Found Note: My Grandparents Think I'm Gay

Note found in a public library:

My grandparents think I'm gay.

Twits, 2007-2012

I never used Twitter much.  Here's my entire tweet history:

*Update 11/6/2022 - Finally deactivated the account this morning.

Found Art

Found drawn on a computer mouse pad in a public library. I think it was drawn with an eraser.

Portrait in eraser on computer mouse pad.

Found List: Clubs

Found in a public library:

List of clubs.

List of clubs:

• Story makers
• Book lovers
• Jesus lovers
• Game makers

Found Drawing: I'm Stupid

Drawing found in a public library:

I'm stupid.

Introducing Furfur

I’d been admiring Furfur at the pet store for several weeks—back then, his name was Austin. We really liked each other through the glass, and I ended up getting him for my birthday! I didn’t want to keep calling him “Austin,” so, inspired by his appearance and personality, I consulted a book of demon names. When I came across “Furfur” (an archduke of Hell in Christian mythology), I thought, If that isn’t a cat name, I don’t know what is. It suited him perfectly. Welcome to the house, Furfur!

 

Stan, At Attention

Stanley Wood, at attention.

Stanley Wood.

Huell

Glad I got to meet Huell Howser once. He lived up to his TV image totally.

Huel's autograph.

I'm not sure exactly when we got to meet him, but whenever it was, it was the 16th:

16th:  Huell Howser.

The Originals at Rest

A rare photo of all three of the original Originals sharing a bed.

Front to back: Stanley Wood, Machete, and Tiggi.

The original Originals.

Found: FU Carina

Robert to Carina, "FU."

Found: Hey, Bitch"

"Hey, Bitch."

Found: Hate or Love Us

"Hate us or love us, be nice to us!"

Negotiations are Over

Tiggi's pawprint is now legally recognized in 3 states and 1 enchanted forest.

"The paw has spoken."

Overheard: 180 Days Sober

Two guys sitting in adjacent bathroom stalls talking shit about sobriety while, apparently, shitting:

Guy #1: "I drank myself into a coma. Woke up the next day, got a dog, and decided to be sober. Stayed that way for 180 days."

Guy #2: "That's it!"

Alice Chandler

OC's first female deputy, Alice Chandler: Then & Now (1940s/2000s).

Alice with her portrait by William Mortensen.

Your Mom

Overheard conversation between two kids playing video games:

                              "Have a good night!"

                              "Your mom will have a good night."

                              …

                              "He ate the queen!"

                              "Your mom ate the queen."

John Wayne Airport

Me and Jon Sr. at John Wayne Airport, Orange County.

Two Jons and a John.

A Valentine to Gilliomville

I was pondering what the real draw of Gilliomville might be, for me at least, and stupid comparisons to tv families aside, it is this:

You all seem to take real joy in one another, and in existence. And in barbecued meats.

But really, that's what got me--that you're this family that's by no means wholesome or bland, you're all funny and engaged in one another's lives to an extent that you built a website to stay in touch with one another.

This strikes me as amazing, poignant, admirable. Maybe this says more about me than any Gilliom out there. It probably does. But Gilliomville stands against the collective American mythology of the dysfunctional, suffocating American family and I for one find that fascinating, comforting, inspiring, even. And you do it without being insipid, cloying, conventional or square. There seems to be so much love, support, and respect passing back and forth. It made me want to call my far flung family and start up a similar arena.

I dunno. It seems like computer culture is a culture of alienation and capitalism, but this site shows it doesn't have to be; that there are other possibilities.

So you see, the Gillioms stand for something, and Gilliomville is a url of entertainment, free thinking and hope. Vicarious thrills aside, that is why I return ever and again.

So maybe you all aren't really great emblems, maybe I'm just a sad little voyeur, or maybe it's some of both, but--I dunno, you made something powerful. Bet you had no idea.

thanks
AmyJo

[From "I Left My Heart in Gilliomville," 2008]

Post No Bills

So many old staples!

Found: Don't Look at Me!

That's not my hand!

Don't look at me!