Irv Rastin Writes Georgia-Pacific, or, The Toilet Tale

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Irv Rastin Writes First Brands, or, The Severed Toe

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The Irv Rastin - Bob Dole - Cheetoh Breath - Newsweek Saga

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Irv Rastin Writes Delaware Gov. Tom Carper

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Irv Rastin Writes Metro

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Irv Rastin Writes McDonalds

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More Signed and Numbered Giclée Prints Available

The following prints, each in an edition of 45, are available:

"Supper Club"

"Supper Club" is on 11x14" archival art paper; image size is approximately 9x12". $45.00, includes shipping.

"11th and Rhode Island"

"11th and Rhode Island" is on 11x14" archival art paper; image size is approximately 9x12". $45.00, includes shipping. This is the recently demolished Diamond Cab HQ building at 11th and Rhode Island Ave, NW, in DC.

"Bread Factory"

"Bread Factory" is on 12x9" archival art paper; image size is approximately 6.8x5". $30.00, includes shipping.This is the Wonder Bread Factory at 641 S St., NW, in DC. This is a 2003 view of the west facade seen from 7th St.

"Mavie"

"Mavie" is on 11x14" archival art paper; image size is approximately 9x10.8". $45.00, includes shipping.

"Enter Here (Durham)"

"Enter Here (Durham)" is on 12x15" archival art paper; image size is approximately 9x12". $45.00, includes shipping. This is the Liberty Cafe in Durham, currently being redeveloped.

Email me at chris[at]goodwinart.com if you want a print.

Giclée Prints of New Painting "Enter Here (Durham)" Featuring the Liberty Cafe Available

I will have a limited run of signed and numbered giclée prints available in the next week or so.  Paper is 12" x 15", approximate image size 9" x 12". If you want one, email me at chris [at] goodwinart.com. $45.00 including shipping.

Old El Paso Replies to My Letter of Complaint with a Box o' Stuff

Here's a consumer complaint letter I sent to General Mills. (The cardboard I enclosed was the proof of purchase). Above is the loot they sent.

Christopher Goodwin
PO Box 676
Glen Echo, MD 20812

Juliana Chugg
Senior Vice President; President, Meals
General Mills Corporation
1 General Mills Blvd
Golden Valley, MN 55426

September 27, 2013

Dear Ms. Chugg:

The enclosed bit of cardboard packaging from a 10-count box of Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells has essentially the same mouth feel and flavor profile as the unfortunate taco shells the box contained. I am not mad, exactly, but you could definitely paint me with a Disappointed Brush, if painting is a hobby you enjoy.

In recent weeks I had come to rely on Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells—with their authentic Mexican roots—as the perfect container for my tasty Cole-Slaw-Textured-Vegetable-Protein-Canned-Corn-Broad-Bean-Garlic-Chili-Paste-‘n’-Catsup taco slurry.

It was with confidence and even a bit of swagger that I opened the 10-count box of Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells in question; after all, wasn’t the “BETTER IF USED BY” date well off into the undiscovered land of the future? November 22, 2013 seemed very far off. Surely the Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells would be as crisp and fresh as every other 10-count box of Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells that I had bartered for over the previous weeks were. (By the way, while it is an unusual tribute, having the 10-count box of Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells expire on the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s expiration, is nevertheless powerfully moving. I have no doubt that our fallen leader would have loved Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells if he had not been killed by Kevin Costner. Or was it Gary Oldman?)

As you may have deduced by now, I would like a refund for my 10-count box of Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells, nothing less and nothing more. I’m sure that the 10-count box of stale Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells was an exceptional mistake, flukey in the flukiest imaginable way.

Everybody likes a little lettuce with their tacos, so I enclose $2.00 cash to incentivize the prompt processing of my refund for the 10-count box of Old El Paso® Stand ‘n Stuff™ taco shells.

Off to the supermarket! I remain,
Your svt. &c.,

Christopher Goodwin

P.S.: I still very much enjoy your Fri-Tos salty snack product!

Postcard Diaspora: Portage, Michigan 1976

Mailed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Portage, Michigan, on February 22, 1976. "I'M IN HEAVEN. NEVER DREAMED I COULD BE SO HAPPY. AMEN. STAYING WITH FRIENDS TILL I SIGN A LEASE. NO YMCA WITH ROOMS HERE. HOTELS TOO EXPENSIVE. SEND MAIL PLEASE TO: [address]." I'll mail this today to the Portage address.

