Someone I know should buy a pickup truck

(so I can borrow it to get lumber and take trash to the dump). My first thought was that it should be one of my English friends. It would be helpful for them to fit in better in BC. They could take it to the abandoned mill site, turn on their row of cab lights, and drink beer with their friends. But, not all plans work as they should. My first pick doesn't have a license. The next said he grew up in rural England and already had the equivalent experience (drinking cider in the park). My massage therapist, who I thought of as a world travelling city slicker, told me he grew up in Langley and he already had a pickup truck he could borrow from his father. Of course, it is not hard now to rent one or get one from the right car co-op. That is my new plan unless someone else steps up.

More carpentry "skills"

I have had the idea for a long time to build bookshelves downstairs on a short wall by the furnace which can't be used for anything else. Because of the furnace room door, it is only wide enough for paperbacks. Below is the result of my (somewhat) careful planning and (not very) careful craftsmanship. Most of the planning was how to build it so that my less than quality craftsmanship would not show too badly. Anyway, it's sturdy and anchored to the wall in case of earthquake. As usual, I enjoy my own handiwork more than the quality merits. It is made of low quality lumber, materials cost about $60. Then there were the tools I "needed"...