Life is Dynamite

Rebecca Black is Dynamite!

2011-04-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen it yet, see it now:

This video has gone viral, and aroused a lot of discussion.

Here's the Dynamite perspective on Rebecca Black: She is awesome! The tune is catchy, and the video production aspires to be professional. It's more than a teenage girl lip-syncing into her hairbrush video-ed on her cell phone.

Yet the lyrics are cheeeeeeesy! Yet if this was a Talking Heads song, we would be saying: "How cool, how avant-garde, how ironic!" Yet she is totally sincere, totally enthusiastic, totally having fun. If she was doing this ironically, it would just be another ironic too-cool-for-school kind of thing. It's her authenticity that shines through in a medium that is either given to falsity or cynicism.

She pours her heart and soul into an embarrassing project. We've all done similar things in our life. Her failure is her authenticity. This is the essence of "Dynamite." That's why I love Rebecca Black.

It's been a long time...

2010-06-21T06:57:00.001-07:00

...and I miss publishing this blog. I'm a full-time student in a demanding program, and have a second child on the way. I hardly have time to take care of the requirements of basic human life, let alone spend time on a frivolous pastime life Life is Dynamite. When I was publishing regularly, it brought joy to me, simply to focus on the goofy parts of life that cast a glimmer of transcendence on an otherwise routine day. Our foibles are often part of our life that we try to hide from view, but therein lie the richness of life.

Anyway, enough of that. I saw this and thought of you:

Be well, all.

Sexy People

2009-04-21T10:48:00.001-07:00

One of my new favorite blogs. Sexy People. I need it everyday. The best portrait photography easily assembled into one convenient place for your detectability.

Francine Dancer

2009-04-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Although this blog has been rather quiet recently due to factors of relevance, dynamite is still abounding. Check out Ms. Francine Dancer, apparantly, producer of the #1 Public Access Show in California. Friend her on myspace. I did, and so should you. Thanks to Superbomba for the heads-up on this one!

Joy to the world

2009-04-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

"My Mom thought buying matching Christmas pajamas was the height of cuteness, Look at the joy on our faces"

Thanks, Chuck!

my 1980s mullet shame

2009-02-24T11:11:00.001-08:00

"I'm on the left. Yes, it's a mullet I'm sporting. With blue eyeliner. My sister kind of looks like she has a mullet, too, but in reality the sides of her big hair were simply pulled back. But she WAS wearing blue eyeliner--she can't get off the hook with THAT one!"

Thanks, Anosmia!

Escher Dress

2009-02-20T12:05:00.001-08:00

"The year was 1972. The place, Tripoli, Libya. The day, my birthday in my very FAVORITE dress--the mod, mod yellow and green interlocking lizard dress."

Thanks, Calsidyrose!

YES!

2009-02-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

"This is a photo from my basement, or more correctly my parent's basement, where my room was in the 1970s and again, during grad school, in the 1980s. Note the Yes album on the turntable, the patches on Gerry's jeans, the Tolkien novel in his hand, and most of all, the real reason for posting this - THE WALLPAPER!

It looks like a hallucination - but it was real!

Never had a hallucination? No need to - just look at this wallpaper."

Thanks, Mike!

My Mom in Hot Pants.

2009-02-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

"My mom will kill me for posting this--but, honestly, she's held on to her good looks without the aid of plastic surgery!

The reason she had to pose on the back porch (I can't believe my dad left the mop in the photo) was because it was 1972 and we lived in Tripoli, Libya. She would have caused a riot if she had stepped out on the street in this little pink jumpsuit."

Thanks, Calsidyrose.

Two-faced

2009-02-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

Thanks, FengKaiLi!

What will the babies look like?

2009-02-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

"Cousin Jess circa 1996"

"Cousin Jess' fiance Brent circa 1989"

Thanks Spamberly!

Cabbage Patch Photo Batch

2009-02-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

"[My Cabbage Patch Kid] even had to be in the family portrait with me. I was 10; shouldn't I have outgrown her by then? I also love how my sister looks middle-aged in this photo. She was 13."

Thanks Jennifer!

Glam fam!

2009-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

"Big hair! Faded, decorated denim! Big ol' earrings! It was the 1980s! We were hot!

My sister had this glam shot made at the height of the '80s. This photo perfectly captures the glamorous excess of the era! Thanx, sis, for letting me share this!"

Thanks, Caldyisrose

The higher the hair the closer to God

2009-01-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

"The year: 1989. Yep, that's me, wearing my fancy beige suit and striped tie. I'm younger, I'm thinner, but most importantly, LOOK AT THAT HAIR! Good GOD what the HELL was I thinking? The higher the hair, the closer to God? I dunno... but GEEZ! Keep all matches, cigarettes and all other incendiary devices FAR AWAY."

Thanks, Rick!

Still bored at work

2009-01-22T11:03:00.001-08:00

Build your own Blingee

Bored at work

2009-01-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Go see more and go vote.

Pepsi Challenged

2009-01-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

"My I.D. Card From 1985 (like I was going to get kidnapped with that hair!)" From Rebecca.

