Postcard Diaspora: Verdun, Quebec 1937

Verdun, Quebec postcard mailed 9/2/1937 from New York City, depicts aerial view of the Medical Center, although sender penciled in above the image "Hotel 'Rio' at 159th St. Broadway--N.Y." Postage used: .02. Message: "Hya Bill: Well here we are at last, NEW YORK, arrived last night 10:30, got accomodated at a swell hotel, changed, 'went out', got to bed 2 AM. No shopping as yet. (HOW's THE PAV. GOIN) Jack" I will send this to the original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Philadelphia, PA 1925

Philadelphia, PA postcard mailed 8/17/1925 from Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada, depicts Evangeline Beach, Grand Pré, NS. Postage used: .02 Canadian. Message: "Thanks awfully for taking care of me. Hope you were able to get the 10 [illegible]. Coming home about the 28th. [Signature]" I will send this to the original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Chicago, Illinois 1957

Chicago, Illinois postcard mailed 8/25/1957 from Washington, DC, depicts Allison's Little Tea House in Arlington, VA. Postage used: .02. Message: "Howdy! We have just had a wonderful dinner & wish you were here with us-- Love, Marie and Nan" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Tulsa, Oklahoma 1953

Tulsa, Oklahoma postcard mailed 8/4/1953 from Sunland, CA, depicts Buffum's Department Store in Orange County. Postage used: .02. Message: "Dear Evelyn. - Rec'd card from Chicago so glad you went, we are always glad to get home & appreciate it more. Hope to see you the middle of Sept. Miss my Tulsa friends. Love Pearl" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Hagerstown, Maryland 1946

Hagerstown, Maryland postcard mailed 8/12/1946 from Atlantic City, NJ, depicts AC's Lower Chelsea Beach and hotels. Postage used: .01. Message: "[Salutation obscured] We arrived here Sunday morning about 5 oclock. Weather so far has been fine. 'Jim' and I are going in the ocean this [af]ternoon. See you later. 'Lib'" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Washington, DC 1954

Washington, DC postcard mailed 3/23/1954 from San Francisco, CA, depicts the famous Cliff House and Seal Rocks in SF. Postage used: .02. Message: "Dear Mother and Daddy, [obscured] in San Francisco nearing end of tour. We had lunch at the Cliff House yesterday & saw numerous seals out on the rocks. We will be here a couple of days. Love to all, Marietta" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: South Portland, Maine 1965

South Portland, Maine postcard sent 4/19/1965 from New York City, depicts Central Park. Postage used: .04. Message: "Joel, You'd love all the 'bleached blondes' here. This place is wonderful. Our hotel is in the middle of everything. They were skating in Rockefeller Center (ice). We are going to Radio City in about 1/2 hour. Well got to run. Love ya, Cath [P.S.] Be Good" This postcard will be mailed to original address on March 26, 2010.

Postcard Diaspora: Laurinburg, North Carolina 1945

Laurinburg, NC postcard sent 8/20/1945 from Brevard, NC, depicts the Rock-brook Camp for Girls in Brevard. Postage used: .01. Message: "Dear Mather [that's whatit looks like], I am coming home with Mather Hannah. Am not sure when she is leaving but guess it is Thursday. She is taking Jane B. with her. Love, Jane. [PS] Thisis a picture of the lodge and lake and vesper rock." Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Hatfield, Pennsylvania 1974

Hatfield, PA postcard sent 6/3/1974 from Jackson, WY, depicts the Teton Range. Postage used: .08. Message: "Hi Paul, It is really neat here -- the mountains are so beautiful. Wish I could stay. It's really hard to find someone to climb with, mostly hiking. See you soon, Diane" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Loma Linda, California 1970

Loma Linda, CA postcard sent 3/28/1970 from Santa Barbara, depicts view of Santa Barbara city, harbor and Channel Islands. Postage used .05. Message: "Hi! Sorry we couldn't call, but enjoyed talking with Kathy We are enjoying SB & have really fallen in love with it. Love, George & Shirlee" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Belleville, New Jersey 1925

Belleville, NJ postcard sent (apparently) 8/26/25 from somewhere in Maine, depicts Mt Chocorua and Chocorua Lake in NH's White Mountains. Postage used: .02. Message: "Dear Bill: Does this look familiar to you? This is where I was yesterday. Left 7 A.M. for an all day trip to the White Mts. Weather has been wonderful. Swimming is great here. Am writing this on my lap. Sincerely, Emily" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Yorkshire, England 1949

