bookofjoe

Helpful Hints from joeeze: How to make a door stay part-way open

Gene Austin's "Do It Yourself" column, which originally appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on October 13, 2007, contained the following exchange:

Q. One of our interior doors wants to open all the way when it is not latched. I would like to have it part-way open. Any suggestions?

A. The door is probably slightly out of plumb. A simple way to fix it is to remove one of the hinge pins, prop the ends of the pin on two pieces of wood, and strike the pin sharply in the middle with a hammer. The idea is to make a very slight bend in the pin so it will fit more tightly in the hinge. The friction of the bent pin will hold the door in any position.

Yoropen

From websites:

Yoropen

Just like the ergonomic chair that cradles and supports your back, the Yoropen is specially designed for the most comfortable, supportive use possible, minimizing writing strain as it reveals a remarkably open view of your scribbles.

Unique finger support enables comfortable, natural writing with minimal pressure and no hand strain or writer’s cramp.

Angled barrel provides visual space so you can see what you’re writing.

Adjustable tripod grip rotates easily for right- or left-handers.

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Black: $14.95.

Satin Aluminum (top): $50.

JamesGeary.com — 'All aphorisms, all the time'

Who doesn't like a good aphorism?

You don't?

Get outa here....
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Note added at 2:27 p.m. ET today: iamexluxtroxl just noted in a comment that NPR's interview with Geary is available — click here, then click "Listen" at the top of the page that appears.

Remote-Controlled Tarantula

Freak out!

From the website:

Remote-Controlled Tarantula

This remote-controlled tarantula scurries across flat surfaces like an actual arachnid, moving forwards, backwards, and rotating 360°.

It has a hairy exterior similar to the urticating hairs that cover a tarantula's abdomen and serve as defense mechanisms against predators.

The spider's eight legs move independently and the eyes light up, allowing you to frighten unsuspecting arachnophobes day or night.

Remote requires two AA batteries and tarantula requires two AAA batteries.

Ages 6 and up.

1"H x 6"L.

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$24.95.
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Monday, October 29, 2007 — Price break: Reader Tamra Donovan notes that the very same tarantula is $16.99 here. She adds, "I bought two for my kids last year. They're pretty cool. Of course, I had a real one for 13 years, so no comparison."

Keyboard shortcuts for special characters

Res ipsa loquitur.

mini Container

From the website:
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Mini Containers

These waterproof, hard-anodized aluminum containers can be used to hold emergency pills, identity information, matches or whatever you wish.

Machined from solid aluminum, they are 1/2" in diameter by 1-1/2" long and have a nylon lanyard for looping through buttonholes or around belts and backpack straps for security.
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Green or Red.

$1.20.

Minnies — Because 'there's plenty of room at the bottom'

If Richard Feynman

ever replays

he'll stop at this

Chicago eatery for sure.

Big story small: "Minnies applies nouvelle cuisine portions to casual dining."

[via springwise.com and the everyday marketing blog]

Ruler Stop

From the website:
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Veritas® Ruler Stop

The Veritas ruler stop increases the usefulness of a metal ruler by providing a solid reference point.

It is ideal for setting saw fences, repeat cuts, etc.

To use, slide the stop over the ruler end and tighten it at the desired position.

The notched post at the tip of the brass adjustment screw allows even the thinnest rulers to be clamped securely; it will not mar the ruler edge.

Repositioning is fast and easy.

The stop's anodized aluminum body is contoured to fit comfortably between thumb and forefinger, with raised ridges for a better grip.

Accommodates rulers from 7/8" to 1-1/8" wide and up to 0.05" thick, the typical dimensions of rulers in the 12" to 24" length range.

At 1" wide by about 2-1/4" long (including the adjustment screw), this tool is as compact as it is useful.
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$12.95 (ruler not included).