
I wait so long
Dear Miss Helena, one time host of children’s show Romper Room, you have a lot to answer for. Yes, squeaky clean Miss Helena of wholesome blouse and values, I have not forgotten those childhood years spent patiently glued to the television waiting for you to call out my name through the magic ‘looking glass’ — that portal to ‘good’ children everywhere. But not once amongst the John’s, the Michael’s and the Leroy’s (Leroy? Seriously!?); the Gavin’s, the Craig’s and the Philip’s was the name Zolton ever uttered. Was I wrong to expect you to see me there, just inches from the screen? Was my incessant stream of threatening mail a little over the top? Ah, the pain cuts deep. Yet I was never deterred. Despite the false promise that each new dawn offered, I would still rise in hope, my little heart pounding in anticipation that this might be the day that I join my generically named friends in the realm of ‘goodness’ But it never happened. Instead I was relegated to the world of the unruly, typecast as a troublemaker — a rabble-rouser. Personally, I blame it more on the Pepsi and sherbet diet I enjoyed at the time. But if I can hold a grudge for my ill disciplined adolescence then I will. And a bird-like television host seems as good a target as any. Yes, Miss Helena … the shame, the shame. [illustration by Skwak]
Tagged: colourful illustrations
RELATED

Color heaven! Perusing UK illustrator Ben O’Brien’s portfolio feels a lot like wandering the aisles of a giant candy store. I could buy one of everything in sight. Read more

Andrew Holder is a hidden secret. With an impressive client list and a fantastic website, there isn’t nearly enough press surrounding the Californian-based artist. Using his amazing eye for both colour and form, he creates dramatic illustrations from basic block shapes. The use of gradients, pattern as texture and offbeat colours create real depth.

Brooklyn-based illustrator — and Lost At E Minor contributor — Ilana Kohn creates vibrantly coloured works which practically glow in their playfulness. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Kohn’s regular clients include the New York Times, The Deal, Utne Reader, and The Advocate. Read more
Also by ZOLTON

Ok, so I’m wearing this t-shirt right now. It’s by Singapore-based fashion label Hooked Clothing, and it’s just about my favorite tee at the moment. Why? Why not. Tees are fun and Hooked has me hooked. Read more

Following on from the People of Walmart website, comes People Of Public Transit: ‘The public bus and subway systems are littered with amazing photo opportunities. Many of us have been sitting alone witnessing something amazing and only wishing we could share the experience with our friends. Well now you can!’ Read more

