Fellow cool people, here is what Fitness For Cool People was up to in October!
Lightsuit update
A post was going to be made about lightsuit production, but we decided to hold off until we’re completely solid on our light suits. After doing the deep dive into lighting and options, Reese has decided to abandon the use of EL wire outside of rigid props, due to the delicate and easily-breakable nature of EL Wire, combined with the hazard that a fully broken wire may cause an inverter to overheat in a dangerous way.
So what replaces EL Wire? Side-Glow Fiber Optics! While some FO is made from glass (like what Corning offers) there are potential health risks and hazards associated with microscopic shards of glass entering cells that keeps them off the list. Fortunately, it can also be made from plastic, using the same properties of glass FO but with a higher degree of overall safety. However FO is not self-illuminating, and requires a light source, which is also being researched right now. Side glow FO requires even more light, as abrasions that allow light to leak out across the length reduce potential light transmission from the light source to end, so a substantially bright light is required.
We have ordered three Critter RGB lights from the recent Kickstarter by Ants on a Melon, along with one of each accessory (except for the light painting equipment), and a few custom threaded attachment pieces so we can make good connectors with custom pieces we use. As amazing as full color RGB with motion and audio detection is, it unfortunately won’t be available until June, and FFCP needs to be ready far sooner than that. With that, Reese has been looking to order side glow FO as well as figuring out a combined light source and power system for team attire, and will likely recruiting the aid of an electrical engineer to put it all together.
Aside from that, we’re looking at base clothing options. One hooded onesie pajama outfit, one twill coverall (and we’re in contact with the vendor to get a better fit), and a hoodie and black pants, are the current pieces we’re using. This will likely expand over time, both as we find better fitting attire, as well as when we start making alternative suits to add variation.
Academics Update
Eli has been working hard preparing for the GRE, scheduled for December 2nd, which will be early enough to apply for concurrent enrollment in UCLA’s Masters in Public Health and Master’s Public Policy for the 2020-2021 school year. He has been in contact with the admissions department in both programs and has scheduled to attend admissions workshops, the Public Policy Diversity Fair late November, as well as the opportunity to sit in on some of the core academic classes and meet with some of the professors to learn more about the program and find professors with similar research interests to what Eli is looking for.
And a bonus, we have a video taken by Jeskid Productions at TwitchCon 2019! Check his content out at https://www.twitch.tv/jeskid