Yorkshire, England postcard sent (apparently) 1/12/49 from Boston, depicts Boston's Public Gardens. Postage used: .05. Message: "Had a lovely crossing only two rough days. Landed with glorious sunshine--hope it continues. Start work tomorrow (Monday)!! Hope you have fully recovered. Love to both, Eden" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Bethel, Ohio

Bethel, Ohio postcard sent 4/19/68 from Denver, shows Denver skyline at night. Postage used: .10 airmail. Message: "Dear Mother, Arrived on schedule. It was cold about 30 last night & they had snow the day before yesterday. It is [illegible] warmer to-day. Will be home to night & will see you Sunday A.M. Love, David" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.


So I'm starting a project to return old postcards that I've purchased in bulk over the years to the address they were originally sent to. The project is tentatively entitled "Postcard Diaspora", but that's just because I like the word "diaspora" and really given the fact that I intend to return the postcards to their "homes" maybe it's really the opposite of what this idea should be called.

Anyhow, the ephemeral nature of postcards has always appealed to me. Postcards aren't quite letters--more like texts, in modern parlance--and usually got thrown away or sold off in estate sales, etc. So, regardless of how banal the messages may be (and really, they never are, because every postcard is a snapshot of a time, place and person), I find them to be portals into a moment with little to no context, around which, with imagination, one can wrap one's own ideas and create flights of fancy.

Another great appeal to me is imagining what it must be like to be on the receiving end of one of the re-sent postcards. Maybe it's a connection to the house's past, to long-dead previous owners. Maybe it's a postcard your mother or father or grandmother or grandfather or even great-grandmother or great-grandfather sent. Maybe it'll make you sad, or nostalgic, or happy, or indifferent if you receive one of these old cards. Who knows?

So the first postcard I'm sending out is to an address in Bethel, Ohio. I will include with each post the front and back of the postcard, as well as the message, date sent from/to, postage used.

I've encouraged recipients to send me any comments, so I'll share them if/when I get them. So follow this blog to see new Postcard Diaspora posts.

Zippy for Japan

Came across this 2003 Zippy strip today among my things, and by things, I mean stuff, by which I mean things. Anybody out there who can translate it?

Trashball 110309: The Case of the Marked Notes

Because I fear that creditors will somehow infiltrate my bank account, I lean heavily toward a cash world, in my pocket. So I notice stuff. Like all the marks on money.

Given to rumination about objects, I cannot hold a coin, Federal Reserve Note, or vibrator without wondering where it's been.

In my paranoid check-cashing, though, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon on high-value notes. Given that most of our paper currency bears traces of cocaine (esp. here in DC), we shouldn't be surprised that much of our folding money, particularly of high denomination, has gone through the hands of pushers.

And I believe it's druggy folks that use these wonderful little rubber stamps on money. I recently came across a well stamped $100 bill, illustrated here. Who are these people? Is it ego that makes them tattoo our money? Okay, that's a stupid question.

Anyhow, viva "Jhon"!

Trashball 110309: A Snuggie Christmas

Today I found upon the linoleum floor of my local Safeway a list. I assume it's a Christmas list and, while I hate to be a spoiler, I doubt that listed recipients read this desolate "web log".

Anyhow, some people are gonna get a lot of Snuggie shit, boy howdy! Also long johns, socks, 'n' sweaters! A few black sheep are slated to get other products, among them San francisco '49ers gear and boots. "Bre" gets a coat. Cindy gets something called a "brown northface" in addition to perfume, which, though worn, is the only thing on this list that I can confidently say has no true insulating use.

"Nehru" gets a hat, in addition to socks.

Only "Gene" get a full "sweatsuit". "Charminika", you're getting boots only. I hope they're thigh high and I hope you're really hot.

The overridingly positive thing about this list is that it discloses a large family and friends. Whoever made the list still has a "Grandma" to think about (I haven't had a grandparent in decades), in addition to the odd "Antwyone" and "Tilwanda."

Hope Linda gets her sweater.

