My Thrifty Friends

I am a thrift shop enthusiast in theory, but I tend to have bad luck and/or am so horribly indecisive that I run, screaming (in my head) from the shop, with nothing to show for my careful shopping.

Observe, however, what some friends have found in their recent travels through church sales, grocery store book bins, and thrift shops.

The Greengage Summer, found by Emily in the aforementioned "grocery store book bin." Who knew there was such a thing? She loaned me this book, and it was wonderful.

Emily is the best thrift shopper I know, by the way. She has a knack for finding really, really good stuff. If she's wearing an adorable cashmere sweater, for example, she undoubtedly found it at Goodwill.

David M, who has lavished so many beautiful antique/weird books on us over the years, is another ace finder. And usually, he just finds things in random places (the basement of his building, for example). This vintage Parcheesi game, however, he purchased at a church sale in Lovell, Maine.

And my very own Mark found these paintings, below, at our local Goodwill store. And not only did he find them, he actually purchased them. And hung them upon the wall. And they are sad clowns, friends. If you come and have a sleepover at our house, you will most likely get to fall asleep with these guys being sad right beside you. Lucky, lucky you!

weird coincidence...

that i quoted that magnetic fields song, below, not knowing that marcel marceau died?!

when i read the obituary, i couldn't help doing that mime thing in my mind, where a smile turns into a frown (or vice versa) as one's hand passes in front of one's face. kind of like this.

the saddest song in the world

The Magnetic Fields : I Looked All Over Town

I wandered in these big blue shoes,
till we had nothing left to lose.
Nobody wants you when you're a circus clown.
I should know.
I looked all over town.

I guess folks just don't like my face.
They make out like I'm some disgrace.
But nothing's gonna change this painted frown.
And I know.
I looked all over town.

Maybe somewhere I could be free.
Somewhere they won't throw rocks at me.
Somewhere this crazy hair could be my crown.
But all my life,
I've looked all over town.

So whistling this circus tune,
I inflated one more balloon.
And as I floated up I looked straight down.
And I looked all over town.

One last time.
I looked all over town.

je t'aime

bean and i went to see paris je t'aime at the movies with dancer lady and artemis a few days ago, and it was wonderful -- 18 short films about paris. we're preparing for our quebecois adventure this coming weekend!


this lady is really scared of clowns. watch the whole thing, and tell me if you don't feel a little bit sorry for "mr. giggles."

the latest from my dreamworld: last night the most boring dream ever, that i was spraying ramekins with cooking spray. when i woke up, there was a weird bird outside the window making a sound like...cooking spray.