Doing Things

Hey there,

just to let anyone who might be interested know, I've got another blog going over at http://www.icollecthobbies.blogger.com/.

I've also got more articles coming up for the Examiner and a here at Bay Area Dad. 

Thanks!

The Jimi Wallet

One piece of essential dad gear is a decent wallet. Being somewhat of a minimalist about certain things, the Jimi Wallet designed by Mike O'Neil right here in San Francisco has been my constant companion for about four years now. It is very compact so if you tend to stuff your wallet with cards, cash, receipts and other things it may not be for you. If the idea of simplifying your life by carrying just a few bills, an ID, debit/credit card and maybe an insurance card sounds good, you are in luck!

It makes for a great front pocket wallet. Something your Dr might like as wallets in rear pockets, especially large wallets, can actually lead to back problems. Not to mention just being an uncomfortable lump in you pocket. One other possible advantage if you ever absentmindedly throw your wallet into a diaper bag or messenger is that the shape and feel of the Jimi is distinctive enough to find by feeling around inside your bag. Comes in handy whether your hands are holding a coffee cup or busy wrangling a little one.

They will also handily survive spills, downpours and anything else your day might throw at them. You can even feel good about wearing one out as they are 100% recyclable. While they do not take kindly to being over stuffed the wallet is surprisingly durable. They are sadly not toddler proof. Two in two years have been taken out of commission by my curious toddler. Just keep in mind that like many things as long as you take relatively good care of them they will last a very long time. Far longer than leather or vinyl wallets costing even double. If you are the sort that likes conversations with random strangers, shopkeepers and waitstaff, they also garner a lot of comments and tend to be an excellent conversation starter. At an affordable $14.95 you can't go wrong.

Having had both the Clear and the Stealth I can say being able to see through the case has distinct advantages. The stealth looks a little more grown up with workaday clothing but if the Jimi is to your liking you're probably not much of a herd animal anyway.

Visit the Jimi website
http://www.thejimi.com/

See an ancient blog post I wrote on the Jimi for PSFK
http://www.thejimi.com/images/PSFK-Culture-Blog.gif

Disapearing Family Heirlooms

In an age of mass produced plastic toys, clothing, jewelry and just about everything else, family heirlooms are disappearing. As fewer things are made to last fewer and fewer things are surviving or being kept to pass along to the next generation. To some that seems less like progress and more like a tragic loss of our traditions and family and cultural heritage. For those that value them there are still quality items on the market that families are sure to hang on to. The focus if this article is heirloom quality baby items.


Tiffany's offers a number of sterling silver items for babies like spoons, rattles and cups. A nice touch is having the gift monogrammed. Having a child's initials or name put on a silver rattle is a great way to permanently associate the object with the person. You might also try Hermes or even shop online for companies like Empire and Lunt. Something like a sterling silver rattle can cost anywhere from around $50 up to several hundred and buying one with from a known company with some history can both add value and encourage future generations to keep them in the family. The idea is to spend a little more and get something that the child will be inclined to give to their children some day or possibly continue the tradition by getting the child one of their own. Even things like baby bracelets and tiny rings can be both affordable and worth keeping.

One family, interviewed for this article, has a tradition of getting each new member of the family a monogrammed gold ring when they are born. The rings are seldom actually worn by the child (for obvious reasons) and may even only be placed on the fingers for a few photos or special occasions but they are kept by the parents until the child turns sixteen when they are given back strung on a necklace. It's a fun thing for the family and neat to see in photos or at gatherings when many(especially the women) are wearing their necklaces. One described it this way, "It makes us feel closer. We have a tradition, a shared history we can see." Even the men have them though they seem less prone to wear the rings on necklaces one gave his as a wedding gift to his wife and another gave his to his wife when they were expecting their first child. One woman said she wore her daughter's baby ring on a chain for most of the sixteen years before the girl's sixteenth birthday. She did so again when her daughter went to college and asked her to wear it while she was away from home.

Unlike an adult signet ring, a baby ring can be very affordable. Some can be had for under $30 while others might go for upwards of $100 or more. You can find them virtually anywhere in jewelry and vintage shops or online at places like www.Jewelbasket.com. Though this might be another item to consider splurging on a known company that has been around for a while.

