http://www.thingsilike.org Good stuff is hard to find. Fri, 10 Nov 2006 03:06:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en For the first time in a long time, we've got a Democratic Congress, both House and Senate. This makes me very happy, and hopeful that things will change for the better. http://www.thingsilike.org/2006/11/09/a-democratic-congress/ There's an old saying: If it doesn't move and it should, hit it with WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't, get the duct tape. Leaving aside the fact that WD-40 isn't really a lubricant (I like Boeshield T-9, food-grade silicone spray and Phil Wood Tenacious Oil for those), the ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2006/05/06/permacel-gaffers-tape/ There's nothing like the right tool for the job. I've carried a pocketknife of one kind or another (Spyderco Delica FRN for a number of years, more recently a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian) for probably 15 years, and they always come in handy. But some things require scissors. And ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2006/03/07/emt-shears/ Sharpie markers are pretty universally popular. So much so that they have a veritable rainbow of colors now as well as mini-Sharpies that you can wear around your neck. I like 'em. I particularly like the Sharpie Industrial Super Permanent (sooooooooper permanent!) versions. They come only in black, ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2006/03/06/sharpie-super-permanent-markers/ Flathead screws are a pain because it's easy for the screwdriver tip to slip out of the slot. They're really unsuited for power driving. Phillips head screws are a pain because the screwdriver tip will cam out under high torque use. I've read that phillips screws were actually ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2006/03/06/square-drive-screws/ We all have to tie things down now and then. To the roof of a car, to the back of a bike rack, to a trailer. Rope works fine, but I really like using nylon webbing with those ladder lock buckles. You can get the webbing in various widths, ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2006/03/05/nylon-straps/ Muletape is a flat, woven polyester tape that is commonly used in outside plant (buried cable, etc) work as a pull string to help install cable in duct. It's light, super strong, has a low rate of stretch, is highly resistant to moisture and rot (even if left in ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2005/05/03/neptco-muletape/ Rademaker's Hopjes coffee candies are tasty and delicious. They almost have a Werther's style creamy consistency while tasting like coffee. I first learned about them a few years ago from a Dutch friend of mine who'd brought some to the US from Holland. I've since discovered that ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2005/04/28/hopjes-coffee-candies/ If you go camping, touring, or otherwise spend a lot of time outdoors away from civilization, you need a decent fixed-blade knife. It needs to be something that will stay sharp, hold up to some abuse, and not be stupidly Rambo-huge and ungainly. You'll be cooking with it ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2005/04/28/frost-mora-knives/ Moleskine notebooks are slightly pretentious, because there's this whole backstory to them about how they've been the legendary notebooks of legions of deep thinkers, provocative writers and sublime artists for over 200 years. By association, then, if you use Moleskine notebooks, perhaps you, too, are a member of the ... http://www.thingsilike.org/2005/04/26/moleskine-notebooks/