2007 Archives NOTE: These files need to be updated with the contents of 12/07 Journal Entry 1.13 of 2007 There were a few things Morcar and I discussed today that offered promise: 1.A device could be fashioned from the remains of our last failure to allow for a tighter fit in the engine Morcar dreamed up. That could be most useful. The power coils of the generator will require almost zero tolerance to run with little chance of catastrophic failure. 2.Also, he reminded me of Da Vinci’s odd flying contraption. The spiral of its wings ultimately failed him, and many physicists believe the invention could never truly fly, but the ideals of the design were beautiful. We might find a way to refine this mechanism, not as a flying device, but as an efficient oscillator. The generator could benefit from this greatly. a.Of course, I’m leaning towards Tesla’s innovations on this. While the charges released by his coils more resemble lightning than anything else, I have little doubt this could be harnessed to great effect. Journal Entry 1.23 of 2007 Morcar got quite angry with me today. He feels I ignore his ideas. I understand his frustration but his aptitude in this is very low. Physics was never his strong suit. He fails to see opposing forces for what they are. Often, when I give him the reins, he fails to compensate for even simple Newtonian principles, leading to massive failures. I’m not sure how to proceed here. If only our mother was around to diffuse things again. She knew how to rationalize with him. Journal Entry 2.14 of 2007 I don’t get what is so appealing to the world about such a day. While there are people I greatly adore, why require a specific event to draw attention to this when surprise seems far more satisfying? The obligations drain the spirit right out of me. Love and rational thinking are not frequent allies I suppose. Journal Entry 2.22 of 2007 Her Majesty seems frustrated as of late. I should seek something new she can be excited about. Morcar tells me she was raving about that odd man again. He was apparently trying his smooth talk on her again. As usual, she saw through it but couldn’t identify his motives. Maybe there’s a way to resolve this. A way that’s more graceful… Journal Entry 3.16 of 2007 I’ve completed my newest trinket. It’s really more of a novelty; however, the Queen may enjoy it. A watch that observes and records thoughts…what an interesting and useful tool. Think of the applications! You could use it to track brainstorms, or witness fleeting ideas that pass as you contemplate complex subjects. Really, it’s the perfect tool! Journal Entry 3.19 of 2007 OK. So apparently no one likes it…even myself. I tried it while running tests this morning. It was my hope that, while others found it overwhelming and largely unnecessary, I would be able to put it to use during research. I was mistaken. It is quite an overwhelming experience. Morcar never sufficiently described the side effects. He had only listed confusion and haziness of thought…but he described this as mild. There is a peculiar sensation in on the brain when it is recording. It clouds the mind mildly. I also notice trace images in he periphery of my eyesight. I couldn’t see them directly so I fail to describe them. Additionally, reviewing the data proved to be futile. I had read somewhere of the incredible rate at which thoughts pass, but had assumed that most thoughts would be relatively “on task”. I was massively mistaken. Everything from the colour of walls, to the ambiance in a room, to wisps of words that seem to have no explanation in the train of thinking…truly unfathomable… Journal Entry 5.11 of 2007 Maybe I don’t have to give up on my little watch after all. I dusted it off last night and disassembled the components. The “Box” (an admittedly childish name but I just don’t have anything better to call it yet) may be able to operate on similar principles. If I can only dial it in on the most active, surface thoughts…or maybe create an adjustable interpreter to dig deeper when necessary… Journal Entry 5.27 of 2007 Morcar is a bit annoyed today. He claims I’m dabbling with a line. I don’t feel the same. This device’s purpose would be most useful for personal evaluation and research. Everything seems to become a conspiracy theory when placed in his hands. This device will be far too complex for just anyone to manipulate. A group of rather nicely-dressed gentlemen came by today. They were offering me possible financial support for my projects. Of course, they know little of my work…no one really seems to pay much attention to me these days. I respectfully dismissed them. The Queen has fulfilled all of my financial needs in the past. I don’t expect that to change. Journal Entry 6.21 of 2007 The device consumes tremendous power. I hadn’t expected this. The calculations must be wrong. Of course, I’ve been using experimental technology here. Maybe there are forces at work here I’m not recognizing. Symmetry and balance! Where are the gaps? Morcar appears to have made a full recovery from the unexpected static blast. While the device was properly grounded, it appears an isolated portion had no path to release a built-up charge. The confusing thing is, I’m not sure how that section is getting power at all. It has no need to draw current and I’ve run no direct connections. Journal Entry 7.3 of 2007 The static problem has been resolved…though not fully satisfactorily I’m afraid. I’ve grounded all portions of the device…even components that were grounded by contact with others - just to be safe. I just can’t identify why there would even be a stored charge at all. I would not like to see Morcar injured again. Journal Entry 8.5 of 2007 Morcar provided a tremendous idea yesterday. Many years ago, he and I perfected a tool to induce tremendously high frequency vibration. We were mainly using it as a separator for suspensions and the like. He brought my attention to our older creations in hopes that one would give new direction, We are modifying the unit for use in The Box. It seems that it has a peculiar effect on matter placed near the power coils. In the process, my test subjects have been moved into a mild stasis...aware but motionless. Morcar has