drawing on straws: making stringing my guitar easier

This is somewhat off-topic, but not really since music's the basis of this blog and stuff, really. So anyway, I own two fine guitars made by my friend Dr. James Buckland. For the last couple years, I really only use the Panormo inspired one shown below. As you can see it has bridge pins. [http://blog.humaneguitarist.org/uploads/bridgePins.jpg]IMAGE: [http://blog.humaneguitarist.org/uploads/bridgePins.jpg] And I hate putting on new strings because I like to tie the string knot after the string is protruding outside of the soundhole so I can then pull the string through before I insert the pins. But it's a pain - especially with the treble strings (that's gut treble, thank you very much) - because inserting them from the top (through the bridge) rarely results in them easily finding their way out of the soundhole and into my hands. By the way I use Gamut [http://gamutmusic.squarespace.com/strings/] strings and really like them ... Anyway, I've used a set of tongs before to get them, but I just moved and don't have a set of tongs lying around. Nor do I have any tools to make something more appropriate. But I do have flexible straws ... So, using two straws I've got a nice little tool that I can insert into the soundhole and that helps me hook the string and pull it through the soundhole so I can then get onto tying the knot and restringing my guitar. Obviously, I'm so excited about such a dopey little thing I decided to blog about it. It's a lot safer for the guitar than a set of metal tongs, too. Also, you can't drink smoothies with a set of tongs. In the days before the Internet, I could have probably made a few bucks a year selling this thing through the Soundboard [http://www.guitarfoundation.org/drupal/soundboard] with a vague description and the phrase "Patent Pending" in the ad. Oh, for the good old days. And here's what the "Bridge Pin Helper (Patent Pending)" looks like. Order yours today! :P IMAGE: [http://blog.humaneguitarist.org/uploads/bridgePinHelper.jpg]