Surprise surprise, it was a revolving door all along. Part of my Estes Forgery Series, I suppose. I can always tell when I'm in a jaunty mood because suddenly, things like this look as if they could be interesting abstractions. It's when I realize I've been plodding through the week without anything, anywhere catching my eye that I realize I am in the trough, down with the mubblefubbles.
After I took out the trash I went to the mail box. Glossy cruise brochures - really, guys, it’s been 14 years. Circulars. A small check for a job. Ah: a postcard. I looked at the back and thought He gets to jump the queue.
Queue? What queue? That would be the PTBS, the Pile To Be Scanned, which is daunting and depressing and exciting, but mostly daunting. All that scanning, then the clipping and straightening, the annotating, the filing away, all so I can be remembered in a little-noticed folder in the recesses of the Internet Archive some day. Better than the U of M archives, which are underground - I imagine my hard drive somewhere in a room that makes the last image in Indiana Jones look like an Apple Store.
Anyway:
I know him! The Traffic Light Man. One of two, the other standing with his arms out. They were the walk - don’t walk symbols. The postcard shows him striding past . . . well, let me guess. The Brandenburg Gate. Got it. Then the Berlin TV tower. Then . . . London Bridge? No, can’t be. If we’re in Berlin, it must be (googling) the Oberbaum Bridge. Next, we google “Berlin tower angel on top) and up pops the Berlin Victory Column, originally erected in honor of the Second Schleswig War. Surely that’s the Rechstag on the right.
Where did this come from? The Mysterious ANK! And . . . well, here’s the text on the back.
Ank and Ank's Brother Here, and also Ampelmann, the DDR contribution to world civilization.
That's right: Herr Ampelmann was an East Berlin icon, created by Karl Peglau, described on the Ampelmann page as a "Traffic Psychologist." They're now regarded as "iconic of the East German nostalgia," as well as being superior to the West's version. I'd have to agree. I find them charming, and the story, detailed at the link above, is a great read. If you're interested in such things.
One of the stamps:
looked them up to see if I learn more about the stamps, and there doesn't seem to be any additional information beyond "this is a stamp."
Oh wait - here's an ebay listing that shows the portfolio in which they came. Computer, translate:
Stamps that can do more:
Simply scan the matrix code and inform yourself about the shipment status of your letters and the image motif - simply with your smartphone and the Post & DHL app.
Deutschepost.de/the-stamp
I realized I hadn't seen a rectangular QR code, or at least noted it. They're called rMQR Codes. Everyone is different. You can track your letter with your phone.
So that's what we've learned today.
More depressing old office junk continues to pile up on the giveaway table. We have the Iranian Hostage Situtation Memorial Stapler (No-Prize to anyone who is not Jack Ohman and can explain that) and a yellowed Compaq clunker.
You just know there's a website devoted entirely to vintage computer keyboards. While searching for such a thing to prove my point, I found a company that sells bespoke retro keyboards with the classic configuration, type of key, murder-weapon heft, and so on. They have a model called the Origin Vintage, and so help me Bog the thing is lauded thus: "Return to Innocence."
I'm often afflicted with unreasonable nostalgia, but even I have my limits.
Wife was cleaning the sidewalk because she wanted to be on the Tour of Homes. Unfortunately she left black streaks or dirt everywhere, and since you had to be voted on by the neighborhood this is disqualifying. So she took an expensive bottle of soap and sprayed it all over the sidewalk as she walked along with a hose. Later I learned that the theme of the Parade of Homes was a salute to technology, so I figured we didn't have much of a chance anyway.
Meanwhile, Natalie was playing Cowboys and Indians with John Wayne, and I had to mention that a lot of kids played John Wayne but she was lucky enough to have actually played with John Wayne.
I'm skipping a few songs. This might end up being the bottom 75. Sue me.
Dr. Hook's lead singer at this point was Ray Sawyer, who died in 2018 at the page of EIGHTY ONE. Jeez. Eventually he gave up lead vocals to Dennis Locorriere. His wikipedia page says "Locorriere, whose company retains ownership of the trademark name Dr. Hook, tours worldwide billed as 'Dr. Hook.'" We think the singer on this track was Dr. Hook, though. Right?
That will do. Some interesting money awaits your perusal.