Seems like in my childhood there was a time that everyone was frightened of children getting kidnapped. I remember getting fingerprinted just in case I got abducted. I'm sure it happens sometimes and it's scary and tragic, but perhaps the precautions were a bit alarmist. Seems like they tried to put the fear of God into us kids to not speak to people we didn't know. "The world is scary, kids, and don't trust anyone." I'm sure they were well intentioned.

That was in rural boonies, USA. Now, living in the vice and crime-ridden den of iniquity they call New York City, I try to teach my young son that the world is safe, people are mostly good, and he has nothing to be afraid of. I'll tell you how it turns out in 15 years.

Choose-your-own Nostalgia

2009-01-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

Thanks Matt! I nearly did a double take: This could have been me. I didn't have the Merlin, but everything else is so familiar, down to the Bible verse on the wall. Are those really Star Trek: The Motion Picture p.j.'s?

More goofy old me

2009-01-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

Stages of self-acceptance:

Stage 1 (high school): I'm cool and artistic (high school)

Stage 2 (college and young adulthood). I'm wordly wise, and cosmopolitan, and I am too cool to discuss former days.

Stage 3 (aspiring professional). I am so embarrassed of my former self: I was a dork.

Stage 4 (too old to give a monkey's). Look at these old photos of me, what a hoot! I must have been having a lot of fun.

Instant Family

2009-01-12T10:12:00.001-08:00

If Olan Mills can make us look like a happy, white bread, suburban, upwardly mobile, highly efficient, healthy-skinned family, imagine what it can do for you!

Olan Mills... because your family is not a family until we take your picture.

1985 Nostalgia

2009-01-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

Remember when computer monitors looked like this:

Data storage looked like this:

And we looked like this?:

Thanks Calsidyrose!

16 Things

2009-01-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

Lauren sends this picture, and shares some confessional trivia about herself:

"16 Things About LornaLou You may or May Not Know.

1. I have a small brown teddy bear named Bob that my mom gave me at Xmas time one year around the sixth grade. It is always near my bed so that I can use it to prop my head up when I read.

2. More than half of my best friends are Gay, or at least thought they were gay at one point. More than one of them I had a crush on at some point when I was young.

3. I once hid "treasures" in a hole in a brick wall of someone's house in an alley, so that I might come back later to "discover" them.

4. My mom took me and my best friends to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show every weekend when I was only about 14. She would drop me off and pick me up in or around 2am. When we got home we often made our favorite dinner of tortellinis with soy sauce and butter.

5. I can't sleep at all unless it's very dark, and very quiet. I have always been that way. I abhore hearing talking, tv, dogs, music, parties, walking, rustling, or any other ruckus when I am trying to get sleep.

6. I have two cats. One of which is grey, the other black. The black one once jumped from a second story window, wandered the streets for a few weeks and got returned to me pregnant.

7. If it weren't for the internet, I would not be the person I am today.. nor would I know my husband- whom I met on Friendster.com.

8. Chocolate should never contain any sort of berry or fruit. Ever.

9. I am 5 foot tall but I have never felt short.

10. I believe that your perception creates your reality, and it frustrates me frequently that I cannot change my own.

11. I won't start anything, no project or plan - unless I think I have ample time to complete it without interruption. It keeps me from starting very much of anything, esp now that I have a toddler.

12. I got my first tattoo in Austin, TX while visiting one of my best friends. I passed out midway through it.

13. I still have all my wisdom teeth. They give me trouble sometimes but I ignore it.

14. I miss my mom. She always knew exactly what to say to make me feel good.

15. It's hard for me to read any book anyone recommends. I like to pick them out myself, usually.

16. If you want to make me happy: Feed me then take me to an Antique Mall."

There is some sort of meme game going on here, but I can't figure it out.

Don't look! don't look!

2009-01-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

It's a gift horse, people. Strangely funny. Thanks, E.

Cotton Balls at the Winter Ball

2009-01-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

Andrea sent this photo in with a bad date story from the 1985 Winter Ball: "This prom date was cursed from the start. I ordered a pink dress, it was back ordered & never arrived so a couple days before I had to buy one off the rack- white! Luckily he had less of a hassel getting a tux in white... He did not own a car so I was supposed to drive- I wrecked the car the day before prom. The car he borrowed had to be started by pushing it & popping the clutch. He is not the guy I was dating... my bf was out of town. He was just a friend. My last opportunity for prom so I just asked him. My bf showed up prom night, so I dumped the date & went to hang with bf after the prom was over. I should have stayed with my date- he was more fun!

I actually had a great time dancing & hanging out with friends. I wish I could remember the theme of the prom. ...I hope Darryl (the date) has equally funny memories of this night."

What is it with Cotton balls and the 1985 winter dance?

Twelfth Day of Christmas

2009-01-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

"They would kill me if they knew I posted this," says Brian, who posted these photos of his freshman Winter Dance c. 1985. I think these photos are real, not just a Gap advertisement. I've never seen so much khaki in one place.

In honor of the end of the twelve days of Christmas: ...six high school freshman, five khaki pants, four thousand cotton balls, three rolls of tin foil, two santa hats, and a bird (not in the tree).

Happy New Year, belatedly.

2009-01-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

Stolen w-heels offers this New Year gift. That's her holding the bubbly, wearing the festive p.j.'s, and... bow tie?