Postcard Diaspora: Portsmouth, England 1982

Postcard mailed from Florida to Portsmouth, England, on July 14, 1982. Message: Dear Vicky, A little song from an old friend. BLOOD ON THE SADDLE [musical notation]. (sung an octave lower) Love to all from Charlie. I'll mail this to the Portsmouth address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Washington, DC, 1946

Postcard mailed from Boston to Washington, DC, on August 13, 1946. Message: One more French librarian may turn up (did [?] Guinard ever appear?) This one is a young girl - very nice Miss Penard (Paula Nancie Penard). She is from the library at Le Havre. She will be in Washington soon. P.M. I'll mail this to the Washington address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Watertown, New York, 1973

Postcard mailed from Hawaii to Watertown, New York, on April 7, 1973. Message: Dear Mom and Dad – We are watching the "Brady Bunch" when they were in Hawaii. Yesterday received a packet which contained a felt calendar with a variety of ways to make a design. It looks like a good project but do not want to put all that time into a calendar so shall do a felt picture. Thanks very much...if you were the ones to send it to me. Received a letter from Judy today. So this is the weekend and must work on my income tax. Take care – Love, Jo. I'll mail this to the Watertown address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Sheffield Lake, Ohio 1964

Postcard mailed from Emporium, Pennsylvania, to Sheffield Lake, Ohio, on July 11, 1964. Message: Hi Boobs. This is sort of the vicinity we are in. Nothing except nothing here in Poverty Pa. Really looks poor. Be good. Patricia. I'll mail this to the Sheffield Lake address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Warren, RI 1957

Postcard mailed from Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire, to Warren, Rhode Island, on June 27, 1957. Message: Hi- Nice Weather Nice Trip Nice Time No Drips Steve. I'll mail this to the Warren address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Memphis, TN 1965

Postcard mailed from Bay Shore, New York, to Memphis, Tennessee, on July 6, 1965. Message: Dear Richard, Just a note to say “hi.” N.Y. is the most wonderful place and theWorld’s Fair is too beautiful to be true! Yesterday we stayed from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 AM! Friday night we had dinner in Wash. D.C. near the Capitol Building. I wish you could see it all and enjoy it like we are. See ya soon! Sincerely, Bonnie. I'll mail this to the Memphis address today.

Response to the 1959 Hanover, PA, Postcard

Received a response to this Postcard Diaspora entry.

Dear Mr. Goodwin:
Thank you for forwarding the postcard which you forwarded on October 8, 2013.
Harold Rudisill was the founder of this law firm and a close friend of the family. He died in 1969. I will forward the postcard to the “authors” who are my cousins.

Sincerely,
GUTHRIE, NONEMAKER,
YINGST & HART, LLP
Matthew L. Guthrie, Esquire

Postcard Diaspora: Los Angeles, CA 1920

Postcard mailed from Los Angeles, California, to Philadelphia, PA, on January 19, 1920. Message: Hello James. How are you fine I guess. How is all the family fine to I guess. Hee haw. Boyton B. In this case, I am mailing the postcard to the sender's address in LA. 

Postcard Diaspora: Hanover, PA 1959

Postcard mailed from Plymouth, New Hampshire, to Hanover, Pennsylvania, on August 7, 1959. Message: We are climbing the rokes and finding seashell and pretty stones. Hope to see you soon. Ande and JOEY. I'll mail this to the Hanover address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Salisbury, MD, 1907

Postcard mailed from Omaha, Nebraska, to Salisbury, Maryland, on April 23, 1907. Message: Midway Hotel, Kearney, Neb. April 23, 1907. This town is 2146 feet above sea level. Will leave for North Platt tonight. Walter. I'll mail this to the Salisbury address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Belmont, MA 1918

Postcard mailed from Atlantic City, NJ, to Belmont, MA, on March 10, 1918. Message: I arrived here Sat. Afternoon with my father. It is great here and I love it here. I expect to ride on horseback Tuesday. Do you see the horses on the shore? I am staying in Hotel Traymore. Love, Dorothy. I'll mail this to the Belmont address tomorrow.