Fixes For Bad Hair Days

  1. Enlist the help of pom-poms.
1984 El Paisano
1984 El Paisano

2. Stick a blow-up animal on your head.

1990 Aggieland
1990 Aggieland

3. Cowboy hats.

1950 Cactus
1950 Cactus

4. Just go with it.

1980 Catamount
1980 Catamount

Literal Downlow Conversation

37Cactus-019
1937 Cactus

Today I got my hands on a 1937 yearbook. I’ve been collecting yearbooks for many years, and have found that yearbooks from the 1930s decade are virtually non-existent. Annuals from the 1920s, however, are much easier to find. I chalk it up to the fact that during The Great Depression, which encompasses all of the 1930s, people were more concerned with getting food on the table and finding shelter than ponying up the cash for a yearbook, if they even could afford a university education. I imagine demand was not great, so fewer were printed than in the prior decade. But that is only my wager.

In any case, celebration and decadence still existed for some, as evidenced by the Delta Theta Phi banquet dinner in these images. Holidays were still holidays, and life went on.

37Cactus-020

 

 

“Be A Clown, Be A Clown, All The World Loves A Clown” – Cole Porter

Houston Chronicle Archives
Houston Chronicle Archives

Stephanie and Deidre from Highland Heights Elementary enjoy the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1969.

SkeltonClownGandolfiniQuoteAdamsClown

Deathwish: Upside-Down And Backwards Writing

book: Houston 175
book: Houston 175

This could never happen now; they don’t teach cursive in schools any more. But back in the 1920s, Harry Kahne–“The Man with the Multiple Mind”–showed off his penmanship while dangling from the Majestic Theatre in Houston. Crowds gathered to witness the blood rush to his head as he scribbled patriotic lyrics. Don’t worry; he didn’t die until decades later in 1955.

Axilla On Display

1953 Comet
1953 Comet

What are these keen teens up to? Is it dancing, diving, or snake-charming? Perhaps it’s proof that Odo-Ro-No works?

http://www.flickriver.com/
http://www.flickriver.com/

I guess the name is meant to imply there is no odor, but it looks more like “Odor? Oh, no!” Maybe that’s why it disappeared…

Some folks don’t like the aluminum in deodorant (thinking it may be linked to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease), but what’s the alternative? I was in line the other day, downwind from a woman who reeked of what is best described as wet, hot polecat. I fought to keep my lunch down. But hey, some folks dig it.

ArmpitCaan

What do you think? Thumbs up to musky partner pits? I think I’ll pass. Especially when it’s 101 degrees here today.

If The Cowardly Lion and Ralph Malph Had A Son

1950 Cactus
1950 Cactus

Bert Lahr as the lion + Donny Most as Ralph Malph (aka Mouth)

 

P.S. Did you know Ralph’s middle name was Hector?

P.S.S. Did you know Bert Lahr’s real name was Irving Lahrheim?

When You Walk In On Your Roommate Sitting In Your Boyfriend’s Lap And You Want To Hurl Your Bowling Ball At Them But You Don’t Want To Drop Your Cig

1950 Cactus
1950 Cactus