August 2010
1 post
1 tag
Cat Tetherball Should Be A Thing
My father had a dry wit, which I like to think I inherited. We shared an appreciation for Gary Larson’s twistedly funny The Far Side.
My father was partial to any Far Side cartoons that featured dogs, such as the crafty dog luring an unsuspecting cat into a washing machine trap with “Cat Fud” signs and the one with dogs playing cat tetherball.
Gary Larson would’ve...
July 2010
1 post
2 tags
Screw Cash Cab. Get Happy.
I’ve lived in this city a long time. And have ridden in more cabs that I care to or can remember. So I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when my friends and I got into The Happy Cab, which I didn’t know was a thing.
No flashing lights. No dopey brit driver. No cameras. Just a really friendly driver who asked us a single question that dumbfounded us. After giving up our chance at a...
June 2010
15 posts
3 tags
Hip Hop Hooray!
I’m nosy by nature. that’s similar to, but oh so very different than, from a 1990s hip-hop-trio.
Usually I don’t ask, but for this week’s 52 week tumblr thing please tell me why you want this. Yes, it’s a lovely basket for Easter time, or if you like rabbits, or if you like eating rabbit at Easter time.
If you don’t want to tell me that’s fine....
2 tags
I don't think they are that into me either.
I learned at an early age that names can be misleading. I’m still waiting for the pony that should come with saddle shoes. While Earth Footwear is made from recycled materials, they do not in fact feel like you are walking barefoot in the park.
Last year I fell in love with these sandals that position toes higher than heels, which apparently gives you Betty Grable legs.
I bought 4 pairs before...
2 tags
Teach your children well
The economy sucks. So you may want to prepare your kids for a life of gambling, booze and drugs at an early age.
I don’t remember growing up around as many gambling-oriented toys as I’m discovering around the house. Maybe I’m suppressing memories of a childhood spent counting cards…
2 tags
Golf Balls can be dangerous
Unfortunately I didn’t have the instructions for this that explained you shouldn’t test the automatic ball return feature while near a wine rack.
When my father got this digital putting cup (many years ago if the bright red LED score keeper is any indication), I’m sure he never imagined one of his smart daughters would lack the common sense to keep a bottle of Petite Syrah out...
1 tag
Missing Dad
This is my first Father’s Day without my dad and it sucks. Not that we ever did anything super-special on this day but I would either be with him or call him if I was not in the New York area.
I am still sorting through all the stuff he hoarded … ventured into the attic for the first time today and retrieved a couple items before the heat and the moldy Big Bird doll in the corner...
2 tags
Magazines lie
“That woman must really have her shit together,” is what I thought when I saw a picture of this USB port extender in a magazine. It arrived it the mail, and was as slick as I expected but it did nothing to organize the chaos around my desk. And definitely did not make me look 10 pounds thinner.
So yes, magazines lie. Excuse me while I go read the three new ones that arrived today.
2 tags
Crazy fun earrings hide my family's ears
So I have my father’s years. When I was younger their Dumbo-like quality horrified me but over the year I have grown my hair and come to terms. I used to wear crazy loud earrings to camouflage but log hair works too.
Very trippy that all his brothers have “the ears”. I probably shouldn’t have indulged in my cousin’s special brownies at the wake. Dad wouldn’t...
2 tags
Artists helping animals affected by gulf oil spill
Just came across this. Great community efforts of artists looking to give their wonderful work to those who donate to helping animal victims of Gulf Oil Spill. Just a little to help out.
Check out http://ripplesketches.blogspot.com/ and do whatever you can. Thanks!!
2 tags
I'd wager that none of these mention Social Media
Clutter is still a thing even when you can’t see it. So I’ve cleared out the cabinet under my TV and found these business-y books from my post-MBA ambitious days. Granted the business world (and world economy)is slightly different than it was when I bought these they still may be useful.
Advice to book hoarders:
Take these off my hands because your collection is not complete without them
...
2 tags
I do pamper myself but am no chef
A co-worker recently confessed his dirty little secret: he is addicted to kitchen gadgets. He buys them from Williams Sonoma faster than he can use them. Sometimes the Meatball Grill Baskets and Star Wars™ Pancake Molds sit in their original boxes never to be used. Fair enough, we all have our vices. Am glad that I can still look at him with a straight face after knowing his.
Was invited to a...
2 tags
Where do you keep your spit?
I recall using this ice bucket one in the past 13 years for a wine-tasting party I hosted. Of course no one should put ice in wine. So this was the spit bucket. I have cleaned it since.
