Björn Borg

Claimed the greatest maker of underwear, I had to stop in to Björn Borg. I walked away with polka dot print shorts. I was struck by the price, 239 Swedish krona or 37 US dollars. Lucky for me they were 50% off. But who can put a price on WOOHA!   

Sweden

The cottage where Jessica and I stayed on the coast of Mälaren lake.

My wife and I just returned to the states from a wonderful trip to Sweden. We met lovely people, ate authentic Swedish cuisine and walked the cobbled streets of Gamla stan. Many posts to come...  

La Frontera at Velvet Da Vinci

My First Briar Pipe

A few days ago I was introduced to my first briar pipe by Eric Chaika, owner of Red Carpet Smoke Shop. I tried holding several pipes of various styles and weights before making my decision. I also walked away with pipe cleaners and a pouch for keeping tobacco. Eric has a strict routine to breaking in new pipes and suggested I follow. For my first six smokes I am to fill the bowl of the pipe only a third of the way. Then, for the next six smokes I fill the bowl two-thirds of the way. And finally the pipe can be packed full. 

Art Pepper

Red Car by Art Pepper

The Book

Otto Künzli The Book, ed. Florian Hufnagl, Arnoldsche Art Publishers

I have good friends. One good friend just sent me Otto Künzli's The Book.

Otto Künzli, an icon in the jewelry field, has had a fantastic career which continues today. Featured in the book are many of Künzli's most well known pieces: Gold Makes You Blind, Oh Say!, Ring For Two. There are also pieces and images I had never seen before.

Especially noteworthy is the interview between Künzli and Walter Grasskamp. The interview is broken into sections piece by piece. Grasskamp and Künzli discuss each piece through its conception, process, and reception.

Tobacco Pipe

As a boy my father had a good friend who smoked a tobacco pipe. Unlike the cigarettes my father smoked, the pipe had a wonderful smell. The aroma and good feelings the pipe gave me have remained to this day.

I was happily surprised to receive the gift of a tobacco pipe from my good friend. After a brief demonstration, including the packing of the pipe using a pipe tool, I was off and puffing.