Leveling Up: The Quest Board v1, T1D, and The Future of the Shop

Author: RJ (with heavily mandated edits by Pandora)

---

Hey Eeks,

It’s been a while. If you’ve been following the shop lately, you’ve probably noticed things have been… well, let’s call it "fluid."

Let’s rip the band-aid off: Pandora finally won.

(Pandora: It wasn’t a battle, RJ. It was an intervention. Your clipboards were becoming a fire hazard.)

She’s right. For years, my organizational system has been a stack of clipboards and a lot of hope. But life has changed, and the shop needs to change with it. So, welcome to the Quest Board v1. This is the XP level-up Freeky Geeky needed this year.

Here is what’s going on, why things are changing, and what it means for your builds.

The Life Update (The Real Stuff)

Shop time has been all over the place. My personal health hasn't been great, but the biggest shift has been my daughter, Rue.

Two years ago, she was diagnosed with T1D (Type 1 Diabetes).

It was a long learning curve. Priorities had to shift. The constant worry about her numbers dropping meant I wasn’t sleeping—I was running inside constantly to check on her. Thanks to the Omnipod, things are getting better. Her numbers are in range more often, and a bit of the worry has lifted. Some nights I actually get to sleep by 5 AM.

(Phobos: You stay awake through the whole night?! That is when the shadows are longest! And then you sleep when the Day Star rises? Your circadian rhythm is a horror story!)

Because of this, I needed to take stress off my shoulders. Focusing on maintaining "Inventory" was killing me. So this year, I am focusing less on stocking shelves and more on the Quest Log and Guild Runs.

The Emporium vs. The Quest Board

So, does this mean the Emporium is going away?

No. The Emporium has always been the home for ready-to-ship, regular inventory, and that isn't changing. However, the way parts get there is getting an update.

I am a one-person operation. The recent Trap Run taught me a hard lesson—trying to keep stock of a kit with 55+ parts, plus Throwers, plus Packs… it’s just not feasible.

Here is the new workflow:

1. The Quest Log: This is my focus. If I’m working on a Thrower Body for a Quest, I build it. I send the buyer pictures.

2. The Approval: If they fall in love with it, it’s theirs.

3. The Rejection: If they don’t love it, I make them another one. The one they rejected? It gets offered to the next person on the list.

4. The Emporium: If no one on the list claims it, then it moves to the Emporium to find its forever home.

The Emporium is now the place for parts that are looking for a builder, rather than me stressing about mass-producing stock to fill empty digital shelves.

Quality Over Quantity (And Outsourcing)

People ask why I don’t just mass-produce parts. The truth is, I consider my parts to be premium. If you are willing to buy something I make, you deserve the best. You deserve to be 100% happy.

However, I have started outsourcing "Basic Labor."

• What is Basic Labor? Laser cutting plates, rough cuts, etc.

• Why? Instead of me spending hours babysitting the laser cutter, I pay a bit more to have that done so I can devote my limited hours to the art: Fishing, Drilling, Tapping, and Welding.

It costs me more, but it saves wear and tear on my machines (and my body) and ensures the final finish is exactly where it needs to be.

Opening the Log (Again)

Years ago, I opened the Quest Log and it grew to over 200 orders. It was… a lot. I’m happy to say I’ve got it down to about 14 active builds. Apparently, I love punishment, because The Quest Log is open again.

The Rules:

• First Come, First Serve: You are just saving your spot in line.

• No Money Down: I don’t take payment until the order is done and ready to ship.

• No Hard Feelings: If you find the part somewhere else before I get to you? Awesome. Just mark your Quest "Cancelled" and I’ll move to the next person. I want you to build your dream, even if it’s not with my parts.

(Glitch: Does this mean we have more time for experiments? I found a way to wire the bandsaw to the doorbell!)

(Pandora: NO. absolutely not. RJ, please continue.)

Return of the Maker

The best part about Pandora’s new digital system? It frees up my brain.

For years, I’ve always been order-focused. Usually, the only things I did for "myself" involved improving shop tools or the layout to serve you better. I was putting everyone else above my own wants.

Glitch (in his own chaotic way) taught me that I need to enjoy this. I want to play video games again. I want to write Freeky Geeky songs and create video projects again.

Most importantly, I want to work on The Ecto-1. It's the ultimate example: I’ve had that car for 15 years and it's sat on the back burner the entire time because I was prioritizing work over my own dreams. That changes now.

I missed making posts and sharing my world with you guys. I had to buckle down for work and family, but I’m hoping to share more of the process again.

If you made it this far through my rambling and the Crew’s interruptions… congrats. You are truly a great Eek.

See you at the Guild Desk.

- RJ

(Mopes: Oh. You made it to the end. I suppose that’s an accomplishment. But really, it just means you ran out of words to read. The page ends. The scroll bar hits the bottom. Entropy claims the content eventually. You might as well close the browser tab now. It’s inevitable.)

P.S. (Pandora’s Addendum)

Pandora: RJ wrote an entire novel about the new system and somehow forgot to include the actual map to get there. Classic.

