Coney Island Express

My grandma was kind enough to share this image of her and my late grandpa, back in the day in NYC in 1961. Of course, back then, Coney Island was a very different playground. Here's to good memories of a questionably simpler life.
Thanks Abu...

A special Christmas find!

Christmas is supposed to be the season of cheer. So why is this lady so ticked off? Can't she take a joke?
Above is a letter that said lady wrote to a local Toyota dealer. It is her response to an ad the dealer ran in the newspaper. The ad depicts a Santa Claus so tempted by the super low prices at this particular Toyota dealer, that his fangs have come out as an expression of hunger/desire to take advantage the sale. [The ad was also playing up the Halloween element].
Of course, this lady took it the wrong way. To her, it's all about the devil!!! What a party pooper!


Here, a rough translation:
[Page 1]
Dear President [of the dealership]: I am including an ad you ran in [the newspaper] on Oct. 17. How awful! Your company often produces such great advertising, yet this one is so horrible.

[Page 2]
How dare you place the D***l's fangs on Santa Claus? Santa Claus is for children and tarnishing his image with those teeth is just going too far. You could have placed some pumpkins or anything else, but not fangs. You sir, as President of the dealership...

[Page 3]
...should be more careful when approving the ads your agency presents to you. How would you explain this crappy ad to your kids or grandchildren?

[Page 4, written on the ad itself]
Horrible! Terrible! Ugly! Bad!

Travel ain't what it used to be

Not too long ago, when the skies were actually friendly, air travel used to be a dream. Flight attendants really did go out of their way to feed you and treat you right. Want proof? Check out this old in-flight menu I dug up recently, circa 1993. Chicago to Paris is a long flight, but being able to choose between monkfish and veal makes it all right.
Oh, did I mention this was Coach? Let's not even get in to what was going down in First Class.

Loud and Clear

In light of the recent shoe attack on George Bush in Iraq, I found it fitting to post these snaps of anti-Bush sentiments plastered around NYC. These were taken by my good friend Z on a trip to Manhattan shortly after 9/11 (thanks for sharing!). Good to see that hating The Man hasn't gone out of fashion.

Girl... Interrupted and confused

This message, a found note from some middle school in the Northeast, is great on many levels. It's a classic example of preteen insecurity.
Check out the strong opening lines followed by the "Are you mad at me?" softness. It's like a dog that threatens you with a harsh bark, all while his tail is tucked between his legs.

And then, the desperation! ("I love you so much"), followed by a need to satisfy ("I'll change. I'll do anything"). Classic!
What did this dude do to her? How tragic can 8th grade be?

A special message from the Ladies' Man

Some dudes want true love. Other dudes just want sex. And then there are dudes like the freak who wrote this disturbing message under a fisherman’s bridge in Cataño, PR.
Talk about a lazy punk who wants it all...

Rough Translation:
Women Beware –
The swindler of females is back on the attack, Storm, looking for another victim to be my Sugar Mommy.

Confessions of a yearbook - Part IV

Here's more from that old yearbook I found at my local Salvation Army.
Check out posts from the November and October editions of this blog for parts I-III.
This dude was apparently very popular.

Crush Groove

School crushes are so sweet, especially when the notes you write to the subject of your secret admiration are chockfull of grammar and spelling errors. It just goes to show that innocence is a cute and powerful thing.

Here is a found note passed on September 29, 1977, somewhere in Puerto Rico. Aside from the youthful confidence, it also shows the magic of a world before text messaging was king.

Here’s a rough translation:

Dear Z:
My darling, there is something I need to tell you, or better yet, I need to clarify something. I am Clark Kent, Superman, a super man, that is. Ok. Baby, you’ll need to save this love and your kisses for me.

Mua [repeated]
8 kisses for you. Good day, honey.

Goooood-bye. I’ll see you in school.
Love. Love. Loooove!

Got shopping?

Black Friday has come and gone... and taken a few lives with it, I'm sad to say.
However, someone did a little non-traditional shopping during the "official" Christmas shopping day and decided to purchase some good old basic household items. How radical is that? Not purchasing a 114" flat-screen? The nerve!

This shopping list was found at a supermarket just outside San Juan, PR, stuck in the baby seat of a shopping cart.

List translation:

• Cheese
• Ham
• Coffee
• Oatmeal
• Drano
• Clorox
• Stick [I assume this is for mopping or for a broom]
• Blue Lysol [is there any other kind?]
• Pledge
• Sink cover/strainer
• Milk
• Sausages
• Dish Detergent

Thanks to G. for sharing this find.

Collector's item?

I'm not what you'd call a sports fanatic, but I do admire and respect the achievements of pro athletes... which is why I've posted this here old-school Reese's wrapping featuring none other than Reggie Jackson from way back in the day.

The interesting thing is that this particular item was purchased in Puerto Rico way back when, and the person who shared it with me also isn't a sports freak. Yet here we are.

Lady makes an impression

When a man falls for a girl, he really falls hard. From what I gather of this message (written on the handrail of a boardwalk just outside San Juan, Puerto Rico), some young lady made quite an impression on this guy.

Translation:
Looks I’d like to say that you are the best thing that has happened in my life and [illegible] I would like that, some day, we repeat this relationship.
I love you.
- JRC/Jack

Confessions of a yearbook - Part III

As promised, here are more entries from those yearbooks I found at my local Salvation Army.
Gathering from the info, how fun can French class be? I mean, "Thanks for the apricots?" Mon Dieu!
Also, what's up with the dude who wrote the note up top? Was he really that desperate to leave high school? Weren't we all?

(I apologize for the crappy handshake photographs)

A ticket to paradise

Jackpot! When was the last time you flew Eastern? Were you even born?
Here is a vintage boarding pass from NYC to Puerto Rico (a busy and common commuter route). Judging from the car rental offer, I'd guess this is from the late 1970s.
Thanks for sharing, RV.

This girl means business!

Special thanks to RC for sharing this note. It dates from the late 1980s and was found in some dude's middle school locker. For some reason I can't place images in order, so keep in mind that the first page of the note is on the bottom.

I find it interesting how this girl seems tough and demanding, yet shows signs of hope and yearning. A hard shell for a soft interior, indeed.

Spooky

Special thanks to P. for sending this image from Europe.
The message speaks for itself.

Graffiti is all about freedom of speech, right?

Though I am against stereotypes and cultural biases, I couldn't resist chuckling at this guy's lame sense of humor, as seen written on a concrete pillar under a boardwalk bridge just outside San Juan.
For some context, Dominicans in Puerto Rico are subject to the same stereotypes as the Polish in the USA.

Translation:

Jokes –
1.) Why does a Dominican speak on the phone while on the floor
Because he doesn’t want a dropped call.

2.) Why does a Dominican speak on the phone with a Band-Aid?
Because he doesn’t want the line to get cut off.

3.) Why do Dominicans place a sheet of paper on top of the TV set?
To have “paper” view.

4.) Why do Dominicans use their computers by the window?
To use Windows Vista.

5.) How come vampires don’t suck on people with diabetes?
Because they don’t want to get cavities.

Confessions of a yearbook - Part II

A few more "well wishes" from some dude's high school yearbook.
Oh, the irony!

Confessions of a yearbook - Part I

As I mentioned when I started this blog, most of the material featured here so far is culled from old yearbooks found at my local Salvation Army. As is the tradition with yearbooks, your friends sign them at the end of the year, wishing you well. Of course, kids will be kids, and this is a sample of what you get.

This particular yearbook is from the Class of 1987 from some school in Ohio.

Stay tuned for more crazy yearbook signings...

Trust... is a tricky thing

Oh dear, it's amazing how kids are truly convinced that they are just adults in small packages. Here is a found note, apparently passed in the middle of class, exemplifying the virtues of trust, love, and commitment.

I'm no forensic expert (or archeologist), but I date this note from the late 1980s, given the obvious reference to the Samantha Fox song "Touch Me".

Off the wall poetry... literally!

Graffiti sighted near the cruise ship docks.
I must use this on my wife soon.

Translation:
I’d like to be your tears,
to be born in your eyes,
and to die at your lips.
- The Godmother.

What's the mystery all about?

This girl (I'm assuming it's a girl because of the handwriting) has got something urgent to say, even though she's trying to play it cool. I especially like the very girly stationery.
Plus, if she can't talk "because of all these people hanging around," how did she slip this note without drawing their attention?

Thanks H for the submission.

The good side of graffiti

Graffiti is everywhere and can say so many things.
In this case - spotted underneath an oceanfront boardwalk - love is (or was) in the air.

Translation:
You are the happiness of my life and you know it.
I love you and I can even swear on that.
Baby, I love you and it is real and I will always give you that which you wish, which is tenderness, comprehension and, above all else, love.
- Andy

Did someone say Sugar Daddy?

Somebody desperately wants to be a sugar daddy! And this old geezer isn’t shy about it, even taking out an ad in the local paper.

Translation:
Professional, 50 – Serious, seeking friendship, with young college co-ed, intelligent and open minded, with economic troubles but committed to her studies. Will pay for expenses.

Politik Apparatum

What's wrong in this picture?
Nothing really. It's a leftover from when Obama came down to Puerto Rico to campaign against Clinton last summer in a battle for delegates.
Of course, Puerto Ricans on the Island can't vote for U.S. presidents, but that doesn't matter - a party is a party, right?
It's curious how certain elements of the campaign were adapted to Puerto Rico, such as the flag in the middle of the O and of course, the whole señor PRESIDENTE!!!
It has a nice ring to it...

She said that you said that I said...

Again, a note found in one of many old yearbooks at my local Salvation Army.
I get the feeling this note was written by some girl's BFF. I especially like the locker reference...

Horny kids in school...

Every time I go to the Salvation Army, I always make a point to check out their books and magazines section. On this particular occasion I came across several high school yearbooks (why anyone would donate their yearbooks is beyond me) and found these "love" letters tucked away among the pages.

The owner of this book apparently was hot stuff. The yearbook dates to 1989, by the way - and I remember these sticky notes being sold at Spencer's back in the day.

Email me your found stuff at: foundationart@gmail.com. And remember, anonymity is golden.
Your comments are appreciated.

Somebody was pissed...

As I was moving into my new office a while back, I found this note in the drawer of the desk I was to occupy. Curiously enough, it was printed and taped into the inside of a small pack of chewing gum.

Email me your found stuff at: foundationart@gmail.com. And remember, anonymity is golden.
Your comments are appreciated.

Help me build my blog

By no means am I the first to think of found stuff being cool, but it is always exciting to check out all the strange, hilarious and heartbreaking things people leave lying around. I’ve been collecting curious finds for a while now and am pleased to share them with you.


Feel free to send me interesting stuff you’ve found or maybe even your own stuff – photos, love/break-up letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, drawings – anything that might gain new meaning when looked at again.


Email me your found stuff at: foundationart@gmail.com. And remember, anonymity is golden.
Your comments are appreciated.