To some this sort of thing might seem a little stuffy but it can also help symbolically tie generations together and start a child off "right" with something that is not disposable. If our current throw away culture doesn't sit well with you, teaching children to buy less and buy things that will last is a great way to be the change you'd like to see.

There are endless options for gifts, traditions and heirloom quality items to give to your loved ones. The key is to think ahead and spend wisely. Things like grandfathers watch, your great aunt's ring or even the quilt your great grandmother made that now covers your sleeping child have real value beyond any dollar amount. We might as well get attached to things that have some character and a chance of being around later when we get nostalgic.

Photo JT Barnhart 2009

Just For Dad: Must See Robot Movies

On those rare nights without the family you might grab a few movies, a pizza and improve your manly cultural literacy. What genre is more manly than robot movies? They don't necessarily have to be full on about the bots. There are a number of films that feature a great supporting cast of mechanical friends and foes. Here are some suggestions that might do the trick. You've surely seen some but even those might warrant another viewing.

Metropolis. The grandaddy of modern sci-fi films featuring robots as a main element. Even as a silent film it hits home as an icon of past greatness. Might be best for when your in a quirky mood or as a way to kick off that robot movie night you and the gents have been planning.

West World. This has to be one of the best robot films of all time. Yul Brynner as a six gun toting bad guy gunslinger bot? Yeah, beat that one. A must see if you haven't yet.

Silent Running. An under appreciated all time favorite. Surprisingly relevant with it's ecological theme... and cool robots.

Saturn 3. Probably not the best acting we'll ever see but probably one of the best murdering robot rampages.

Virus. This one is a bit unusual and probably billed as a B movie but within the robot world it' s red carpet all the way. As cool as Water World wasn't. Not as big budget and explosive as Transformers but much more creepy.

Terminator. Kind of obvious but the first one was awesome.

Star Wars gets a mention for the entire series but it's even more obvious and a little pedestrian... maybe save it for a Star Wars film fest if you're into them.

The Alien series on the other hand feature some of the craftiest robots ever. Way more manly and far more cool... but they prefer the term "synthetic human".

Iron Man. Certainly more current but I'll take Tony Stark's workshop bots over R2 and day.

I, Robot. Another obvious one but worth mentioning just in case you missed it. Probably worth a lot of the hype it got.

That should keep you entertained for at least a few evenings and you'll get a great overview of movie robots through time. There are admittedly a number of good ones absent from the list. Feel free to comment a nominate your favorites as well as suggest additions too great to leave out.

Bay Area Outings: South Park Green

Located in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood sits an unlikely hidden gem of a park. South Park has a sandy play area with swings, things to climb on and a fenced in area for little ones, all in a tree lined historic park. If you have been there in the past there is one recent major change. The large multi-colored climbing structure is no longer there. (Probably a good thing as it was very worn fiberglass.)

Located between 2nd and 3rd streets just south of Bryant, South Park is a welcome quiet spot in the busy city and an oasis of green in SOMA. It's easy to forget you are in the midst of one of the more commercial neighborhoods in San Francisco.

There are several good cafes and full restaurants in the ring of businesses around the park as well as the surprisingly kid friendly 21st Amendment right over on 2nd street. It's a perfect place for dad to feel at home and still get the kids something decent to eat after romping in the park. (Don't miss the weekend only breakfast pizza.)

Hint for dad: Za Za nail salon is just up on 2nd St. As well. A perfect place to give the lady in your life a mani-pedi break while you take the kids to the park. She can also shop at small stores nearby and join you for brunch, lunch or dinner.

The Good Stuff:

It's a really well done small park that is rarely overrun with bigger kids.

There is some shopping nearby.

There is a wide array of good food nearby.

The Bad Stuff:

Sometimes there are a few vagrants in the park but SFPD tends to keep them out.

Butler And Chef located right in the circle has great food but is not the most kid friendly. They actually have a "no stroller policy".

It's in an odd spot if you aren't already in SOMA for another reason.


South Park Wiki

Kitchen Skills: One Minute Eggs!

Every parent needs kitchen skills. Often stay at home parents need them even more. Here's a great way to make eggs in a hurry.

