The Urban Archeologist: A Secret to Make You Smile

"Isn't it time to turn on a little stopping power?" This is just one of many favorite lines from the comedy troupe "Firesign Theatre." Old ads and other items I discover remind me of the things I appreciate but sometime forget or misplace.

When I found these "STOP!" ads, I also discovered something else: The secret of happiness.
 
1)  Go to a tag, estate, or garage sale.
2) Find something old, really old.
3) Awe in amazement that it lasted this long.
4) Share it with someone.

Better than shopping at the mall, buying something in your neighborhood builds alliances and inspires creativity. Proof? Why not write a Haiku about Urban Archeology?

"a sign hung on high
musty and dry-
the past is present"
 
The illustrations above are funny, creative, thoughtful, ridiculous and no longer able to be taken seriously, or at least, I hope not. But I have to honor them as works of art whose creators may likely have been overworked and underpaid to produce them. Though they are no doubt gone, the efforts of these illustrators can still be found and appreciated for whatever purpose they were intended.

In their rush to get these ads in ahead of deadline, mistakes were sometimes made. Take a look at what I am calling the very first Photoshop fail.