stephennielson.com

Thats right! A typewriter! Amazing, huh? So here’s the story. As many of you know I do a lot of 4-wheeling. One of the trips that I take is called the Relic Run. This is a multi-day expedition done only with vehicles aged 1979 or older and camping gear that is in the spirit of the 1970′s or older. Last year, 2009, was the inaugural run of this event. We circumnavigated the Great Salt Lake and had a blast. This year we are heading to the High Unita’s.

So what does the typewriter have to do with this? We’ll I’ve been tasked with trying to stir up some media interest. One of the ideas that I had was to contact these various outlets with an authentic, type written letter in conjunction with our more modern techniques. Strange, perhaps, but also make us seem like a fun group.

So I asked my mom if I could borrow her old electric typewriter. What we have here is a Smith-Corona Coronet Automatic 12.

This is original ’70′s. My mom got it for her high school graduation in 1971 and took it with her to college and business school. It is mint, not a scratch or dent on it. Perfect working order. The only thing I had to replace is the ribbon. Even the carrying case is perfect. And it needs a carrying case, because it weighs a solid ton!

I haven’t typed too much on it yet, but all I can say is that it is satisfying. The weight that you have to use to push down the keys. The reverberation you feel as the arm strikes the paper. And of course, that sound. The wonderful typewriter sound. It makes typing on my Apple Slim Keyboard just feel, well, fake.

Part of me wishes that I could use a typewriter all the time to write. But it’s just not practical in todays world. It will be fun to use for this project, and probably future Relic Run‘s. As with so many things, I just have a problem with nostalgia. A typewriter is just so simple and reflects a simpler time.

I didn’t watch the Oscar’s. In fact, I never watch the Oscar’s because I don’t really care about watching a bunch of overgrown children playing dress-up and congratulating each other on how great they are. Additionally, they never pick good movies or actors to win. Basically, the academy sucks. George C. Scott had it right when he stayed home to watch hockey rather than accept his Oscar for Best Actor in Patton.
That being said, I was pleased to see that the worst movie of the 21st century, Avatar, lost to The Hurt Locker. Even though The Hurt Locker really struck me as just a modern day version of classic BBC series Danger UXB.

I don’t really like people who constantly have to show picture of their pets, but this was hilarious:

One of my cat’s decided to jump in a five-gallon bucket and curl up.

I felt I needed to add an update to the site. The past week or so I’ve gone from not doing much to being super busy. I’ve been pulling a lot of parts from junkyards for the 510 (and to sell). Also, a few friends with businesses have had me helping with a couple projects which. All of which has kept me for posting. So I apologize.

For now though, enjoy some vintage WRC: