Walkin' Around Checkin' Stuff Out. #71

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Martina & Dice.

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Actually, maybe it should be Dice & Martina since going out for us is just a great excuse to play dice.

We love the back bar at Martina...there’s a couple stools way back in the corner that make for the perfect spot to drink wine a play dice. I just wish the wine wasn’t $16 a glass (!), but at least if Pam wins I pay and if she loses I pay.

Everywhere we go we bring this fold-up leather dice board. Perfect or hanging out in dark bars drinking wine and playing dice. The amount of people we’ve met because of the dice board is amazing...people always want to know what it is, so it’s a perfect conversation starter.

We started playing dice about 10 years ago and the board has evolved over the years...starting as just a piece of leather to quiet the dice (no one wants to listen to dice rolling on a bar) and evolving to include killer metal dice (they roll amazing) and a way to score points without having to do math (very helpful after a few drinks).

Now when we sit down at a bar the bartender will usually ask “Do you have the game?”

Yes, we do.

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(More) Things that are able to last and worthy of keeping.

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People seemed to dig my list from a couple weeks ago so I’ve added a few more to the list. It’s not that they weren’t good enough for the first list, it’s that these are everyday things in my life and frankly I forget about them because they are always there.

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Lauer Choppers.

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I’ve always worn “choppers”...they are the best way to stay warm in the winter. Probably 25 years ago Pam got me this pair of black choppers (as opposed to the iconic natural/yellow color you usually see) and I’ve had them ever since. I wear them everyday in the winter and they go with me on all my winter walks around the lake, faithfully keeping my hands from freezing in -25 degree weather. How are they still in one piece? It’s pretty amazing. Made by the Lauer Glove Company, I’m here to tell you they know how to make a quality pair of choppers. My biggest fear isn’t that they won’t last, it’s that I’ll lose them.

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Schott “Perfecto”.

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The Schott “Perfecto”, which I guess is a pretty perfect name for a damn near perfect leather jacket. I’ve probably had it close to 30 years and it keeps getting better. I think they may actually increase in value with time and use...buying a new one can be cheaper than buying used. It’s all about timeless design, craft and simplicity, and completely ignoring any trend. And still made here.

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Craftsman Tool Chest.

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when I started in this business I was given money for office furniture, maybe a new chair or desk...so of course I spent it all on a Craftsman tool chest. I’ve had it ever since. When I would switch jobs I would just roll it across town to my next job. Now it’s a bit of a time capsule...with stickers from the past 30+ years and drawers full of memories and cool stuff. It’s the only piece of “furniture” I’ve owned for that long and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

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Leather Pouch.

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A few people have asked about the leather stuff I make…it’s a bit of an obsession. Our house smells like leather. I probably have dozens (hundreds?) of leather pieces I’ve made over the years…almost no two the same, with slight design tweaks to each as I work to perfect the design…putting it on a shelf, and moving onto the next project.

“WHY FUCK AROUND”.

I stamp that on every leather piece I make because if you’re going to make something leather by hand...no machine...all hand-stiched, using the best leather and hardware I can find, there is no fucking around.

People ask how long it takes to make a bag and I honestly have no idea. Like drawing, I lose track of time. I know it takes a while, but I dig the process and the result. In a world of throwaway cheap crap, it’s nice to make something that will last forever.

This design was inspired by a Coach pouch from the 1980’s. Their designs back then were killer, simple, timeless, and made really well. Sadly, I think they’ve kind of lost their way.

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Grandpa Jerry’s Old School Magically Simple Hand crafted, Natural Wood, Under Cabinet Jar Opener.

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I love it when my love of drawing and small businesses collide…add to that my love of things that are able to last and worthy of keeping and you have this cool product.

I was approached to do a few drawings for the product and one thing led to another and I ended up drawing the entire package.

There’s a perfect level of quintessence to this product. It’s simple and does one thing really well…it opens jars. And it will last a lifetime.

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Old drawings live on…

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I draw to document things. Whether it’s a passing moment in time, a person, or a restaurant location…nothing will be here forever so it’s nice to have a record.

I received this note a week or so ago and it really hit home how some of these little scribble drawings I make can have a lot of meaning to people.

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Hi-

I am writing about a sketch that was drawn (and published) around the Fall of 2010? I think it was drawn by Robb Burnham (you?). The sketch was entitled 'Stroll Through Uptown'. The subject in the sketch is my late Uncle Jim (Autrey).

I wanted to let you know that the sketch means so much to me and my family.....even today.

We don't have a lot of pictures of Jim, but you captured the very essence of everything that was Jim! Jim was a WW II veteran and a resident of Uptown for decades. He lived by himself and was often seen walking the streets around Uptown. I know he was very excited to see his likeness in the paper.

Jim always wore that fishing hat and used a cane.....and the sketch seems to be drawn right in front of Jim's apartment near 31st and Hennepin (south Mpls) next to an outdoor restaurant. Our family was shocked at how well you captured Jim in that sketch.

Anyway, we just wanted to say thank you all these years later!

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(The drawing that ran in a local paper probably 15 years ago)

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