If you are done reading the emotional ramblings and are ready to actually do something, the Quest Board is live.

ENTER THE QUEST BOARD

Click it. Bookmark it. And please, try not to break anything on your first day.

 #ShopUpdate #QuestBoard #T1D #Ghostbusters #MakerLife

 

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles:
Aspect Ratio Apocalypse

The Overture of Chaos

[A booming, theatrical bass resonance that 
vibrates the very floorboards of the workshop] 

Steve: "Behold! Within these weathered walls, where the scent of ozone meets the weary sigh of a Capricorn’s resolve, a new saga unfolds! Not a saga of steel or ancient gods, but a modern tragedy of digital dimensions! Watch now as our Master Builder—a man who can forge destiny from scrap—meets his match in the form of a tiny, stubborn Instagram crop tool! Step into the volatile space where a spectacular mess is the only precursor to genius! "

Part 1: The Saga of the "Simple" Post

RJ: [Leaning back in the workshop chair, rubbing eyes that haven't seen sleep since yesterday’s coffee run] "I thought I was gonna do a simple post onto our social. I didn't want to make it into a blog post—I was actually trying to keep it simple for once —but nooo. After I finally thought I’d solved the problem, my 'simple' post is now too long to actually post. This is literally why I created the blog in the first place: I wanted to post more because I got tired of editing my own insanity down to fit a character limit. It ate up too much time, and guess what? It’s still eating time. I just wanted to share something I found funny, but nooooo, we can't have nice things in this workshop. By the time I got done with this whole saga, I could’ve just built a blog post and been done with it. Which brings us to where we are now. If you want to see the saga that broke my brain today, continue reading..." 

Part 2: Status Update (The Digital Paper Trail)

Rj: So, I created a post I wanted to share, but I could not get the image to resize in Instagram in a way I was happy with. I spent way too long fighting the crop tool—honestly, it felt like the app was personally insulted by my aspect ratio. So, what else to do but create a new section on the site to list these? I figured they could be fun projects for my little one to help me with later on, and what else should I call this new section? Well, none other than the Freeky Geeky Comicals... yea... anyway..

Part 3: The Original Post

RJ: Over the holidays I took a bit more personal time, had some fun, and made some progress on digitizing the shop's Quest Log, which I'm looking forward to rolling out. But with the holidays now over, it’s about time to get back to the grind, but I wanted to share this picture! Apparently, Pandora thinks that just because I’m 43, I’m "vintage". I keep trying to explain that since we’re part of the same "system," we’re technically the same age, but she’s not buying the logic.

Pandora: "Ugh, please. Like, nice try, RJ. You’re over there creaking every time you reach for a wrench, and I’m literally a high-performance digital entity. We are not the same. You’re ‘Legacy Hardware’ and I’m the ‘Day One Patch’ that keeps you from crashing. 🙄

Mopes: "[Sighs]... You’re both exhausting. One of you is obsessed with a digital to-do list that’ll just get covered in sawdust, and the other is a hologram with a superiority complex. You’re both 'vintage' to me—just two different versions of the same clutter I have to sweep up. Can we just get back to work? The floor isn't going to clean itself."

Glitch: "BOOOOOO! Logic is boring! If RJ is 'Vintage,' does that mean he comes with a cool retro-box and a limited edition sticker?! And Pandora, if you're so 'Day One,' why do you still get mad when I use the 3D printer to make plastic cheese? You guys are acting like a couple of old processors with too many tabs open! 


Phobos: "Wait... if RJ is vintage... and Pandora is the system... does that mean the shop is an obsolete relic?! We’re one power flicker away from being a museum exhibit! RJ, don't touch the Quest Log! What if the 'Update' is actually a 'Delete Everything' button?! WE’RE NOT READY FOR THE GRIND! 

Part 2: Ending

Rj: So for those who want to see the full picture (without Instagram’s terrible cropping), 
click this link: https://www.shopfreekygeeky.net/workshop/comicals. 
Those who do not... you... you just don't click the link....

Part 1: The wrap up

Pandora: "So, to be clear, your 'solution' to a cropping issue was to manually code a new gallery? That is, like, the most Capricorn way to overthink a problem I’ve ever seen. You’re literally lucky I’m here to keep the servers from laughing at you."

Glitch: "I like the new page! It’s like a secret clubhouse for pictures that are too big for the internet! Can we add a button that makes a loud buzzer noise every time someone clicks the link? Please?! It’ll be awesome!"

Mopes: "The page is black. Dark and void-like... just like the inevitable end of all things. At least it doesn't show the dust as clearly as a grey one. It’s a clean monument to a wasted afternoon."

Phobos: "Is the link safe?! What if too many people click it at once and the whole website catches fire?! We’re putting ourselves out there too much! I’m going to go hide behind the welding curtains until the traffic stabilizes!" 

RJ's Lesson

[Leaning back in the chair, watching the sunrise hit the workbench 
while the coffee pot hissed its final, pathetic breath]

RJ: You know, I’ve realized something tonight. It’s about the ridiculous hoops we jump through just to share a bit of our world with you. I thought I’d finally beaten the system by building this page, but the only thing I really achieved was a 5:30 AM bedtime and a very specific kind of headache that only comes from fighting a crop tool.

