A Winner and Plastic Bag Update
Fun, contests November 6th, 2008I’m happy to announce the winner of this week’s What’s That? Wednesday contest. New reader, ethanator1088 of PWNED Video, was the first to guess correctly that it’s the strike plate of a stapler. Congratulations! As the prize winner, you have your choice of 500 Entrecard credits or a Junk Drawer magnet. I’ll contact you shortly.
Because Shieldmaiden96 of Dispatches from the Northern Outpost guessed further that it was the Swingline model 545, she can have a magnet, too. I’m equally scared and impressed that she knew that.
Now, I decided to close the contest a little early because of the flood of stapler guesses. So what you’re all saying is that these are too easy, right? I’ll have you know that the photos are reviewed by my husband and, this time, my sister and niece, who said “Oh, that’s too hard.” Clearly not.
Since you guys are so smart, the next one will be impossible to guess. Do you hear me? IMPOSSIBLE!
Today’s post also includes an update on our Windy, stuck in the tree for 228 days now. I took this video out on the roof of my building.
If you watch carefully at the end, you can see that Windy was a little embarrassed by being a Walmart bag, knowing how much most of us hate them, and she covered up her name. It’s OK, Windy. We forgive you.
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November 6th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
1st Ooooh :O) I’m sorry but you made me laugh twice! First at the cover, up then I’m sorry, at the bang on the head hehehehe!
Brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘Egg head’ ;O)
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
November 6th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I find it highly interesting that your building’s roof is covered in rocks…it looks like a Seattle beach.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Pee Essss. I love the leaf :O)
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
November 6th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Oh that leaf on the rock is simply beautiful !
Sorry about your skull you egghead !
Jaffer’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
November 6th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Yaay! Yaay! I won a magnet! (Clapping like Drew Barrymore in E.T. when her mother asks her if she believes in fairies)
How shall I convey to you the address to my humble cottage?
Shieldmaiden1196’s last blog post..The Audacity of Soap
November 6th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Oh, and you are talking about a woman whose Happy Place is Staples. I know from office supplies. I get a contact high just from the plasticky-papery-carpety smell of that place.
(If you are ever in Kennett Square, behold the brilliant shiny newness that is the new Staples on Route 1. Tell Dan the manager I said hi. His wife is going to have a baby any day now.)
Shieldmaiden1196’s last blog post..The Audacity of Soap
November 6th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
OH how I miss the fall colors of the east coast! In So Cal, we have basically ONE type of tree that gives us color. Fortunately, I’ve grown quite fond of Palm trees and 70 degree weather in the winter, so I’m happy where I’m planted!
Mama O’s last blog post..My First Political Opinion
November 6th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
We are a little impressed and scared that you know how many days Windy Walmart has been hanging around.
Impossible, eh? Bring it!
Gandalf and Grayson’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem, BlogBlast For Peace
November 6th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
correctly guessed that it’s a swingline model 545? wow. that’s just scary… :O
kouji’s last blog post..solar cell phone charger, relevance
November 6th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I’m kind of jealous that you get to go out on the roof of your building. (Sorry about the noggin boo-boo though–ouch!) I love heights, and once made the mistake of asking the security guy if I could go out on the roof. They keep the roof access locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
Love the leaf photo–very nice!
absepa’s last blog post..Exhibit #4,876 in My Case Against Bugs
November 6th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Okay, can I reguess when that stupid thing will fall out already?
I think it’ll be on January 7, cause there’ll be no leaves on the trees and maybe some snow to knock it down.
Wow, I feel so dumb right now. Everyone pretty much guessed stapler, except me and my mom.
“What is it? A cheese graiter? An electrical plate? What in the world is an electrical plate?”
November 6th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Great picture of the leaf. That alone is almost worth a bump on the head! :0) The good news is that I’m still in the running on the bag in the tree!!
November 6th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Am I not the namer of the bag? Is that not worth a collectible Junk Drawer magnet for Mrs C’s Stainless Steel fridge? How much shall I beg?
Chris (Casey)’s last blog post..Lumberjack Love: Why you don’t wear loose hanging clothes while operating a gas powered 20″ Poulan Chain Saw
November 6th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
That’s weird - there’s still leaves on that tree! All of our trees have been naked for weeks now in Alberta.
Tim’s last blog post..Quiting Smoking, Second Hand Gum and Non-Chewing Sections
November 6th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Sorry about your head, your fans love you for the sacrifices you make! LOVE the leaf photo, very cool!
