Happy 4th Blog-O-Versary!!!! Now What?

A card for every occasion

Well, it's wacky tacky's 4th Blog-O-Versary and 400th post - a fact that endlessly tickles the fancy of a certain someone with numerical OCD.  Surely, there are bloggers, columnists, sewing enthusiasts, adventurers, cooks, crafters, painters, and poets far more prolific than I but, at an average of 100 posts per year, I am actually feeling less lazy than I look.

I'm hoping my enthusiasm is contagious.

I've tried writing this post at least one hundred different ways and I'm still not sure what the outcome will be.  I hate to sound maudlin but after four solid years of blogging, I am coming to realize that my "unique voice" and passion for silly, old-timey stuff may not "B UNIQ."

First rule of B UNIQ Club: Don't talk about B UNIQ Club. 

Before I started wacky tacky, I had never felt the need to keep a personal account of my life (that documentary wouldn't even make it to the bottom of your Netflix queue).  Before I started wacky tacky, I didn't really understand what a blog was (a bit of a hiccup).  Before I started wacky tacky, I rarely used a computer outside of an office environment (luddite much?).  Before I started wacky tacky, I didn't know how beautifully female-dominated the medium tended to be (damn you, glass flooring!!!).  Before I started wacky tacky, I had dreams of connecting to a broad audience (are you there world, it's me, Mr. Tiny).  Before I started wacky tacky, I believed I could find some measure of success lending an authentic perspective of my favorite things (not like a show on the Food Network or a book deal or anything - no delusions of grandeur here).

At this point, I think that my reach may have exceeded my grasp (too broad in my topics, too silly, not silly enough, too much over-sharing, too impersonal).  I think that I operated in a bit of vacuum.  I think I was too far behind the technological curve.  It think that in many ways, it seems a vain conceit to continue pursuing an investment of so much time and energy that yields comparatively puny returns.  With interest (readership/comments/etc.) in wacky tacky at an all-time low, I sometimes feel like I've failed before I've even hit my stride.  I think I over-think things.

So on a celebratory, if self-pitying note, my question on this the fourth anniversary of wacky tacky's birth is, "Is it just me?"  The inspirations is there, but the motivation is questionable?  Are other writers experiencing the same thing?  Is blogging a fading form of communication?  I try to keep things "light, bright, and polite" here but having celebrated four fun years of adventuring, creating, reading incredible blogs, and making friends from around the world, I'm wondering if it is time to redouble my efforts and blog more frequently and more furiously or is it time to take a rest?  I think there is a natural beginning and a natural end to everything and I wonder if wacky tacky has reached its conclusion.  If I sound whiny, please remember...

"It's My Party (And I'll Cry if I Want to)" - Leslie Gore

Since starting wacky tacky, I have traveled more than I ever had before (Appalachia, the American Southwest, Europe, and Japan).  Since starting wacky tacky, I have grown in my sincere appreciation for all that is weird and wonderful in the world (writing things down sort of sharpens the images in my mind and deepens my gratitude).  Since starting wacky tacky, I have refined who I am and found out what is important to me (this blog very much included).  Since starting wacky tacky, I have broadened my perspective on what wacky tacky means (not relegated to any certain era/style/region/culture).  Since starting wacky tacky, I have allowed more people from wildly diverse backgrounds into my life (the blessed consequence of a decided introvert finally opening up).  Since starting wacky tacky, I have a record of all the things for which I must remember to be grateful (I have always had a bad memory and am way too quick to forget).

All things considered, the problem of waning interest in wacky tacky is such a small one.  Nevertheless, wacky tacky has become such a part of who I am that I can't help but reevaluate and consider the future as I roll over into my fifth year of over-sharing on the internet.  As a huge THANK YOU to all of the brilliant, generous, and talented folks who have read wacky tacky and celebrated with us, I share with you a short video of me performing my favorite trick in the world - rolling over!

Or, more specifically, rolling down a hill!

THANK YOU, you wacky tacky turkey necks; to you I owe a huge debt of gratitude!  Your questions, comments, and suggestions are much appreciated!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Happy 3rd Blog-O-Versary!!!