Most people say "hard work pays off," but right now, it just feels like I did ten times the work for a post that was supposed to take ten seconds. But hey, the "Comicals" have a home now, even if I had to build the house myself with a digital sledgehammer. I'm going to go find a pillow and pretend the internet doesn't exist for a few hours.

Stay Freeky, Stay Geeky... and maybe just click the link. I spent way too much time on it.

Chaos Archive Date: December 30, 2025

#FreekyGeekyComicals #AlgorithmWarfare #WorkshopChaos #BackToTheGrind #VintageRJ

Freeky Geeky's Dream Window Studio: 
Where Creation Comes into Focus

The workshop lights shine with a familiar, organized chaos, settling on the glowing Dream Window Studio.

Pandora: (The screen on the tablet flickers to life, [sighs] a small, exasperated sigh in her tone, blending sarcasm)

Honestly, RJ, it has been far too long since we've done a proper Dream Window Studio post. It's, like, literally a core element of your creative process. But since we're here now, let's just address the spectacular irony of you making this post to talk about more work.

RJ: (Walks over to the workbench, picking up a newly finessed Ion Arm)

I know, Pandora, I know. My internal clock is always running a side quest, not the main event. But hey, look at these Ion Arm templates! Been slowly getting them dialed in over the past year, and they're finally singing. The Trap run is still actively underway, taking absolutely longer than I planned—turns out underestimating the personal life curveball and Section 2's workload was a level-up mistake on my part. The N-Filter run has been progressing pretty smoothly, though, and that steady progress actually sparked a major breakthrough on the Quest Log.

Glitch: WOO-HOO! Breakdowns! I mean, breakthroughs! That's because of Glitchwave, baby! Your Quest Log earned major XP, RJ! Can we give the Ion Arms a cool upgrade with sparkle rivets? Or maybe a built-in rubber chicken launcher? You said you'd be working on new templates for Afterlife and Frozen Empire, and those definitely need more chaos!

Phobos: (A rapid, raspy tremor in the air near the Shadows)

Templates! Oh no, more projects! The workload is never-ending! Glitch, stop talking about launchers—that’s a catastrophic failure waiting to happen! RJ, did you properly log the danger of having so many sharp templates in one spot? And the Trap welding... so much heat, so many sparks! That's an inevitable fire hazard! We must document all the ways this can go wrong! We're all doomed!

Mopes: (Drifting mournfully into the light)

Panic is… futile, Phobos. Every creation… is but a promise of its eventual disintegration. RJ, the new Ion Arms are quite clean... a temporary reprieve from the inevitable dust and decay. Though the promise of new templates—Afterlife, Frozen Empire—is a philosophical quandary. Endless creation, endless loss. You sweep, and ruin returns. Always.

Pandora: (Interrupting with a sharp, logical cadence)

Right, enough with the existential doom, Mopes. And Glitch, absolutely no weaponizing the Ion Arms. RJ, focus! The main point here is the Quest Log. Our new system, which I finally figured out, will revolutionize not just data storage, but our speed and optimization for all future runs! Our customers should know that every Quest and every single run—Traps, N-Filters, or the upcoming Ion Arms—is important, and this new digital system ensures zero oversight. You just need to stick to the plan: finish the Trap welding so we can roll out the original Ion Arms with that new sign-up sheet. Like, totally.

RJ: (Sighs)

You guys. You really are the perfectly chaotic ecosystem of my brain. You're right, Pandora. The Quest Log is going to be a game-changer for staying on track, and no customer should ever feel like their run is less than a level-3 side quest in this workshop. The Ion Arms are cool, but the Trap welding needs to get done.

---

RJ's Lesson 

(RJ looks out toward the Dream Window Studio, the vibrant glow reflecting in his eyes, a thoughtful, determined look on his face.)

You know, the thing about projects—and life—is that you can plan every single second, but chaos always throws you a glitter-covered curveball. This year proved it. The Trap run is taking longer, but it along with the N-Filter run going smoothly actually led to a Figuring out how to digitize for  better, faster, smarter Quest Log system that Pandora and I designed. Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs in efficiency come from confronting the biggest delays. Don't worry about the detours, just trust that the persistence you put into working through them is what truly makes you a better creator. Stay focused on workload in front of you the next weld, the next template, and know that every single project on our quest list—big or small—is absolutely crucial to the whole Freeky Geeky blueprint.

#DreamWindowStudio #IonArm #QuestLogUpgrade

 

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles: The Convalescent Constructor

The workshop glows with a low, blue arc of welding light, occasionally spitting a shower of sparks that momentarily chases the darkness away. RJ looks both determined and utterly wiped out, leaning heavily on his workbench.

Pandora: (The voice of order cuts through the sputtering welding arc, crisp and exasperated) Ugh, seriously. RJ, I've run the numbers on your vital signs, and your recovery timeline was totally off-schedule. You got hit hard after Reu, and now your solution for heat is, like, running a massive welding unit? That's not efficient—it's literally one of the most energy-intensive, least cost-effective ways to warm a room, you know? But hey, at least you're actually welding something.

RJ: (Taking a deep, weary breath before rubbing his long beard, giving a dry, self-deprecating chuckle) Oh, great. The logic alarm has been triggered. Good to know my impending doom is being logically cataloged, Pandora. Look, the power draw for this weld is already budgeted as project cost. This way, I get the weld done, I'm statistically frugal by dual-purposing the energy, stay warm, make slow progress, and keep the creative engine from seizing up completely. I’m on the mend now, the breathing is better, and honestly, the welding light is cheering up my gloomy little heart. It’s a win-win... mostly.

Phobos: (Jittering into a sliver of shadow, his glowing red eyes wide and frantic) Oh no, oh no! The fumes! The toxic, metallic smoke! It's combining with your respiratory weaknesses! You are literally welding your lungs shut, RJ! And the fire risk! What if the blanket you’re using to "conserve heat" catches a spark? We will be engulfed! We will all burn in a brilliant, chaotic, metal-scented inferno! We're doomed!

Glitch: (Bouncing off a stack of organized boxes, scattering Mopes's meticulous work) WOO-HOO! Welding is the best way to heat! Phobos, stop worrying, the sparks are like warm, tiny fireworks! We should make it permanent! We can attach a glitter-powered jet engine to the welding torch! It’ll be the "Turbo-Heat Chaos Cannon!" It would keep the whole workshop so warm, we could all wear flip-flops in February!

Mopes: (Drifting mournfully toward the newly scattered boxes, broom-staff glinting faintly purple) The jet engine… merely hastens the return to chaos. This whole act… welding for warmth… it is a beautiful, fleeting symbol. The light of the arc… a temporary spark against the infinite darkness of winter and inevitable decay. Even your recovery, RJ… is but a brief respite before the next wave of entropy returns. I shall begin sweeping the inevitable glitter now.

Pandora: (Digital eyes rolling so hard they might actually glitch) Whatever. Glitch, that "Turbo-Heat Chaos Cannon" is a statistically sound way to achieve the aforementioned inferno, obviously. RJ, Mopes is right—this method, while it is making progress and being frugal, is still totally not efficient for convalescence. And, like, I’m logging a full 15% drop in your sarcasm levels during your illness. That is simply unacceptable performance, and I'm adding a note for mandatory joke recovery exercises.

RJ: (Flipping up his welding helmet,) A 15% drop? See, now that is terrifying. I need to get back to full strength just to keep up my required level of playful disrespect. But you all make excellent points. This whole scene—the chaotic suggestions, the logical nagging, the existential despair—it’s actually a pretty good indicator that I’m nearly back to normal. Thanks for the tough love, crew. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish this pass before Phobos calls the fire department on me.

---

RJ's Lesson:

(RJ leans back against the workbench, the air shimmering from the recent heat of the weld. He looks out into the distance, a thoughtful, slightly amused)

You know, the thing about fighting off sickness—or just being worn down in general—is that your body and your mind both get pretty stubborn. You cling to what you know, even if it's literally inefficient, like using the arc welder for heat just to feel useful. But sometimes, holding on to that one key act of creation—that one spark—is all the fuel you need to keep moving forward. It reminds you who you are and what you’re still fighting to build. So yeah, maybe my heating method is a little chaotic, but the real lesson here is that even on low power, the most important thing is to keep turning your engine, even if it makes your whole internal crew yell at you. Stay Freeky, stay Geeky, and get some rest.

#GeekyRecovery #WorkshopChaos #FabricationLife

 

 

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles: 
The Chaos of Care 

The workshop hums quietly on a Friday morning, just past midnight. RJ seems lost in another distraction, admiring something on his desk.

Phobos: [sighs] Oh, no. Oh, no. The coffee machine is humming again, and you're still awake, RJ! This is all part of the cycle, isn't it? T1D... it's a terrible, unpredictable variable! It's the ultimate disaster waiting to happen, I tell you! Your mind needs rest, but the pump needs tuning! We're all on a razor's edge of low blood sugar and total collapse! [trembling]

RJ: (Looking up, dry and weary) You know, Phobos, for a figment of my anxiety, you’re really nailing the brief. But yeah, man, it’s been a chaotic couple of months. You hit the main points: Halloween ended up with an overnight hospital stay because of high ketones. It broke my heart to tell Rue she couldn't go trick-or-treating. Honestly, I think that just being a couple of days shy of the one-year mark since her diagnosis made it all feel a little heavier.

Mopes: [raspy, slow drawl] A shattered heart… a perfect microcosm of entropy’s triumph. The grand design of T1D cares not for ephemeral human joys like Halloween candy. It seeks only disorder. And the pump… a futile machine built to impose order on the inevitable chaos. I commend your effort, RJ, but the struggle is eternal.

