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

I Die So Over DAISO!

My name is Mr. Tiny and I am a dollar-store junkie.  When funds are low and options limited, I have been known to dance stride through, with the maturity fitting a well-adjusted, adult man, the aisles of the 99 Cents Only Store (becoming more and more of a misnomer with each passing day) and/or the Dollar Tree for hours.  Within those hallowed walls I find the wildest, coolest, and most (im)practical items - items that make functioning as a human being much more pleasant.

Who doesn't need a Super Stars doll, with its feminine
form, not-to-scale masculine head, molded-plastic boots,
and violently-violet hair?

When the end of days comes, will you be prepared?
Mr. Tiny will be living off this smorgasbord of junk food
replicated in marshmallow...this stuff never spoils, folks!

By the way, I can stop any time I want to...I just don't want to right now.

The real reason I love a good dollar store is that I know I can afford anything in the whole joint; nothing is beyond the limits of my meager bank balance.  Like a French millionaire strolling past the luxury shops of the Champs-Elysees, I strut through the dollar store with a mild air of faux disdain, looking down my nose to examine some piece of merchandise, with the confidence that at any moment I could say, "I'll take everything you've got," knowing that even then, I would still only be out thirty-four dollars...plus tax.

As great as our American dollar stores have proven themselves to be, an exciting Japanese counterpart has recently graced our golden shores and vies for superiority.  This store is proof of a modern-day, discount diaspora and I refuse to be the last lay cultural anthropologist to document it!

The goal is to get to all of Southern California's
Daiso locations (for research/comparison purposes, of
course).  For this post we chose the Daiso in Torrance, CA.

I am actually taking my life into my hands by bringing you the information in this post.  I swore a blood oath (well a smoothie oath, anyway) that this little piece of Heaven on Earth would be the secret shopping spot of the original Three Musketeers who found it (we're operating on the premise that we "discovered" Daiso).  In fact, the oath was my idea but in light of our forthcoming trip to Japan, this is just too good to remain a secret for very long.  So, here I am letting the Hello Kitty out of the bag with the brilliance of DAISO!!!

That's right, this place has an entire department dedicated to "SURPRISE & FUN!"

Daiso elicits a lot of complicated feelings.  Immediately overjoyed at the Japanese wonderland of kitchen utensils in every pastel color, sponges with smiley faces, and panda-shaped cookies filled with strawberry confection, one quickly gets a sense of dread realizing that something is a little bit different in Daiso; instead of one dollar, everything (unless otherwise marked) is priced at $1.50!  Once one gets past the who-do-they-think-I-am-Nelson-Rockefeller stage, it becomes easy to forget the extra fifty cents and fill a basket full of imported goodness!

I love the Japanese because they are always creating charming solutions
to problems that you never knew you had.  Like the time you said, "Could
there please, please be a reflective, umbrella receptacle that attaches to the
handle bars of my bike?"  Or the time you were bemoaning your utter lack of
"chocolate scented soft strap animals," or your mother's shock the first time she
came to see your new apartment and was repulsed by the gross immodesty of
your completely-naked chair legs.  Daiso of Japan has the answer - gingham! 

What I want to know is, how have I been making homemade,
microwave corn dogs without a pink, plastic mold/stick set for
all of these years?  Now I can't make them any other way.

Much of Daiso's inventory has a face and nearly everything is happy to
serve the customer.  The trash cans are eerily eager for your waste. 

Even the cotton swabs are pleased to assist in ear-gunk removal.

 There is a lot to be said for good packaging and America could take a few notes from Daiso.

Twine to truss a pork roast actually binds a cartoon pig.
This little piggy seems to like it...wink!

I have often wondered if I could subsist entirely on only what I could find at dollar stores; Daiso has me thinking that I most definitely could.

They carry everything for your top...

Down to your bottom!

Harmless household items or something else entirely?
Daiso seems to have a bit of an odd side too.
Blonde "Party Wigs," Massagers for parts of your body that you didn't know
 you had, and "Banana Keepers"....I don't know Daiso, I just don't know...  

