Mood:
cheekyTopic: Retro Rules!
So the other day I was clearing out some small change from my wallet. i sorted out the nickels and one looked rather odd. I checked it carefully and it turns out that I have an almost uncirculated George V 1935 nickle. It is in such perfect condition that the jewels on the crown are crisp and clear and the fine details in the leaves on the reverse are all clear, crisp and visible. The last time I saw a George V coin in circulation was back when i was a child and it was worn to the point that it was almost without features.
I've been digging around and checking a few sites out. One site feels I might be from a proof set, a second site it's a UNC60 grade and a different site has it at AU55. This places it's value at 25-100$. For the most part; pocket change has little worth beyond face value -exceptions are rare and once-in-a-lifetime. I think I might have lucked out on this one as not only is it in pristine condition, based on the the colour and shine it might be from a proof set. The big question is: What is an uncirculated proof coin from 1935 doing in general circulation? Did someone steal it? Did someone get grandpa's coin collection and decide that it was mere pocket change? Does it matter now that it's mine?
First on our list of oddities more or less connected with retro: tomorrow is Downtown Kitchener's annual Cruising on King Party. http://www.cruisingonking.ca/ This year there will be Elvis impersonators, a sock-hop dance and lots of fins and flare. the theme is the Fifties and they've been soliciting the best of the best 1950's cars including modifieds, hot rods, and classic restored cars. We'll all be there, it's supposed to be larger than ever stretching from Water Street all the way to Cedar. The evening starts off with a parade of the cars and then an open air show of them. All the stores will be open late so people can see that there's more to downtown Kitchener than coke whores and the people who patronize them.
Speaking of old, here's a little article called "The creepiest vintage ads of all time" http://www.retrocomedy.com/2009/07/15-creepiest-vintage-ads-of-all-time.html I have to agree with all of these. They are offencive, misogynist, and surprisingly violent. There's one with a pig merrily slicing himself up, a man spanking his wife like a child, and a creepy ad telling women they need to use Lysol as a douche because their hubbies don't find them "dainty" enough. What. The. Fuck. dainty is a word i associate with crochet doilies, sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and small cookies covered in sparkles. Not with my...well ...you know. I guess I don't have that appealing feminine dainty allure...whatever the hell that means. There is some chatter that it was actually used to induce abortions and it was used as a home treatment for STD's. Yikes! I'm happy I don't live in such a repressed era. The number two creepy ad is one that was in every fashion and style magazine back when i was a teen and one I remember well: the Pedo Bear approved ad for "Love's Baby Soft" perfume. it smelled of vanilla, baby oil and baby powder and always had a model who looked like a tarted-up toddler.
Now for something completely diffident: depressing comic strips: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2009/07/07/15-suicidally-depressing-comicstrips/ Over the years many comic strips have tackled the relevant issues of the day and many did not shy away from the dark troubles faced by the readership. One can find thousands of examples of how well this was done back in the depression of the 30's. A good strip sits beside the reader with a hand on the shoulder and shows sympathy and empathy. They say, I know how you feel, I'm share your life" these strips get in the face of the reader and hit him/her over the head and say "ya think you've got it bad? HAH! Look at this!" As an aside, notice how many of these strips come from Topless Robot's article comics strips that need to die?
As a sequel to yesterday's Haute Couture posting, Those who follow the old retro fashion rule about no white after labour day should stay far away from Elie Saab's fall winter collection, it is 100% pure white everything, from shoes, boots, coats dresses...you name it, it's in white. The reviews for Dior are universally "disappointing" and "a let down" I'm not the only one who thought he was trying pad the show by turning only a few looks into more by featuring one piece of an outfit with lingerie.
Finally, since the internet is all about ranting, here's a site dedicated to the best of the worst: http://www.projectrant.com/news/
And that's all for today. later!
