The picture here shows what I picked up in today's "see what goodies I can pick up at the Brown Elephant for under $20" challenge.

As a game, I always try to limit myself to $20, unless of course, there's an especially nice item that just begs to be taken home, like the black leather 3/4 length car coat - in like new condition - I scored for $25 a few weeks ago. However, it's the thrill of the hunt that's so exciting; just because someone discarded that bouncing tacky gazelle doesn't mean it won't make a fine catch for another poacher.

Catch of the day:

1. Midge Ure's Rewind DVD, Region 1 - and had an interesting discussion with the chap behind the counter about the differences in region encoding. This 2002 concert video is splendid; and no, that is not David Cassidy on the cover, despite the resemblance. Midge is in great voice, but even he isn't quite up to the soaring operatic pitch changes required for Hymn's final "give me/AAA-all/the sto/ry/book told me..." these days - but who's complaining? Midge duets with British tenor Russell Watson on Vienna.
2. An autographed copy of James St. James' Disco Bloodbath, hardcover (now published under the title of the film it inspired, "Party Monster," which starred Macaulay Culkin and Seth Green as debauched Manhattan Club Kids Michael Alig and St. James, respectively. Surely you saw it in the theaters, no? ;) )
3. A vintage Howie™ Hawaiian shirt, in great condition, which will come in handy at this year's Tiki parties
4. Caleb Carr's The Alienist
5. A vintage white Pyrex™ lipped mixing bowl with slightly worn, stylized aqua roosters (the genuine article, as the bottom reads "ovenware" only - newer reissues are embossed "microwave and oven safe.")
6. The Original Chicago Trivia by Joseph A. DeBartolo, where one can learn minutiae such as the fact that Oscar Wilde once denounced the Water Tower as a "castellated monstrosity with pepper boxes stuck all over it." Well, it's true.
7. A cassette copy of Michael Penn's March, just because I can't seem to track down "No Myth" on the once- or twice-yearly occasion I feel like hearing it. They probably threw this gem in for free.

Total damage: $16.03, including tax - enough to get a mocha left over. "But wait! There's more!" While I did pass up a Thai silk tourist shirt covered with a vertiginous print of royal elephants marching trunk-to-tail, I found a wicker lampshade in the alley from the folks that are moving into our apartment building today, gratis. All in all, I think I did pretty well.

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