I recently got my hair, which was always long-ish, cut fairly short. Yes, my hair is thinning. You will shortly see the results when I post my family's Olan Mills portrait. This photo shows the risks if balding men let their hair get a wee bit too long. Thanks for submitting the picture, and Happy Birthday!

Time for Pasta

2008-12-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, I find nice things that tickle my fancy. Here is one to delight your eyes and enliven your sense of whimsy.

Publish Post

Thanks, Enrico!

America Ignores Poetry and Wine

2008-12-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

This is a bar napkin found by my brother at the Gingerbread Man, a Carlisle PA local watering hole, in 2000.

It brings back memories of my days and nights spent in that bar in the mid 1990's. At the Gingerbread Man, they used to sell a Bucket o' Rocks for $10.00...

I would sit there in my flannel shirt and ripped jeans, scrawling "deep thoughts" on bar napkins and poetry in notebooks, smoking Camel Straights, stroking my goatee. Trying to be authentic and gritty. Oh, the 1990's!

Beer + Camels + Used Clothing + Kerouac novels + Gen X discontent = Me in the early 1990's. Not pretty. Too much poetry, too much wine. But I wouldn't change a thing!

Shiny Snappy People

2008-12-19T07:23:00.000-08:00

More mirror images:

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

2008-12-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

So before cell phone cameras, if you wanted to take a pic of yourself, you walked up to a mirror. I thought it was strange at first, but now I'm finding myself a little collection of mirror self-portraits. Why is this interesting? Finding patterns in vernacular photography reveals something about people and culture. How/when/why people use their cameras, individually and collectively is interesting. Perhaps.

More Christmas Memories

2008-12-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

It seems that the family cameras come out at Christmas time. At my house, we had to wait to go into the living room until all the lights were on, and Dad's camera was ready. Then we had our photo taken. Only then could we dive into the stockings, and each person opened one present at a time, youngest to oldest. Dad's camera flash kept flashing and the shutter kept... shuttering. From the evidence, it appears that was the case in a great number of families.

Thanks, everyone!

From Laura. Nice Atari Video Computer System!

From wheatfieldbrown. Cabbage Patch Kids!

From Dolly Mae.

7th Grade Awkward

2008-12-12T12:14:00.001-08:00

Yeah, 7th Grade is hard. But time passes, you get married, become an English teacher, go to Paris. It gets better kids, trust me.

Thanks, Cathy!

Sleeveface: Highly recommended

2008-12-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

Be the Vinyl. Go check it out.

1980's fashion: the collective stupid

2008-12-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

All of us who were old enough to choose our own clothing and dress ourselves during the 1980's should take a moment to pause and reflect. What were we thinking?

Man, we dressed stupid, but we had fun! Thanks for the photo, Blue Zamudio!

boringest. photo. ever.

2008-12-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

boringest. photo. ever.

except for the writing on the chalkboard: "Winning is a Habit!" Thanks sarcopitform!

Ghost of Christmas Past

2008-12-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Dana says, "Me with Santa at age 6 in 1972. This picture explains so many things, most notably my fear of matching outfits. I hated this outfit so much and I had to wear it because my fabulous Aunt Mimi... bought it for me. Undoubtedly the only unfabulous thing she ever did. I remember wearing it to school and standing on line in the cafeteria pretending to be invisible in my head so I didn't have see if anyone was making fun of me... and it was itchy. Doesn't Santa look thrilled?"

Louise Robinson and the Brooklyn Trash

2008-12-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

True story: One morning I came into my Williamsburg office to find a manila envelope with "to Chandler, found on North 6th and Havemeyer." Inside were a series of portrait pictures, several of which were torn into pieces. Some photographer, it seems, had taken these photos, printed large prints of these portraits, but decided they were only fit for the rubbish bin. My work friends found them and gave them to me for use on this blog. Here is the original post.

A few months later, I received an email from a London artist, Louise Robinson, who had seen these torn photos on my flickr photostream. She asked permission to use them for an upcoming art show, and I gladly gave my permission.

Here are the results, first the photos, then the drawings.

Tongue

Tank top

Nude

Flower Shirt

Neat, huh? Ms. Robinson writes, "My current body of work focusses on the mystery of found photographs. It intrigues me how photographs are found in such a variety of places: flea markets, antique shops, rubbish bins and even on the street. My latest pieces are drawings of photographs found by Chandler Poling in Williamsburg on the corner of North 6th and Havemeyer. These specific photographs were all torn when found, and it's the extra narrative this action has added, that makes the images powerful and inspiring to work with. Upon these already unknown people, the defacing (and de-facing) manages to introduce issues of identity whilst simultaneously keeping the full visual identity hidden. These pieces will be on show at the London Art Fair between 14th-18th January 2009."

Its fascinating how several pieces of Brooklyn Trash avoided the landfill and brought together so many people, most of whom remain anonymous to each other: Photographer, Subjects, Me and my co-workers who found them, my blog readers, a London artist, and soon, a bunch of London artshow go-ers.

The Winter Ball

2008-12-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

This is Kim and Tim, sporting Indiana glamorous tweed and plaid. This is the Winter Ball sometime in the 1980's decade. The two smiles say that they are having plenty of fun! Someone decked out the corner of the gym with a strange combination of fake tree, ugly carpet, and homemade funny bow wreath. I love it!

Thanks, Tim!

A six-pack of six-packs

2008-12-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

Chad has some competition! Ladies, one at a time!

Thanks, apollosputnik!

The Performer

2008-12-02T10:05:00.000-08:00

Go to Typealyzer to get your blog's Personality Type. Load of crap, but fun crap. I should add that when I took this waaaayyy back when I was told I was INFP, quite different from the blog. Perhaps it's my alter ego. Here's what the algorythm told me about Life is Dynamite:

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

Tina you fat lard, come get some dinner!

2008-12-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

"I just love it I was thinking about posting it for long time, but always been insecure. Met this lama at the East Sea in Germany on a trailer park..."

I like this too. The red-eye, normally a distraction, makes this one spooky llama. Wondering about the post title? Click here.

Thanks, Lisa. Please check out her website of digital artwork photography. She's doing some nice things.

Holy Toledo!

2008-12-01T11:21:00.000-08:00

Sent in by Alex

"~1978.

Christmas Eve on Warren Street, Hudson - my great-grandmother's apartment.

I really thought this guy was Santa Claus. However, when I got older, my mother told me he was a drunk that used to go by everyone's house on Christmas Eve, and he'd visit with the kids in exchange for alcohol...

I just showed this pic to my Dad to see if he could remember any of it, and he said, 'Holy Toledo!'"

Thanksgiving Dish

2008-11-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful all of you who read this blog. You have kept me posting silly photos and things for longer than it would have been wise. Each day I am happy when I found out how many hits the blog got the day before. Less than, say, the BBC Website, but still...

Anyhow, gaze if you dare on the rugged, unvarnished beauty that is Chad, and eat some cranberry sauce. Thanks again!

She who got run over by a reindeer

2008-11-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Holiday season is not complete without grandma in curlers doing her death-defying tree-trimming act. Thanks Layla!

Try Proofreadign

2008-11-25T12:57:00.001-08:00

Gettin' ready for the Bizarre Holidays? Go here to buy things! Thanks Madison.

Better Hygiene

2008-11-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

From snicketyone: "Sharon says she was on her way to a 4-H "Better Hygiene" competition during which her elbows would be checked for smoothness and her fingernails would be checked for cleanliness."

Thanks for submitting! I love this photo not only because it's related to 4-H, but because the photographer's shadow is in the picture. I love those little marks of the amateur photographer. Must be some sort of TLR camera.

Sly one

2008-11-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

"Ok....before y'all wonder if I took a photo of some random crazy person....this is me....

Let us dissect it shall we?

First take note that this was taken sometime during the 80's....as if that was even a question.

Next...note that I had an obsession with Sylvester Stallone....if for no other reason that for this. Go on....click the link......I'll wait. Oh! But the best part is at 1:19....seriously. And yes, I watched it before I continued....Don't judge.

Also, the the thing I am most proud of....My thighs do not TOUCH! Like you can see space....sweet!

I know that my brother took this photo and if he even thinks of posting anything that is mean....let him remember, I have pics of him too....yeah, that's what I thought....ha!

Oh....how bout that hair? Love it! Eddie Van Halen was my inspiration for this apparently....WTF? (Mom, that means What the Fuck?)

*ring ring* Corey Hart just called and said, unless you're Ray Charles....take off the sunglasses.

Best part of this photo....well besides my tiny waist and space between my thighs is that I still have that necklace and I could still style my hair like that if I wanted to...."

Thanks Josette!

Art in Odd Places Update

2008-11-20T12:49:00.000-08:00

The mystery subway busker of the Art in Odd Places post has been found. She is Taz. Take a listen.

Goofy Dads

2008-11-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

Her Grace the Paragon of Bubblewick sent in the above photo; "Dad's Theater of the Absurd, 1977 Winter Season. I took this with my first camera."

On a separate note, my goofy dad recently got a little local recognition for preparing to run his 15th 50 mile race, the JFK in Maryland this coming Saturday. He does it for fun (!) and to raise money for some charity. This year it is his church's Samaritan Fund to help neighbors make ends meet. Go read more here.

You show me yours, I'll show you mine

2008-11-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

4-H sewing project, that is! This is Eve's. Eve is on the left.

This is mine.

That's me on the left with a blue ribbon for my gym bag. That's my brother on the left with a terry-towel toiletry holder and a "Best of Show" trophy! That's one awesome toothbrush holder!

You won't believe how big it is

2008-11-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

This was sent in by Lucien. He states,

"The year 1986 was an awkward transition for me. I was a New York based Flight Attendant on strike against TWA. When it seemed that the strike might last a very long time, as it did, I decided to move “back home” to Annandale, Virginia for a year.

During that time, I engaged in several occupations including cater-waitering, fashion photography, and substitute teaching at the very high school I attended as a teenager. Needless to say, it was pretty strange walking the halls of my own suburban high school, not as a rebellious pimple-faced youth, but as a faculty member – one who had lived in big cities, traveled all over the world, and who was a regular in New York’s 80’s nightclub scene.

