If you've read this site for very long, you understand my love of DIY and making stuff. However, often, the stuff that gets made under a DIY approach looks like it was. And, there are times I'd love to be able to put a bit more fit and finish on some of this stuff or just see projects that have a more "complete" look to them. That's why this link had me looking around the room for someone to get to join me in my chorus of "That's So Cool".

See, this project also brings in a vintage look while working with metal. It's a simple way to make your own antique brass nameplate. I particularly like projects that incorporate metal and wood into their design. It's more of an earthy feel than plastic usually is. However, I get a little sick of brushed aluminum or stainless steel.

After seeing this, I desperately want to see an MP3 player or cellphone done up this way. A decidedly retro machine with inscriptions done this way, brass knobs, etc. Maybe it wouldn't be as cool as what's in my head, but I'd love to see it anyway.

Also very cool would be using this approach to make your own coins and medals. I've looked into what it takes to get custom coins minted (lots of places do it for poker promotion or for commemorative stuff) and the minimums make it impractical if you only want a couple. This, on the other hand, wouldn't be. You would just need the brass blanks or cut from sheet metal.

Today, I left work early (using some of the banked travel time from this weekend) and started the actual work of running for mayor.

The newspaper notice that I was going from in planning to do this stated that I needed to file between July 5 and July 18 at City Hall. Since City Hall is only open from 8:00am to 4:30pm, today was the first time I could actually get down there.

So, I made sure I had $5 in cash, a check and my usual credit card, to make sure that payment method wouldn't get in the way of filing. I got to City Hall at about 3:15 or so and told the front desk person what I was there to do. She sent out the city clerk who greeted me with a huge smile. My general impression is that she really likes this part of her job.

She handed me an affidavit of candidacy to fill out, and explained what was relevant and what wasn't. Minnesota apparently uses the same form for pretty much all political offices. For mayor, several of the fields weren't relevant and it ended up being little more than my name (as I want it on the ballot), the office I'm seeking, my address and my campaign address information. A quick signature and notary stamp later and the paperwork was done.

She then went through a thick folder full of the information I'll need between now and November. The most critical piece were the bits about keeping track of the money. This is the bit I was most concerned with and why I stated "no" money when I originally mentioned this whole idea. I didn't/don't want to have to open a checking account for the campaign or set up a legal entity specifically for it, etc. All of that is precluded if I don't spend or receive more than $750, which gives me room to do a few buttons, signs etc. (which will make doing this a bit more fun and useful) without fundraising or too much paperwork.

Regardless of how much I spend, I have to say that a few different times along the way, but that's not a big deal as I can fax it in instead of going in in person.

As part of my actual campaign, I've set up a subdomain at http://mayor2006.wynia.org, where the campaign-specific information will sit. As I'm not actually paying directly for that web hosting, I'm going to note it and check on the campaign finance rules for whether it needs to be reported or not.

There are a few things on the agenda next.

• I was contacted by someone at the Independence Party about talking to the mayor of a nearby suburb about the whole process. I'm definitely interested in what he's got to say.
• Technically, mayor is a non-partisan office, but I am a member of the Independence Party and want to use the opportunity to further the goals of the IP. I need to talk to the person at the IP about my candidacy and how it relates to the party itself.
• Put together a site at the new domain.
• Whip up a few bits of collateral, including a sign for my own yard.
• Talk to my neighbors about my candidacy.
• Generally prepare to get past the primary in September.

Photo: Jennie Robinson

Sunday night, I drove the 3 hours to Morris, MN to be ready for a client meeting first thing Monday morning. That, of course, necessitated a stay at the Morris Super 8 motel. It was in the aforementioned lodging that I discovered just how much I've gotten used to my Sleep Number Bed in the almost 12 months I've been sleeping in it next to my lovely wife.

The bed that my $60/night room afforded was, to my untrained senses, made primarily of plywood, with a thin layer of cardboard over the top. Of course, the 1/2" thick pillows may have negatively impacted my impression.

Last night reunited me and my Sleep Number bed and lo, the reunion was good. It provided a night's sleep that would make the plywood bed cower in the corner of that motel room with shame.

I'm told that I snored with a deep resonant satisfaction through most of the night.

Sitting outside by the new backyard firepit table had me wanting to dig out the guitar and start playing again. My acoustic Alvarez, nicknamed "Allie", has been sitting in the case for several years. This is mostly due to the reaction of both of the dogs the last time I pulled it out. There was much barking and gnashing of teeth. At the time, I was more interested in familial harmony than seeking my musical muse, I put it back.

Last week, however, I decided to give it another shot. Thankfully, the bassets decided that the music was more to their liking this time and I'm back in business.

The tips of my fingers are nearly raw as I try to get back my calloused protection and I'm happy that I still remember as much as I do. Maybe I'll be able to play for more than about 20 minutes within a few weeks or so when my fingers toughen up.

Given that I now have recording equipment for the podcast I might take a stab at recording something.

I just saw this come across the new releases in DVD for the coming weeks. Carnivale's Season 2 is finally coming out on DVD. I've been waiting for this since the last episode aired. While I was disappointed that they didn't continue into a 3rd season, the 2 existing seasons do form a complete story arc with a fitting bit of mystery at the end.

On the heels of the skirmish man foolishly called The War to End All Wars, the dark one sought to elude his destiny, and live as a mortal. So he fled across the ocean to the empire called America. But by his mere presence, a cancer corrupted the spirit of the land. People were rendered mute by fools who spoke many words but said nothing… for whom oppression and cowardice were virtues… and freedom, an obscenity. And into this dark heartland, a prophet stalked his enemy. Until, dimished by his wounds, he turned to the next in the ancient line of light. And so it was that the fate of mankind came to rest on the trembling shoulders of the most reluctant of saviors…

America's dustbowl becomes the setting for a new American myth and I love it. Carnivale ranks at the top of long form video storytelling for me. It's epic, complicated, human, supernatural, universal, entirely unique, and some damned fine filmmaking. If you haven't seen any of Carnivale, you owe it to yourself to see it. Buying it isn't cheap ($65 or so per season discounted), but you can rent it from Netflix or borrow my copies. I'm also more than willing to watch a couple of episodes in my home theater with anyone who visits.

I can't wait to see what Daniel Knauf has up his sleeve next.