Dollar Bill Penguin

One of my hobbies is origami, and a few years ago I started inventing my own models. While out at a bar, I came up with a way to make a penguin out of a dollar bill. It makes a great tip. So, I've decided to publish the how-to on how to make the penguin.

1) Fold the dollar in half length-wise and unfold.
2) Fold the corners of the dollar to the center-line (airplane fold)
3) Fold the new edges to the center, making the point sharper
4) Fold the dollar bill in half with the folded corners inside
5) Reverse fold the dollar so that the point is perpendicular to the rectangle
6) Reverse fold again, this time along the edge of the new triangle
7) Crimp fold the straight section through the obtuse point of the triangle so that the long edge of the resulting rectangle is parallel to the long edge of the triangle (see comments for tip)
8) Inside reverse fold the two small flaps parallel to the long edge. The new fold should lay along the long edge of the triangle
9) Inside reverse fold the tip of the triangle. The reversed edge should form a slightly acute angle with the side of the model.
10) Inside reverse fold the corner of the rectangle at a 45 degree angle, so that the crease lies slightly above the free corner
11) Fold the two free points (formed in step 10) inward, so that the free edges are parallel.
12) Inside reverse fold the point (and all the layers) at a 45 degree angle. The fold should go through the free corner. This forms the two feet.
13) Crimp fold the head. This is most easily accomplished by opening the head and folding the point in half, then folding the point back outward. Then refold the head.

The model can stand on its own. Once the basic folds are done the beak can be curled downward slightly to give it a more realistic shape. To give the flippers a bit more character, try giving them a slight fold in half along the point, just enough to give the surface a bit of a bend.

Catching Up

I haven't blogged for a while. I can't say it's because I didn't have anything to write about, it's just that I lacked the motivation to write. Also it tended to slip my mind, I would think, "I should write something," then by the time I'm done checking my email...

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Roller Derby Eastern Regional Tournament in White Plains, NY. It was a lot of fun, and I ended up seeing something like 13 derby bouts over the course of the weekend. With 17 bouts total that's a pretty serious tally.

One thing I couldn't help but notice was the incredible diversity in ability between the top teams and the bottom teams. The closest thing I can compare it too, is the difference between high school football and pro-football. Although that is a bit off, maybe an all-star high school team. The most obvious difference is in terms of speed and conditioning. But there is also significant difference in teamwork and coordination. Also, the top teams are much more tactical in their approach.

After the first day of bouts, I went to the after party. It was a floating after party going from bar to bar in downtown White Plains. At the first bar, they were having a drink promotion (actually many of the bars had the promotion at one point). The most interesting part to me was that the guy running the promotion was actually on the wagon. Apparently he has been dry for over five years, and got the job just after getting sober.

I also met a bunch of fun folks, including some of the skaters who were hosting the tournament. In particular I'd like to mention Vixen Von Bruizen and Milkstud Piglet. Piglet approached me at the first bar and said she knew I was with the roller derby. I asked how she knew, apparently I stand out. Must have been the bowling shirt.

The last bar of the night had a mechanical bull. We immediately got in line for the bull when we got to the bar. The line was pretty long, and wasn't moving terribly quickly as the guy was taking it easy on the women, and letting them have a second try on occasion (or letting them ride a second time with one of their friends). Watching two girls riding a mechanical bull is not actually that exciting. Anyway, eventually my turn came. I actually think I lasted a good amount of time, and I remember hearing a lot of cheering from the derby crowd (although I don't remember actually seeing anything). When I was finally thrown off and talking to those who had been watching, Dumptruck told me someone had commented that I was doing really well, he'd said, "Of course he is, his feet are still on the ground." Dumptruck's observation was actually quite astute, because a few times I did push off the ground to maintain my seat. I also got to spend some time with one of my fraternity brothers, Mostafa, who got to the bar just in time to watch me ride the bull.

The next morning I was a bit the worse for wear, but I managed to get up and have breakfast with Jen and her family. We got to share some bacon, which was good.

I have to mention a couple of driving related things about the trip to NY. First, when I was about to cross into Connecticut (you know, the big "Welcome to Connecticut" sign), I saw a Massachusetts state trooper sitting on the state line, waiting to pull over people crossing into Massachusetts. The second thing I have to mention, is that I still hate driving through Connecticut. It seems like every time I drive through Connecticut I hit construction traffic.

In other news, I had a birthday. I got together with some friends and went to Fire + Ice, which is a Mongolian BBQ place. Basically you fill up a bowl with raw ingrediants (mine was mostly beef and bacon, with some corn in the first batch and broccoli in the second). Then you give it to the guy working the grill and he fries it up, adding whatever sauce you selected (in my case no sauce). I also had a couple of large drinks. The second drink I had was actually a shared drink, which I didn't end up sharing. I don't know if its a Mass law or a Cambridge law, but bars can't sell one person more than two drinks at a time. The large shared drink count as four drinks. Anyway, between the volume of the drinks and the amount of food, I was stuffed by the time I left. But I did end up having enough room to share a couple of scorpion bowls at the Hong Kong after dinner. We actually spent a good amount of time at the Hong Kong playing with the little plastic animals they put in the Scorpion bowls, creating little scenes and taking pictures of them.

Alright, I'm sure there was something else I wanted to mention while I was writing, but I can't think of it right now. I do want to wish my brother a Happy Birthday! Hope it's a great one!