Don't worry, it gets weirder!!!  Tucked amongst the noisemakers, Jacob's ladders, and squirt guns of Daiso's toy section, hung two of the strangest "toys" I have ever seen.  But don't take my word for it...

"Instant Boobs"
Working in a similar fashion to a glowstick, a chemical reaction is produced by a
vigorous massage (see step 2), creating inflated, stick-on, latex bosoms.  Of course,
we couldn't leave the store without them...they're only $1.50!!!  Imagine all of
the worthwhile things we could buy if we didn't buy so much dollar store junk!

Not to be outdone, there is an adhesive appendage for girls with swan envy.
Do you see the bald man in the nude body suit....CREEPY!!!!
From what I understand it was this prima ballerina's final performance,
making this her "Swan Schlong."  Why does it look like a swan?!?!?!  

The greatest part about frequenting dollar stores is the fun - trying on masks, creating full dance routines in the aisles, testing products, wearing children's sun hats, getting other shoppers to sing along with the muzak, filling your lonely Saturday nights.  But don't get it twisted; I graduated from picking up items and asking the nearest employee, "How much is this," a long time ago...child's play.

The greatest part about Daiso is that very little is lost in translation...

"Special Presents.  With the delicious cake
which I made heartily, have happy time."

Daiso of Japan

Multiple Locations

www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Don't Be Hatin' on Bloglovin'

I honestly have no idea what Bloglovin' does or doesn't do but it seems like the tide is turning that way. What am I if I am not a sheep?  I just follow the rules and the rules stated that I needed to claim my blog and paste this code in the post???  I hope this isn't some kind of virus and that I'm not erasing all of my posts.  It goes against my blogging principles to waste a whole post on something like this but sometimes you just can't fight the man!  We'll see what happens...

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2284261/?claim=xy6g5zgz7me">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Follow me on Bloglovin'???  Follow me to Bloglovin'???  Where do I get some Bloglovin'?!?!?!?!  I'm crossing my fingers cause I can't cross my eyes!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. My very talented, computer-savvy brother just made this badge/button for me...pretty awesome, right?!?!?!?!  Thanks brother!!!!

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'!
(Source)

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.

(Source)

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
(Source)

This vintage yardage for sale on Etsy
(Source)

More vintage yardage for sale on Etsy
(Source)

This hot dog & hamburger tablecloth from The Vintage Table.
(Source)

This old cotton candy sign...that counts right?
(Source)

The Yodeling Blonde Bombshell, Carolina Cotton
(Source)

"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

wacky tacky: a primer

wacky tacky is not just mid-20th-Century kitsch.  It embraces the style and sentiment of people who longed to leave their mark on the world through creative design - be it fashion, interior, architectural, industrial, graphic or even culinary.  wacky tacky may seem like the misguided assemblage of derelict remnants of a time gone by - and maybe it is; more than a curated collection of artifacts, however, wacky tacky is the veritable smash up of cultures, religions, eras, design sensibilities, and color schemes with an added disregard for traditional design and its adherence to the often stringent rules of classical form, scale, composition, and proportion.  wacky tacky is an amalgam of disparate elements that, when combined, create an atmosphere of fun and frivolity. wacky tacky, the blog, promises to be an light-hearted chronicle of the adventures of Mr. Tiny and his associates as they create, design and explore places that ignite the senses and inspire the absurd.  Also, wacky tacky promises to stop referencing itself in the third person from here on out.

Dreamy examples of wacky tacky:

 Kitsch 'n Swell Vintage, Montreal

60's Circus Ruffle Blouse handmade by Mr. Tiny

 Rancho Super Car Wash, Rancho Mirage, CA

Roadside Americana, Mentone, CA

Gnome Gnativity hand painted by Mr. Tiny

Hillbilly Hot Rod, Templeton, CA 

Laguna de San Gabriel Playground at Vincent Lugo Park, San Gabriel, CA 

 Tiki Basket Purse handmade by Mr. Tiny

Lucky Rock Room, Maddona Inn, San Luis Obispo, CA

Not wacky, just tacky:

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny