spacey computer

My computer has been increasingly unstable lately. I'm pretty sure it needs a good dose of therapy via the loving tech-savvy hands of someone that knows more about viruses than I do. Until then I will look to my old intergalactic pals from Star Wars to guide me. I don't think they will be much help, but this should at least be fun.

the loser's handbook

I'm digging into my childhood archives again... here we have one of my favorite "books". It's something that American Greetings manufactured and was given to my mom by a friend sometime in the late 60's (I think... mom?). It's also one of the items that I seemed to have permanently borrowed... "ooh I really like this, therefore it automatically becomes mine". I blame/thank this little guy for some of my bizarre humor. Weirder still I remember actually using this handbook on some lonely summer days. I was a 10 year old loser apparently.

love the one you're with

This is pulled from my childhood archives. Purely ridiculous, I posted it on Flickr forever ago when I went on a scanning spree. I don't think I've ever posted it here. Whenever I need a good chuckle I look at this image from "Pet Friends", a book apparently that is about befriending yourself or the vanity of poodles. Enjoy.

the more things change the more they stay the same

This is from a notebook I kept in junior high and is evidence of:

A) More stuff I do not throw away
B) A history of list making
C) An obsession with things I shouldn't be obsessed with
D) Laughable commitment problems
E) All of the above

One guess. I make myself laugh. Especially teenage me.

up there

UP THERE from The Ritual Project on Vimeo.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about walking around in Baltimore was looking up at the old building walls of downtown and seeing the painted advertisements. Many were so worn you couldn't make them out, some had been partially covered in graffiti, however quite a few were still recognizable. This is in image though, not name, as these ads are for products and businesses that are now long gone. And that's what I like, these seemingly inconsequential paintings have become colorful brick placeholders for a piece of history that no longer exists. Even as windows have made way for boards and roofs have caved hiding the past there are reminders of a former life.

These sorts of things make my insides pulse like a flux capacitor, revving my imagination into exploratory overdrive, wondering what it was like when these walls were new. Even as a child I remember going to The Square and I couldn't help but be fascinated by the old-timey murals that seemed so foreign... and hey, it was the 80's, so that was about as far as you get from neon and the familiar.

Up There is a documentary about folks that still practice this dying form of advertising. As the years go by I know "progress" has been making its best efforts at displacing hand-made art -- things that are slowly crafted or beautifully flawed. But there is less permanence, no heart. The subjects of this movie definitely have the latter, and a commitment to work that takes patience and skill. These days commerce may dictate with less money you can make more money, but I truly appreciate men and women that continue to practice antiquated professions. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.

[ via Crew Design ]

the world of science

Several months ago I hauled home MANY boxes of odds and ends that had been stuffed in the back of a closet at my parent's house. Slowly but surely I am making my way through the rubble and just recently rediscovered a 1958 copy of The World of Science. To be honest I have no idea what the book says (i.e. how much is outdated, informative, and/or laughable) because I was immediately taken in by the photographs and graphics. I especially like the family photo directly above; that kid on the far left has a sort of "special" expression. You can see a few more of the scanned images here.

feeling 90's

This weekend I went to my parent's house for Father's Day. During this excursion I decided that cleaning out my old bedroom closet was in order. I moved out over a decade ago and this is the only place that is still cluttered with my past. I sort of relished the opportunity to dig through some old things and see what treasures I could discover but I also wanted to allow my parents some extra space. Being a pack rat runs in the family and they need all the room they can get (sorry Mom and Dad, you know it's true).

For the most part I knew what I might find... dolls, old school work, left over clothes, and trinkets. What was a surprise, was happening upon a bunch of old magazines. I remember the act of saving them but figured they made there way to the trash at some point. Oh silly me, current me should know that past me would never let go of any sort of collecting. And it is with this that I realize that I am really an 80 year hoarder living in a decades younger body.

Strangely enough I am tickled to be the owner of a stash of Sassy, YM, Mademoiselle, Spin, Model, TV Guide (I have several early 80's as well), US, and People magazines, all from the late 80's to mostly early 90's. Why I saved them I'm not completely sure. There are a few funny "Best Of The Year" issues and semi-newsworthy examples (1990 Time with Dan Quayle on the cover). I have never felt especially nostalgic about the 90's for whatever reason... until now. So with that I give you a special 90's music mix which you can download (hopefully... maybe... it's large). It consists of mostly early 90's stuff, and it's a bit of a grab bag, but they're some of my favorites. Hope you enjoy. And keep an eye out for some more silly scans from my pointless mess of magazines.

Click here to download mix. Titles are listed below.

