Happy New Year!

 Stunning ‘Auld Lang Syne’ from University College Dublin’s choir

‘Auld Lang Syne’ has long been a song performed as a new year enters, with words that capture bittersweet reflection and a spirit of goodwill. And in the video below, it’s sung so powerfully.

The poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’ captures two friends catching up over a drink or two, their friendship having been long and occasionally distant. The words were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788.

The song’s famous title translates as ‘old long since’, or ‘for the sake of old times’ – in other words, looking back, as a way to look forward.

Funny Notes

 Frozen

Have you seen the movie "Frozen?" Well, this is the real-life car version. When this car got a ticket for being parked there for too long, the owner wrote a note replying to the ticket explaining that his door is frozen shut and he can’t open the car to move it.



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There are several ways to unfreeze your door and even things you can do to prevent your car door from freezing. Next time, try some WD40. Either that, or just a buy a new car and move to a warmer part of the country. Those are your two options.



Feeling Like a Star

Sarcasm can be a useful tool when dealing with a person who continuously obstructs the path that people use to walk on. While it may not solve the issue entirely, a well-timed sarcastic remark can convey your frustration and make the person aware of their actions.



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On another note, when it comes to a warning note left on a car parked in a precarious location, the use of all caps suggests that the writer is not entirely optimistic about the car's safety. The writer may be implying that they are not responsible for any potential damages resulting from the driver's reckless parking.



Stealing a Man's Cup

The act of stealing is always wrong, but stealing something as personal and important as a man's package protector takes it to a whole new level. This item is designed to provide comfort and support for a man's most sensitive area, making it an essential part of his daily routine.



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To take it away is not only a violation of his property but also an invasion of his personal space. The writer of the note expresses their hope that the victim of this theft is skilled in a sport that involves physical retaliation, suggesting that they believe the thief deserves a taste of their own medicine.



With Hate

Sarcasm is a beautiful thing when it comes to leaving a note, and this next note took it all the way. Instead of using harsh words or cursing whoever moved their bins to park, they were super polite, but somehow the message still came shining through. And boy, did it deliver.



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Honestly, it would make anyone mad if someone moved their trash cans and kept them from being emptied. Just in case the recipient of the note got confused by all the kind words and the heart decoration, the signoff could not be clearer. Revenge is a dish best served sarcastically.



The Passive-Aggressive Smiley Face

The use of a smiley face at the end of a neighbor's note can be a relief when receiving a message that may have been frustrating or even confrontational. In this case, the writer of the note appears to be correct about the need for a permit to build a garage that encroaches on another's property.



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It is understandable that the recipient may have been annoyed or embarrassed upon receiving this note, but the use of a smiley face may help to ease any tension and prevent a potential conflict with the neighbors. Additionally, the note's welcoming tone implies that the neighbors are friendly and open to communication, which bodes well for a positive relationship moving forward.



Toilet Problems

If you would order 30 rolls of toilet paper on Amazon, it would only make sense that you would also take comfort in poetic vengeance via a cleverly written note. What we’re not sure of, though, is where exactly did he or she put the note, considering the package was already taken.



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Perhaps the note was placed inside the box of toilet paper rolls, nestled between the layers of soft paper. Or, it could have been attached to the outside of the package with a brightly colored ribbon, catching the eye of the delivery person as they made their way to the recipient's doorstep.



Sir Rex

The person who wrote this note has a way with words and also quite clearly a sense of humor. They put their complaints in extremely courteous words, making sure that the whole matter was as civilized as possible. Even though car alarms going off for no reason is one of the most aggravating things on the planet.



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You can plainly see that Sir Tyrannosaurus Rex is a dinosaur of elegant breeding and habits, just check out the tophat and wine glass. Let's face it, when your second name is Rex (which literally means king in Latin), you know your some kind boss.



My Anaconda Note

The thought of a 7-foot snake slithering around freely can be terrifying, so it's understandable why people might have been concerned after receiving the note from Nick. However, the irony of the situation lies in the fact that Nick claimed to have "accidentally" lost the snake, yet reassured others that there was nothing to worry about.