November 6th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
I love the last photo!
Lauren’s last blog post..I Won’t Let It Happen
November 7th, 2008 at 5:24 am
I am very sorry that your head got a hurty. Maybe you should start wearing a helmet. For safety.
Daisy the Curly Cat’s last blog post..Fashion Friday with Harley
November 7th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Babs beetle — I’m just glad when I konked my head, brain didn’t come out. Ouchie! Yeah, I love the leaf, too. Made it my desktop background.
Angi — Yeah, it’s weird. Anyone here know why the rocks are helpful? For rain runoff? But how is that helpful?
Jaffer — Now look what Babs started. You’re an egghead! No, you are! Love the leaf, too. Probably the best pic I took all year.
Shieldmaiden96 — I’m excited for you! I bet you go into a Staples even if you don’t need anything. Go ahead. Admit it. You’re among friends here.
Mama O — I think I’d trade fall colors for warmth myself. Although it’s been stunning around here lately. And is it just me, or do the leaves seem to be hanging on longer than normal?
Gandalf and Grayson — It would disturb you that my coworkers and I check how it’s doing every day. Once, a friend freaked out a little because she thought it was gone. We’ve grown quite attached to Windy. I’ve got some people working on making the next challenge impossible.
kouji — Seriously. My mouth dropped to the floor when I flipped it over to check the model and saw she had it right. Crazy!
absepa — It’s not too bad when I’m close to the door. But once I approach the wall, I start to get queasy. But I’ll keep going out there as long as the bag’s there. Maybe over time I’ll lose my fear?
Regan — No, you cannot reguess. That’s kinda cheating. Besides, didn’t I already give you a bunch of Junk Drawer stuff for being my #1 Fan? It was fun hearing you and your mom NOT guess the item for ten minutes. I thought for sure no one else would get it. Crap!
Lee — Yes, the pic almost made my throbbing head worth it! And, yeah, you’re still in the running (you guessed July 13, 2009). Five others are also still in the race.
Chris (Casey) — You shall beg until I get sick of it and throw you a magnet just to shut you up. Actually, you should get a magnet anyway for giving me and my blog my first TV shout-out. Thought I forgot, didn’t you?
Tim — I do think it’s weird this year. It seems like they’re hanging on a lot longer than normal, which is wonderful. Makes me very happy to see such bursts of color.
Leslie — As long as I don’t fall off the building, I can take most forms of injury getting the Windy pictures.
Daisy the Curly Cat — Oh, yeah, a helmet would surely make me safer. But it would also prompt more looks than I already get when I go out there. My hurty is all better now. I have a thick skull.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I just love the Windy story, hands down….it’s my all time favorite.
I LOVE IT
I would vote for it if it was there…http://2008.weblogawards.org
Leaves on the tree still…Wow……our trees are all nude now!!!!
Alan’s last blog post..Gay Montreal is HOT, Gay California is NOT
November 7th, 2008 at 8:04 am
ouch! that sounds painful!!! and we are all embarassed at who we are at some point in our lives. i guess windy is no different. that’s ok though, we still love her just the same!
Kelly’s last blog post..Throwback Thursday
November 7th, 2008 at 8:33 am
swingline 545 how can you compete with that…:))))
robert bourne’s last blog post..Pursued Dreams Let My Soul Roam
November 7th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I love that tree. I have wanted one of those to plant in my yard. I never would have thought of taking pictures of a bag in a tree. lol I stumbled up on your blog through entrecard. Now I am curious.
Sandi’s last blog post..Toning it All Up after Bedrest?
November 7th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Lovely photo at the end there– and sorry about the ol’ noggin. We appreciate you take one for the team there at the Junk Drawer. Your bravery has not gone unnoticed.
Jenn’s last blog post..Pop Takes on The Time Change
November 7th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Jeez ! Whatever would make you say that Kathy ?
Have you had your eggs for breakfast today ?
Jaffer’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
November 7th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Yes Kathy… videotaping plastic bags in trees IS normal. You keep telling yourself that.
Jeff’s last blog post..And I don’t even get to use Novocaine
November 7th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Time to call the fire department. They rescue cats still, don’t they? Windy could break free and be a hazard to someone. Preventative measures.
