My son, Seth, and some of his friends have started a YouTube channel called Cityxen. Their channel is about retro computers like the Commodore 64 and retro gaming.
Here is what the description of their YouTube channel says:
Vintage Computing, Retro Gaming News and Commentary… We’re turning up the volume on retro… Regular Series – brought to you by Deadline, Xamfear, Exidor, Crash and xSurvivor7x Retrofit – Describing the latest new hardware for old machines Return – Programming tutorials Revision – Software announcements and reviews relevant to retro enthusiasts Reboot – Hardware repairs, modifications, and troubleshooting Random – is our series on… well random stuff Live Stream formats: Recap – News, Commentary, and maybe a guest or two, or hop on discord to talk with us Retro Garage Replay – Retro games and shenanigans for fun and profit Chill Chiptunes – We showcase our favorite artists and music on real machines.
Cricut Explore Used To Make A Stencil
Of course, because he is my son, I subscribed to his channel and have watched some of his videos. But to get ready for the 4th of July Celebration Video, Seth asked me to be involved in a couple of ways. First, he told me he had seen some videos about using gunpowder to burn designs on wood, using a stencil cut out with a Cricut machine. Since I just happen to have a Cricut, so it was easy enough for him to email me his Cityxen logo design. Then I cut out several different sizes of stencils for him, so he could practice before he used the larger one to actually make his sign. While I was at it, I also made an iron on if the stencil and made him a T-shirt.
Commodore 64 Programmed to Ignite Fireworks
The second way I was involved was that they all came out to my house to film a fireworks display. So, when he asked me if they could come and do this, I thought to myself, ok, it’s going to be a bunch of bottle rockets and firecrackers. I did not expect what really happened. They arrived with gear in tow: two tables, a Commodore 64 computer, some other computer equipment, three cameras on tripods, and tons of fireworks. As soon as they arrived, they set to work getting things ready for when darkness fell:
All of those fireworks were wired together in a very professional looking way. I don’t know how they figured out how to do it, but it didn’t take them long to get it set up. Then it was an hour or so of visiting, talking, laughing, and of course, setting off bottle rockets, because, they are still boys.
And The Fireworks Begin!
When it got dark enough for the fireworks display to begin, someone pressed the button on the joystick that was connected to the Commodore 64 computer. That started the program that sent the command to the igniter to start. And then? One of the best amature fireworks displays I have ever seen! All started by a retro computer. I was very impressed. You can see the fireworks in their YouTube video here:
Oh, yeah! Here is the sign my son made with the Cricut stencil I made using gunpowder to burn the wood:
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