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It's difficult to imagine how someone could lose such a large and potentially dangerous creature without being concerned themselves. The note may have been intended as a prank, designed to elicit a reaction from the recipient. However, it's also possible that Nick was being sincere and simply underestimated the severity of the situation.



A Particular Set of Skills

Whoever wrote this note has certainly taken some cues from Liam Neeson’s convincing portrayal in the movie "Taken." They have clearly seen this film a few times too many and have learned this monologue by heart. Although to be fair, in the film Neeson plays a father whose daughter was kidnapped and is trying to get her back.



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Here the threats are directed at someone who can’t park, but nonetheless, if they don’t follow instructions, they will be found – and boxed in! We love it when someone takes an iconic line from a popular movie and flips it on its head. That's exactly what this person did!



Blatant Warning

It's a common experience to feel paranoid about whether or not you've locked your door before leaving your home. However, it seems that one neighbor may have taken their concern to the next level. A surprising note was left on the door of the apartment owner, indicating that the neighbor had noticed the door was left unlocked and open to potential intruders.



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While the note may have been jarring to receive, it's clear that the neighbor had good intentions and was looking out for the safety of their community. The incident serves as a reminder to be vigilant about securing our homes, and to appreciate the watchful eyes of our neighbors.



Just Letting You Know

It must be nice for this note to be the first thing you see in the morning before getting in your car to go to work. Or at anytime, for that matter. To be fair, any time of the day is probably an optimal time for two squirrels to start trying to have a baby.



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So the morning is just as good as any time. Not only do you not want to imagine two animals mating on your car, but you start to seriously wonder whether the person that left this note was trying to be friendly or cheeky. But hey, apparently it was important enough for them to leave a note!



Ring-A-Ding Ding

Part of living around other people involves having to deal with hearing them go about their daily life, but when you can hear a neighbor’s car alarm going off without end for an entire night, anyone would be justified in leaving a threatening note.



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How they’re that heavy of a sleeper is beyond us, but hopefully, the note worked. But probably our favorite part of the entire note is the little award at the bottom of the piece of paper. They could have simply written that little strip of blue letters and they still would have got the same point across.



Unlocked WiFi Connection

While Nick's note may appear to be a genuine concern for others, there's a possibility that it was actually the work of a selfish neighbor looking to leech off of his Wi-Fi connection. It's not uncommon for people without internet access to try and mooch off their neighbors' connections.



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But it's important to remember that using someone else's Wi-Fi without permission is not only inconsiderate, but it's also illegal. Regardless of Nick's true intentions, the note serves as a reminder for all internet users to protect their Wi-Fi networks with a strong password. This can prevent unauthorized access, and safeguard personal information.



Waving Vengeance

Upon reading the note left by her neighbor, the "Lady of the House" felt a sense of unease and concern. The message seemed ominous, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was in danger. Perhaps her neighbor had taken an unhealthy interest in her life, or worse, had sinister intentions.



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To avoid any potential conflict, it may be wise for the "Lady of the House" to reach out to her neighbor and establish a friendly rapport. A simple wave or greeting could go a long way in diffusing any tension and preventing any "True Crime" scenarios from playing out. It's always better to err on the side of caution.



Brace Yourselves

Although "Game of Thrones" had aired its last episode, we are not going to risk any spoilers for the books which turned into a hit television series, pretty much followed by every person on the planet. Instead, we will just explain the note that was left on this windshield.



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On the show, the Lannisters are famously known for executing anyone who gets in their way. Accordingly, whoever parked here should definitely feel threatened and start watching their backs. After all, the Lannisters were known for hating people who parked their horses in their stables, if we're going to use an analogy from that fictional time period.



Snorkel Not Included

The theft of a 4-year-old's paddling pool may seem like a senseless act, leaving both the child and their family feeling frustrated and violated. However, it is possible that the thief had a valid reason for taking the pool, such as concern for the child's safety or a need for a pool themselves.