TheSnackHound’s last blog post..Fiesta Chocolate Shipping This Month
November 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
You know, I distinctly remember you saying “It’s always raining in the UK” Hmmmm…. Unless you’ve been out there with a hose, those stones look like they’ve had a sprinkling with rain to me ;O)
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
November 7th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
@ Jaffer Hahaha ahaha! Don’t blame me Kathy ;O)
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
November 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Thank you for your sacrifice to your blog and to your country.
(The pictures are a great visual!)
November 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Sorry you bumped your head. You must have really banged it hard for it to hurt a whole hour!
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”’s last blog post..What I Learned This Week: This Is So Cruel: Pit Bulls Are On Death Row In Ohio
November 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
It scares me how interested I am in that damn plastic bag.
Momo Fali’s last blog post..Gratitude
November 7th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Alan — You’re not alone. Windy is my all-time favorite subject in the Junk Drawer. What are we going to do when she gets out? Yeah, we have tons of trees still bursting with color. It’s beautiful.
Kelly — Windy is aware that I’m blogging about her. She wishes she was a bag from a more upscale store. But we all can’t be top shelf, can we?
robert bourne — You can’t. No how. No way.
Sandi — If you stick around, you’ll find updates on the bag every two month or so. And lots of random, weird stuff in between. Mostly embarrassing things. Mostly about me. Welcome aboard!
Jenn — Thanks. I do what I can to bring you the finest blogging experience. For the record, I woke up with a headache this morning and had to double dose on my Advil. I never get headaches. Stupid boo-boo door!
Jaffer — I see creepy Jaffer Eyes is back. I did not have eggs today. Apparently I’m cracked enough.
Jeff — Admit it, you love the bag. Tell me you wouldn’t love it if I could rig a Bag Cam. I’m still working on that idea.
TheSnackHound — Doubtful. But we have thought about cutting the tree down. But I don’t want Mother Nature against me.
Babs beetle — Yep, it was drizzly early in the week. Oh, and I hold Jaffer 100% responsible now. I do believe he was first to “crack” the joke about me being an egghead. He’s lucky I like him.
PaulsHealthBlog — You are quite welcome. I do what I can.
Karen — Yeah, there’s a little lip on the bottom of the door. I sort of thrust myself too high on that and BAM! No blood, though, so it’s all good.
Momo Fali — It’s OK. Lots and lots of people want to know the bag’s fate. You’re in very good company. You wouldn’t believe how often I check on it. Every time I pass a window that faces it, pretty much.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
You’re right. I’m just jealous I don’t have a trapped bag outside my office
The funny thing is, a Bag Cam would probably get a lot of viewers - me inlcuded. What does that say about us?
Jeff’s last blog post..And I don’t even get to use Novocaine
November 7th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Sorry about your noggin, but that little red leaf is so worth it!
DJ’s last blog post..Lessons, CNN and The Electoral Map.
November 8th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Well, that’s me out of the running - I think I said sometime in October, didn’t I? *Sigh*
I love the red leaf on the stones! That’s worth framing, that one!
Jay’s last blog post..Awards!
November 8th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Our town recently passed an ordinance banning the use of disposable plastic shopping bags. It hasn’t gone into effect yet but hopefully we will see a reduction in waste, albeit convenience as well.
Neena’s last blog post..Ten Parenting Tips for Election Day
November 8th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Sorry about your head! Thanks for the sacrifice. I’m glad to see you can STEP out of the window and not have to climb through it. I think my guess for Windy is coming up sometime this month. What was the farthest guess out? If it’s still up there after that can we all re-guess?
Love, love, love the color of that tree. We don’t get colors like that down in the south. A few here and there, but none that brilliant. Is there a copyright on your leaf on rock photo?
HeatherHere’s last blog post..If Obama Really is the Anti-Christ…
November 8th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Am I the first to notice the drumstick? ;O)
Babs - beetle’s last blog post..I got a result!
November 8th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
fall rules. football, and a break from the nearly 100-degree summers in atlanta.
muskrat’s last blog post..on elimination
November 8th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Jeff — I know it would be a hit. I think it says we’re suckers for things that are trapped, inanimate or not. Or it says we’re certifiable.
DJ — I think it was, too!
Jay — Your guess was actually TODAY! And, yeah, my sister even said the picture was frame-worthy. Christmas present anyone?
Neena — I often wonder how long it will take to ban them outright. I know it’ll be less convenient, but we’ll all get over it. The bags need to go.
