City cited for contamination - what the heck took so long?
Paddle down the creek and you can't help but find odd foam, orange colored leakage around the dump, and quite often totally unnatural terrible smells. We all know to stay out of the creek a few days after a rain, but now our assumptions that the creek is being polluted by the city has been confirmed.
How can any of the commission continue to allow this risk to our residents is beyong me.
http://www.timesdaily.com/stories/City-cited-for-contamination,188671
City cited for contamination - what the heck took so long?
Mark Bradford's exhibition explained at SFMOMA
Contemporary art can be more than difficult to get. But I usually find a few pieces that I particularly like, and a few I don't. A couple of weeks ago Linda and I spent the afternoon in San Francisco at SFMOMA. We were delighted to receive an insightful description of Mark Bradford's unique work - by one of the security guards in the gallery. This gal seems to really get it. If I knew her name, I'd send her a note of thanks and appreciation.
Mark Bradford's exhibition explained at SFMOMA
Cramer Children's Center tree to table
Cramer Children's Center tree to table
I can't believe it's taken me six months to get to slabbing this big oak beauty that was downed during a storm last Spring. I have all kinds of excuses, one of them being that it's 2 feet wider than my Lucas sawmill is designed to mill.
Friday we finally returned from my friend Joe McPhail's Sassafras on site job with the sawmill, so it was perfect timing (it seemed) to get to this haus. I'll be feeling much better when we can get it slabbed down to a managable level.
Although we usually flitch saw our slabs much thicker, we are cutting most of these slabs 1.75" thick. Being oak, the toughest wood that I've run into yet to dry on this planet, this thickness is more than pushing the boundaries. And it will be well over a year of air drying before these slabs will be ready for 3 weeks in the kiln then ready for the final step of the process toward it's next life.
And, as part of it's next life, is probably my favorite part of this business. The part that might make a little difference for the Cramer Children's Center. Honored to be making and donating a table to the center to be auctioned of with 100% of the proceeds going to however the center would like to use them.
Cramer Children's Center tree to table
Launching our Internship Program
Launching our Internship Program
Do you know a journalsim student that needs some real world experience? Are you a tree-hugger that would like to spread the word? Do you feel like you will need some business references on your resume when you graduate?
If so, our new internship program might just be right for you. Check it out here, and apply today!
Launching our Internship Program
Three things the Snapfish folks didn't tell us!
Three things Snapfish didn't tell us
When we received the invitation email from the Snapfish team, sharing that out of 90 million members we were one of their MVMs (most valuable members) and they wanted us (along with three others) to come to San Francisco for a visit, we were quite shocked. As a population, Californians seem to be the biggest fans of
my "slow furniture" line so far, and I jumped at this quite unexpected invite to connect.
Soon after responding that we'd be honored to attend, we received an itinerary with the bulk of our three-day stay mapped out—hour by hour.
Although the Snapfish email went through a very detailed account of what to expect, there were three things they didn't mention.
2. Snapfish didn't tell us that the first half of day two would be nothing but hair and makeup—for all of us! And the second half of day two was photo shoot.
When traveling, I've enjoyed fitting in with the locals. You know, kind of a "when in Rome" philosophy. But I never imagined taking it as far as "hair and makeup" while in San Francisco. The Snapfish team did a great job dancing around getting my little camera-shy mind off the camera, and sort of making us all feel a little like rock stars or something - at least for a couple of hours. When the shoot was done, Joey Soriano (Snapfish Loyalty Marketing Officer) and Gita (Vaysburg - Snapfish Customer Experience Marketing Manager) took us on a personal walking tour of SF. We kinda split up. Gita took the gals shopping, all except for Linda who joined Joey and mua for a insider's look at Chinatown. Really fun. We didn't have tIme to go to the hotel and wash up, so we ended up running around all over San Fran made up!! Hoping it was a bit more like George Clooney than Rue Paul (at least for my part.
Dinner was at Morton's. We filled a downstairs private room and the pampering and catering to all/well most needs continued. Kind of interesting how each wonderful meal we seemed to be hanging out with the same number of young, super smart internet startup types. But each meal it seemed like there was a new batch. Quite amazing just how intelligent and diverse this team is. Each one with amazing expertise in various aspects of their niche. At Morton's Linda and I were seated next and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Susan (Jit - Snapfish affiliate Marketing Mgr?).
Three things the Snapfish folks didn't tell us!
Do you believe Obama is a Muslim - Alabama survey
Do you believe Obama is a Muslim - Alabama survey
When Linda arrived to work this morning, she was laughing, telling me "You've gotta hear about this morning's NBC Alabama voter poll. She went on to say that their (NBC's) poll revealed that 45% of Alabaman's believe that our President is a Muslim. Linda said that even Chuck Todd, NBC's chief Whitehouse correspondent didn't believe the poll, and thought that Alabama residents were just pressing that button to get off the phone or??
So, I immediately moved into a judgement stance about the way Alabama is portrayed in the media. Seems like only the rare, really idiotic stuff makes the national news and headlines. To disprove NBC's "idiotic" opinion poll, that clearly was wrong, at my favorite lunch spot, "The Rice Box" just a mile north of the University of North Alabama campus, I ran my own poll.
I went around to every table and asked the question; "Do you believe that President Obama is a Muslim?"
Several folks didn't want to answer, including a couple of police officers. One said they thought he was not a Muslim, but added that he "is not a U.S. citizen".
So here's the results I obtained at lunch:
1) Believe that President Obama is a Muslim 7
2) Do not believe that President Obama is a Muslim 15
Let me also add that almost everyone seemed uncomfortable discussing it. On both sides of the issue. But the ones that did think President Obama to be a Muslim seemed really pissed about it. Not only did they think he was a Muslim, they were really mad about it.
My conclusion:
Gosh, I live in my own little world. I had no clue that I'd find these results. And the truth of the matter is that I believe I may have biased the results toward the NO side. I'm guessing that the young college crowd, and sushi and stir fry crowd might generally lean toward not believing this information.
Conclusion II: I think it's subconscious, but I believe many of us in the South have learned not to discuss these types of issues because,
1) No one is ever able to sway their friend's minds on the issue
2) It only seems to piss everyone off. These conversations can/will escalate to a point that isn't very comfortable.
This wasn't the first time I've been VERY wrong. I doubt it'll be the last. Just seems like a lot of issues need to be discussed around here. Just not sure I've got the time, energy, patience, etc. Actually I'm pretty sure I don't. Any other suggestions?
Do you believe Obama is a Muslim - Alabama survey
SF Farmer's Market Saturday
SF Farmer's Market Saturday
Saturday morning, Linda was enjoying the morning in bed, so I snuck out and walked down to the Ferry building for this amazing farmer's
market. I love our local farmer's market here in Florence Alabama. But I'm glad our's isn't in
Living in a town that you can get around so well by walking, bike or even skateboard is so cool, and healthy. I met my new friend and urban planning student, Jaren Abedania there and got to visit for a bit. A local SF native, living in Chinatown, graduate in architecture from Georgia Tech. His interest in architecture, sustainability and urban planning is contageous. We had lot's to talk about. I had ton's of questions. Lot's of fun before he had to rush off on his skateboard to take a train (maybe BART) somewhere.
Just as he was leaving, Linda arrived and we had a wonderful farmer's market lunch overlooking the Bay.
SF Farmer's Market Saturday
Palace Hotel - more pics
I'm back home going through all these pics from the Snapfish visit last week. And there's no way I can trash the digits of this beautiful old Hotel before I post them. This has to be one of the great old, beautifully remodeled hotels. At over $300 per night, I won't be moving in soon. But Linda and I certainly enjoyed our stay.
Snapfishing at the Slanted Door last week
Snapfishing at the Slanted Door
I've got so many pics and stories from last weeks visit to the Snapfish headquarters in San Francisco. So I'm going to try to upload a bunch here, before I get lost back in my world again. These pics were taken at the Slanted Door, one of several over the top fab San Francisco restaurants their amazing marketing shared with us.
Ok, to explain a few of these pics; I think the best explanation I can give is that just about everything about this restaurant is over the top super cool. Great views. Great vibe. Awesome attentive wait staff. Even the wood tables were super cool slabs of some type of west coast, hopefully sustainable (I'm guessing it is) light hardwood.
Even the little toilet room had beautiful slab shelves.
Ok, chalk this one up to Alabama boy hasn't been out much lately, but that was my first experience in a unisex bathroom. You know I had to get some snaps whlie I was in there!!
These guys turned one of my favoriate food types - Vietnamese - on it's head and jazzed it up a bit. Whatever they are doing it's working. LOOOOVED this place! Great fun with the Snapfish team at the Slanted Door last week.
Snapfishing at the Slanted Door
The Snapfish San Francisco Schmooze
The Snapfish San Francisco Schmooze
I thought I knew maybe more than a little something about the art of the schmooze. But after a few days here in San Francisco with most of the Snapfish team, I can tell you - I knew nothing. Four of us, from all parts of the country, have been under the spell of Snapfish this week.
It was an all out, no holds (thanks O!)barred shmooze assault - and we all enjoyed every moment of it.
It began each morning at 8, and lasted as long as we could take it - certainly through scrumptious, expenisive, fun filled meals.
Now what made it of particular interest to me was learning about this super cool, super successful, American internet marketing company. And, because it was clear that internet marketing is my number one hobby, they pretty much opened the gates to all resources. They even made their SEO experts join us for dinner and drinks at dinner one night, just to answer any questions I had.
As always, I was quite "snappy" and will follow-up with a ton of pics and details of the trip.
The Snapfish San Francisco Schmooze
The Palace Hotel San Francisco
The Palace Hotel San Francisco
To say that our accommodations are unusually luxurious for this Alabama couple is an understatement. Linda and I arrived at the Palace Hotel around 8:00 last night, and really haven't had a chance to take it all in. Wonderful to visit the grand dame clearly from another time.
I think it's been 15 years or so since I've visited SF, and don't remember dates and details of her history. Wondering if this hotel might have survived the late 1800's fire? -- Will have to check it out.
Will try to get some better pics before we check out Sunday.
The Palace Hotel San Francisco
A new beginning for this massive sassafras tree
A new beginning for this massive sassafras tree
Typically we don't take the time to move our Lucas sawmill to slab a log onsite. But we were happy to make an exception for our arborist friend Joe McPhail, who recently lost his massive sassafrass tree in his back yard. Monday we broke down our Lucas sawmill, loaded it up on our trailer, and move the sawmill operation across the Tennessee River and into Joe's back yard.
Some of the limbs are huge, but the base of this beautiful sassafras measured a massive 70". We just took a couple of quick cuts to make sure all is in order before calling it day. Since I was in the air most of the day Tuesday, I don't know what kind of progress they've made so far. But can't wait to see this beauty in slabs.
Really hate that Joe lost this beauty. Also really love that we are able to begin the process of a beautiful second life for her.
Oh, don't let me forget to share the amazing aroma that permeated the neighborhood as we made the two cuts. (I've gotta find some sassafras perfume for Linda!!).
A new beginning for this massive sassafras tree
Visiting San Francisco this week
Visiting San Francisco this week
I don't know anyone that has visited San Francisco that doesn't love it. Linda and I are really looking forward to this upcoming visit this week. We haven't visited San Francisco in years. . . Maybe a decade! Will be there Wednesday through Saturday, and you are in the neighborhood, and would like to "talk tables", there's nothing I'd rather do. I'm looking to find the perfect showroom or designer in the area for our sustainable, one of a kind, high end products. Or, should you simply be a resident that is looking for a desk or dining table, etc, let's do it! Friday and Saturday will be the best days for me to meet with you. Just send me an email (robinwadefurniture@mac.com), and we'll set up a time. I'm thinking the lobby of my hotel might be a great spot.
Visiting San Francisco this week
Andrew Reed's amazing documentary I'm with Phil debuted last night
I can't imagine how tough it would be to work on a tragic story so close to home. Andrew clearly put his heart and soul into this documentary, and it shows.
Andrew combined two of his passions during this documentary process. Using his profession of video along with his hometown's desparate need to rebuild after the April 2010 tornadoes that devastated the community.
Good luck Andrew and Phil Campbell, and our my new Phil Campbell friends. You've got my vote
Andrew Reed's amazing documentary I'm with Phil debuted last night
massive walnut beams
massive walnut beams
These massive 12" thick walnut beams just arrived back from the kiln yesterday.
I have more than a habit of pushing limits and taking passions to extremes, but these massive walnut slabs might just take the cake. Six years ago, when I began working with these (originally) logs, I know I must have had a wonderful clear vision of where I was going. Well, I'm not 54 years old, my memory seems to be holding up pretty well, but I don't have a clue of just what I had in mind.
This 40' trailer load of recently kiln dried walnut slabs included 9 of these massive 12 inches thick. Gosh, just getting them into our studio last night, then two of them back out to the sawmill for cleaning up, was quite a project. By the way, they are 12' long! No clue how much they weight, but my 5000 pound capacity forklift had no trouble with the group of 9.
Today we cut one of the 12' beams into 3 pieces. I'm thinking benches, and possibly table pedistals right now. And for the benches, I'm leaning toward my first bench with casters. Been wanting to do rolling tables/benches for quite a while now. But haven't yet been able to find an all American made caster.
Do I give up and use imported, or just give up??
massive walnut beams
Alabama receives shoutout at the Academy A!
Alabama receives shoutout at the Academy A!
The Help was another amazingly wonderful story. A story that really isn't talked about much down here in the deep South. But one that so needs to be. I didn't watch last night, but what a great surprise driving in to work this morning, listening to OUR OWN Octavia Spencer on NPR this morning who won a sooo well deserved best supporting actress award.
