When I was growing up in the '60s and '70s, two strong characteristics emerged for me early on: I loved to read and I loved to shop. I did not discriminate in what I read when I was a kid; if it had WORDS on it, it was to be read. Spaghetti-Os can, Dad's camera manual, Reader's Digest? I GOT YOU. And a chance to get OUT of the house and BUY something, even cereal or socks? YES! We always had lots of books and magazines in the house, including a subscription to Better Homes & Gardens, which like everything else I read cover to cover. In the back of the magazine were small ads, purportedly curated by the editor, many which ran for years. The people reading these ads were housewives and me. These were some of the things I hoped to buy there (and mostly never did) when I was about 9 to 11 years old. Please to enjoy.
Aw, man, who wouldn't want a cool swan that magically changed colors with the weather, hopefully helping you to convince your mother that a blizzard was coming and it would be imprudent to go to school?
I think for many years I pretty much wanted to be a tiger. I grew my nails out so I could have "claws," which disturbed my parents and rightly so, in retrospect. These deluxe tiger sox would've been a good bargaining chip from my parents to get me to cut my weird disgusting nails.
My idea here was to get name tapes that read "Marianne Cat." This idea was not indulged.
Around this time, copper bracelets became a thing, and I did actually get one. It was heavy and turned green. I also got myself copper wire rim glasses, thinking HEY, I am DIFFERENT because they aren't gold or silver or black! What a rebel!
Just like Homer Simpson, I WANTED THE DRINKING BIRD! I think my dad snared one from a bar and I was happy as could be until the cat got ahold of it.
"MAAAAAM, why can't WE have a snazzy Scandinavian phone???"
Now, you know and I know that the first thing you think of when you see "WE PRINT ANYTHING" is "WILL THEY PRINT THE WORD 'SHIT'?" I never had the nerve to try it, although I truly wish I had.
I wanted to get this and put it in my room as a passive-aggressive snark to my dad, a Salem smoker. Again, no nerve.
Oh, I wanted these REAL bad! My Grandpa Ollie had a big pool and I wanted to do a Mod Jesus and walk on the pool water with these and be AWESOME. What could go wrong?
I loved star anything, and star-studded anything I could -- shoes, jeans, jackets, purses. But I didn't ever have 15 bucks so instead dreamed my dreamy dreams that some prepubescent boyfriend that looked like David Cassidy would notice my love of stars and buy this for me. HA HA.
The only thing I ever wanted to do with this was make posters of rock bands.
I believe it was mandatory to own this poster or a variant thereof in 1973. I got mine from Scholastic Books.
Of course I wanted a money-vomiting fish purse! DUH!
And finally, take note, crafty people: make these in time for next year's festival boho fashion season and cash IN. I had one, and it went very well with my brown suede fringed skirt, the latter of which I still have.
I'm Marianne Spellman. I am in Seattle-ish. I like and make music and words and photos and videos and coffee and have crappy eyesight, like every other blogger. I do freelance thingies for cool people and places every so often.
How To Choose A Democrat Nominee For President in 2020: 1. Candidate Aligns With Your Personal Values 2. Candidate Is Personable and Well-Funded 3. Candidate Is Maybe Not An Old White Man 4. Candidate Is Of Fine Character 5. The Person Who Will Beat The Orange Moron So Thoroughly That He Will Deflate Into A Gooey Melted Circus Peanut
"Twenty Feet From Stardom" film (June 4, 2013 via Facebook): "We love this review!!"
Ko Melina, The Dirtbombs, SIRIUS XM Underground Garage DJ (September 6, 2012, via Twitter): "Awesome #Bumbershoot photos of the @DirtbombsBand by @mariannesp..."
Kathy Valentine, The Go-Gos (August 23, 2011, via Twitter):
"Cool blog review & candid concert pics that capture the day perfectly!"
Bill Oglesby , Saxophonist, "Coronado," Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest (February 16, 2011, via YouTube):
"Hi Marianne, I'm the sax player on this cut and I've been enjoying this wonderful video collage that you put together for months.
I consider it quite an honor that you chose Illinois Jacquet to represent me not that I would compare my playing to his in any way, but Jacquet was a real soul-cat.
Thank you."
Keith Gordon, Co-Star & WM BFF, "Winnebago Man" (July 11, 2010, via Facebook):
Without doubt, the BEST and only original music with 'Bago bytes remix ever done. So this is what I get to hear swirling around in my head for the next few days? Welcome aboard; I'm delighted!"
Joel Heller, Producer, "Winnebago Man" (July 11, 2010, via Facebook):
"We love your song Marianne."
Ira Robbins, Trouser Press (March 20, 2010, via Facebook):
"great piece of writing. i liked the film better and the band less, but no matter. this is top-notch cultural criticism. give this woman a job!"
Chris Walter (Feb. 15, 2010, via Diarrhea Island):
"Nice piece, thank you. And thanks to Graham. I think all the photographers had a great time up there, it is an excellent book and exhibition.
Thanks
Chris"
Graham Nash (Feb. 8, 2010, via Diarrhea Island):
"Thanks so much for your very perceptive review of the show at the EMP...... Let's not forget to give thanks to Paul Allen and the people of Seattle for supporting the arts....
Again, well done."
John Cleese (Nov. 4, 2009, via Facebook):
"Nice review of the show by a real person."
God (Aug. 28, 2009, via Twitter):
"Listen, honey, if you weren't a chick you would so be smote right now."
The Stranger’s Cookie Countdown: Day 13
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We're counting down to 2025 by sharing some of our favorite cookies on Slog
every day in December! by Megan Seling Sarah Bernhardts
*Nielsen's Pastries*
...
Terry Riley :: Shri Camel
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Incredibly, Terry Riley's 1980 mid-period classic *Shri Camel* had never
been reissued on vinyl until last month. But Real Gone Music's new edition
gives...
A Tale of Two Galleries
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Located in downtown West Palm Beach, TW Fine Art and Kristin Hjellegjerde
Gallery are literal next-door neighbors in a row of spruced-up warehouse
proper...
December 2024 Reviews
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These are the reviews and other
projects I'm working on this month.
*B&S About Movies: *Nice shoutout in their review of Finnish film *Time of
Roses*.
...
Photos: Wa’z Japanese Kaiseki Restaurant
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Kaiseki master Hiro Tawara brings beautiful Japanese fine-dining to
Belltown in the form of his new restaurant Wa'z. Take a look at the
minimalist interi...
SAYHI wrap up blog
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today marianne blogged about seeing an indie hipster band called Say Hi
that records their songs on a mac. this most likely resulted in her having
to chang...
15 years ago
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