It was somehow easy for me to develop a friendship with many of the students rather than simply become an authority figure. Within that context, I was able to photograph various aspects of teenage life. As a regular substitute teacher in the photo department, and dismayed at the “wholesale” treatment of the students for the yearbook pictures, I decided to set up my own studio, and encouraged the youths to “come as you are”, or as they would like to be portrayed.

The studio session not only served as a class in portraiture, but also captured a group of individual youths in their own age of awkward transition."

Olan Rollin'

2008-11-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

I was in Kmart at Astor Place in Manhattan (review here) buying undergarments today. Between men's flannel shirts, and Martha Stewart spatulas was an Olan Mills studio! In honor of today's reminder of America's most gifted portrait artist is a continuation of the Olan Mills series.

First, a found portrait of some sweet folks with some sweet mullets from 1991. This was sent in by stomach aches, a collector of strange and wonderful photos.

Another masterpiece belies the idea that dogs and their owners end up looking alike. Thanks Jon! Check out his own childhood portrait.

Jami's Misery

2008-11-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

Nothing strikes fear into a child more than swimming class

or junior high school dances.

Thanks, Jami for both of these! We feel your pain. Really.

Strasburg Railroad

2008-11-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

One day in the 80's sometime, our Sunday School group went to Strasburg Railroad. Here are some photos taken from my camera.

Train

Friend Kevin with Risky Business Shades and hip Izod shirt

Me falling for the perennially funny "bunny ear" gag.

My dad looking quite pale, because he's overexposed, and on a train full of kids.

The end.

Truly truly truly outrageous!

2008-11-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

"I was truly outrageous. Me singing the Jem themesong for the school show." Thanks, Pam! Brings back some serious humiliation memories...

Take a peek at the original:

Haircut hell

2008-11-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Dennis sent this in and says: "Me on the left. Jonathan on the right. Literally - Worst. Haircuts. Ever.

Backstory from 1994: First take at senior photos came out crappy. Retakes were just as bad. Mom was really mad that I made no effort to comb my hair on the big day, so she made me go to this other photographer and she styled-up my hair herself - comb + blowdryer style. Hot.

I think Jonathan cut his own hair. This one time back in like 4th grade he took my dad's electric razor to his bangs in attempt to look like the kid from Terminator 2. It was awesome."

Stolen Olan [Mills]

2008-11-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

Stolen from my friend's facebook page. These are school friends of my wife. The two little girls are not so sure about this whole portrait thing...

Ta-Da!

2008-11-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

"I was about 9 or 10. I refused to pose for many more dance photos after this, although I trained for another 6 years...and always hated performing, which is why I quit."

Thanks, irregulargirl! Reminds me of my attempts at showbusiness!

Magnum Smile

2008-11-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite daily clicks is Slate's Daily Photo from Magnum. Check it out.

This photo:

ARAGON, Spain—A shepherd in Ariza, 1953.

FAIL blog

2008-11-12T07:53:00.001-08:00

Don't worry, it took me a second too. Check out failblog. Funny...

Olan Mills Pioneer

2008-11-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago the Dynamite family was dragged by me to get an Olan Mills portrait to be included in our church directory. The whole thing felt weird, like aspirational suburbia. The portraits are inteded to say, "Hey look at us, we're a normal middle-class family!" More truthful would be "Omigod, we just got off the F subway train where we were accosted by a beggar and a panpipe player, and my child threw a temper tantrum because I wouldn't let him bring his three foot giant toy sword, and I stepped in dog crap on the way here."

For an added fee they will "touch-up" the photo so you can "look your best." I guess "your best" means "fake." Due to the credit crisis, we forwent (what's the past tense of forgo?) the canvas faux oil painted portrait. A tight budget saved us from unscrupulous salesman trying to hawk tacky family memoirs.

The above portraits, sent in by Rowland are a sweet reminder of the rough and tumble pioneer days of the mid 1970's.

Really tall guy

2008-11-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Found Polariod. Thank you Scarpitoform.

Mom-made dress

2008-11-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

One more from Eve. "Band Concert outfit that Mom made. Notice our green shag carpet. I loved those shoes and was sad when my feet got too large to wear them."

Don't forget the background details: a ceramic Persian cat with a calico backpack, a toaster with a cozy (?), a print of a forest, a silk flower bouquet with ribbons, and a horse lamp.

Bobby's Bad Date

2008-11-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

"Have no idea why I subject myself to such torture. Me and Tiki, Michigan State University, May, 1990." Photograph from a date that did not go well. Thanks Bobby. We've all had them...

Hey Bobby, what's the story here?

Art in Odd Places

2008-11-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

Busker and tape cube artist seen at Delancy Subway station on the Northbound F line on Election Day evening. The two artists were not connected, but spontaneously collaborating. The tape guy is named Aakash Nihalani, who does art in odd places around New York City. I've been seeing his cubes around the city and wondering who does them and why.

His is an attempt to see the city differently, and more playfully. It's not too pretentious. I like it, but I'm not sure why. I like that it appeals to Joe the Construction Worker there in the second picture. He watched and listened longer than I did.

