Saturday, December 7, 2013

Gnotebooks

When I went away in high school for the summer, it was recommended that I take a journal with me, in order to write about stuff. Because, when teenagers do teenage things in far away places they all want a place to keep track of stuff, like a homework assignment. This isn't really important. What is important, is that my dad gave me the journal that I would take with me. I'm not sure where he got it, originally, but I took the Gnome Gnotebook with me and would use it very little on my trip. I kept it after I returned home and would continue to use it throughout high school and college to keep track of phone numbers, doodles, and really really bad poetry.


I looked it up, of course, for this blog, and found that there are others around, some up for sale on auction and garage sale sites. There really isn't anything special about it other than the cover image, it is a journal after all, meaning it is a book with a bunch of blank pages. However, the cover image is also on each lined page, a stationary-like border (in blue and white, not colored like the cover).  

I also ran across a proper book in my search, however. Priscilla A Fox had a similar gnotebook like mine, and used it to compile her own poetry. The Gnome's Gnotebook is her published collection of poems from her gnotebook.  

Gnome's Gnotebook by Priscilla A Fox
November 27, 2012
WestBowPress

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Gnome Gnon-Fiction


Gnomes by Vivian Russell
April 1, 2005
Francis Lincoln Press

Apparently this is a historical account of how Garden Gnomes became a popular thing. Worth checking out? You can find it pretty cheap on Amazon. Vivian Russell traces the Garden Gnome phenomenon back to 1847 England. However, gnomes were a thing before that in Germany, although not something used in outdoorsy gardens and landscaping.

I found some reviews. This one from Home & Garden reads more like a book report.

Publisher's Weekly reviewed it also, and concluded that although normal people won't be as crazy for gnomes as Russell, "they will undoubtedly enjoy flipping through these delightful, vibrant photos and reading Russell's fond musings on these adorable garden accessories".   

Sunday, January 27, 2013

A Home isn't a Home without a Gnome

Sometimes there are pretty clever advertising campaigns out there that make me laugh. They don't do what advertising campaigns are supposed to and get me to go out and buy their product. But they do entertain me, and for that, I'm grateful those corporations decided to throw away millions on these ad spots.

The Real Men of Genius radio spots started airing in 1998 and continued to be created and aired until 2008. The one below is on this blog for obvious reasons.


Saturday, January 26, 2013

Best Costume Ever

I found this while perusing the internets... This costume is full of win! The shoes are the best part.


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Like Notes in your Lunchbox


I think books like this are hilarious. Not only are the notes funny, but from a historic perspective, they are a window into the everyday life of modern people, the people's history, if you will. Oonagh O Hagan has published a few books of these notes, and there are a few photo websites that post them as well. This one below is my favorite, for obvious reasons...