Why yes, I still have 18 wine glasses that I will not be freecycling because you never know. When the zombies come you can smash the glass part and use them as weapons.
2 tags
Lucky Bamboo can be a bitch
Based on the Feng Shui assessment I had done for my apartment I bought two new plants, both of which came with decorative pebbles. So I have excess pebbles that I will scatter in Central Park (that’s not littering, right?) unless someone takes them.
Although Lucky Bamboo is supposed to be an idiot-proof plant no one tells you that they have one hell of a funky smell if you use fluorinated...
2 tags
Best Dog Ever
Why? Just look at that face!
He will not ever be freecycled. Yes, some freecycle communities allow animal freecycling.
His toy is this pic is actually freecycled from my late father. It is sold as a massage tool, not a dog toy but is more indestructible than most actual dog toys - this guy is a beast.
If I had more free time I would start a “Shit my Dog Ruined” blog. Furry...
3 tags
Not to be confused with those who use bongs
Bought these “Ancient Oriental Massage Tools” for myself after they were the most frequently stolen item at a White Elephant party last year.
They’ve pretty much just sat on my end table until last month when my mother, who was visiting with her dog, started screaming because she thought he was eating a sharp knife. So I’m not the neatest person in the world but she...
2 tags
Strangely, Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme Not...
When I moved into my apartment I had such high aspirations for my desire to cook and have fabulous dinner parties. I even naïvely bought this rotating spice rack with one of the Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons my mother’s friends gave me. Needless to say these have not been well used.
Am not sure if/when spices go bad and am reluctant to Google this query because bad Mel B. sex tapes will...
May 2010
16 posts
2 tags
My game face is fierce, watch out Gaga.
Lady Gaga stalked me this weekend. Ok, not actually. But I must’ve heard Poker Face in every cab, bar and restaurant I’ve been in since Friday. And my friend told me that she met Gaga’s guitarist at some party in Brooklyn recently.
So I’m interpreting this as a sign from the universe to freecycle some poker-related clutter:
I never used the poker-themed tablecloth and...
3 tags
Thoughtful Gift to be Freecycled
I love words. I kick ass at scrabble. And love doing the Sunday New York Times crossword. So Bananagrams was a very thoughtful gift from a good friend. And I am a clearly a bad friend that not only never played the game but most likely never sent a thank you note for it.
Does freecycling this Bananagrams game to someone who will play it make me a worse or better friend? I’m a proponent of...
2 tags
World Domination Takes A Lot Of Energy
So I first discovered Sim City over a school vacation (not aging myself by telling which one). I was obsessed (echoes of my Castle Wolfenstein days) and pretty much played non-stop until the computer crashed. I was a kick-ass city manager and my people were pretty happy.
Since then I have avoided circling the drain of game obsession though I bought Sim City 3000 and Sims. Please help keep the...
2 tags
High School Doesn't Really Matter
My friends tell me I’m an unsentimental bitch.
Based on how ruthlessly I threw out the high school pictures that used to be in this album I guess I agree.
2 tags
"Bad Date" Shocked the Monkey
My favorite scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark is when the annoying traitorous gluttonous monkey died and Salah utters the solemn line “Bad Date”. I often refer to that line and people don’t get it but my dad always did.
So to commemorate movies I’m freecycling the remainder of movie-related books from my past. Some are arty and some are practical. I hope someone will enjoy...
3 tags
Shelf Life May Vary
I read too quickly. Sometimes I skim over the important parts.
Apparently I got the memo that it’s good to keep your last cell phone around (in case your currently one dies) but I missed the part where you don’t keep them around forever.
2 tags
Mothers of Invention
I never got the appeal of Frank Zappa. Maybe I never took enough drugs? So I’ve been stumped on this week’s theme.
While my mother never invented anything she does take credit for encouraging me to Twitter and blog though she doesn’t understand the appeal of either.
As some of you may know, I have a weakness for NYC cabs. Well that, and I’m just kinda lazy. I’ve...
3 tags
Set Adrift on Memory Bliss
“Hi. I’m Tom,” the woman in lobby said as I stepped off the elevator. Ok. After living in NYC over 10 years nothing fazes me. I smiled and handed her the two shopping bags filled with cassette tapes. “Actually, I’m Tom’s mother. He’s at home studying.”
Dude, and dude’s mother, you made my week! Not only did you send an email praising my taste in music when you didn’t get the first set of tapes I...
