Because I never updated last semester, I should tell you that I bought a slingshot. I give 95% credit to watching the History channel show Top Shot, but having a Y chromosome is probably a big factor as well. Shooting and archery really interest me. I think I like that they are precision sports. It's not about blowing stuff up. That's a big bonus, but I haven't blown anything up (yet. don't hold your breath though, my targets will be water balloons) and I still have fun at the local ranges with my dad and Martha. It's about focusing your entire body on a single point and connecting with it. I really need to go back and read Zen and the Art of Archery. It's on my giant reading list.
So mainly because bows and arrows are very expensive I turned to the slingshot. I haven't had much time to go shoot stuff but I hope that changes this summer since I don't have a job that demands a lot of my time. I work with dad from 8-5 most days, provided he has enough handyman stuff for me to help him with.
After doing some research and looking at several general plans, I did some calculations and ran out to buy the essentials for a trebuchet. This mainly consisted of wood and screws. I made the base that night and was pretty happy with my progress.
Here are one or two pictures of my trebuchet as it's being built. Dad says if we get done early tomorrow, which is possible, we can work on it together. I kind of wanted it to be my own thing, but I got some good advice from him today that will save me a lot of grief.
It's probably too big for what my intended purpose was, which is to lob water balloons in the air for me to shoot with my slingshot. Whatever, if it's well built and works efficiently, it should throw a tennis ball 150 ft. easily. I don't care how pointless that is, that's pretty cool.
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