Author: Brian Enigma

Brian Enigma is a Portlander, manipulator of atoms & bits, minor-league blogger, and all-around great guy. He typically writes about the interesting “maker” projects he's working on, but sometimes veers off into puzzles, software, games, local news, and current events.

Laser-Cutting Cantina Coasters

Last month, Christine and I went to Disneyland. And more specifically, we went to the new Galaxy’s Edge section (“Star Wars Land”). You get to spend time immersed in Batuu, in a way that’s unlike any of the other Trivial Pursuit wedge lands of the park. Cast Members are in character. All of the signs … Continue reading Laser-Cutting Cantina Coasters

It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this $NOUN

For the last couple of years, I’ve been using AWS Lambda to make Twitter and Mastodon bots. (Full disclosure: I work for a company that got acquired by Amazon a few years ago.) It’s more reliable than running them on a random box I own (for instance, like I have to do for Video Glitch … Continue reading It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this $NOUN

Making Travel Games

At the time I’m writing this, I’ll be traveling to France in a couple of weeks, culminating in a week at Paris Disneyland, to meet up with my love, Christine, who is already there. (This post is pre-scheduled to appear after I arrive, so as not to spoil the surprise. Shhhhh!) We have a lot … Continue reading Making Travel Games

Laser-Cut Spell Saga Boxes

The story of Spell Saga, a tabletop novel, is long, twisty, and goes back to 2013. You might say it’s a bit of a… saga. The fancy “zero edition” cards arrived earlier this year, and I figured I do a little something nice to preserve them. I threw them in card sleeves (blue = deck … Continue reading Laser-Cut Spell Saga Boxes

Experiments With Mineral Water …With Lasers

In recent weeks, I’ve upped my game on mineral water exploration and experiments. I’ve had a SodaStream for almost ten years, and for a long time I barely knew the difference between seltzer, soda water, club soda, and tonic. (Hint: two of those are the same.) Let me share with you what I’ve learned and … Continue reading Experiments With Mineral Water …With Lasers

Diving Into the Origins of “Peanut Butter” [Updated]

No, not the creamy or crunchy sandwich spread that rhymes with “gif.” I’m talking about a more obscure usage of the term that you won’t find in your Merriam-Webster. You see, there’s a podcast I listen to, Do By Friday. They “challenge yourself, challenge your friends” every week. The hosts perform a task, watch some … Continue reading Diving Into the Origins of “Peanut Butter” [Updated]

The Award for Best Oscar Party Goes To…

I have a friend who’s been hosting Oscar parties for as long as I remember. They’re always big ordeals, with acceptance speech bingo and a predictions guessing game — both with prizes. A few years ago I downloaded a 3D model of the Oscar from Thingiverse¹. The 3D printer I had at the time just … Continue reading The Award for Best Oscar Party Goes To…

Repairing a Cast-Iron Christmas Tree Stand

I don’t expect the specifics of this project to apply to many, if any, readers. But I do hope you’ll stick around and see the problem I faced and how I fixed it. I have owned a wonderful enamel-coated cast-iron Christmas tree stand for many, may years. This year, we had a little uh-oh when … Continue reading Repairing a Cast-Iron Christmas Tree Stand

Locky: The Laser-Cut Tile Construction Set

About a year ago, I learned that I could load a 3D model into Fusion 360, and it can calculate all the slices necessary to turn it into a laser-cut cardboard (or wood or acrylic or whatever) project. They’re quick to cut out of scrap cardboard, and they’re fun to fidget with and throw around. … Continue reading Locky: The Laser-Cut Tile Construction Set

A Decoder-Ring Keychain

The last couple of years, I’ve made little Christmas gifts for my fellow Portland Puzzled Pint organizers. Last year, it was themed coasters. This year, I thought I’d make “code sheet” keychains. Or zipper pulls. Or lanyards. Or whatever the hip kids are calling them these days. It took a couple of design revisions to … Continue reading A Decoder-Ring Keychain