3 tags
Guilty Pleasures - TV shows targeted to teens
I will never freecycle my Buffy collection. She is kick-ass and this was one of the best written shows on TV, ever. Joss Whedon rocks (I’ll forgive some lame Dollhouse eps even though I stood by).
Scoff all you want. My 20-something co-workers do. But don’t judge until you watch.
It was a dark day in TV when this went off the air but really Dawn was the Scrappy-Doo of this show...
2 tags
This item mystified me
Found this in my dad’s belongings. Thought it might be some kind of wilderness compass until I determined it’s a light exposure meter for photographers. Looks like it’s in working condition and is pretty cool. Not sure how widely is used by photogs in this day and age but if nothing else can be used in a fun “what is this” guessing game. Enjoy!!
2 tags
NYC Girls Wear Short Skirts
My first grade teacher wondered about me when I couldn’t identify the picture of an iron. My mother didn’t believe in them. So I was baffled to find this item tucked away in a closet.
The Mini-Max “Pin-it” Skirt Marker helps you get an even hemline all the way around a skirt. Or so some site on Etsy says and I’m going to believe it.
Freecycling can be an...
2 tags
Dreading Monday?
Is an avalanche of mindless paperwork waiting for you to return to work on Monday?
This giant paperclip* doesn’t have any magical powers to improve your job or make the workday go faster (if it did, I wouldn’t be giving it away). But it is quirky and fun and may make you smile during the day. It also makes for an excellent Father’s Day gift, as my younger, and more clever self...
1 tag
A Curly-haired vixen I am not
I have surrendered to my stick straight hair. Trust me, I’ve tried everything over the years to have long curly locks. There was even a dark period in my teens where I had a Cher-like perm (I have burned all photographic proof of this).
I have surrended to my straight hair. And have no need for this curling iron. I’m now rocking a Joan Jett like cut (when it’s behaving) and...
1 tag
My mother bought some cool-ass games
Othello Fun facts:
The 1970s game Othello was named based on the Shakespeare play of the same name.
Amazon declares Othello is “fun for the whole family” although it “contains small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.”
iPhone apps based on the game are great way to combat boredom during insufferable “status meetings.”
Stop Thief Fun Facts
Before video games kids had to use our...
2 tags
Cassettapalooza
For anyone who is keeping track of some of the random items I’ve been freecycling the past few weeks you may notice I that I have been influenced by both highbrow and lowbrow sources over the years.
My music tastes are similarly varied as you can see from this cassette tape collection. Offerings range from Madonna to Sinatra; from Wreckx-N-Effect to Def Leppard; from The Cure to Eric...
2 tags
What Goes Around
As I catch up on the 52 Weeks Thing I had planned to freecycle an AFX magna-traction slot race car set for the “What Goes Around” theme. This was one of my favorite toys growing up and I’m amazed when I found it in the back of my father’s closet (under the Lite Brite set). Maybe he put these toys there thinking they would be of value someday. Maybe he just had treasured memories of his two...
April 2010
7 posts
2 tags
Desperate Kitty
Saw this posted on freecycle NYC tonight. I’m not a cat lover but stil have empathy. Help out if you can. We all know constipation sucks!
My poor kitty needs fiber in his diet. He usually gets a little bit of canned pumpkin with his food, but I ran out. I didn’t realize there was a bad pumpkin crop last fall or I would have stocked up. There is no pumpkin to be found in any stores!
...
2 tags
I'm so many weeks behind
Thanks to inthefade for posting the 52week catchup list. Now that I realize I won’t be struck by Tumblr lightning by rejoining I promise to be more disciplined and hope my plans to catch up aren’t thwarted.
I was going to claim that I’m not a superstitious person but realized I bought this money tree several years ago hoping to bring in some coin. Though plant is...
2 tags
Write Your Curse Words Here
I recall being a naughty child; however, I believe this is the first curse word written on this Lite-Brite set, so how bad was I really?
Awesome toy circa 1968 back when lit-up colored pegs were pretty hi-tech.
I hope the ones they make today have better bulb shields. I’m still seeing spots from the time it took me to write “Freecycle My Shit.”
1 tag
No Barbie Dolls Allowed
Instead of buying my sister and me dolls and other traditional toys, my parent bought up strategy games and Legos. I don’t regret not having a Barbie doll but some of these games were not real kid friendly. Yes, everyone had Trivial Pursuit. But the Royal Game of Sumer? I’m sure the game is awesome but was more distracted by Dark Tower and Electronic Battleship.