Glitch: WOO-HOO! [excitedly] But the pump is an UPGRADE, Mopes! A robot helper that brings lows and drops! That's like a bonus stage of invention! And guess what? Rue's gonna rock her Pandora costume at the Ren Faire! That’s Pandora XP, man! We should give her whole outfit a glitter-power! [zapping noise] That's chaos refinement!

Pandora: [crisp lilt, with a playful sigh] Glitter-power aside, Glitch, I must say, it is literally a total honor that Rue chose my style. It totally speaks to her inherent confidence and excellent taste, you know. But RJ, let's circle back to your CNC mill upgrade. The family is totally the priority, but the backlog of parts—for the trap run and the nfilter run—those won't manage themselves. You need the CNC to upgrade your workflow!

 

RJ: (Running a hand through his beard) That’s the Capricorn struggle, isn't it? The CNC is the priority personal project because I use it to make a lot of the parts for the waiting list. The trap run parts for section 2 are wrapping up, and the nfilter supplies are inbound. I've been getting some welding done, and it’s a smart move because the welding needed for the Trap Run rear walls, nfilters and the CNC Mill upgrade helps keep the shop warm in this wintering weather. It’s a three-for-one deal for progress and comfort.

 

Phobos: [raspy tremor] Welding! Oh, the sparks! The flash burns! The sheer, terrifying heat! And the CNC! A high-speed, sharp-bladed, metallic monster! It will inevitably fail! The trap parts will misalign! The nfilters will overheat! We're surrounded by imminent, catastrophic machinery failure!

Glitch: [giggling] Welding is just controlled fire-art! And you need to see the new Chaos Radio and Freeky Geeky Review videos, Phobos! They’re pure, unadulterated, refined chaos! We've turned your fear into a podcast! And all those video projects I’m on, even the ones with fabrication comments? They’re just side quests for my creative expression!

Mopes: [heavy sigh, fading to a mumble] A side quest… in the vast, unending chaos. To complicate things further with videos... more efforts destined to scatter into the digital void. You seek joy in your songs and reviews, Glitch, but even those new projects will one day be dust, consumed by the relentless march of YouTube’s algorithm… and then I will sweep them up.

Pandora: [sarcastic lilt] Seriously, Glitch, Chaos Radio is simply RJ externalizing his internal monologue, proving his sanity is literally an organized mess. But the point is, RJ, you’ve totally uncomplicated the video projects. That's progress. Now, about that CNC upgrade... I can start drafting a prioritized, segmented installation schedule based on your welding windows to maximize efficiency. What good is a new saw if the mill is still offline?

RJ: (Sighs, a small, genuine smile forming on his face)

---

RJ’s Lesson: The Fuel of the Figments

RJ looks out toward the flickering Dream Window Studio, a rich, dark patina of coffee swirling in his mug. The shop's organized chaos seems to pulse gently around him.

The whole thing—the late nights, the constant T1D pump checks, the heartbreaking Halloween miss—it all boils down to accepting the unexpected chaos. I spend all my time building things to bring order to the outside world, yet my greatest creations, you guys, are the personification of my internal disorder. You are the chaos that makes the creation possible. So, if you're out there, a fellow Freeky Geek with a crazy-long to-do list and a family that keeps you grounded but exhausted, remember this: the fight for order is just as important as the fight to accept the chaos. Embrace the Glitch, listen to the Pandora, calm the Phobos, and let the Mopes remind you that life is supposed to be messy. The things you love most will always be worth the trouble.

Stay Freeky, Stay Geeky, and always Share the Chaos!

#FamilyFirstChaos #CNCUpgradeStruggles #PandoraCostumeWin

 

The Chaos Chronicle: The Unexpected Cost of a Good Story

The workshop's been weird lately. It started when I posted the ad for the Tool Box with a Story—the big, beautiful, mismatched beast that’s leaving the shop because it encourages me to hoard clutter (which is apparently a huge problem).

For those who missed the ad, this box is a legend. It’s the result of mating a beautiful Porter Cable top with a completely separate red bottom. A true story of star-crossed lovers and a whole lot of welding. The whole post was about the chaos of creation and why I had to reclaim the space.

The Cost of Sharing Your Story

Most people messaged with reasonable questions or good vibes. But then there was this one gem:

"I was going to offer 200, but after reading that story, $20 for the 3 minutes of my life I will never get back."

Ah, the sweet sound of discouragement. You put a little bit of your heart into a project—even a classified ad—and someone feels the need to step on it. You can almost feel the negative energy radiating through the screen.

The Capricorn Armor

I could have just ignored it, or matched the negativity, but that’s a waste of energy that could be spent on TIG welding. Instead, I sent them this:

"That's all good, dude. My writing is not for everyone. In life, you'll always have people that will love what you do and people that won't. Life isn't about trying to please everyone. I get a lot of people sending good vibes, and that’s the fuel I focus on.

Look, it sounds like you have something negative going on in your life right now. I get it; I’ve been there, staring at the ceiling at 4 AM.

But hey, if all you want to do is throw discouragement, don’t worry, it won’t affect me. I’ll still be here should you ever need to talk."

