It's warm down under

Make: Woolrich Home
Model: Luxury White Goose Down Comforter
Size: Full/Queen
Color: White
Part: 062 20 1023
MSRP: $79.00
Paid: $79.00
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: It started getting cold enough that my top sheet was no longer doing the job of keeping me warm. I picked this up at Target, and it's surprisingly high quality for what I paid. The other down comforters I had looked at were three times as much. I figure if it's going to be wrapped in a duvet cover, the higher thread counts are superfluous.

A crappy job

Make: Michael Graves Design
Model: Toilet Brush and Holder
Size: n/a
Color: White
Part: 002 09 1601
MSRP: $5.99
Paid: $5.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need

Don't strain yourself

Make: Oxo Good Grips
Model: Softworks Colander
Size: 3 quart
Color: White
Part: 81551
MSRP: $10.95
Paid: $8.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need
Buy your own?

Comment: Oxo is the company who introduced good design to the kitchen on a large scale. Their influence has forever changed the kitchen accessory industry for the better. Although their stuff is more expensive, you pay for nuances that making cooking and cleaning up more enjoyable.

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Make: Clorox
Model: Handle Scrub Brush
Size: 7”
Color: White
Part: n/a
MSRP: $2.99
Paid: $2.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need

Bland be gone

Make: Chef’n
Model: Vibe Magnetic Salt & Pepperball
Size: Mini
Color: Clear
Part: V-MMST-212-TR
MSRP: $14.99
Paid: $12.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need
Buy your own?

Comment: I wanted a set of grinders to keep my spices as fresh as possible before using them. I saw these and loved the convenience of being able to hang them on the hood or the fridge with their magnetic backs. I have no counter space and very little storage room in my kitchen, so anything that can hang is beneficial. The one-handed operation is also a great feature. They seem well designed and considered, but I can see the potential for them to wear out rather quickly, but only time will tell.

What's the dish?

Make: Home
Model: American Simplicity Stoneware Bowls
Size: 6”
Color: Green
Part: 200 01 3864
MSRP: $5.99
Paid: $5.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need
_________________________

Make: Home
Model: American Simplicity Stoneware Dinner Plates
Size: 11.5”
Color: Brown
Part: 200 01 3649
MSRP: $15.39
Paid: $15.39
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: There is something about stoneware that I love: the feel of it, the weight of it and the look of it. I wouldn't rather eat off anything else.

Stick a fork in it

Make: Home
Model: Geneva Flatware Set
Size: 20 Piece
Color: Silver
Part: 200 07 0363
MSRP: $19.39
Paid: $19.39
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need

Dinner time

Make: Calphalon
Model: Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Cookware
Size: 10 Piece
Color: Gray
Part: SH10
MSRP: $199.99
Paid: $159.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/28/2007
n/w?: Need

I need some space

Make: Western Digital
Model: MyBook Pro Edition II
Size: 1TB
Color: Silver
Part: WD10000C033-001
MSRP: $449.00
Paid: $0.00 (Gift from Dad)
Made in: Thailand

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Date purchased: 10/19/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: One of the more important things that I lost on Zero Day, can't be bought back. I lost a desktop computer, my work laptop, two back up hard drives and my back up dvds containing years of photos, music and files that I will never see again. This is the new home for my future digital life. Its square footage has been drastically increased and I will do my best to fill it up. But right now it's sitting here nearly empty...like my apartment.

Swrving through traffic

Make: Swrve
Model: Dynamic Knickers
Size: 32
Color: Stone
Part: RN58665
MSRP: $90.00
Paid: $45.00
Made in: USA

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Date purchased: 10/17/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: This is another piece in the process of weather proofing my rides. I took part in a group buy and Swrve gave us a 50% discount! These knickers are amazing, very well made in the USA and super comfortable.

Don't knog it

Make: Knog
Model: Frog
Size: Micro
Color: White
Part: KLM07-01
Serial: n/a
MSRP: $14.99
Paid: $13.49
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/17/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: The greatest little bike light you can buy. It's made of silicon and it's large looped legs stretch and wrap around almost anything (handlebars, seatpost, helmet), before hooking to itself. The first time I saw these was at Interbike last year in Vegas. Knog is an Australian company who also makes a nice collection of bike luggage.

