Nial Ferguson, The Ascent of Money: look at the chapter on insurance. Do an event driven simulation.

Do an event driven simulation of a pair of two lane roads at a set of traffic lights. Do two intersections separated by 100yrds. See if synchronising the lights helps.

Give "." the date of the latest file in the directory, to allow a backup to not to have to search any deeper.

There are $5 3-axis USB accelerometers which can be used to test for movement. Get these to work and make a webpage using rrdtool to monitor the movement of something (eg fridge door).