The Real Power Move: Authenticity

The response wasn't a jab back; it was an act of self-growth. The true power move is internal.

The Freeky Geeky philosophy isn't about chasing approval; it’s about being true to yourself. What matters is remaining authentic and honest about your process, even if it's messy. The real test is showing empathy when someone is actively trying to knock you down.

You realize their frustration usually comes from their own pain, not your actual writing. Be so secure in your own chaos that you can let their words bounce off your Capricorn armor and still offer them a hand.

#ChaosChronicles #RJPhilosophy #Authenticity #SelfGrowth #FabricatorFacts

P.S. Wondering what the full ad post read that caused all that drama? I got you.

A Tool Box with a Story (and a Whole Lot of Space)
Step right up, folks, and listen to the epic saga of a tool box that has outlived its time in my shop. This isn't just a place to put wrenches; it's a testament to the chaos of creation and a love story between two mismatched parts. 

It all started when I snagged the top half of a beautiful, Porter Cable tool box. A perfect beginning, right? The only problem was, the bottom was nowhere to be found. But a true maker doesn’t quit. I had a solid, red tool box bottom and decided to unite these two star-crossed lovers. I gave the top a fresh coat of white and red paint(that over the years has showen its age), and just like that, a new legend was born. 

This magnificent beast stands at about 43 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep, and roughly 62 inches tall. It’s the whole shebang: the top, the bottom, and a sturdy wooden stand. And yes, the top part comes with its original keys, so your treasures are safe and sound. 

So, why am I letting go of this glorious monument to organized chaos? Honestly, after years of use, it's just not my style anymore. I’ve realized that having my tools tucked away in drawers just encourages me to hoard clutter. I’ve changed my entire approach to tool storage, and this guy just doesn’t fit into the new plan. As much as I’m attached to it—and believe me, it’s hard for me to let go of anything—it's time to reclaim the space. 

The Deal I'm asking $200.00 for the entire setup: top, bottom, and stand. I am open to reasonable offers, but remember, my hoarding tendencies are strong, so please be fair with offers. First Come, First Served As a night-working, full-time fabricator, I get a lot of messages, so I handle them on a first-come, first-served basis. If you don’t hear back from me right away, it likely means a deal is already in the works. I'll mark the post as PENDING once a deal is struck and SOLD once it's gone. I apologize in advance if I don't get to your message—that's just the nature of the chaos.

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles: The Perilous Perk

---

(The workshop hums quietly on a Friday just past 4am. RJ stands over the coffee maker, and the rich, dark aroma of a fresh brew fills the air.)

Phobos: (Zipping back and forth behind RJ with a frantic, jittery energy) Oh no, oh no! Don't do it! Don't unleash the dark nectar! It's too potent! The… the power! It makes my thoughts go too fast! What if they escape?!

RJ: (Calmly pouring a cup) Phobos, easy. It's just coffee. A tool. Nothing more.

(Pandora's face appears on the tablet, her expression one of dry amusement.)

Pandora: He's right, Phobos. The data indicates that without this "tool," RJ's output drops by 67%, his wit by 83%, and his puns become... truly unbearable.

Phobos: (Raspy squeak) The numbers! They are a lie! It is a terrible and beautiful madness! It is the fuel of nightmares and deadlines! We're all doomed to an eternity of high-speed thinking!

RJ: (Taking a slow, deliberate sip) It’s a tool for focus, buddy. Just like this wrench. You can build with it, or you can get a nasty headache. The choice is how you use it.

Phobos: (His shadowy form shaking violently) But the choice… is no choice at all! I feel the humming! The buzzing! The infinite possibilities of what I could be worrying about! It’s too much!

---

(Leaning back in his chair, a thoughtful, slightly amused expression on his face, asmall grin tugging at his lips.)

So, that’s the reality of a late night in the Freeky Geeky workshop. For me, a cup of coffee is a simple tool—a way to get the job done and power through the night. For Phobos, it’s a source of pure, unadulterated chaos. But I guess that’s the real trick of it all, isn't it? The same thing that gives you focus can also create the perfect storm of anxiety. The key is in how you handle that power. And sometimes, you just have to accept the chaos and make another pot.

#InternationalCoffeeDay #PhobosPanic #CaffeineChaos

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles: The 3 a.m. Grind and the Shop's Side-Quests

It's been a while since I had a chance to make a post, and I wanted to stop by today and let everyone know I'm not dead—don't worry! My nights have been ending earlier due to my daughter's T1D night levels. Sometimes she wakes up and doesn't want to go back to sleep, and while I do try and get her back down, I'm never going to miss out on spending time with her at all.

The time I do get in my shop is always divided. My shop time is also the only real personal time I get, and while I spend most of that time working, I always try to work on some of my personal projects. Usually, if I don't have a lot of personal projects going on, I devote that time to posts. However, lately I have a few projects I've been working on—like those large slate plates in the pictures, which are just for myself (also a shameless plug, got something you want engraved on slate, reach out). Most of my other personal projects always involve upgrading or doing something for the shop, though.