Today marks the third anniversary of wacky tacky [hold for applause].  In all honesty, I had no idea how to blog when I started and still feel like I haven't quite gotten the hang of it in terms of understanding technology, updating regularly, maintaining interest, building readership, etc.  At the inception of wacky tacky, when I spent a good deal of time looking for like-minded writers, I would come across authors who, tired of their own blogs, would publish posts full of farewells - fond and otherwise.  Perhaps my dour imagination was to blame, but it seemed to me that each one read as a virtual suicide note; "I have nothing left to say," "I just can't go on like this," or "It was nice knowing you," were common sentiments.  As a complete and utter novice, I couldn't for the life of me understand why anyone who started a blog would give up.  After all, blogging was supposed to be fun, right?  

Well, after three years and 320 posts under my belt, I'm not quite ready to announce my retirement but I am ready to admit that my perspective has broadened on the issue.  Like all writers, there are moments of defeat, distraction, and the dreaded writer's block.  Fortunately, those moments are far outweighed by the fun and friendship I find by maintaining occupancy in my kooky little corner of the internet.

Thanks for sticking with us as we stick one more candle on our wacky tacky cake!
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Reflecting back upon the last three years, I couldn't help but consider the significance of the number three.  It is often said that bad things come in threes, especially where celebrity deaths are concerned.  It has been my experience that the opposite is quite true; good things come in threes too.  I mean, hello, 3 Musketeers!!!

I am definitely of the "Schoolhouse Rock!" school of thought; "Three is a magic number!"  There is such a balance and harmony to sets of three (see: The McGuire Sisters, The Andrews Sisters, The Boswell Sisters, The Holy Trinity, et al).  By far, my favorite talented trio of all time is The Del Rubio Triplets!

Milly, Elena, and Eadie - better 

known as The Del Rubio Triplets

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Even at the tender age of eight, I was provided with a definitive answer (in the affirmative) for the age-old question, "Can there be love at first sight?"  From the first moment I saw them on the "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" Christmas special, I had an immediate fascination with and abiding love for the The Del Rubio Triplets. 

"Winter Wonderland" - The Del Rubio 

Triplets on "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" (1988)

Their star power wasn't relegated to just "Pee-Wee's Playhouse;" Milly, Elena, and Eadie became a major part of the late 1980's-early 1990's television landscape, making appearances on "Married with Children," "Full House," "New Monkees," "Night Court," and "The Golden Girls."

Their career spanned five decades!

Based on their interesting intonations, I always harbored the suspicion that the Del Rubios were from outside the continental United States (if not from out of this world).  While technically a US territory (the Panama Canal Zone), they were indeed born on a foreign shore in 1921.  It could be said that their musicality is not exactly what propelled the sisters to stardom.  The novelty of identical, sexagenarian triplets (emphasis on sex-y) in hot pants and blonde bouffants playing guitar and warbling hits by Devo and The Pointer Sisters was certainly not lost on a public insatiable for a little mid-century-styled camp.  Nevertheless, in its own wacky tacky way and after many years, the music of The Del Rubio Triplets still holds up for me.

"Ding-Dong, The Witch is Dead" - The Del Rubio Triplets

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" - The Del Rubio Triplets

"I Will Survive" - The Del Rubio Triplets

"Light My Fire" - The Del Rubio Triplets

Sadly, all three sisters have gone on to their great reward but our loss is most assuredly Heaven's gain.  I can just imagine Milly, Elena, and Eadie encouraging St. Peter to "Crack that whip!"

I'm definitely hoping that the adage, "The third time's the charm," holds true for wacky tacky.  As we enter our fourth year, our Blog-O-Versary wish is that we find even more reasons to delight in the wide world of wacky tacky with all of you wacky tacky turkey necks!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Happy 2nd Blog-O-Versary!!

As someone who writes quite frequently, I firmly believe that a notebook on the nightstand is imperative for capturing genius should the muse happen to come calling in the middle of the night.  In all sincerity, it is quite common that I wake up in the wee hours to scribble down the brilliant thoughts whose powers are strong enough to wrestle me from deepest slumber.  Why then, when I am fully awake do these ideas, that to a sleep-addled brain seem like all the wisdom of the ages combined, read like utter and unqualified nonsense?  It has happened before, even when I convince myself that I'll remember every detail of my active subconscious brainstorm, that I force myself to roll over and jot down a few notes only to wake anxious to find something poetic and instead find something woefully pathetic.