HeatherHere — Yeah, the door is a godsend. It lets me get up really close, at the bag’s height, with no obstruction. I can’t find what your guess was. Yes, if no one gets it, we’ll start anew. The latest guess is May 15, 2010. Sorry you don’t get the brilliant colors down south. Technically, there is copyright on everything in this blog. But if anyone takes the picture, I’d be flattered. I’m more concerned about my words being taken.
Babs beetle — You are. Looks familiar, huh? Thank you so much for making it for me. The drumstick looks scrumptious!
muskrat — Indeed it does. Husband and I got married in the fall because it’s our favorite season. Perfect temps and no snow yet.
November 8th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Aww I’m very disapointed that i didn’t win.
November 9th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I would like to suggest that we get Windy a friend. How about we get a couple dozen of assorted bags and let them loose nearby on the Mountain? We could have “Taggie” the Target bag, if she wants n upscale friend, or “Reddy” from Redners, or “GINT” from Giant. The many people who live in my head are unanimous in this proposal! This way when Windy finally gets her Freedom, we will still have a bag to watch!
Chris (Casey)’s last blog post..Lumberjack Love: Why you don’t wear loose hanging clothes while operating a gas powered 20″ Poulan Chain Saw
November 9th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Did you get your turkey leg at the Festival or are you claiming yours for Thanksgiving? As for Windy the bag… do not get use to the idea that it will get loose. The tree has finally given up and is growing around it so you can take pics of it throughout the winter!
Linda’s last blog post..Rocks Can Do What?
November 9th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Oh my what an experience. But at least you got a lovely photo for all of us. thank you!!
Shinade’s last blog post..WS: Around The Old Homestead
November 9th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
brooke — Don’t be. You’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future.
Chris (Casey) — Oh, no no no no no no no! I can barely stand seeing this one up there. As much as I’d like her to have company, sending friends up there will only make things worse. I’ll never get to put the bag thing to rest and I’ll be writing about them until I retire.
Linda — Is that not the most delicious looking leg you’ve ever seen? Chomp! I know. I’m worried somehow the branches will grow around it and then it’s all over. We’ll get another great look at it in two months (about how often I update about it) when there are no leaves and she’s all alone in there, flappin’ in the wind.
Shinade — I do love the colors of the leaves. It’s that last bit of joy before winter settles in and kills my mood for three months.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Kathy you poor thing! That must’ve hurt! I’m only about 5′2 so stuff like that never happens to me…
I just wanted to add that I think that pic is awesome - GREAT shot!
Take care and watch out for low doors….haha, sorry couldn’t resist
November 10th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
that last photo is beautiful.
I m sorry about the bump on your head!
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..I Am A Sore Loser So Please Help Me Win?
November 10th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
kat — Here’s the weird thing. I’m 5′4″ and I should have been able to step over the lip easily. But I sort of stepped up on it and then lifted up and that’s when I cracked my head. I’m a clutz like that. I’ll be more careful next time, and there will be a next time. You should see the tree now. Lots of leaves came off over the weekend and the bag is flappin’ out there really good now.
meleah rebeccah — It is, isn’t it? The rocks really make it unique. Head’s all better, thanks!
November 11th, 2008 at 7:36 am
i can feel the pain…it is all worth because you shared a beautiful picture with us! nice!:)
fit4all’s last blog post..Bohol Tour
November 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am
LOL You can tell I was majorly busy over the weekend. I totally missed the video and update on Windy. I was so happy to see her this morning!! (does that make me slightly crazy?) hehe. It probably won’t be much longer and she’ll break free. I’m just worried that parts of her will break free…okay now that just isn’t right.
Nicole’s last blog post..Really Cheap Gourmet Coffee ( Recipe )
November 11th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Sometimes, we must suffer for beauty. This is what my stylist usually says before bolting me in the chair to bake my head whilst making it intermittently blonde. But you outdid even the foil-wielding one to get the video of Windy and the lovely rocks and scarlet leaf photo.
Elle’s last blog post..Digging With A Heart-Shaped Spade
November 12th, 2008 at 6:59 am
fit4all — Indeed, it was worth it. I use the picture as my laptop background. It makes me happy.
Nicole — It makes you only as crazy as the rest of us. Since the video was taken, a big chunk of leaves came off around her and you can really see her struggling to hang on. For the first time in a long time, I thought she might come out. But no.
Elle — Oh, boy. Now I know what to look forward to when I start having to color my hair. Won’t be long! p.s. The lump healed up nicely, although I woke up the next day with a headache. Not sure if the two events were related.