Nice rack

Make: Bontrager
Model: Back Rack II
Size: 20”+
Color: Black
Part: 401926
MSRP: $34.99
Paid: $31.49
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/17/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: Ready for hauling groceries and whatever else I can strap on the back.

Say it, don't spray it

Make: Ultra Eurojet
Model: Double Swivel Adjustable Sprayhead
Size: n/a
Color: Chrome
Part: n/a
MSRP: $12.99
Paid: $12.99
Made in: Taiwan

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Date purchased: 10/15/2007
n/w?: Want

Comment: The package said "As seen on TV" but I've never seen this particular infomercial. I am glad I came across this at Bed Bath and Beyond because it increased the power of my unfathomably weak water pressure and allows me to spray every inch of my sink. This all minimizes the amount of water I'd need to use other wise for washing my dishes and cleaning out the sink. It has a really quality feel and swivels smoothly in all directions. It comes with a lifetime guarantee as well as enough adapters to fit any type of faucet.

Free from Thomasville

Make: Thomasville Furniture Company, Inc.
Model: Desk
Size: n/a
Color: Brown
Part: n/a
MSRP: n/a
Paid: Free
Made in: 1967

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Date purchased: 10/14/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: This had been sitting upside down with a pile of junk in the basement of my building since I moved in. I finally decided to give it a look over, and it was in great condition. I almost killed myself hauling it up to my apartment, but it's just what I needed in a desk.

No shreddin' on this fender

Make: Planet Bike
Model: Freddy Fenders
Size: Road
Color: Black
Part: 7008
MSRP: $29.99
Paid: $24.99
Made in: Taiwan

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Date purchased: 10/14/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: Now I have no excuse for not riding to work in the rain. Planet Bike is hit or miss with their products, but these fenders are great. And 20% of each product is donated to bicycle advocacy, that's always a plus.

High five

Title: Pentagram Book Five
Author: Pentagram and Randall Rothenberg
Designer: Pentagram
Publisher: Monacelli Press
Date Published: 1999
Printed: Singapore
ISBN: 1-58093-003-4
List: $75.00
Paid: $5.00

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Date 10/14/2007
n/w?: Want

Comment: I was looking for furniture in a thrift shop that benefits a local hospital, when I found this sitting on a coffee table. Five bucks! As far as I know, you can't even buy this book anymore. It's in great condition. The woman who was ringing me up said, "this looks like an interesting book." I felt like I was stealing from them.

On the blackboard

Make: Epicurean
Model: KS Cutting Surface
Size: 18”x13”
Color: Black
Part: 11813S
MSRP: $29.99
Paid: $29.99
Made in: USA

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Date purchased: 10/14/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: I don't have any counter space in my kitchen, so I wanted to get a large enough board to lay over the sink and give me room to prepare my food. I had originally intended to get a bamboo board for their durability and their sustainable source, but I came across the Epicurean cutting surface and my mind was changed. These cutting boards are made in the USA from compressed sheets of recycled paper that are soaked in an ethanol based resin. These cutting surfaces are friendlier on knife blades, heat resistant and maintenance free. What I find most remarkable about this product is the story of how it was founded. A company called TrueRide, who builds municipal skate parks, was trying to find a way to reduce and reuse the excess material being wasted from building their skate parks. It turns out that the the same thing thats makes a good half pipe, makes a great cutting board.