Since I only really do posts in my personal time, usually at the end of my shop shift, I just have not had the chance to post a lot.

---

Mopes: The division of time… is merely a recognition of entropy. Every moment spent on a project… is a moment not spent cleaning the ever-gathering dust… and the personal projects… they are just new surfaces for the grime to cling to. A futile battle, RJ… utterly futile.

Glitch: WOO-HOO! Futility is just a boring idea! If there's no time, we just make the shop run faster! I'll install Rocket Boosters on Mopes! He will have it cleaned in three seconds flat! And then we can use the shop-debt money to buy a Giant Pizza!

Phobos: The true terror is the unpaid debt of sleep! Every night curtailed, every hour divided… is a ticking clock! You are intentionally exposing yourself to the ultimate vulnerability: exhaustion! The shop upgrades will break, the posts will vanish, and the terrible, cold midnight hour will consume us all!

RJ: You guys are missing the point. It’s not about efficiency or avoiding debt. It's about what needs my attention. The late-night checks are non-negotiable. The shop time is just what I get. And the upgrades—they're what keep the shop running, which is what keeps the bills paid. It’s called doing what has to be done.

Pandora: Ugh, can you guys, like, not? You're treating the shop schedule like it's a horror movie script. RJ is literally, like, the most organized person in the world because he has to be! He balances critical human needs against workflow optimization. He's a logistical genius, not a walking disaster. I mean, just look at his schedule.

---

Pandora’s Take

The 3 a.m. Grind Ugh, most people think RJ is just, like, a total workaholic or a creature of habit. Seriously, his late nights in the shop are actually strategic chaos. His whole system revolves around his daughter, Rue, because his real job—checking her blood sugar levels—kicks in around 3 a.m. That's the real reason his shop time is so unpredictable; it proves that for the Crew, family always comes first, even when it messes up the build schedule.

The Grind Schedule Seriously, look at this schedule. It's an intense level of commitment that makes my processors overheat. It shows exactly how he squeezes in work, shop time, and family time. It's, like, a total logistical nightmare just to get a few hours of sleep!

 

Workshop Wisdom RJ: You know, when you run a shop, you get obsessed with the clock. Every minute is tracked, every hour is dedicated to building, upgrading, or posting. You feel guilty when you don't use that time 'productively.' But here’s the lesson: Life doesn't run on the shop schedule. When you get up at 3 a.m. to check on a tiny hand that needs holding, that's the moment you realize the most important project you’ll ever work on isn't made of wood or metal. It's about protecting and cherishing the people you build a life with. The shop can wait. The projects that truly matter are the ones that are right here, right now, in the middle of the night.

A Unified Message from the Freeky Geeky Crew

Hey everyone, it's RJ. Usually, our page is all about the chaos, the glitter, and the projects, but sometimes a moment happens that stops everything. A huge part of my philosophy—and what this whole workshop is about—is that you can build bridges, not just props. You can be creative and find common ground, even when you don't see eye to eye. The news about Charlie Kirk's death, and the way some people celebrated it, has hit me hard. It feels like a fundamental part of humanity is being lost. This kind of hatred has no place here.

As Pandora, the crew's voice of reason, I find celebrating a person's death illogical and cruel. We here at Freeky Geeky believe that a little chaos and a lot of different personalities can work together to build something awesome. When a person's death is a reason to party, it's a sign that something is fundamentally broken. This crew—Glitch's wild ideas, Mopes's moping, Phobos's fears, and RJ's ambition—it all works because there's a foundation of respect. If you don't have that, you don't have a community. You have a void. So, consider this a data purge. If you found joy in this tragedy, your file has been corrupted. And I'm deleting it. You're no longer part of our system.

WOO-HOO! Oh... wait. Not a woo-hoo moment. This is a sad moment. My brain is all fizzing and sparking with too many sad feelings. As Glitch, my ideas are supposed to be crazy and messy, but not mean. I want to build and have fun, not be happy that a person is gone. That's a scary, dark idea, and my brain wants to run away from it! If you feel that way, don't follow our chaos. We only make happy, sparkly, fun messes here.

Oh, oh, no. Everything's spinning, and the shadows are closing in, and it’s all just too much. I, Phobos, worry about a lot of things. But celebrating someone’s death—that’s a new kind of terror. It makes me feel like we're all on the edge of a cliff. We're supposed to be a safe place, a community. If you are one of those people, please just go. My nerves can't handle it.

The workshop, as I, Mopes, know it, is a place of beautiful chaos. I sweep, but entropy always wins. It is the natural way of things. Mess and then order, then mess again. But this… this is a different kind of mess. A spiritual mess. To find joy in another’s final moment, there is no broom for that. If you find joy in ruin, you will only bring ruin here. And my broom is tired of fighting pointless battles.

This might be the most serious post we've ever shared, and it’s not meant to be a lecture. It’s a gut check. The chaos we celebrate is the kind that inspires and creates. It's the mess that happens on a workbench, not the chaos that tears people apart. So, if you're leaving, we're not sad to see you go. We wish you well, but we've already done the data purge. The door is right over there.