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The note left by the neighbor suggests that they may be quick to judge others and assume the worst about their actions. Instead of giving their neighbors the benefit of the doubt, the neighbor chose to confront them with a sarcastic and potentially hurtful and psychologically devastating message.



Best Note Ever

Leaving one's clothes in a shared dryer for an extended period can be an incredibly frustrating experience for others in the building. Not only does it cause delays and inconvenience for those waiting to use the machine, but it also creates a sense of disrespect towards others' time and space.



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However, amidst such situations, there are individuals like Max from 3F who make living in a shared community a more pleasant experience. Max's creativity is not limited to his artistic pursuits, as evidenced by his attempt to help his neighbor by folding their sheets. Such acts of thoughtfulness and consideration make him an ideal neighbor, and it's no wonder that his fellow residents support and appreciate him.



Move Away Maybe

Passive-aggressive behavior can be quite frustrating to deal with, especially when it comes from someone living in close proximity. However, the sarcastic remark about "adding some color" hints at a more humorous approach to the situation. Perhaps the neighbor who receives the note will appreciate the musical reference and see the irony in the situation.



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As for whether the note will actually change their behavior, it's unlikely. But the writer's talent for writing and their ability to create a clever and well-written note is certainly admirable. Who knows, maybe they can use their writing abilities for more productive endeavors in the future.



BMW State of Mind

BMW people are not like us common folk. Or at least that's what they like to think. The truth is that on the inside they are just as insecure as the next person, only with fatter wallets. As evidenced by this note, this inconsiderate BMW owner took up some unnecessary parking space.



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This note writer, who also happens to be a "worthless Toyota driver" (just to get the point across) thought it was good to let the driver know. We appreciate the humor! Listen though, we don't care if you're driving a BMW, a Toyota, or a toy car - don't take up as much parking space as necessary!



The Dog Park

Listen up, doggo, if you wanna sit on the ground and chill all day, make sure you're not doing it in someone else's parking spot. This car owner needs a spot to put their car because evidently there is nowhere else to do so. It also appears that this is the only space for the dog too. Sounds like a conflict.



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The best part about this? The dog will obviously get the memo once he reads the note on the windshield. Must be a very intelligent dog! Come to think of it, we have a feeling that this person might not have been addressing a literal dog who can drive a car with his bare paws.



Karma

Malcolm's note seemed to exude a sense of satisfaction that can only come from rubbing something in someone's face. His joy must have been palpable, but it serves as a warning to us all. Our behavior towards our neighbors can have far-reaching consequences, and we never know when we might need their help.



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It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we don't need to be nice to those around us, but the truth is that we never know when we might need their assistance. Malcolm's message reminds us that we should always strive to be kind and understanding.



I’ll Monster Truck You

There are few things worse than when a car blocks you in. It can really ruin your entire day and make you very late to work. In this person’s case, it clearly had a very negative impact on their morning, as seen by the intimidating note that they left. We are wondering how they have access to a monster truck.



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You can be sure that if this car blocks this person in again, there will be serious consequences, and to be honest, we don’t blame them. We know just how much that can ruin your day. And no offense to the monster truck owners out there - but they're pretty big.

Christmas HO HO HA HA HA

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa School circa. 1961

With Christmas being so close you can almost taste the egg nog, I thought I’d better step up my Yuletide game here at MessyNessyChic. So let’s hop on our slay and travel back in time to 1961 Albion, New York and take a tour inside Santa School … (it’s basically better than Lapland).

Established in 1937, the Charles Howard’s Santa Claus School actually still exists today, now operating out of Michigan and proudly claiming the title of the world’s oldest Santa School. Candidates pictured here in 1961 by LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt have signed up for a 5-day, $75 course in the hopes of receiving a Santa certificate that will enable them to get Yuletide jobs at local department stores.

Above, a Santa Clauses is put through his paces during a practice session with child volunteers (it is unclear whether these children have previously caught their parents putting presents under the tree and are therefore now non-believers, suitable for Santa training).

Demonstrating how to wear the Santa suit. 

Six of the 15 men enrolled in Santa Claus School learning how to render a jolly belly laugh.

Two men in Santa gear learning how to do a spritely soft-shoe dance.

