gurdymonkey | Operation Chochin!

I was not in a great mood when I left work this afternoon, but there was at least a break in the weather and I decided to try to get up to the Caning Shop in Berkeley in search of supplies for a plausibly period basket chochin.

The pissed-off feedback loop caused me to find myself on the ramp leading to San Francisco, which did not help matters. Screw it, I thought, I'll get off the Yerba Buena Island/Treasure Island exit halfway across the bay. This required me to wend my way around a winding road shaded by tall eucalyptus with a stunning view of the bay, complete with dramatic storm clouds being pierced by late afternoon sun and choppy waves, until I could find a spot to turn around and get back onto the Bay Bridge in the other direction. It helped, actually.

Despite the delay caused by my own stupidity, the rest of the run into Berzerkely was uneventful. I parked next to the shop, opened the door and found myself face to face with a rather surprised Niall. Honestly, I hadn't known he was working there these days and he was clearly wondering why I would need rattan.

I explained why I was looking for pre-woven cane webbing with a large weave. I spotted some near the front counter and said, "Like this, the bigger the better so light can shine through it."

He said, "Come over here, I think you need to see some stuff we got in for a special order." So I had to get a chunk of it because it is the awesome.

Then we picked out some 1/2" flat oval reed for the basket edging. I have enough to get two tall (or three shorter) lantern baskets out of. And it's still CHEAP.

He said he couldn't wait to see the finished product. I invited him for sake at Coronet so he can bask in their glow. Somehow we got onto wedge tent vs. wall tent and other such natterings before another customer came in and I excused myself.

He's not the puppyish undergrad I met at his second event, but he's still loving this silly game we both play and seeing him today made the pissy go away even more than the view from Yerba Buena Island did.