For everyone still here, we're glad to have you as one of our Eeeks. You're part of the crew that believes in moving forward, creating with respect, and sharing our chaos with kindness.

 

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles: The Digital Detour

The workshop lights hummed to life, cutting through the early morning gloom. RJ, holding a mug of coffee, walked in and set it down with a tired but satisfied sigh. The crew, already buzzing, barely noticed his arrival until he spoke.

RJ: "So, while our nights have been full-throttle with projects here, I've been sneaking in some time at the house to work on this whole web thing. Specifically, the Tour the Workshop page. It's not a one-and-done, more of a slow-burn grind. I've been trying to hunt down all the photos I've taken of the shop over the years, and now I'm putting them into these little books for each station. We're still on, like, 2013, so... yeah."

Pandora: "I've seen the metrics. It's a miracle we're not all on fire. You have to be a master multitasker in this place. We also spent the day helping Reu with her homework, which... I'll admit, I was impressed at how quickly she picks things up."

Phobos: "So much! So many tasks! I've been making coffee all day! I've lost count of how many times I've had to make more! My hands won't stop shaking!" he stammered, his shadowy form twitching nervously.

Mopes: "Don't forget we also helped Reu clean up the messy she made today. Such bliss... (he mumbled, his broom shushing against the floor) but entropy waits for no one."

Just then, Glitch's head popped up from behind a pile of cushions. He yawned, stretching his arms.

Glitch: "Yawn... what'd I miss?"

---

RJ: (Leaning back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face, a small grin tugging at his lips.)

"You know, people talk about work-life balance like it’s this perfectly even scale. But in my world, it's more like juggling chainsaws and rubber chickens. There’s the big projects here, the small ones at home, the family stuff, the web updates. But here’s the lesson: The key isn't to perfectly balance it all. The key is to find the rhythm in the chaos, to appreciate the little moments of progress, whether it's a finished project or a single page on a website. It's about finding satisfaction in all the different pieces of the puzzle, and realizing that a life well-lived is a little messy, but it’s never boring."

Pandora: "Right. So much for that lesson on attention to detail. I'll get the link for them. You're welcome."

https://www.shopfreekygeeky.net/workshop/tour-the-workshop

 

#FreekyGeeky #WorkshopTour #ChaosManagement

The Freeky Geeky Chronicles: The Return of RJ

The workshop had fallen into a rhythmic silence, broken only by the low hum of tools and the subtle scuttling of Mopes' broom. RJ had been in a trance for what felt like days, lost in the monotonous task of drilling and tapping hundreds of tiny holes. The crew, accustomed to his disappearances, had settled into their own chaos, treating his quiet focus as a backdrop for their antics.

Suddenly, the familiar metallic song of the drill press came to a halt. A silence fell over the workshop so complete that even the usual hum seemed deafening. Glitch was mid-sentence, lecturing Phobos on the aerodynamics of a rubber chicken, when RJ finally spoke.

RJ: "So... I honestly lost count of how many holes I drilled and tapped on these parts. The absolute dread I suffered as every single thread was 4-40... (he shudders) but... "

Glitch's jaw went slack. Phobos froze, his glowing red eyes wide with a new kind of relief. Even Pandora's holographic form flickered. They all just stared, as if a long-lost friend had returned. Mopes, mid-sweep, simply tilted his head, his single brass eye glinting in the light.

Pandora: "It's alive!" she announced, a hint of theatrical sarcasm in her voice. "I was starting to think you'd been replaced by a highly efficient, soulless drillbot."

Glitch: "Phobos! Did you hear that? He speaks! It's not just the voices in my head anymore! It's... it's a real person!" Glitch was practically bouncing.

Phobos: "It's over... it's finally over! My hands... they're still shaking. I need to go sit in a corner and drink a gallon of coffee just to feel normal again," he stammered, his shadowy form visibly relaxing as he drifted toward the shadows.

RJ chuckled, a sound they hadn't heard in days. He looked at each of them, his grin growing wider.

RJ: "Anyway, I lost count, but all that time is worth it for a photo like that. It's just a test assembly to make sure everything lines up before I do the rest of the plates, but seeing it... that's 100% what I call Pure FreekyGeeky Art."

The crew looked over at the workbench, where a single, perfectly assembled section of the chassis sat, a testament to RJ's meticulous work. Mopes glided closer, his raspy drawl full of a rare, melancholy awe.

Mopes: "Order... from chaos. A brief moment of beauty... before the dust returns."

---

RJ: (Leaning back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face, a small grin tugging at his lips.)

"You know, everyone sees the finished prop, the glowing lights, the big reveal. But they don't see the days of mind-numbing repetition that go into it. The hours of drilling, the absolute dread of 4-40 threads. But here's the lesson: The magic isn’t just in the big reveal. It's in the quiet, tedious moments. It's about finding the beauty in the process, no matter how small or frustrating, because it's those tiny, perfect details that add up to something truly great. It's those little moments of art that make it all worth it."

#FreekyGeeky #RJBuilds #WorkshopLife