Never fear, cashmere is here

Make: Sojrn
Model: Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Size: Medium
Color: Gray
Part: n/a
MSRP: n/a
Paid: $0.00 (Gift of Read Worth)
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/11/2007
n/w?: Want

_________________________

Make: Sojrn
Model: Cashmere V-neck Sweater
Size: Medium
Color: White
Part: n/a
MSRP: n/a
Paid: n/a (Gift of Read Worth)
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/11/2007
n/w?: Want

Comment: While I was still living in SF, I did some work for Read Worth and Sojrn on a new line of Eco sweaters, called Ecomere, that would be made of a cashmere/bamboo blend. Over farming of cashmere goats in Mongolia is destroying vegetation and creating giant dust storms that are damaging the ecosystem and spreading as far as California. As thanks for the work, Read hooked me up with a couple of their 100% cashmere sweater (since the new line isn't finished yet). However, only one of them survived Zero Day. It was the nicest sweater I had ever owned, so I was grateful of having just that one. After being in Chicago for about two months, It had started getting chilly and the sweater was the perfect layer for cycling in the fall. It was lightweight, breathable, and warm. I made the mistake of throwing it in my bag one day though, with a brand new bottle of chain lube. The seal on the bottle broke and my sweater became saturated in grease, that dries into wax. Man did I feel like an idiot. At that time, it was my only long sleeve article of clothing and I ruined it. I dropped it off at the dry cleaner, but with very little hope that they would be able to save it. In the mean time, I contacted Read to tell him what had happened to both sweaters and asked if I could buy a new one from him (Sojrn doesn't have a distribution outlet that I could find). Read asked for my address and told me not to worry about it. When I went to the dry cleaners, I was shocked to see that my sweater looked brand new, and it only cost $3.20. I felt bad now for contacting Read, even though my intentions were to buy a sweater, but today I got a package in the mail with two new sweaters. I'm very thankful for the warmth these will bring me this winter. Cheers Mr. Worth.

*Unbelievable II* Resolved

I picked up my new iPod tonight. Brand new, but without any of my music on it.

Now the real journey of reacquisition begins.

I feel so (re)used

Make: Safeway
Model: Reusable Containers
Size: 32 ounce
Color: White/Red
Part: RD 05.24.02
MSRP: $2.99
Paid: $2.99
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/11/2007
n/w?: Need

A treasure island of books

Title: A Smile in the Mind
Author: Beryl McAlhone & David Stuart
Design: The Partners
Publisher: Phaidon Limited Press
Date Published: 1996
Printed: Hong Kong
ISBN:0-7184-3328-2
List: $69.95
Paid: $30.00

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Date 10/08/2007
n/w?: Want
Buy your own?
_________________________

Title: Atlas Shrugged
Author: Ayn Rand
Publisher: Signet
Date Published: 1957
Printed: USA
ISBN:0-451-19114-5
List: $8.99
Paid: $4.50

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Date 10/08/2007
n/w?: Want
Buy your own?

Comments: I found this amazing used book store about a block from my apartment called Powell's. They had a lot of the books that were stolen from me, as well as some I always wanted, but refused to buy paperback third editions. It's hard to pass up great prices on hardbound design books. I had to leave, and tell myself, "only one book per week."

That is bangin'

Make: Workforce
Model: Hickory Claw Hammer
Size: 16 ounce
Color: n/a
Part: 676-954
MSRP: $4.98
Paid: $4.98
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/07/2007
n/w?: Need

Screw you

Make: Stanley
Model: Screwdriver Set
Size: n/a
Color: Black
Part: 60-020
MSRP: $1.96
Paid: $1.96
Made in: USA

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Date purchased: 10/07/2007
n/w?: Need

Off the wall

Make: Everbilt
Model: Flip-up Storage Hanger
Size: n/a
Color: Black
Part: 01195
MSRP: $4.96
Paid: $4.96
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/07/2007
n/w?: Want

Comment: As much as I wanted this to work out, my walls are a poor mixture of plaster, drywall and concrete, with no clear way to tell where one ends and the other begins. After multiple failed attempts to find a stud (insert joke about yours truly here), as well as using various types of wall anchors with no success, I now have a useless rack for my bike and six holes in my wall.

Nau I'm ready for winter

Make: Nau
Model: Cleanline Hooded Jacket
Size: Small
Color: Carbon
Part: 307M307
MSRP: $278.00
Paid: $250.20
Made in: China

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Date purchased: 10/07/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: This shell fits perfect, is cut longer in the back for cycling and is made from 100% recycled polyester. For half the price of my old Northface, the quality is on par and it comes from a better source. Nau for the win.

