Day 337 – Cracker Jack Box Keychain

Cracker Jack Box Keychain from 1996. It was used to hold the mailbox key for several years, then it broke. Luckily I had another key chain standing by, Day 208’s from Paris, which thanks to Peter’s suggestion, I did not throw out. It now holds the esteemed position of keeping the mailbox key safe.

This little chap should have immediately been chucked once the metal part making it useful fell off. But there’s something about the combination of the pull of nostalgia (Day 167’s Twilight Zone TV gadget is another) and the fact that it is a wee box which you can open and close and store stuff inside. Not much, it’s true, but enough to be a tiny bit magical.

Status: Create a stop motion animation of opening and closing of box with different treasures inside.

Kill-ratio: 19:2 / ~9:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 337 For Playing With Imaginary Pals.

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p.s. I’m beginning to suspect the 90s can now be categorized as vintage. At least the early 90’s – this being ’96 however, I will resist the temptation to tag it “vintage”.

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Deanne in Objects

Day 336 – Wine Thermometer Gauge

Wine Thermometer Gauge. Garage sale find.

You wrap it around the bottle and the numbers light up until it settles on one, which tells you the temperature of the bottle. You can then safely drink accordingly.

I tried to get a digital version for my dad this xmas, but they were sold out everywhere. None of these types were around.

Can’t say we’ve used this too often, but it does have a certain gaiety to it I enjoy. Plus there’s no need to go00gle to discover what temperature a Bordeaux should be served at.

Status: Have a cocktail party and wow guests.

Kill-ratio: 22:2/ 11:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 336 For Monitoring Your Coolness.

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Deanne in Objects

Day 335 – Walter Foster Book – How to Mix Colors

How to Mix Colors and Material to Use. For the Amateur, Student, Artist, Decorator and Housepainter. Price $2.00

This book was previously owned by L.E. Clarke. I deduce this as she or he signed the cover above the Walter Foster signature.

Walter T. Foster was a pretty cool guy. He started selling books from his garage in 1919. See more in Day 146, with his How to Draw Book.

I’m not sure if they teach this practical stuff much in art school anymore. Flipping through this book makes me think they should.

He also seems to have been a pretty decent portrait painter, if he painted this. Her hair is gorgeous.

This one is twice as expensive than the How to Draw Book. 2 bucks.

Status: Pick up Some Paints and Have a Go at A Surprise

Kill-ratio: 26:3/~8:1
(Remember kids, captioned images don’t count – see the rules)

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 335 For Bathing In Colour

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Deanne in Books

Day 334 – Big Hoop Earrings

Hoop Earrings. Gift.

These are lovely, but I confess I’ve only worn them — once. Unlike these earrings from the other day (328), these don’t represent an obsolete version of me, but perhaps an obsolete version of what someone else thought of me? Gifts are tricky things eh. I think, but can’t quite recall, if it was my mom who gave them to me. If so, I still love you. If it was someone else, I still love you too.

Status: Sigh

Kill-ratio: 28:1

Alt-title: Untitled Object No. 334 For Going Around In Circles.

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RIP Waldorf Hotel. Vancouver, sometimes you suck. But then again a s0cmed1a post reminded me that art, music and gentrification are tied together. Seen it before, will see it again. Still – it makes me want to move – who cares if I’m whining.