Rietveld Chair Complete

The chair looks stunning! And my total cost was $120. Well under the $150 estimate:

• "How to Construct Rietveld Furniture" $30
• Wood cut to size $50
• Screws, nails, glue, sandpaper $10
• Paint and brushes $30

Email me for the plans.

I'll be starting work on the Reynolds Desk soon. I priced the desktop surface (actually a door) at only $20 from Home Depot. The other materials should be about $50. First I need to get the door home (which is not going to be easy with the Mini), then measure it for the legs. The biggest design challenge will be making it very solid yet light. To do this I'll make the door a stressed member.

The Consumerist

Consumer Reports is your best source for product info, and Froogle will help you find the best price. But what do you do after you get screwed by Fry's?

Tell it to these guys. They'll write it up, everyone will share your rage, and your anger will dissolve.

Oh, and Joel Johnson(X-Gizmodo) is writing for them!

My Favorite MTB Tire

FedEx just delivered my new Kenda Klimax Lite mountain bike tires, so I can ride again! These tires are only 345 grams and measure in at 26/195 (actually 26/175). I pump them up to 80 psi for riding on the easy hard-packed clay surfaces on the Marin Headland trails. I bought two of them because the sidewalls are thin and rip easily on sharp rocks.

That's what happened to me on Friday riding down the Miwok Trail to Tennessee Valley Road. I patched the tube and stuck a folded $1 bill inside the tire to stop the tube from bulging out. It worked, so I took a shortcut home through Sausalito in case I had more trouble.


Click on MTB Review for more opinions on these tires.

Moving at the Speed of Light Rail

My doctor's office is across the street from SBC Park, home of the Giants. To get there I walk up the street from our flat and catch the N-Judah. Twenty minutes later I'm in the waiting room.

As the streetcar traveled along The Embarcadero I took this Treo movie.

I worked in this area 15 years ago. Back then King Street (next to CalTrains) was paved with bricks. There was an RV Park and a bunch of warehouses. Now all I recognize is the Lefty O'Doul draw bridge and the donut shop at 3rd and King.

But I like all the new development because it's in-fill rather than sprawl. Rincon Hill has many new condominium tower blocks, and more to come. All the buildings are substantial, and this new neighborhood has character.

Laptop PCMCIA Storage Space

No sooner did I learn to say P-C-M-C-I-A, then everyone agreed to call it a PC card. Anyway, StashCard came up with this great idea to turn your empty PC card slot into a wee storage tray.

Thank you Engadget.

Dim Sum at Ton Kiang

Lani says Ton Kiang on Geary Blvd. is the best place in SF for Dim Sum, and others agree. We had a great time.





That's Pauline showing off her new hairstyle. Cute!







Click on the Quicktime movie for a quick spin around the table on the Lazy Susan. (This is my first effort at adding music to video, so the music comes in late and loud. I'm learning...)

Rietveld Chair Almost Finished

The R&B chair is nearing completion, so I'm starting to think of my next furniture project.

At the top of my list of needs is a wider desk to better organize my expanding list of gadgets and computer accessories.

For the top surface of the desk I'll use a door because it's the perfect size, weight, strength and cost. The legs will borrow features from the chair. I'll use plywood to resist shearing forces. My goal will be to keep the desk light, portable, solid, cheap and easy to build. It will be called the Reynolds desk, and plans will be available. Stay tuned.

Craigslist

Craigslist is a region specific online community. Their world HQ is near our house.

We've watched the list expand over the years to include more US cities and Europe/Asia. It's good to know this resource is available where ever we go.

We've been using Craigslist for years to sell or giveaway items we no longer use. My partner looks at San Francisco real-estate, and I look for Mini parts (No, not 'Lost and Found'. It is made in Britain, but parts aren't falling off yet).

On craigslist we can restrict our search to just our neighborhood. Try that on eBay! This is great if you need an armchair and don't have a truck to move it.

So it was with great interest that we went to see 24 Hours On Craigslist at the Red Vic on Haight Street. The producers interview Bay Area people who replied to a List posting asking for participants.
Now, CL is not squeaky clean. There are forums for fetishes and personal services. Some people are selling futons, while others are looking to meet that special someone with that special physical attribute. One woman had six baby carriages for sale because she'd kept trying to buy the perfect one. An unemployed middle-aged man living with his mother posted an ad for a 275lb girlfriend. This documentary begs you to judge these people. We found them likable!

Palm Powered Up Awards

Palm Source (aka Access) is accepting nominations for the Powered Up Awards.
I've nominated my favourite free applications:

• Area Code by Intrepidsoftware
• ArseLexis iPedia
• TCPMP The Core Pocket Media Player
• KMaps by AleAlea.com
• AutoOff by Juergen Schwister
• KBlightsOff from www.lilapps.com
• LEDOff by treoware

Vote here

Timberland Sale

Timberland sells good quality practical clothing, and they kindly sent me this 40% off savings offer that I'd like to share with you. Sale is this weekend.