Green Couch (Of the Ninja Variety)

Hey there my blogisto's and blogista's! I have a few thoughts I want to blog about, but can't seem to put them into words very well. I thought you would enjoy this though. I bought a couch on Craigslist 4 years ago for $20 and decided to sell it, on Craigslist, for the same amount I purchased it for 4 years ago. I succeed. Proving once and for all that my green pleather couch is recession proof. No depreciation on this one!

Here is the actual post that I put up. I'm still waiting on my "Best of Craigslist" Nomination. I'm sure it's on it's way.
PS: I sold it in 24 hours. BOOM!
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Green Couch (Of the Ninja Variety) - $20

This couch is a green, pleather, swanky, highly Ninja friendly couch that is also hypo-allergenic. This couch has seen some of the fiercest Ninja Warriors on the planet in it's day. How would I know that you ask? Uh, because I myself am a class 4 Ninja Warrior. "WHAT?!" You might exclaim while wondering aloud how this could be possible. I am sure like many other mere mortals, you probably believe the lie that Ninja Warriors can only achieve a class 3. Well, you are mistaken my moistened bottomed applejon. I know this, because I stated, I am a class 4 Ninja Warrior.

So, this couch. I know you already want it. It's awesome. It will sexy up your pad by at least 57%. Plus, if you play your cards right, I will even throw in a can of corn for you to consume as you sit on this majestic warrior throne. "Why would you willingly part with such an epic piece of Ninja lore?" You ask. Well, this Ninja just got married and as it turns out, my NON-Ninja wife very much prefers her Ninja Thrones to be in the color of blue. So I bought a blue one that looks just like it.

To be totally real, you will probably show up and demand to give me $25 because of it's stunning beauty and delectable nature. I however will refuse such an offer. Probably. Then I will change my mind and accept to keep you on your toes.

In review: The Couch has a few dings and nicks. It's not perfect, as it is very comfortable (Ninja speak for worn in) and is a tiny bit damaged in one corner. I have provided photos of the damaged areas but lets be honest here. The couch is $20 and it's on the first floor right by my front door. Easy to buy. Easy to move. Not easy to find another Ninja Warrior Throne.

My name is Josh. Email me and I'll get right back to you. Promise.

A Christmas Tradition for the Whole Family

My wife and I realized that since we have been married (we have been married almost one year) we have been living with the traditions of our families. As a small family, we don't have our own traditions. So we decided to make our own tradition. We believe that traditions should be awesome and not awful. So, we created a new tradition that is awesome enough that future generations of Erickson will be excited about for years to come. Sooooo we built a Gingerbread House and on Christmas afternoon, we destroyed it, filmed it, and put it on the interwebs. Yeah, that is a tradition that we can all get behind.

Gingerbread House

Feel free to make your own video and share it in the comments!

How to Pick a Lock

This is a re-post of a blog written by Jason Fitzpatrick on Lifehacker.com . I read it today and it was AWESOME. The way they pick the lock on the Combination Lock is super cool. Yeah, super cool. If you like what you read here, go ahead and check out their website. They have some really neat stuff.
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Learn to Pick Locks for Fun and an Increased Understanding of Security

By Jason Fitzpatrick

Oct 25, 2010 12:00 PM

Learning to pick locks is a fun exercise in learning about locking mechanisms, honing a useful skill, and getting a better understanding of how locks work and protect—or fail to protect—you and your stuff.
Photo by Lanchongzi.

If you've never picked a lock before, you're missing out. It's fun, for the most part it's a strictly analog/mechanical pursuit (a therapeutic break from electronic gadgets), and unlike say, learning to juggle, when you end up locked out of your house you can actually put your skill to use.
The best place to get started with lock picking is to look up a local chapter of Locksport International. Not only does it add in a social element to the hobby but in meeting up with other more seasoned lock picking enthusiasts you'll get a chance to see and try out all sorts of tools and practice lock sets that would cost a bundle to buy when you're just getting started. Download the previously mentioned Locksport International Guide to lockpicking here.
If you're really interested in learning about locks and lock picking don't bookmark the guide and hope to get around to it later. It's an excellent visual primer and extremely accessible, go grab the PDF and read it. While it's downloading, enjoy the video below which demonstrates, thanks to a clear lock casing, exactly what is happening inside when you pick a lock.
In addition to highlighting the Locksport International guide, we've covered some pretty neat techniques over the years for dealing with locks and doors.

Pick a Lock with a Bump Key

Two years ago bump key lock picking was all over the internet—though it certainly wasn't new to criminals or locksmiths. People couldn't believe how easy it was pick many simple locks using little more than a key blank and a screw driver. (original story)

Build Your Own Vibrating Lock Pic

As you get more into lock picking you'll be tempted to buy some of the cool toys out there. Skip the $100+ vibrating lock pick sets and build your own from around $10 worth of parts—principally an Oral-B vibrating tooth brush. (original story)

Unlock a Sliding Chain Lock with a Rubber Band

While not technically lock picking, it's a very simple and clever method for opening a chain lock using nothing more than a rubber band. If you've picked a lock and found a security chain behind it, you just need a rubber band and a deft hand. (original story)


Crack a Master Combination Lock

Got a Master combination lock you want to get open but you don't want to destroy the lock or what it's attached to? Follow the link above to download a flowchart to guide you through cracking the combination without damaging the lock. Don't have time to diddle your way through testing combinations and following a flowchart? Open it with a beer can:

While the above videos showcase some pretty flashy techniques, we'd again direct you back to the previously mentioned Locksport International Guide to Lockpicking. It's a rock-solid beginners guide to picking locks, taking them apart, tinkering with them, and learning quite a bit about lock history and mechanics in the process.

If you're a lock picking hobbyist, sound off in the comments with your favorite resources, tools, or tricks and help your fellow readers get started with the hobby.