Happy Blog-O-Versary Darlin'!
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Today we celebrate two full years of bringing you our best in wacky tacky.  I didn't really have a clear direction when I began to compose this post last night so I decided the best thing to do was sleep on it.   I went to bed confident that in the morning the refreshment of a good night's sleep would break my writer's block.  A night of sleep, however fitful, did not disappoint in the brilliant ideas department and I was glad to know that if I didn't have a solid eight hours, I at least had a notebook full of inspiration.

Imagine my disappointment when I got up this morning to see two barely legible words scratched onto the page - "floaty pens."  FLOATY PENS?!?!?!  It all came rushing back to me; I had a semi-wakeful dream about those souvenir pens that have moving sailboats, animals, rockets, baseball players, race cars, and in the case of a secret one my grandpa hid in a drawer, a disappearing bikini.

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Instead of focusing solely on the never-ending charms of floaty pens, I thought I'd take a look at traditional anniversary gifts for a second anniversary.  According to several websites, a second anniversary warrants gifts of cotton.  Since, for all practical purposes, I am married to my blog, it only seemed fair that I pick out a few gifts that I'd like to receive for wacky tacky's two-year Blog-O-Versary!

This chenille, Hopalong Cassidy bedspread
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This vintage yardage for sale on Etsy
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More vintage yardage for sale on Etsy
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This hot dog & hamburger tablecloth from The Vintage Table.
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This old cotton candy sign...that counts right?
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The Yodeling Blonde Bombshell, Carolina Cotton
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"I Love to Yodel" - Carolina Cotton

...as long as we're on the subject...

Well, that's about it.  I just thought that I should acknowledge two years of blogging and express my appreciation that you've "cottoned on" to the world of wacky tacky; thank you for your support.  We are closing in on 200 followers and when we do, we'll have yet another big giveaway.  Until then, I remain respectfully yours.

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Happy Blog-O-Versary!

Has it been a whole year already?!?!  To coin a new phrase, time sure flies when you're having fun!  I started out as so very anti-technology.  A year ago, I had a dated cell phone and wondered why anyone would want to be on Facebook.  Now I have an only-slightly dated cell phone on which I check Facebook more often than is necessary and/or healthy.  A year ago, I followed no blogs and spent little-to-no time on the computer.  Now I follow about one hundred blogs and scold myself for spending too much time gazing at a screen.  It took a little goading from my brother to get me to start my own blog because he thought I had something to offer the blogosphere; I must say that I am truly grateful for his goading.  Maintaining a blog can be challenging, but in all honesty, it is very rewarding when one realizes that people are actually reading, and maybe even enjoying, the stories of silly things, crazy places, and oddball characters which one documents.

It's a wacky tacky anniversary.
Happy dogs for happy blogs!
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So, to myself and anyone out there reading, I say, HAPPY BLOG-O-VERSARY!  To celebrate the date, January 18, here are some great moments in wacky tacky history.

On this day in history:

1896
The X-Ray machine debuts as a tourist attraction in New York City.
The X-Ray Specs came later.
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1904
Cary Grant entered the world as Archibald Leach
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1913
Danny Kaye was born.
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1944
The first jazz concert is held at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.
Luminaries include Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton & Louis Armstrong
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1946 

Tex Ritter's "You Will Have to Pay" is a chart topper.

1950
The Federal tax on oleo is repealed!
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1992
Nature Boy Ric Flair becomes WWF Champion
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I hope that this year we're able to bring you even more wacky tacky adventures.  It's a big place, and we've only just begun to explore all the wacky tacky that this wide world has to offer.  Until then, please help us celebrate our first Blog-O-Versary with these anniversary songs.

"The Anniversary Song" (1960)

Connie Francis

"Anniversary Waltz"

I Love Lucy - "Hollywood Anniversary"

original air date April 4, 1955

And with you, you wacky tacky turkey necks, may I always dance the anniversary waltz!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny