Forget the Groundhog

Today is Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada. That pesky rodent, Punxsutawney Phil, is supposed to emerge from his burrow today. If he sees his shadow, we can expect six more weeks of winter. Never mind Phil, does it look like spring is around the corner where you are?

Or does it look like this?

These are actually cards from the 1930s (I think) from Japan. I'm not sure of the exact location, but wherever it is, it's buried in snow.

If you live in the eastern half of the United States, you may be seeing snow like this right now too.

Diving Board Zombies

Several months ago I brought this menace to your attention.  I urge you to look at the post again if you didn't take it seriously the first time. The danger is much much more widespread than you may think. These "people" will do whatever it takes to block your access to diving boards - and that vacant stare of theirs makes it clear that they are not human. Be aware that they are particularly dangerous when they have their arms extended like this, because it means they are communicating with the mother ship.

Do yourself a favor, and keep your children and pets far away from these zombies. Remember, normal people have no reason to  loiter on diving boards.

Note the extended arms with the beach-ball satellite communication device. Those people around her have no idea that they're in grave danger.

Recklesss Driving

Here are some humorous cards from the early days of automobiles. It was quickly recognized that people didn't see as much when they were driving, and that there were resulting conflicts with pedestrians and livestock.  There also weren't any lane dividers in the very early days of the automobile, so urban driving must have been very chaotic.

On that note, I would also like to announce the winners of the GPSmycity.com walking app. giveaway for iPhones and iPods from two weeks ago. I thank you for participating, and I will be contacting you to email you the code you need to get your app. Here are the winners:
Alan Burnett and Kakihara will both be getting walking tours of New York City.
Brian (from Paper Sponge) will get a walking tour of San Francisco.
Mark S. and Christine Wallace will both get tours of Prague, and
Judy from Judy's Notebook will be getting a tour of Tokyo.
It was interesting to me to see what locations you chose - all great choices!
Happy travels, and stay on the sidewalks to avoid crazy drivers.

The first card refers to the Metropolitan Police Act of 1839, passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Section 54 addressed a long list of nuisances, but did not anticipate the advent of the automobile. They were merely trying to address the problems of wild horse-cart driving.

In addition to furious driving, here are some other activities that were outlawed:

• Driving carts on the footway.
• Selling or distributing "profane, indecent or obscene books, papers, prints, drawings, paintings or representations", or singing any songs or ballads with similar content or using language "to the annoyance of pedestrians or passengers".
• Threatening or abusive behaviour or words.
• The blowing of horns (except by guards and postmen of the General Post Office.)
• Discharging firearms, setting fireworks or lighting bonfires.
• "Wantonly disturbing" persons by ringing doorbells, knocking on doors or unlawfully extinguishing lamps.
• Flying kites or playing games to the annoyance of others.
• Making slides upon ice or snow to the danger of pedestrians.

 

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order. The first one is interesting, because it was printed just before it became permissible to write a message on the back of the card. Before March 1, 1907, you could only write the address on the back of the card, which is why many people tried to scribble a message on the front.

The second postcard is from prior to 1907. Note that there's no space for a message here.