*Unbelievable II* Update III

Apple Care has me covered and I'm getting a brand new iPod for free.

However, It's not a classic and I can't upgrade. They also didn't have any white 60gb iPods left in the store, so I have to wait a week for them to order it. As soon as it's in, I can just drop by and pick it up. Apple Care saves the day.

But it won't save me from another week of riding the train without any form of escapism.

(I should be riding my bike, but it's been cold and raining and I don't have the right gear yet)

Jacket package

Make: H&M
Model: Divided Jacket
Size: Medium
Color: Black
Part: 712110
MSRP: $34.90
Paid: $0.00 (Gift from Jon Tobin)
Made in: China

Date purchased: 10/04/2007
n/w?: Need

Comment: A group of amazing friends back in Virginia decided to send me a care package of encouraging letters, memories and whatever else they could think to stuff in the box to help replace some of the things that were lost. This jacket will be put to good use during cool fall nights. Thank you soo much to everyone who contributed.

My 425

Make: American Apparel
Model: T-shirt
Size: Medium
Color: White
Part: n/a
MSRP: $425.00
Paid: $0.00 (Gift from John Bielenberg)
Made in: USA

Date purchased: 10/04/2007
n/w?: Want

Comment: These shirts are being sold as a part of this year's Project M campaign, which is raising money to install water meters in the homes of families in Hale County, Alabama. In Hale County, twenty-five percent of the population isn't hooked up to municipal water, which means that they must rely on wells which can be contaminated by faulty septic systems. It costs $425 to purchase and install a water meter in each home. When you buy a shirt, you are providing a household in Alabama with clean water.

*Unbelievable II* Update II

Great news today.

I remembered that I had Apple Care on my iPod. I wasn't sure if it was still covered, but I looked up the s/n on the Apple website and it's still covered for one more month. What a blessing (if iPods fall into that category).

I know it will be a blessing for others, because if I have to ride the train much longer without headphones, I am going to lose my mind. People have no concern for others in such an intimate public space. Gum popping, cell phones and today I stood next to a couple that was breaking up. Seriously, on the way to work? I got to hear all of their grievances about each other. He was trying to save things, but after listening to her complain for twenty minutes, I am sure he will be much better off if he moves on.

Anyway, I scheduled an appointment on Saturday to go see what the Apple genius can do for me.

*Unbelievable II* Update

I stopped by the Apple store last night (and Macy's to grab some black 514s), but decided not to spend money on a shuffle. I will just wait a week and get an iPod classic. In the mean time, I will rally some friends who may be willing to share some of the music I lost.

Put it on my (red) tab

Make: Levi
Model: Slim Straight 514
Size: 32/32
Color: 4169
Part: WPL 423
MSRP: $54.00
Paid: $34.99
Made in: Mexico

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Date purchased: 10/02/2007
n/w?: Want

Comment: 514s are even better when they are on sale.

*Unbelievable II*

As I was sitting down to begin some work this morning, I put in my earphones, turned on my iPod and scrolled down to Circa Survive's new album (ironically titled On Letting Go). I hit play, but my iPod froze up. No big deal, I'll just hold down the menu and center button until it resets.

But I didn't get the usual black screen and shiny apple. I got an icon of a classic Mac, frowning as if it just discovered its own obsolescence. This can't be happening. The desktop that my iPod was synced too had been stolen and I had been to busy to stop and think that I should really buy an external harddrive and back up my iPod.

I tried resetting a few more times. Nope. My face must have been mimicking that of the icon. There is no way I just lost 55gb of music and Seinfeld episodes (my only form of entertainment in my empty apartment after work). But after frantically searching the Apple website, I learned that frowny face equals dead harddrive.

Deep breath...


Well, they did just release a new line of iPods. Although the last thing I needed to be buying right now is a $400 music box. And even then all my music and DVDs are gone. It would sit empty while I slowly reacquire six years of mobile entertainment.

Maybe I can buy a shuffle and a few CDs as temporary relief.