FEELING 90'S TRACKS:
1. Ren & Stimpy -- I'm Gonna Be a Monkey
2. Pixies -- Head On
3. Teenage Fanclub -- Alcoholiday
4. Right Said Fred -- I'm Too Sexy
5. My Bloody Valentine -- Soon
6. Black Sheep -- Strobelite Honey
7. Depeche Mode -- Enjoy the Silence
8. Tribe Called Quest -- Excursions
9. Liz Phair -- Flower
10. Nirvana -- Milk It
11. Superchunk -- My Noise
12. The Rentals -- My Summer Girl
13. Afghan Whigs -- Debonair
14. Man or Astroman -- Evil Plans of Planet Spectra
15. Magnapop -- Lay it Down
16. Codeine -- Broken Hearted Wine
17. Butthole Surfers -- The Wooden Song
18. Melvins -- Hooch
19. Hole -- Violet
20. Jane's Addiction -- Stop!

more olympic postage

I wasn't feeling good for most of the day. So as is sometimes the case when stationed at home but bored, I went back to my nostalgia vaults and got reacquainted with my scanner. After finding my '84 Olympic stamps I figured I'd go back for a second look. Roundup #2 brings the rest of my lot. Some I like better than others. Overall though I'm sort of digging this hobby and may actively revisit it.

In related news... I watched some of the events tonight.

TWO THINGS:
Sasha Artemev on the pommel horse gave me goose bumps [ Washington Post ]
This commercial is the new "reach out and touch someone" and makes me teary [ You Tube ]

Conclusion... I am just the gal propaganda loving corporate America must be looking for. OR... I have a heart.

rings and fire

Today is the big day for all sports enthusiasts and patriots... and Celine Dion* fans. The Summer Olympics will be kicking off momentarily. I'm not sure how the time difference works but at some point today the opening ceremonies will commence (*a certain heart-tastic singer participating) and we set sail for 16 days of triumph of the spirit, etc., etc.


My sarcasm is my attempt to not 100% dork out. I have to admit that I like the Olympics. Of course since Ribbon Dancing was cruelly dismissed a part of my spirit shut down, but there are still events like gymnastics and diving and... did I mention gymnastics. Ok, so my interests are pretty limited but I still consider this an exciting time in television; aside from my Bravo fixes it surely beats So You Think Big Brother Has Talent.

As with half of my favorite things in life, my love for this sporting juggernaut is rooted in childhood memories. I particularly remember the 1984 Summer Games with Mary Lou Retton. I basically wanted to be her and for about a week that contagious smile became mine. I'm sure I'm not alone in my fantasies of being able to spring across a room doing round offs, but beyond that it was a chance to forget myself and be engulfed in another world... the double foreignness of athletics and other cultures.

I thought this was a fitting time to bust out more things from my archives. I think I have mentioned before that I went through a stamp collecting phase. Have I also mentioned how cool I wasn't. Anyway, I got some Summer Olympic stamps in 1984. They're still in original condition. I even have the booklet that came with them. I really like the artwork a lot. If Ebay is around when I'm old I think I will have amassed enough stuff to fund my stay at "the home".



AND RANDOM EXTRAS:


Waldi, 1972 Olympic Mascot [ Wikipedia ]
Long History of Olympic Politics Photos [ Time Magazine ]
Top 10 Sports You Won't See [ List Universe ]
Project Runway Olympic Challenge [ Bravo ]

diagnosis pack rat and competitive roots

I've probably mentioned a time or two that I am a pack rat; it's my religion, it's my gift. This is always more evident when faced with moving to a new house, which is the case now. Everything that is cozily boxed up and forgotten gets unearthed and I remember, "crap, I have a lot of crap". At the same time, there is a certain secret pride and glee that comes along with this condition. And when I see shows like TLC's "Help! I'm a Hoarder" advertised I realize I'm not even close to off the deep end. I'm... nostalgic.


When I was a kid I was a Girl Scout, for several years in fact. The main memory I have about that time in my life is the book of Badges and Signs. This was a list of activities that had to be completed in order to get various badges that would in turn be pridefully sewn onto a snazzy drab sling of green fabric for all to be jealous of. I still have this book. And I blame this book for developing some of my less desirable personality traits... or not; who really knows I guess. But if it isn't responsible for forming certain tendencies, it definitely nurtured them.

Nothing felt better than the victory of completing a badge to-do list, getting the page signed off, and smacking that patch on my sash. I wanted the most badges. I wanted to win a competition that did not really exist. I did however learn some new things in the process. Of course I was under 11 years old so that's not so unlikely.


Every now and then I contemplate going through the motions of earning what I never got as a child. I view the book on the same level as many crafting books or DIY magazines out there-- easy to digest inspiration, motivation to tackle a project, finished off with a sense of accomplishment. I dare say it'd probably do me more good now than when I was younger. Would it be weird to don the sash again? I have that too... somewhere.


Or I could go for something a little more adult. Say, "Blogging", "Brain Surgery", "Ebaying", "Coffee Drinking", or "Beer Consumption". Now THAT'S aspiration with an apt reward. Maybe. Kind of. The new rage perhaps.

If you excel in any of these areas I encourage you to wear your skill with pride and get your well deserved patch here.

words

The other day I went treasure hunting with a friend. Neither of us were looking for anything in particular which I usually find more enjoyable... no disappointment, only nice surprises. We went off our traditional beaten path and took a gamble on Out of the Past. Wow and OH, MY. It was an overload to the senses and will probably haunt me for some time. There are literally piles of artifacts, "arranged" on a series of shelves, with small carved out walkways to navigate your way through the chaos. If you like a challenge and don't mind searching for a gem among some damaged goods then it's completely worth a visit. There's a really nice lady working there to boot. Astonishingly they have a myspace so you can check them out here.

I walked away with this super cute Golden Book for $3. Love me some words.