Castle Bakery

Castle Bakery
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

@Hämeenlinna castle.

Armour Sketches

Armour Sketches
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

@Restaurant Tawastia Bank.

Map Vending Machine

Map Vending Machine
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

In Hämeenlinna.
Push the button and it drops you a city map.

Fishing Permit Vending Mahine

Fishing Permit Vending Mahine
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Made from a parking ticket vending machine.

Blueberries

Blueberries
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

GoNuts

GoNuts
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

A bag full of energy.

Oar

Oar
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Outdoor Espresso Maker

Outdoor Espresso Maker
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

I want one! But should it be a one or two nozzle model?

Tiny Tent

Tiny Tent
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Spent the last days hiking with Mikko in the Evo forests near Hämeenlinna, and had to do a round of the local outdoor shops before leaving.

The North Face store had this dachshund sized tent in their window. A full sized one in is the background.

Skyworkers

Skyworkers
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

"Hi, what do you do?"
"I'm a skyworker."

Cafe Fazer, Forum

Cafe Fazer, Forum
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Took a break at the Forum branch of Cafe Fazer. The espresso was ok, but not special, and it's served in that earless cup which is thin enough to get your fingers hot. What was interesting was the mint chocolate that came along. I must say it fit right in.

As for the surroundings, the cafe opens up to the Forum shopping centre, so it is kind of busy. Maybe not as posh and new as Kamppi, but a good place for people watching for sure.

NASA Equipment

NASA Equipment
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Nasa Marine Ltd. that is. Pretty similar logo with that other Nasa.

Fruit Hammock

Fruit Hammock
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Again in my uncle's boat. He set sail for a two month trip to Sweden and back this morning.

Extreme BBQ

Extreme BBQ
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

What's that? A flamethrower?

Made me think of David Kvart's excellent short film "Everyday Extreme". You can watch it here.

Porcelain Exhibition

Porcelain Exhibition
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Keep kids and elephants far from here.

Campaign T-shirt

Campaign T-shirt
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

"They have feelings too" was his reason.

Häx Jesus Gig

Häx Jesus Gig
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Viggo's new band, this was the opening, and only, gig of their "Greatest Hits World Tour".

LED Light

LED Light
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Ingenious little emergency light with it's own power source. Pushing it turns it on and off, and it'll probably outlast the boat itself.

AutoVac

AutoVac
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Back in the day they made things to last. That's why we still have to look at them today. Too bad I can't post the sound here.

Seaworthy Stove

Seaworthy Stove
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

It swivels along with side to side rolling, and the adjustable clamps take care of backwards-forwards movement.

10 Points For Functionality

10 Points for Practicality
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Back online again:)

Spent much of the last few days helping out with my uncle's boat. It's full of cramped, yet funtional spaces.

SNAFU

Houston we have a problem...

My Flickr photostream, where all these blogged photos are coming from, is acting up on me. The authorities have been notified, and hopefully a solution will be found quickly.

I know I could use some random image hosting too, but I'd like to keep everything in one place. If the problem with Flickr drags on for too long I might have to consider that, though.

Anyway, there will be more photos here soon.

Covered Scooter

Covered Scooter
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

You don't see many around, but I've always been fond of these.

Good urban vehicle design:
-Easy to get in and out
-Easy to park
-Good visibility
-Agile in traffic
-Some protection from the elements

Cave Art

Cave Art
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

In the Forum Parking cave.

Little Dude

Little Dude
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

He's all over town, except sometimes the legs are shorter.

Cafe Strindberg

Cafe Strindberg
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

The exterior of this cafe promises a good, old school espresso experience, but that's just the surface. The drink isn't all that special, especially considering the €2,60 price, there's no chocolate and it's served in a very wide cup, which makes it cool off quickly.

The clientele is international, made up of tourists strolling along the Esplanade park, businesspeople from the offices nearby and others who are drawn to a nice, old style cafe. Strindberg definately looks nice, but I don't visit for the furniture, I visit for the espresso, and it's lacking in that department.

Cool Book

Cool Book
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

"Real" ruby on the cover, and a gold tooth that didn't come out in this photo.

Essential Finnish Design

Essential Finnish Design
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

High end electronics, sweater, knife and clean water. Don't leave home without these.

Wonder

Wonder
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Information Overflow

Information Overflow
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

@We Got Beef

Changing Booth

Changing Booth
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

@Helsinki 10 store. Made from white shirts.

IKEA Living Room

IKEA Living Room
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Complete with a model living there during the day. She was the only display without a price tag.

Almost Done

Almost Done
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

So this is pretty much what we built. Kim is adding finishing touches, such as handles.

All in all this was good quality prefabricated stuff, and assembly was surprisingly painless.

Fine Tuning

Fine Tuning
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Nice touch: The front plates of the drawers can be adjusted by screws, in order to get nice even spaces between them. And the mechanics are covered with a neat manufacturer logo.

Maybe it'll all be ready tomorrow.

Single Serving Glue

Single Serving Glue
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Every unit of shelves or drawers came with a small bag of wood glue. So, as we put together 8 units, we had 8 of these small, sticky things aroung.

Suspension Hinge

Suspension Hinge
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

It had a little gas cartridge suspension. No slamming doors in the kitchen.

Big Car, Big Bottle Holder

Big Car, Big Bottle Holder
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

So, Kim and Irina expanded their kitchen today, and as it was a "some assembly required" job, I joined to help (and get a peek at some design solutions).

We picked up several flat boxes with a van that was apparently intended for hard work: The bottle holders were measured to fit 1.5L bottles, and there was one in each door.

Restaurant Via

Restaurant Via
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

This was one seriously sweet espresso. It actually tasted like someone had put sugar in it already. What would it have been like if I had put in the extra sugar included? A really bitter dark chocolate would have been a better addition instead of the sugar tube. Also a bit on the expensive sida at €2,70.

Anyway, nice location in an inner yard downtown, and sunny during lunchtime.

Getting the Napkin to Stay Put

Getting the Napkin to Stay Put
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Thank's to Anna-Stina for the excellent, yet simple, idea.

Instructions

Instructions
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

It's not easy to pay for the tram ride here.

I recently read that they'll make a new user study on the usage of the ticket machines and modify them accordingly.

At the Old Bus Station

At the Old Bus Station
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

When I was a kid it was always really fascinating to see the long distance buses backing into these slots, until the rear wheels made contact with the kerb and they'd jerk to a stop.

Now those buses have moved underground, and the empty slots got a new inhabitant.

Highway Underpass

Highway Underpass
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Not pretty, but provides shade.

Standing Out

Standing Out
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Public Aquarium

Public Aquarium
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

An investment bank put a sunk treasure chest on the street.

Cafe Rouge

Cafe Rouge
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Can't find a much busier place than this cafe in the middle of the Kamppi shopping centre and bus terminal. Good for people watching, but not much else.

The espresso was one of the thickest around, and would really have needed a chocolate alongside to mellow out the tase a bit. Still, a decent place to kill some time and watch other people hurry around you.

Alternative Transport

Alternative Transport
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Thank's to Roope for the ride into town. Faster than taking the bus.

Street Art

Street Art
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

World Cup Crazy

World Cup Crazy
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Even on our quiet street.

Hello Kitty Guitar

Hello Kitty Guitar
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Rock!

Tiger in the Metro

Tiger in the Metro
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Advertisement for the Korkeasaari Zoo here in Helsinki.

Hotel Bus

Hotel Bus
Originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Apparently those small windows are for sleeping compartments.