Found: Hipster To-Do List

2008-11-04T14:15:00.001-08:00

This life-changing to do list was found in South Williamburg, Brooklyn, on Election Day 2008. "Agenda for today: Makin some slight changes. 1:00pm - Tattoo #2 (and possibly #3). 4:00pm Hair cut (new bangs and a 'lil off the top lot). 5:00pm attitude adjustment & anger management on my not talking to anyone nonsense except da besties. Pol Tex says gonna be a hardcore rocker lass."

For whom the handbell tolls

2008-11-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Mac Geek! She writes, "The Geek in all her teen glory." Hey what's with the white gloves? Are you in a handbell choir? (I was...)

Bill Gates Mug Shot

2008-11-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

Check out Madame Lamb for a photo of Bill Gates's bad day in 1977.

I got a pocket full of quarters and I'm headed to the arcade

2008-11-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

Those of you who who were too old or too young at the time have no idea why Pac-Man is so appealing. You just don't have Pac-Man Fever! You sort of had to be there. Look at the sheer joy of these kids in Pac-Man t-shirts:

Thanks, Mike!

Check out a fellow blogger who gets it: Pac-Man Cupcakes!

E.T. Pho-to

2008-10-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is just a nice picture! High school class memories, E.T. button, and the pic was taken from a toy Barbie Camera! The desk and pile of books on the shelf give it a visceral high-schoolish feel, and we all love a girl with bangs! Thanks, Rebecca!

Halloween treats for you!

2008-10-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

"The Chinese name of this snack translates as 'Honey Bean Crisps'; the English name being 'Only Pukeet'. The last two letters of 'Pukeet' are, regrettably, rather hard to discern due to the colors of the packaging. Only Pukeet tastes like expired hog rinds with a touch of cinnamon. Don't expect this one to appear on Western market shelves any time soon.

Purchased in Shanghai." Thanks Bill!

Thanks, Darren!

Halloween is Dynamite!

2008-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

"I kinda put together some extras for my Vader costume. My bother is Wicket, and the clown i our friend, who seems to be quite sad that he is not wearing a Star Wars costume!"

Thanks, corelliancaptain!

Four ways of being awesomeness!

2008-10-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

How is this photo awesome? Let me count the ways: 1. Great big huge 80's hair! 2. Pac-man fever t-shirt! 3. That strange two-faced portrait. 4. Happy and serious expressions, just like the Greek Drama mask! Four ways of being awesomeness!

Thanks, Lauren!

Patterns, patterns, everywhere!

2008-10-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

"Taken on the day of Heather's confirmation. Our mother made both the dresses.
Dig the groovy 70's home; tartan wallpaper, carpet, formica table, bottle garden, the print (our parent's still have it in their home) and the Yogi Bear pouffe (which I still have, although it's a bit worse for wear).

Men of the same age will have a similar photo in their family album, but they're wearing matching flares, round collared shirts and tank-tops."

Thanks, Alison!

The hunter mummy

2008-10-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

What's with all the pictures of moms with guns on this blog?

Butterfly thingys

2008-10-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

Remember those glasses thingies? The little butterfly in the corner of the left lense? I didn't have them, sadly. They had all kinds of little thingies, like Chris's "hunter."

Now hipsters pay good money for stupid looking glasses like that. I haven't seen the thingies yet.

Thanks, Eve

I should have moved to Canada

2008-10-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

"You have to love my sense of fashion: brown shoes, gray tux, hot pink shirt. What was I thinking!... Everything about this photo is wrong. I had the wrong color shoes, and even with platforms on she was taller. And a Hot Pink Ruffled Shirt!!! I did not even want to go to the prom with this girl, I had asked another girl first she said yes and then I said no and took this one. The first one showed up with another date (her older brother who said he was going to mop the floor with me) and this girl kept hitting on my best friend so his date was upset. I had to be at the prom to give flowers to the prom queen (I was the student senate rep).

I should have moved to Canada and became a cop."

Thanks for sharing your pain, Toby.

Leisure Suit

2008-10-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Recently, one of my co-workers, born in the Reagan Era, asked me "What's a leisure suit?" I felt old. Sigh.

Thanks, Mark! Sweet mustache.

Nice tarp

2008-10-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

Camping really gets us out into nature, to let go of the non-essentials of life and get back to basics. It's a chance to stop worrying about the rat race, and spend quality time with our loved ones.

If you are Mom, that is; everyone except Mom seems pained here.

No thought was given to the composition of this photo is the fact that the faces are right smack dab in the center of the frame. Point-and-shoot! So we have a beautiful view of the blue tarp.

Little Boy Blue's Family

2008-10-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

"Guess who always won the award for "Ugliest Kid" at the annual family reunion?" Thanks Chris.

Instant Secretary

2008-10-21T09:38:00.001-07:00

Found in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at the South 8th and Wythe.

I had this book!

2008-10-20T07:31:00.001-07:00

Alfonso Ribeiro Breakin' & Poppin' infomercial from 1985

Hard Times in Posh Places

2008-10-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

It looks like the rich have fallen on hard times too! Found in a fancy Manhattan neighborhood (Hudson Heights) near 190th street.

New York Back in the Day

2008-10-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

Sent in by ragamuffin. Thanks!

Easy Reader

2008-10-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

Far out! Morgan Freeman! Hey man, I dig. We all gotta pay our bills somehow. Right on!

Street Fair? Sweet Fair!

