There’s something about late summer that brings a mix of unexpected experiences and tinkering energy. August was one of those months where life threw a few surprises my way alongside the usual weekend projects and satisfying evenings spent in the workshop.
A Taste of Hybrid Life
Mid-month, my car went in for a new front drive unit – motor and control unit needed replacing. While it was being sorted, I got a courtesy car: an Audi A3 hybrid. First impressions? Really nice to drive.
The main thing I noticed was how low it felt getting in and out – I’m clearly used to sitting a bit higher up. But what really got me thinking was the range. Electric-only mode for shorter trips, then petrol kicks in for longer journeys. The best of both worlds, really. It’s planted a seed – maybe a hybrid is the way to go next time I’m in the market for a new car. Something to think about.
Workshop Vibes
The workshop has been getting some love lately. There’s something satisfying about having a dedicated space for tinkering, even if “organised chaos” is probably the most accurate description. RGB lighting might be a bit much for some people, but when you’re spending evenings soldering or working on projects, the ambient lighting makes it feel less like work and more like a hobby space.
The wall-mounted component bins have been a game changer for keeping track of resistors, capacitors, and all those tiny parts that otherwise end up scattered everywhere. Plus there’s something oddly satisfying about having everything lit up and organised (well, mostly organised).
Around the House
August also brought some furniture assembly. We picked up a new TV stand which required the usual IKEA-style adventure – Allen key in hand, instructions spread across the floor, questioning life choices halfway through. But the finished result looks smart and finally gives everything a proper home with decent cable management.
Tech Corner: Building the Cartridge Player
The Bambu Lab printer has been earning its keep this month, but not just for random trinkets. I’ve been working on a project I found called the cartrdgeplayer – an NFC-triggered cartridge media player that brings back the nostalgia of popping in a VHS tape, but with modern streaming.
The idea is simple but brilliant: 3D-printed cartridges with NFC stickers inside, an ESP32-S3 with an RC522 NFC reader, and Home Assistant doing the heavy lifting. Pop in a cartridge and it automatically starts playing whatever movie, TV show, or playlist you’ve assigned to it. There’s something magical about recreating that physical ritual of choosing what to watch.
It’s the perfect blend of retro aesthetics and modern tech – all the nostalgia of the VHS era without sacrificing streaming quality. Plus it’s a great excuse to print things in fun colours.
Looking Ahead
August wrapped up with some unexpected car experiences, quality workshop time, and a satisfying project taking shape. As we head into September, I’m looking forward to cooler weather and getting the cartridge player fully operational. And maybe doing a bit more research on hybrids…
Until next time!
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