A book you should own: Found: The Best Lost, Tossed, and Forgotten Items From Around the World
This is just great, great stuff. My boss got me it for Christmas, which is funny, because although I've told him I really enjoy the radio show "This American Life," I'm not sure if it really sunk in. Maybe it did, because apparently the magazine this is compiled on was created by a contributor on that show named Davy Rothbart, and the back has quotes from David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, Ira Glass and Dave Eggers. If those names mean anything at all to you (well, aside from Sarah Vowell being a voice in The Incredibles), you'll probably like this. It is literally just a bunch of notes and items found on the ground and sent in to this magazine. Usually, there is no context; you're left dangling with the fragment of a person's life. It's humorous, voyeuristic, and oddly moving.
Among the items found:
- A picture of a kitten flying through the air in sort of a Superman pose, found behind the drawers of a dresser bought at a garage sale.
- A note reading, "Mario, I fucking hate you you said you had to work then whys your car HERE at HER place?? You're a fucking LIAR I hate you I fucking hate you. Amber. PS Page me later"
- A popped balloon, found in someone's back yard, with a note attached to it. The note says simply, "I wish I won't flunk Sixth Grade!"
- On paper pre-itemized with bullets and the heading "Things to do Today": "Dear Dad I Love you so much Just so you no I cry for you evry night. I love you so much dad."
- A note scrawled in block letters, "IT STAYED ON THE GRILL BITCH!"
Anyway. You can't get the same effect from this because these are mostly written by hand and obviously covered in dirt and stuff. Somehow that adds to the effect. While obviously cheap voyeuristic thrills are a part of this, it winds up being just one of a number of elements. By some strange extension, (I guess imagining scenarios in which these notes would be created) it actually makes me much happier about people in general. There are some cool samples on their website that aren't in the book, so check it out.
Found Magazine.
This is just great, great stuff. My boss got me it for Christmas, which is funny, because although I've told him I really enjoy the radio show "This American Life," I'm not sure if it really sunk in. Maybe it did, because apparently the magazine this is compiled on was created by a contributor on that show named Davy Rothbart, and the back has quotes from David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, Ira Glass and Dave Eggers. If those names mean anything at all to you (well, aside from Sarah Vowell being a voice in The Incredibles), you'll probably like this. It is literally just a bunch of notes and items found on the ground and sent in to this magazine. Usually, there is no context; you're left dangling with the fragment of a person's life. It's humorous, voyeuristic, and oddly moving.
Among the items found:
- A picture of a kitten flying through the air in sort of a Superman pose, found behind the drawers of a dresser bought at a garage sale.
- A note reading, "Mario, I fucking hate you you said you had to work then whys your car HERE at HER place?? You're a fucking LIAR I hate you I fucking hate you. Amber. PS Page me later"
- A popped balloon, found in someone's back yard, with a note attached to it. The note says simply, "I wish I won't flunk Sixth Grade!"
- On paper pre-itemized with bullets and the heading "Things to do Today": "Dear Dad I Love you so much Just so you no I cry for you evry night. I love you so much dad."
- A note scrawled in block letters, "IT STAYED ON THE GRILL BITCH!"
Anyway. You can't get the same effect from this because these are mostly written by hand and obviously covered in dirt and stuff. Somehow that adds to the effect. While obviously cheap voyeuristic thrills are a part of this, it winds up being just one of a number of elements. By some strange extension, (I guess imagining scenarios in which these notes would be created) it actually makes me much happier about people in general. There are some cool samples on their website that aren't in the book, so check it out.
Found Magazine.
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I live in Hollywood. When are you going to be over around these parts? I can come to you, too.
That's my number, baby. Call anytime.