2008-10-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

So I'm just saying, today a fun time was had by all, down on New York's Lower East Side. My creaky old church (creaky because the building is old, and in spite of the swanky location, not full of rich parishioners, and the cost of taxes and heating oil is high, and the boiler exploded) hosted an old school Street Fair.

Generally, New York summer street fairs are a tedious thing. Although this blog tries to refrain from complaining, a New York resident knows that during the summer time, the same vendors of funnel cake, lemonade, gyro, fake handbags, etc, move from block to block and jam the streets with tourists. But this Fall Festival is, as one old neighborhood dude on his bike put it, "This is a people's street fair!"

Ethnic food cooked by the ladies of the church (Romanian, Georgian, Russian), real stuff sold by the artisans who crafted it, junk sale, and good wholesome games for the kiddos, thanks to Sarah, a school librarian. And an assortment of aspiring musicians, who played just for the opportunity and the fun. Special shout-out to my favorites The Rhodes, a rock/indie/soul quartet.

And at sundown, the clergy served Vespers on the still closed street, to the bemusement of the first trickle of hipsters on their way to get loaded.

Footwork Footage

2008-10-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

Not awkward, but since I can't any pictures of Barack Obama at the Dungeons and Dragons Club, we'll have to make due with this. He's number 23. Notable: number 13 gives him a butt-tap right before a free-throw. (That man's gonna have stories to tell his grandkids if Obama wins the election: "You see this hand, sonny? It touched the butt of the president!) And also note: nice 'fro. Come to think of it, I should take more pride of the fact that yours truly is probably one of the only white men in history to have both a mullet and a 'fro! Sweet!

Vote for Pedro... er, John

2008-10-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

One of the funny parts of movie Napoleon Dynamite, for which this blog has a certain affection, is the part where Napoleon campaigns for his friend Pedro in his long-shot bid for class president.

Thanks to my brother for finding the pics of John McCain in the very same oversize glasses as Napoleon wears: (nice use of depth of field with the Marines in the background)

And this rather unflattering pic. Sorry John, caught you on an off day!

Mom with Hair

2008-10-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

Marcoa sent in these family photos of her mother in the 1980's:

"My mom with a wax figure of Rocky from Rocky IV." 1985

"I believe this was taken from my mom's trip to Italy in '83. The blue dress she's wearing was made by my grandma. She was 25 when she went."

"Big hair and blocky computers, two things you will never see today. Now replaced by slick asymetrical bobs (like Posh and Katie Holmes) and super slim laptops."

Check out her photostream, she's got some great vintage stuff.

The perfect Life is Dynamite candidate

2008-10-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Let's talk about Sarah Palin, since tonight is the debate with the other vice presidential candidate, Joe Biden. Her recent cringeworthy appearances with the press are classic. She's a child of the 1980's, complete with silly hair. She's a Mom with a Gun, she played the flute in a talent show. It's like I've died and gone to Life is Dynamite heaven!

I don't tend to post videos on my blog, since my aim is photography, and videos are choppy, slow, and hard to view online. But these are too good to miss out on! Enjoy!

What's not to love?

2008-10-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

Mullet, cheesy school photo, flute... What's not to love? Christine sent this in, saying: "This is the picture I chose for the home photos. I hated the one that appeared in my yearbook. MULLET!!!!!!!!!!" Check out her sweet pile o' photos... and especially look at her freshman photo.. Ahh the joys of freshmanhood!

Mom with Gun

2008-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Next in our "I can't believe that's my [parent/grandparent]" series:

"On the bluffs between Avila Beach and Pirate's Cove, San Luis Obispo, CA.

That's the 22 I usually used, which did not have a hammer.

She often predicted one of us would shoot the other one. Johnny did get shot by a bullet that wedged in the cigarette lighter, and went off-- left a red welt on his chest" Thanks, aroid! Here's my son's Mom with Gun.

Sarah Palin, you are not alone!

Grandparents behaving badly

2008-10-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Carrie sent me some sweet pics of her grandparents gettin' goofy:

Boy, they sure had a good time that day! They look happier than a pig in muck!

Hmmm. That one may violate the "family blog" policy here, but it's too funny to be excluded.

My Alter Ego

2008-09-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, readers by now know that in my youth I was insecure about a bunch of things: my big googly glasses, stick-skinny shape, afro-hair, braces, shyness, bookishness, and obscure hobbies. But on top of that, I thought that having an unusual name, Chandler Poling, (this is years before Friends, remember) was the final straw that would doom me to years of "least likely to have a shred of coolness" status. Imagine my surprise when, in adulthood, I get an email from another Chandler Poling. I don't know if he is kin, but the simple fact of having another Chandler Poling in the universe makes me feel just a little less lonely. Turns out, there are not one, but two other Chandler Polings, father and son.

The son contacted me after googling his name and finding me! Turns out he is young, handsome, living in LA, with a cool show-biz job on Heroes. Here is him with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer!

And here is him as a boy in 1980-something with his Teddy Ruxpin, the talking plush animal.

Buffy, Teddy... Lucky!!!

Chandler writes, "Teddy Ruxpin was my best pal... I remember loving that bear so much and every time he broke my parents bought me a new one. I think I went through 5 bears... I'd also like to point out I'm wearing Rainbow Brite pjs... I'm truly a child of the 80's."