Learning how wear wigs and whiskers.

Founder Charles Howard showing students how much of Santa’s face should show between wig and beard.

 

 

 

 

This certifies that …. has honorably and diligently completed the course in the study and art of Santa Claus, and is now ready to carry on as a Helper of Santa Claus. 

As holder of this diploma, I fully realize the responsibility and privilege that is mine in spreading joy and happiness to the children of this world through their beloved friend and servant, Santa Claus. 

I hereby sincerely and solemnly promise to give my best, my all to carry out the principles Santa Claus stands for. 

All images (c) Life Archives

The Hidden Story of Christmas

 

Vanderbilt Ball How a costume ball changed New York elite society

In the spring of 1883, the solemnity of Lent didn’t stand a chance against the social event on the mind of all of New York’s elite society: Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt’s fancy dress ball. The invitations had been hand delivered by servants in livery, young socialites had been practicing quadrilles (dances performed with four couples in a rectangular formation) for weeks, and “amid the rush and excitement of business, men have found their minds haunted by uncontrollable thoughts as to whether they should appear as Robert Le Diable, Cardinal Richelieu, Otho the Barbarian, or the Count of Monte Cristo, while the ladies have been driven to the verge of distraction in the effort to settle the comparative advantages of ancient, medieval, and modern costumes” (New York Times). The best dressmakers and cobblers had spent months poring over old books making costumes — which were already being breathlessly described by the New York Times — as historically accurate as possible.

Prior to the ball, Gilded Age New York society had been dominated by the Mrs. Astor. (Emphasis, hers – to even ask which Astor was a sure sign that you were thoroughly ignorant in the most basic points of New York’s social hierarchy.) Mrs. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor and self-appointed “society expert” Ward McAllister were the authorities in all things upper class. It was up to them to decide if your last name was venerable enough or if your bloodlines were pure enough for entry into the upper ranks of society. They were the champions of old money and tradition.

But New York’s social hierarchy is not known for being static. Thanks to the meteoric increase in millionaires in New York due to the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution, many of whose fortunes rivaled or even surpassed the oldest of families, Mrs. Astor and Ward McAllister had a whole new challenge in deciding who of the nouveau riche was acceptable. This led to the creation of the famous List of 400 — the Four Hundred people who were New York’s high society. One family that they deemed wholly unsuitable were the Vanderbilts. The willful crassness of Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, the ambitious entrepreneurial shipping and railroad industry mogul, and patriarch of the family, was still the stuff of legends.

The Commodore’s grandson, William Kissam Vanderbilt, married the determined, pugilistic and socially ambitious Alva Erksine Smith from Mobile, Alabama (but schooled in Paris). Alva made it her mission to bring the Vanderbilts into what she thought was their proper place in society, and onto the list of the 400.

Her first move? Building an opulent French château style mansion designed by Richard Morris Hunt at 660 Fifth Avenue at 52nd street that literally overshadowed the dour, albeit luxurious, town homes that lined the avenue.




H.N. Tiemann & Co. 1898. 5th Avenue north from 52nd Street. Museum of the City of New York. X2010.11.4755.


As grand as the mansion was, the ball which served as her housewarming party was even grander. On March 26, 1883 Alva threw one of the most incredible parties that New York had ever seen. With her access to seemingly endless amounts of money, she used every available resource – including the power of the press by inviting journalists to come in and preview the decorations before the ball began – to build excitement and to make it bigger than any ball before it. According to an apocryphal tale, Alva used what was possibly the simplest weapon in her arsenal to gain admission to the New York 400: good old fashioned manipulation. The story goes, that like all marriageable young girls Mrs. Astor’s daughter, Carrie, was anxiously awaiting her invitation and even began practicing for a quadrille with her friends. Then the unthinkable happened: all of her friends got their invitations and hers never came. She immediately got her mother on the case. Due to complex social customs, Alva claimed she could not invite Miss Astor since Mrs. Astor had never called on the Vanderbilt home. Mrs. Astor really had no choice but to drop her visiting card at 660 5th Avenue, thus formally acknowledging the Vanderbilts. The Astors’ invitation was received the next day.