described it as a phasing effect. I don’t believe this to be the case but I don’t have a better explanation as of yet. Journal Entry 9.14 of 2007 In some early tests of the reader, I’ve been able to get hints of what I seek. Little images, faint impressions of emotion, and more to the like… Soon, I will need to run a full test on Morcar…but I must be sure it’s safe. There have been a few lab-mice lost and one who may have suffered some mild cerebellum damage…he has lost the automatic ability to walk. It seems to require much effort… Fortunately, more recent tests seem to have been less threatening to the heath of the subject. In fact, one subject seems to have left the device at full capacity – something that hadn’t happened prior. Typically there would be a 5 to 10 minute recovery period required. Journal Entry 9.18 of 2007 The last few adjustments seem to have worked. All subjects in 12 consecutive tests have survived apparently unaffected by the device. The output has mostly been indecipherable but I’m finding much evidence regarding imagery and primal instinct. An interesting phenomenon…the images tend to come out reversed – very peculiar. I may need to look into ocular function. This may be due to right- vs. left-brain functions… I’ll install a simple horizontal-axis reversing switch for the monitor and printer. Journal Entry 10.12 of 2007 An odd change has taken hold of Morcar. He seems excited again. I haven’t seen him so passionate about success in an invention in quite some time. Its as if an entirely different Morcar has replaced my brother. Maybe the challenge of such a project has rekindled his old spirit again. Our primate tests have been conclusive. After we return from our trip, I will schedule tests with Morcar. He is very hesitant but his newfound enthusiasm has made his objections far less aggressive. Journal Entry 10.27 of 2007 Morcar was nowhere to be found all day today. He left last night, very late and hasn’t returned. I’ve contacted his usual friends to no avail. Oddly, they claim that he hasn’t been in contact with them in months. He’s been going out often lately. I hope he’s not dabbling with anything too dangerous. Journal Entry 10.29 of 2007 Still no sign. Now I’m quite worried. I can’t work. Journal Entry 11.1 of 2007 Morcar returned this morning. Something seems…well…off. His clothes are new. He smells of cigar smoke. I wonder what could be going on. Despite this, he seems to be well and is very excited about trying the Box out. We’ll begin the real tests tomorrow morning. Journal Entry 11.3 of 2007 We’ve been working since…well…I don’t know when! I guess we began yesterday morning but there is so much excitement. Final modifications are still being made. We discovered that the various mechanisms weren’t adequately connecting with Morcar’s lobes. We received almost nothing but static…but there were moments of brief connections. We got a few scattered readings…nothing too useable. But still, progress! Journal Entry 11.17 of 2007 Today, we had the final test for the reader. Everything appears to be functioning. We were able to get surface thoughts clearly on a printout. Some limited imagery came through, but that’s merely a process of dialing into the correct brain-centers. One odd side-effect – Morcar began saying incoherent things. It last for only a few moments but was quite unusual. There was also a brief moment where I could’ve sworn a saw light through his chest…not some reflection, but one of the lab lights behind him. Now it’s time to assemble the final pieces. The full apparatus will have to be constructed, a comfortable back installed, headgear that looks like something other than a torture device…Morcar keeps insisting that the aesthetics are irrelevant. I try to remind him of balance and form but he has no appreciation for those things. I have a vision of a machine that serves as an homage to the master Da Vinci. It will appear like the Vitruvian Man! I wonder why he’s in such a hurry to complete this. Journal Entry 11.22 of 2007 In his impatience, Morcar has begun fashioning a smaller variation of the Box, hoping to get a simpler, hand-held unit going. He insists that my device is too cumbersome to be of use. My work is nearly complete. I spoke with the Queen last evening. Her Majesty is quite interested in my progress…especially now the work is nearly done. She has told me to inform her of its completion so that she can be present for a significant test. She has some specific questions she intends to get answered. She assures me they will be benign and respectful to the subject. Journal Entry 11.29 of 2007 Morcar’s mood has turned for the worse. And more significant and inconvenient, he has damaged some of the housing. I was excited to show him my Vitruvian Man layout. He grew irate that I would waste such effort on simple form when the results were far more relevant. The outermost ring, serving primarily as an aesthetically balanced ground, was broken in 2 locations. This is merely a setback. None of the essential components were harmed to any real degree. While I sympathize, he needs to understand patience. Great care with such contraptions is always worth the extra time required. I’ve mounted it on casters to aid with moving it around now. Hopefully Morcar’s complaints of its unwieldy nature will subside. On another note, in his restlessness, he has been testing his version of the device on himself. It appears to be making him quite uncomfortable. Journal Entry 11.30 of 2007 The Queen paid a surprise visit today. I believe she thought it’d be done already. I had to explain Morcar’s outburst, and the resulting delay. She was most displeased. Her guards led him to a different chamber and apparently chastised him most aggressively. He appears unharmed but seems very emotionally beaten down. I can’t blame him. The Queen can be quite direct when she chooses. She has made it clear to me that the Box “will be put into use soon”. I am to keep her closely informed. A Note to the Passengers: I have had the great pleasure of having wonderful conversations with many of you. Thank you for opening up your minds and hearts to me. I will cherish our time. Hopefully, I will speak with you all again.