You'll need a microwave, an egg and a microwave safe mug or bowl. A typical coffee mug works well. It also helps to have a small amount of butter, oil or cooking spray to help prevent the egg from sticking but it's not essential.

While you only need an egg, you might want to add cheese and something green and leafy. Eggs area great vehicle for getting little ones to eat things like spinach, swiss chard or dandelion greens.

First: Use your oil, butter or cooking spray to very lightly coat the inside of the mug.

Next: Crack your egg into the mug and add any cheese, greens, tomatoes or other stuff you might want.

Then: This is very important, mix the egg well. You can beat it with a fork or simply mix it up thoroughly with a spoon, chopstick or whatever is handy. If you don't your egg will likely explode and spatter itself all over your microwave!

Finally: Place the mug in the microwave and set it for a minute. You may need to adjust for your particular microwave. If the egg comes out soupy try putting it back in for another 15 seconds and if it comes out looking like a kitchen sponge try subtracting 15. Adding ingredients usually requires more cooking time. An extra egg or a particularly large one will almost certainly take longer.

As with all microwave foods, there may be hot spots in the eggs. Make sure you chop them up before giving them to your child and give them a moment to cool to a safe temperature.

You can also read this article over at Examiner.com!

http://www.examiner.com/x-20294-SF-StayatHome-Dads-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Kitchen-skills-One-minute-eggs

Just For Dad: Wet VS Dry Shaving

There is a growing trend in mens shaving that puts some tried and true traditions up against more "modern" methods. Personally I think it's all semantics being thrown about by one crowd seeking a deeper authenticity in their lives and another crowd trying to make a buck off of them.

So called, wet shaving, is just your typical shave wisely commenced after a hot shower or maybe the application of hot towels to the face to soften the beard. It then involves lathering up and shaving with regular rinsing of the razor. ...yeah, sounds familiar to me too.

Dry shaving on the other hand is either simply using an electric razor or an often oddly described event where copious amounts of shaving cream are applied to the face and then shaved off... not shure how without rinsing the razor but that seems to be the suggestion.

So, we are left with the question, "What's the difference," and or big deal? The difference is really in the type of razor. The most common razors used for wet shaving are the old style Gillettes that our dads and grand dads used to use. Like the one in the photo, they most often use a double edged razor blade that is dropped into the head. Younger folks will likely know these from paint scrapers, suicide scenes in movies or possibly in association with chopping up cocaine.

My familiarity with them comes from a life of using them. My grandfather taught me to shave with the Gillete he'd carried in his toilet kit during WW2, a razor I still sometimes use. Tried the plastic disposables and I have to say that while you get fewer nics and avoid the occasional cut the shave just isn't the same. Any time I have strayed from "wet shaving" I find myself invariably coming back.

The razors are easily had for reasonable prices at antique stores and flea markets and eBay most always has a wide variety on offer. Other than the Gillette 195, a suddenly highly saught after adjustable model, you can get them for as little as a few dollars with mint condition models still obtainable under twenty bucks. The 195 can run you as much as a ridiculous thousand dollars or more these days. Yeah, someone always has to come along and rape your world for the sake of a well heeled collector every once in a while. Annoying at best.

They are also available from a handful of manufacturers such as Merkur and R. A. Rooney. The best source I have seen is www.classicshaving.com. Though the prices are pretty high compared to just taking a trip to your local antique mall where, as mentioned above, they can be had for as little as a few dollars.

Either way, I highly recommend gents giving it a shot. Emphasis on "gents". These razors have a nasty habit of taking chunks out of the lovely legs of our lady friends in a hurry who grab the nearest razor. Not a good idea. While ladies historically used the same style safety razors as the fellows, the contours of female shin bones and knees have greatly benefitted from developments in shaving technology.

Slow down, be "manly", enjoy a quality shave and feel just that much closer to being Steve McQueen.

You can learn more about the wet shaving "cult" at http://badgerandblade.com/vb/index.php They have an active group of wet shaving enthusiasts with a nice BBS and "blog style" articles.

Note: The razor pictured is a Pomco "Twisted Head" made in Germany for Pomco of Chicago Illinois. Not sure on a date. A close second next to my Gillette Aristocrat.