I did not have a Teddy Ruxpin. Perhaps I was a little to old for this, but I remember another toy by Worlds of Wonder toy company (makers of Lazer Tag!) that my brother had, a Fob. I've been searching on the web for fobs, but have not been able to find a picture.

Oh, and Chandler blogs too.

Hey, Dummy!

2008-09-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

What's the fascination with ventriloquism? Aside from the fact that I spent many hours of my life honing my voicethrowing skills, then making a complete butthead of myself at the junior high talent show? Ventriloquism's just kind of funny and weird in a way... and ventriloquist dummies are just downright scary! Exhibits A and B:

"1968, designer unknown. Purnell Happy Time Books. The horror, the horror etc." Thanks, letslookupandsmile!

"Decades unseen, circa January 1974." Thanks, Ian!

Dynamite, beautiful, same thing...

2008-09-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

This mural was found on Second Street between Second and Third Avenues. Sunday morning, someone defaced the mural, tearing off "Beautiful." Bummer.

Normalcy

2008-09-29T11:10:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Alex, a loyal reader: "Attached is a picture of my son, Seth, from kindergarten.

When he first brought these home, I was frustrated with him. I was in
this phase of my life where I was trying desperately to at least
appear normal since there seemed to be no hope as far as actually
'being normal'. I had this great plan to send out Christmas cards with
my very normal son's photograph. When he brought these home from
school, I wanted to strangle him. I couldn't get a picture of him
without him making a face at the last possible second...

Seth just started high school this year and this is probably one of my
favorite photographs of him, ever. I'm delighted to say that we have
managed to eclipse normal and we're trying to embrace it now..."

Thanks Alex. He looks like a young Marty Feldman! I mean that in a good way of course...

Me and Danny O'Day

2008-09-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Ellen sent the above photo: "When I was about 8 years old, I decided I had to have a ventriloquist doll; specifically Edgar Bergen's Charlie McCarthy. Maybe it was the monocle, top hat and cape that got me, but I wanted it and I wanted to learn the strange art of ventriloquism. Perhaps it all started with Shari Lewis, who I had fallen in love with as a toddler, or with Lamp Chop, whom I loved even more.

My mother, bless her heart, searched hard for a Charlie McCarthy doll for me, and finally had to special-order one from F.A.O. Schwartz. The big day came (I guess it was my birthday), and I tore open the package. There, in the box labeled "Charlie McCarthy," was... Danny O'Day. No monocle. A bland tan suit and a red bowtie. Oh well. I decided to keep Danny O'Day, telling myself that Charlie was a little too well-dressed to play with anyway. I wanted to roughhouse without worrying about breaking the monocle. I was also a little too impatient to wait for an exchange.

The doll came with a little pamphlet called "Throwing your Voice" or something similar, and a weird contraption consisting of two pieces of metal tied together with thread. Apparently, you were supposed to hold this against the roof of your mouth with your tongue. It's a wonder I didn't aspirate it and die while trying to practice my b's and p's. I eventually threw out the contraption and learned to do without.

I loved Danny O'Day, and my brother and sister and I anthropomorphized him like nobody's business. My stepmother once blew cigarette smoke in his mouth and we watched it drift out (she quit 32 years ago and would be mortified to see this). While we loved him, we also put him through hell. I think I drew inside his mouth with black marker. While lying in the back of my father's Chevy K5 Blazer, he ended up with white boat paint spilled all over his tan pant leg. I discovered I could lock his bottom jaw in a fully open position, which made him look thoroughly ridiculous (well, more ridiculous than usual).

I think his little pull string eventually broke, and the last time I remember seeing him, he was lying in the middle of our garage in a puddle of motor oil. Well, I'm exaggerating a bit, but it seems fitting.

This was taken by my brother I think, in our driveway, with his Kodak Instamatic. Scanned from the negative. The photo is pretty awful, but I had to tell the story.

© 2008 ellenmc "

Nerd Cake

2008-09-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

Few photos display so much of Life is Dynamite's preoccupations as this one: cakes, 4-H (well, boy scouts, close enough) dorky glasses, awkwardness. An infinity of thanks to Chris Pirillo at lockergnome.com.

Joe Biden's Comb-Over

2008-09-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

Mr. Democratic Veep Man's official look: How can one man have such perfect teeth? And this suave well-dressed style belies darker past... Let's look at the evolution and resolution of one man's battle with male-pattern balding:

It all started innocently enough, with a Gosh, Beav! look in elementary school (c. 1953):Then goes slightly awry with this brush in High School. Normal for the time, but still, Joe! What were you thinking when you went to the barber? Bonus points for the sweet skinny tie though.

Then the family, and the family photographs. You, dear readers, know that I love the cake shot, and here it is. Notice the first hints of thinning up top:

More thinning, more turtleneck with collar (!?):

Yup, here it is! the comb-over! I'm so glad the man has come to his senses and just cut it short! Or is that hair club for men?
Just so you know, I've got my own thinning problems, so I don't count myself any luckier than Mr. Biden. Just trying to play with politics with a light touch. In light of all the heavy recently in the news, I think it's appropriate. No harm meant, Joe.