LOVED her (obviously from the heart, and not at all rehearsed) shoutout to Alabama.
Here's how it went:
“Thank you, Academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room,” Then she thanks the state of Alabama, her family, her “Help” family. “I’m wrapping up, I’m sorry, I’m freaking out.”
Alabama receives shoutout at the Academy A!
A lesson from arborist Joe Mcphail
My buddy, City of Florence arborist Joe Mcphail asked me to drop by this morning.
He knew this day would come, but has been putting it off for years. In Joe's back yard was the states largest sassafras tree. (Not by the record book-because it split into two early in it's life). With a diameter of over 70", let's just say it's a begun.
Either way, now it's history. It was cut down yesterday. It had around 70 good years. Who know's what form it might take on next.
Huge Alabama sassafras tree killed from "topping"
Tree "topping" seems to be a common practice, at least around here, with tree services. A storm comes through and trees are topped. Someone is nervous about limbs falling on a home and trees are topped.
This beautiful old massive sassafras was topped 18 years ago, when a previous homeowner was present.
And yesterday it had to come down. Learn from this sassafras tree's deadly mistake. Topping trees kills trees.
I got some video of Joe sharing more details of the historic tree and the "topping" problem, and will post when I get it uploaded, etc.
An idiot Abroad - or right here in the living room
An idiot Abroad - or right here in the living room
Another episode of one of my favorite current TV shows, "An Idiot Abroad - the Bucket List" aired last night - and again last night I was in tears - laughing so hard. Being a good southern boy, I have lots of guilt. And I have plenty for all of the pure enjoyment I get from this - and a few other - TV programs.
This morning I was wondering why I'm getting such enjoyment from seeing Pilkington's weekly torment. Generally, it doesn't please me to see other's in pain. Typically it sickens me to see other's hurting. Other people, or other animals for that matter. I've gotta be one of the very few southern males who doesn't go out into the woods to hunt and kill living creatures. I'll save that one for a future post.
I'm really not sure how much of Pilkington's role is an act and how much is him. -- If it is an act, he is pure genius.
So, back to the why. It's gotta be that every time he gets caught up in another totally fearful or embarrissing (or both) role, I can easily (and do) see myself right there in his shoes. Each of those little skits (lists from the bucket) somehow zeroes right into my obviously quite weak psyche.
Well, now that I've had this little confessional, maybe I can get back to watching/enjoying/crying I'm laughing so hard - my favorite new TV program.
An idiot Abroad - or right here in the living room
The no-thing of furniture design - or is it of life?
We are completing this beautiful little desk today, and I've been thoroughly enjoying it.
I'm never quite sure why/how one piece can be so amazing and the next one, almost identical, might not be so.
The no-thing of furniture design - or is it of life?
This desk is particularly thick. It's fairly small (48" L). Has a beautiful curved natural edge front and legs, all from the same slab of the oak tree. (Once I get it turned right side up, and with it's hand rubbed oil finish, I'll post the completed table).
But, the whole in the leg is quite amazing, and seems to just make this piece. Is it the spalted (partially rotten) wood surrounding the hole that is so intriguing, or the hole itself? Reminds me of some asian teachings that ask if it's the "thing" or the "no thing" that is what we are searching for. Not sure about in life, but in furniture design, or more specifically this little table that we've almost completed today, I feel like the answer was somewhere in the process of finding the tree a few years ago, to this coordinate in the journey it's taken from slabbing the tree, removing the bark with a draw knife, stacking it to dry for a few years, deliving it to the kiln, receiving it back from the kiln, receiving an order for the desk, finding that the thickness is too much, going ahead and building the beautiful desk anyway, taking this picture of this stage of the process, and posting it here on my blog.
So, if you know the answer, please share. . .
The no-thing of furniture design - or is it of life?
Planing Oak Slabs this week
Storms were arriving while sleeping, and most mornings we were awaking to beautiful, clear, warm weather.
I don't know about global warming (although I do have some strong guesses), but Alabama has been enjoying a nice "warming" this winter.
Any slabs over 20" can't be planed inside with our helical planer. So we take advantage of all this great winter "warming" to do some outdoor work when it's comfy.
Looking inside a tree, one slice at a time, is my version of a ct scan. We really have no clue as to the health of a tree (or body) until we take a look (or digital peak) inside.
This beautiful oak must have received tremendous stress of some kind. These wondrous caverns are quite amazing. Obvious to a lumber-mill, this log would be used for pulp at best. I don't know what we'll do with it, but my first thought is it might be more suited for a museum.
Well, after a couple of years of air drying, it's back "home", has now been planed square (for the most part), and I look forward following it's path from here.