In The Recording Studio With Dad (Grandpa Harry)
Dad and I finally got into a professional recording studio last week, at U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. I
Category: Fun
For A Fun, Educational Project, Build This Cardboard Pinball Machine
What can America do with its mountains of recycled cardboard? Make educational toys, that’s what! Last week, in Burlington, Vermont,
The Best Lap Swim Pools in the East Bay (Updated)
Looking to swim laps in the East Bay? We have some awesome pools here. Here’s my roundup so far, after trying
Mystery Bronze Fixture (With Ring)
In many years of going to the Alameda antiques market, I’ve stumbled across some unique and mysterious items, but nothing
Abbey Rents Folding Chairs
For years I’d been searching for a matched set of vintage wooden folding chairs. Recently, just as I was about
Hungry, Foolish, Hitchhiking.
“The frame of mind of the young hitchhiker is one of the freest frames of mind there is,” Stewart Brand
How to Build a Picture Rail Railway
Want a model railroad layout inside your house that takes up almost no space and is barely visible? Got a
Early Boston Telephone Book
Among all the random stuff I’ve collected over the years, this 1881 Boston phone book is one of the standouts.
Inside Berkeley’s Hidden History Vault
It’s no King Tut’s tomb, but the History Room at the Berkeley Public Library is worth a look. Due to
Cast Iron Georgia O’Keefe
Since moving to Berkeley, where I have more space, I’d been thinking I really needed a trophy wall of some
1950’s Workbench Stool
Bought this badass stool today… I’m assuming it’s Korean War era, since it’s marked “Selective Service System,” and looks to
Love Poster Auction
Saw these Love posters by Yves St. Laurent up for auction in a gallery in Hudson, NY, and thought they
Hanging Pot Rack (From Old Teller Window)
While looking around a local architectural salvage yard in search of something to use as a hanging pot rack, I ran
CEO Weekend Project: How to Hang Swings in Your Office
Let’s face it – you need a break from the firehose of decisions, meetings and stress that comes with being
My Brief Glimpse at (Maybe) the Last Big Private Wood Type Collection
In December 2011 I got an email that a designer here in SF was selling a large wood type collection,
Bank of Really Old Post Office Boxes
I bought this complete bank of fifty one 1880s nickel-plated post office lockboxes in the Sierras from a woman who’d owned
I Saw a Monster Last Weekend
Originally published on Collectorsweekly.com. Recently I read an interesting obit in the New York Times about a guy who spent
The Disappearing Art of Porcelain Signs
Originally published on Collectorsweekly.com. In this interview, Michael Bruner talks about collecting vintage 20th Century porcelain advertising signs. I liked
Cook Quality Office Chair
This amazing old swivel chair has the original cast iron hardware and is fully adjustable (seat, backrest and back post).
My Brief Wig-Wag Love Affair
In 2005 I bought and had a brief infatuation with a type of antique railroad signal called a ‘wig-wag’. With some
1905 Hamilton Manufacturing Co. Catalog
This spectacular 190-page catalog has to be seen to be believed (download the 32MB pdf). If you’re into printing, graphic
Best Standing Desk Ever
I got this six foot long standing desk in July 2005. Taking a break from a Microsoft conference in Minneapolis, I
Cell Towers in Church Steeples
This article was originally published in the New York Times in 2003, as part of a series I did for their ‘Circuits’
Tech For Swimmers
This article was originally published in the New York Times in 2002, as part of a series I did for their
The End of Punch Cards
This article was originally published in the New York Times in 2002, as part of a series I did for their
Night Vision for Consumers
This article was originally published in the New York Times in 2002, as part of a series I did for their
Microprocessors for Model Trains
This article was originally published in the New York Times in 2001, as part of a series I did for their
Videotext Redux
I wrote this article in 1989 for (I believe) the inaugural issue of PC Computing magazine, which started as a
Hitchhiking Segment on CBS Nightwatch
Shortly after my 1988 Washington City Paper piece on hitchhiking was published, I got a call from a producer for
Hitchhiking’s Dead End (repost from ’88)
I wrote this article in 1988 for the Washington City Paper. Shortly thereafter I was invited to appear on Charlie