After many wo/manhours over two trips to Chicago this summer, my dad and I are done with our chessboard! He designed it and planned the entire thing out. Of course the plans were detailed blueprints, the supplies top-grade, and the tools we didn’t have were lent by my uncle. It feels amazing to finally compose this entry of obviously widespread anticipation. We are extremely pleased with the outcome, which is better than either of us expected. I photographically documented the endeavor at almost every step and will use these pictures for a later artistic project. For now I can bask in the glory of this beauty:
5/8/12: Image link is broken — will fix soon.
Finished Chess Board- Gleam
We have a second board only on its third step that we will work on in the fall when I next return to my parents’. That way they will have a board at the house and I will have this one! We are going to carve our initials and August 2009 so I can hand it down to my grandchildren, because when we woodwork, durability is a goal almost as much as aesthetics. When this board is an heirloom and an antique, in, say, 2070, what will the world look like? Will it appreciate something that’s a throwback to entertainment, mental stimulation, pre-electronics? Will the world appreciate The Eternal Game? I think so.
Reading:
Sandman Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman (featuring Pisces mythology…)
The Trial by Franz Kafka
Listening:
I have an online friend on Etsy whose father was a carpenter. She has nice art prints which I will probably buy when I have more wallspace or care to decorate my home when I actually like my home. Here is what she recommended for my chess board project:
“Check around for a custom cabinet maker. They often have scrap wood in their shops. For little or nothing would probably cut the squares which you could glue to a base (a small table?) and stain or paint. Another option is to find smaller ceramic tile squares and the same — mount on a base with mastic and grout. All would take time, but there is so much satisfaction to finish a project like this. “ So, wood or a cool mosaic?
Last night I had my fourth go at 
Navy Bean Chocolate Chip Cookies, which I baked for an office birthday party today.
I made these ones full cal and fat to up the buttery taste for everyone as I won’t be the only one having them. E.g. I used real sugar instead of Splenda and the full vegetable oil instead of the half Enova/half light butter I often do. Taste test- Good. Less hearty/gritty than when I make them healthy style. I like the other way better. The point is to turn everyone on to bean sweets though!
Reading: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Watching: Zodiac
Making: Navy Bean Chocolate Chip Cookies
See, some men underestimate me off the bat. Chess is so psych! The anachronistic gender BS amuses me, however, because chess isn't even athletic...
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