of our Christmas cardboard packaging all the way to the kerbside, but there is still some left. This morning, after a much-needed sleep, I was inspired to create a pirate telescope for my son by using three Milky Bar Button cardboard tubes that were lying about uselessly. How did I do it, I hear you ask? Remove the plastic tops and cardboard bases from each of the three tubes. Leave tube 1 alone. Using a sharp scissors, take tube 2 and cut it from top to bottom in a straight line. Re-curl the tube 2 to make it narrow enough to fit in to tube 1. Sellotape up tube 2. Take the scissors to tube 3 and cut it in the same fashion as tube 2. Re-curl tube 3 to make it narrow enough to fit in to tube 2. Take and cut some clingfilm. Apply it to the base of tube 1, to make the “glass”. Sellotape it to the sides of tube 1. Apply some more clingfilm to the end of tube 3, and sellotape it to its sides. You should now have a fully-operational pirate telescope. I finish with this warning: the “telescope” will not magnify the image(s) you will be looking at. My advice is to use it wearing an eyepatch, as Lord Nelson famously did at the Battle of Copenhagen.
Happy New Year.
January 4th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Never in the field of parliamentary party candidates’ blogs has there been one so informative on the manufacture of a pirate telescope. To be applauded.
January 4th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
I hope to make this an occasional series. Meanwhile, do you know where I can get hold of a 1.5amp fuse for a mini car racing set that George and I have managed to blow up?
January 4th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
That sounds like a rather niche product. You’re going to need a ’specialty fuses’ supplier.
January 4th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
This looks great - many thanks for the link. We had a memorable day at London Zoo with Mr. Wrigley last week, with a “sleep over” for Millie and George - they were very excited indeed. Would be VG to see the family Barton very soon.