At ten in the evening carriages began arriving at 660 5th Avenue, dropping off nearly 1200 outrageously costumed members of the highest ranks of society. Crowds, held back by police, strained to catch glimpses of debutantes and society stalwarts attired in their costumes as they were escorted into the mansion. Even Mrs. Astor (with her daughter) and Ward McAllister were there.

It is easy to see the casual display of over-the-top excess of the ball in these portraits of attendees in their costumes taken by Mora.

Miss Edith Fish was dressed as the Duchess of Burgundy, with real sapphires, rubies and emeralds studding the front of the dress.



Mora (b.1849). Miss Edith Fish (later Hon. Mrs. Oliver Northcote). 1883. Museum of the City of New York. 41.132.45.


Mora (b. 1849). Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II (neé Alice Claypoole Gwynne. 1883. Museum of the City of New York. F2012.58.1341.



One of the most amazing costumes was Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II ‘s representation of “Electric Light” which even had a torch that lit up, thanks to batteries hidden in her dress. The dress is actually in the Museum’s costume collection and you can see it as it looked on Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II in the cabinet card below, and how stunning it is in the full color collection image. (To take a closer look at the dress, visit our Worth/Mainbocher online exhibition here.)



Charles Frederick Worth House of Worth (Firm) Jean-Phillippe Worth (1856-1926). Fancy dress ensemble, “Electric Light,” worn by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt at the 1883 Vanderbilt Ball. 1883. Museum of the City of New York. 51.284.3A-H

At exactly 11:30 the ball began with the hobby-horse quadrille, the first of five quadrilles where the young people of society danced down the grand staircase in lavish costumes.

Dancers in the Dresden Quadrille wore all-white court costumes evoking the time of Frederick the Great and giving them the eerie and intentional look of living porcelain dolls.

For the Opera Bouffe quadrille, the costumes were just as elaborate. The New York Times described a dress as, “Miss Bessie Webb appeared as Mme. Le Diable in a red satin dress with a black velvet demon embroidered on it and the entire dress trimmed with demon fringe-that is to say, with a fringe ornamented with the heads and horns of little demons.” It’s not everyday that you hear the term “demon fringe”.

Speaking of things that you don’t hear or see on a daily basis, Miss Kate Fearing Strong wore a peculiar cat costume. Miss Strong, who Henry James described as “youthful and precocious,” went as her nickname “Puss”. Somewhat disturbingly, the entire costume consisted of a taxidermied cat head as seen in the image, but also seven cat tails sewn onto her skirt. Continuing with the animal theme, Alva’s sister-in-law went as a hornet, with an imported headdress made of diamonds.

After the last quadrille ended, the ball really began. Dozens of Louis XVIs, a King Lear “in his right mind”, Joan of Arc, Venetian noblewomen and hundreds of other costumed figures danced and drank among the flower filled house, including the third floor gymnasium that had been converted into a forest filled with palm trees and draped with bougainvillaeas and orchids. Dinner was served at 2 in the morning by the chefs of Delmonico’s working with the Vanderbilt’s small army of servants. The dancing continued until the sun was rising, diamonds and other jewels glinting in the changing light. Alva led her guests in one final Virginia reel and just like that, the ball was over. The fantasy world that Alva created turned back into reality as men in powdered wigs stumbled down Fifth Avenue, much to the amusement of children on their way to school.

Most contemporary sources put the cost of the ball at $250,000 (nearly 6 million dollars in today’s money), including such costs as $65,000 for champagne and $11,000 for flowers. It was conspicuous consumption at its finest and it worked. Newspapers across the country reported the most minute details and extolled Alva’s tastes and classiness. (This is not to say that there wasn’t a backlash to the ball. The New York Sun published this very stern article, critiquing the excess when there was so much suffering in the same city.). But as of March 27, 1883 the Vanderbilts were at the top of a new New York society that was not just limited to 400 people.

 

Via the Musuem of the City of New York #GildedNY

by Susannah Broyles, Digital Project Cataloger