Milk and Honey necklace by Stephanie Simek
Milk and honey, an indubitable pair. In this necklace by Stephanie Simek, a golden honeycomb beeswax pendant is encased in plastic and hangs from an oxidized sterling silver chain. The links are interwoven with a milk protein-based fiber. We have it for sale in our online store.
YOU'RE SAYING (4)
Zolton said | 13 August, 2008
We should form a coalition Huna of the unusually named. There is strength to be had in numbers after all.
Shanna said | 14 August, 2008
I too am of the “Child with strange name, not being acknowledged at Romper Room” generation. Count me in the coalition of unusually named and I’ll be sure to take you on a tour of the Granny May’s and tourist shops that don’t stock any of our names in the personalised name plates, mugs and key rings…
Sarah said | 30 May, 2009
Now, I know that I am of the common name variety of Romper Room watchers, so my opinions may not carry so much weight as those of you who have suffered through years of being shunned my Miss Helena. However I cannot help but point out that at the very end of her bizarre magic mirror-gazing spiel, she would always add “and I can see you too!” This was intended to include all of us who’s name hadn’t been mentioned among her list of those who had fun and play.
So let us not blame poor Miss Helena, she did her best to include us all. As for your names not appearing on Granny May’s key rings, coffee mugs and bookmarks, well I guess you will need to take that up with your parents…
HAVE YOUR SAY
Melbourne’s Cut Copy is the hottest electro act out of Australia right now. We spoke to Mitchell Scott from the group to get the lowdown on their musical highground. Long live the 80s huh! Where would we be without fluro colours, synths and poppy chorus hooks. Any oft-neglected trend from that decade you think should be brought back in? ‘Polystyrene packaging, smoking on planes, slap bracelets, wearing just one glove, Ghostbusters’. Read more
Man, I remember shaking my tail to Come on Eileen many moons ago — when rat-tails were a right of passage and Molly Ringwald held both the lock and the key to my tiny pitter pattering heart. Back then it was all ice-skating and fairy floss; skateboards and trading cards. It was bags of chips by the rusty school fence and sunburnt faces on crackling summer days. Read more
Emma McNally creates abstract graphite drawings inspired by cartography, maps, and musical notation. Occasionally her pieces suggest depth and dimension, while some of her other pieces seem like star charts for imaginary galaxies.
In Los Angeles, in the gas guzzling centre of the Universe, BP has enlisted Office dA to embrace the paradoxical task of creating a green petrol station. Read more
Rarely is a film politically poignant as well as wonderfully written, acted and shot. The second feature from director Kimberly Peirce of Boys Don’t Cry was inspired by her brother, who joined the army, and was only possible after months of meticulous research. Read more
I’m not a watch wearer, but if I was, then I’d be rocking the wickedly cool new range of Diesel timepieces. The Basel 2008 collection is a sparkling, futuristic, retrotastic anagram of style, character and precision — of the digital variety. My favorite? The 1980s-themed watch above, with its ’silver metallic leather cuff’ and ‘reflective shine’. Read more
I’m enjoying reading the insight and witticisms of the Indie Breakfast Club blog, which casts a wide net over entrepreneurship and what it means to be one and still have a conscience.
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST

I live the upbeat, feel good tempo of the new single — A Hundred Hearts — from Philly group, The Swimmers. Off their latest album, People Are Soft, this song is a strangely fitting anthem for the blustery day outside.

1970s and 80s Soviet Union buildings
Cambodian born photographer Frederic Chaubin is the editor of French magazine Citizen K. His photo series on bizarre buildings built in the former Soviet Union during the 1970s and 80s is absolutely fascinating. Read more

Italian-born, New York City-based photographer Paolo Ventura creates fairy-tale like pictures out of amazingly constructed, miniature dioramas that almost trick the eye into thinking he’s a tilt-shift photographer. Read more

Karen Caldicott’s clay head models
British born, New York-based model maker Karen Caldicott has been making clay heads for all major US publications over the last decade. Read more

Wheeeeee! This game is so freaking fun! You move your cursor over each dot to make them split into four smaller dots ad infinitum.
Wolfmother. Rock n roll. Mystical lyrics. Heavy riffs. They have a new album out, Cosmic Egg, and we have five copies to giveaway, along with their debut album. To enter, tell us your favorite Wolfmother song and the city you live in. Yo! Two fingered salute. Read more
New York-based artist Suzuki Mariko has made this handmade felt doll set of a mom and happy baby bear sitting on a sofa. At just three inches wide and two inches high, it’s perfect for your side table. It can even watch TV with you. Aw! We have it for sale in the Lost At E Minor store. Read more
DISCOVER MORE
SO...
SEARCH: Can't find what you're looking for? Do a search..
IS IT GOOD FOR YOU TOO?
We hope you're enjoying your time on Lost At E Minor, but it’s not over yet. Got something to share? Tell us about it and we'll look to publish it. If you want to have your work featured on the site, we'd love to hear from you. Pssst, we also have an online store stocking some of the goodies we feature on the site.
If you're a media agency and want to use this platform to connect with our readership, then drop us a line and tell us about it. Oh yeah, and we do digital consulting for cool brands that want to reach the sort of demographic that visits this site.












Huna said | 12 August, 2008
Every now and then I come across one of these old spiels.
Completely smile-worthy this one. Can totally relate…its like those name plate things souvenir shops sell, always a “Hannah” never a “Huna”.