New Painting "Catalpa"

14x11" acrylic on canvas

New Painting "Ferndale"

14x11" acrylic on canvas

New Painting "Harrison Township"

16x20" Acrylic on canvas

New Painting: "Visit to the Mall"

6x10", acrylic on paper

1973 Schaefer Beer Ad with Moog

Trashball 012909: Straight to Slump

This old Navy uniform requisition form reads fairly well as a linear biography of my posture and physique. Interestingly, it was partially filled out for CDR R. L. Straight.

Song of the Day: The State I Am in, by Belle and Sebastian

I was surprised, I was happy for a day in 1975
I was puzzled by a dream, stayed with me all day in 1995
My brother had confessed that he was gay
It took the heat off me for a while
He stood up with a sailor friend
Made it known upon my sisters wedding day

I got married in a rush to save a kid from being deported
Now shes in love
I was so touched, I was moved to kick the crutches
From my crippled friend
She was not impressed that I cured her on the sabbath
So I went to confess
When she saw the funny side, we introduced my child bride
To whisky and gin

The priest in the booth had a photographic memory
For all he had heard
He took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel called
The state I am in

So I gave myself to god
There was a pregnant pause before he said ok
Now I spend my day turning tables round in marks & spencers
They dont seem to mind

I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to providence
And Ive been there and back again
The state that I am in

Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me
Cause Im stupid and blind
Desperation is the devils work, it is the folly of a boys empty mind
Now Im feeling dangerous, riding on city buses for a hobby is sad
Lead me to a living end
I promised that Id entertain my crippled friend
My crippled friend

CD of the Day: Grandaddy, The Sophtware Slump

A delight, with strangely wonderful lyrics. Buy it here.

Trashball 072608: Best of Class

I think the young man who created this did an outstanding job of telling an important story. I forgot to check which particular class he won for, but I suspect it was for Graphic Novels. In any case, it was my favorite thing at the Southeast Alaska State Fair.

Overdue Press Roundup

More for my benefit than anyone else's, here's the notable press Trashball has received (most last year).
The Washington Post
The New York Times
CNBC
Waste Age
NPR
Boing Boing
BBC
Voice of America
WNIC Detroit
Membrana (Russia)

Still in Alaska

I'm in Alaska still, longer than I planned on being here, but enjoying it, especially now that my brother, Mom and I have finished building Mom's rental property, which she calls Mountain Greenery Chalet and is a hell of a deal considering that tiny motel rooms in Haines cost at least $100.00.

For my few stalwart readers, please forgive my infrequent postings lately. Internet is spotty at best.

Trashball 062608: Outsourcing Has Gone Too Far

Cardboard box found in Haines, Alaska.

Trashball 061208: Kings Highway

I dunno, but when all other options are depleted, it might just be time to fork over the clams for a brand-new 1977 Kings Highway Motor Home and hit the ol' road. That's my view.

Trashball 061208: Your Future Wife: A "Gertie Gimmie" or a "Merry Widow"?

Pick a circa 1935 card, any circa 1935 card...

Trashball 060908: Howard Johnson's Brunswick

While I always appreciate an effort at artistry, this 1960-something ad for a Howard Johnson's in Brunswick really does disappoint, even if they are located on Pleasant Street. A bit. The font, of course, is just as it should be. But does the drawing really make one want to delight in the amenities? By which I mean to say, I could probably do no better, although I do enjoy painting motels.

Trashball 060908: The Rambler American Lure

Sometimes, I must confess, I really miss my 1968 Rambler American, even with its leaky windshield and underpowered straight-6 engine.
For truly, it was a classic motorcar that not only propelled me down the crumbling road infrastructure, but also drove me—I must say—into the heart of at least one very pretty lady. Okay, just one pretty lady, probably.
Still, though my current car (a '99 Mercury Cougar) has its charms, nothing comes across like the Rambler did, especially when the steering and brakes would go out and I careened across boulevards and ditches and medians and newspaper boxes and shrubs and retirement communities and unfortunate squirrels and UPS guys laboring with their dollies and smitten lovers and frustrated artists (although I think I did the latter a favor, despite all the litigation).

Trashball 060908: Salt Tang

Why, may I ask, are these seemingly delicious snack sticks no longer on the market? Glaedelig Jul! That sounds yummy. Damn you, Nabisco (National Biscuit Company), damn you!
From a 1960 ad.

Barack Obama 2008

I just watched an amazing, history-making speech from Sen. Obama. I am SO proud of my country, and especially my fellow Democrats. Viva Obama!