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

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".   

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.

Best Costume Ever

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

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...

That Gnome is Radioactive!

Sometimes I like to watch television. Bones is a forensics show on Fox, and episode 106 dealt with a murder involving a very valuable gnome. The plot of the episode can be found here.

This particular episode had to do with the found body of a hoarder that fell through the ceiling of his apartment after being dead for a little while. The team ends up discovering that a possible motive for the murder could be his acquisition of a rare garden gnome made by the famous Fiesta Ware company from the 1940s.

Fiesta Ware is known for using radioactive glazes on their ceramics, and this discontinued line has become collectible. Of course, I looked into this, and there is no record of Fiesta Ware ever manufacturing garden gnomes. This is another cool concept created for television.  Bummer. The good news... because of the much more creative brains that write for television, we were treated to the whimsical cameo appearance of a garden gnome in primetime.  Speaking of primetime...

There is a show on A&E called Hoarders, which is about people who suffer from compulsive hoarding. Basically, the idea of reality television is to show humanity at its worst, and hoarding exposes this upsetting psychological disorder for the masses to see. Impressively, this show has lasted 6 seasons.

 In the television show, this particular gnome is napped by a collector that can't accept the words "no sale" from a crazy hoarder. $50000 is a lot of money to pass up. Hoarders can be pretty strong willed, and a little nuts!  

But what if they decide to hoard gnomes?  Apparently this is just called collecting... no intervention needed.

David Bowie and the Chipmunks?

 I can't believe I've never heard of this until now.

David Bowie's song the Laughing Gnome predates his break out album Ziggy Stardust. I've heard he hates this song. It is different than his later rock sound, but not really completely out of character. He starred in the Labyrinth with a bunch of Jim Henson Muppets, remember? Anyway, enjoy this track and it's silliness. It sounds like David Bowie is doing a duet with Alvin from the Chipmunks.

You may have to go to YouTube to listen, because the company that owns the rights lets YouTube post the song where everyone can hear it for free... but posting it on another blog where everyone can hear it for free isn't allowed. I never understood common sense.