The history of...
2 tags
Not All Battery-Operated Toys are XXX-rated
I found these cute toys in the back of my childhood closet.
The origin of the monkey is lost in the cobwebs of my mind. His arms with the bananas rotate projecting him forward.
I believe my dad got me the plush gator during a trip to lovely Jacksonville, FL. He waddles on legs and then snaps.
Very fun to torment pets (not recommending this, ASPCA) or children. Though you may need to check for...
1 tag
Protects Candles in the Wind
So Elton probably wouldn’t have written the song if he had had one of these. Yes, that’s lame but I have no good story behind this candleholder except that it is taking up the shelf space where I plan to put the cylon head-shaped box of the 1970s Battlestar Galatica series.
1 tag
You May Remember This
So I was forced to declare a “favorite movie” at an early age because my sister got to name our second family dog after the star of her favorite move. Yes, I was about 10.
I have no clue why Casablanca appealed to my 10-year old self but there you go. I never did get to name a dog based on this movie. Rick would’ve been boring. And the girl down the street named her yappy...
1 tag
Good thing Cinderella wasn't wearing a pair of...
Sure this would be more apropos in October, but it’s in my apartment now and it has to go.
This pumpkin-shaped glass jar originally held Dunkin’ Donuts munchkins but then was used for far yummier prizes - doggie milk bones! Rattling the glass lid of this jar would bring our 110 pound golden retriever Indy running from the far reaches of the backyard for a treat. The pumpkin was...
March 2010
12 posts
1 tag
This is not a clock*
I hope someone takes this that has a wall. And needs to know what time it is.
I am chill when it comes to time except when people are late to Freecycle pick-ups.
*this really is a clock. I just like Magritte. And pipes.
1 tag
Don't Throw this Racquet
Platform or Paddle Tennis is best played early on cold winter mornings. Or so I’m told. My only experience with the game has been on scalding hot summer days when day camp counselors felt especially sadistic.
Trust me, scalding your knee on a prickly platform tennis court can ruin the game for you for life.
1 tag
Imagine a World Without Internet
People used to use CB radios to anonymously communicate with strangers.
As a young girl I was never allowed to use these CB radios that accompanied the family on road trips. Years later, after seeing Chatroulette, I understand why.
3 tags
My Desk is On the Road Again
I used to pride myself on being able to fit everything I owned into my 1989 Toyota Camry. I wasn’t on the run from anything or anyone. I just didn’t know how or where I wanted to live my life and enjoyed knowing at any time I could pick up and move to the next shiny situation.
In a period of 5 years I lived in 5 different states, usually in apartments with generic rental furniture....
1 tag
I'm No Julia Child
I forget how much my friends know this to be true. They often think I’m joking when I offer to cook something for a gathering. To my credit I’ve never given anyone food poisoning but myself. And that was a long time ago.
Cooking is not my passion. And I’m cool with that. I might have tried harder over the years if my kitchen were larger, or had a better view, or any view. I do...
1 tag
Police Wouldn't Accept this in Gun Amnesty Program
This “rapid-fire” food gun introduces “a new era of ease and convenience in the kitchen” for creating “dynamite recipes.”
Was the excerpt above from the Super Shooter Idea Book:
Written before the invention of microwave ovens and pancake-wrapped sausage?
Written by one of the former writers of “Good Times”?
Trick question. Both answers are correct.
4 tags
Mix it up Don Draper Style
Anyone in the New York City area knows that this weekend’s unnamed storm was a doozy. I usually love stormy weather but the epic tree carnage and resulting power failures interrupted my foraging for Freecycle loot at my parents’ house.
Luckily I found this retro ice crusher before the lights blew. As my friends know, I seldom keep ice in the freezer. Am not sure they could handle my serving...
1 tag
Why Relive Gettysburg?
I briefly lived in a small Down South. I knew this would be a temporary situation when people referred to me as a “Yankee” and whined about “the War of Northern Aggression” as they climbed into their pick-up trucks with confederate flag spoilers.
Oh, how I wanted to yell “You lost the damn war, moron!” And, “It’s been over 150 years get the hell...
3 tags
Black and White
“I never understood why you bought me those stupid things.” This was my mother’s reply when I asked her if I could Freecycle the Christmas gift that had been sitting unloved on a closet shelf for many years.
Before I could answer, she looked around the kitchen where she was surrounded by a cow cookie jar, cow dish towels, a cow dish towel holder, multiple cow mugs, a cow...