Brenda's Babes: A Pin-Up Collection

The video, for posterity

2008-08-10T11:07:00.001-05:00

some Pioneer Press press

2007-12-19T07:21:00.000-06:00

Some more local coverage. Thanks Myrna!

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/703353,dy-pinup-121907-s1.article

Crate Label-palooza

2007-11-24T11:37:00.000-06:00

American consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is directly correlated to the number of pinup girls on produce distributor crate labels. Discuss.

(Here's my pinup crate label collection, en totale):

Contest Wrap-Up

2007-11-12T11:22:00.001-06:00

Yes, there was a Giant Novelty Check involved. Also a small legitimate check, which makes it all worthwhile.

Rather than try to explain what happened on Friday, I'll just suggest you watch the videos:

Videos from the Fox morning show on Friday (2 videos, be sure to watch both)

A few pics from the boyfriend, who was also featured in the TV interview

official press release

Whew. Hard to believe this is all over. Well, not completely over -- there is a party to plan!

I'll be back with more pinup scans soon, have to get the collection back into some kind of order first.

Thanks again to everyone who voted for me!

It's a Major Award!

2007-11-09T11:31:00.001-06:00

Elvgren, "Fast Lass (A Winner)", 1965

I won! You like me! You really really like me!

Fox's morning show crew and Apartments.com surprised me this morning with a real-live pinup girl, balloons and a giant check for $20,000!

I'll write more later when I catch my breath. Thanks everyone for supporting me during the contest. I couldn't have done it without you!

getting ready for my close-up

2007-11-07T12:34:00.000-06:00

Elvgren

Finally, a target date: the winner of the video contest will be announced by end of day Friday, November 9.

Also, likely unrelated (but who the hell knows) I'll be on Chicago Fox TV Friday morning 7-9 a.m., doing a live interview in my apartment, talking about my collection. Tune in to see me stutter and stammer. Or just to see half-nekkid ladies. Whichever.

Only 2 more days... stay tuned!

jury's still out

2007-11-05T13:38:00.000-06:00

Elvgren, 1950s (?)

Dear Diary,

Day 17
Still no answer. Somewhere out there a pool of people decide my fate. Faces of stone, no indication of direction. The waiting is exhausting, infuriating. At the same time--I am resigned to my destiny. Finding it difficult to care what happens next. Trying to hold on, trying to care.

The verdict must come eventually... (mustn't it?)

still no news

2007-11-02T09:56:00.001-05:00

Ludlow, late 1950s

Dear Diary,

Day 14
Two weeks later and I still search diligently for clues, for any sign that a decision has been made. No messages on my answering machine, no emails in my inbox, no notices on the web. Perhaps it's hidden in code somewhere? Maybe in a panel in the Sunday funnies?

I keep asking "Why? Why is this taking so long?". A clever ruse to maintain suspense, perhaps? Perhaps. Yet--I grow weary. Losing the will to look, to care, to dress myself. Must find answer soon.

A Splendid View

2007-11-01T11:44:00.000-05:00

Elvgren, 1960s

Dear Diary,

Day 13
Voting ended 13 days ago. No answer in sight. Still searching for... something. Anything. Hope remains, but dwindling. Will report tomorrow, if I have the strength.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T10:51:00.001-05:00

I couldn't find another scan-worthy Halloween Elvgren in my collection, so instead I bring you something I found on the internets recently. Halloween pinup postcards from the 1940s!

Betty Grable

Skylighters.org, "the web site of the 225th AAA Searchlight Battalion" has a great collection of WWII memorabilia, including these fabulous Halloween pinup postcards from the era, as well as a nice archive of many other pinups (mostly photos, but not all).

Thanks Skylighters!

Riding High

2007-10-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

Elvgren, 1960

Elvgren was keen on doing Halloween-themed pinups... I know of at least three. Here's one of them, a sexy saucy witch. I'll "scare up" a couple more for ya later this week.

P.S. I've gotten no word on the contest results yet. I'm as much in the dark as you are. Yeah, no comment on that.

wait... what?

2007-10-25T08:05:00.000-05:00

What was that you said? Something about a contest? A *video* contest? Hmmm, let me think...

Yes, yes. I vaguely remember something about "voting". It was something that lasted for quite awhile, if I recall. I sense that it went on, and on, and on... seemingly endless. But -- it must have ended, because there's no voting happening now.

Yes, it's coming to me now. *I* entered a "video contest"? Yes? Almost two months ago, yes? Hmmm. I wonder what happened with that.

Oh well. I'm sure it'll come to me eventually. Until then, the band will play on.

Buell, date unknown

no news is... no news

2007-10-23T12:51:00.001-05:00

From the official rules:

The Prize Winners will be posted on www.apartments.com/possessionobsession on or about October 29, 2007.

Those are their rules and they're stickin' to them. Not sure what "or about" means, but I assume I'll find out. On "or about" October 29th.

Stay tuned. I'll let you know when--"or about" when--I learn who won.

-Brenda <--desperately hoping there will be no parading of finalists on TV in matching t-shirts involved in the announcement. My dignity is worth more than $500. Possibly even more than $20,000, but I reserve judgment on that.

Voting Has Ended!

2007-10-20T09:17:00.000-05:00

Voting ended at 11 CST last night. Thanks so much for the votes over the past 5 weeks. The Apartments.com people are now crunching numbers and figuring out who won. Winner will be announced Friday, Oct. 26. Stay tuned!

Layer Tennis Today at 2 CST

2007-10-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Elvgren, 1942, litho

Coudal's Layer Tennis Match Four happens today at 2:00 CST. Tune in to watch the excitement as my friend and designer Naz Hamid battles Chris Glass for title of fastest, cleverest draw in the WWWest.

Nobody's Fool

2007-10-19T07:20:00.000-05:00

Moore, 1951, Esquire calendar

Well kids, we made it! The last day of voting! After 5 lonnnnng weeks, and much loyal voting from you and annoying prodding from me, you only have one more day to vote.

Thank you all for your support through this contest. It means a lot to me that you all liked my collection enough to vote for me every day.

I'll probably continue this blog after a brief hiatus, so keep me in your feeds if you like what I've been posting.

Voting ends at 11CST/midnight EST tonight, so get your vote in early! Winners will be announced a week from today, October 26, stay tuned.

Thanks again! And don't forget to vote today:

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

FYI on the voting site

2007-10-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

Don't panic -- they just randomized the order of videos so you don't know who's in first place, and are hiding vote counts and page views (also FYI: those numbers have always been page views, not video views). I could still be in the lead. The only way to be sure is to cast your votes today and tomorrow!

Only one day left to hear me bug you about voting! We'll all have a reason to celebrate (I hope)! Voting ends tomorrow, Friday Oct 19, at 10:59CST/11:59EST.

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

October is a lovely month

2007-10-18T07:33:00.001-05:00

Vargas, Esquire Calendar, year unknown

Just a pretty Varga girl, turnin' heads.

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

Keeping Posted

2007-10-17T18:48:00.000-05:00

Elvgren, 1949, calendar litho

"Keeping Posted", get it...?

This is one of my favorite Elvgren images. I used it as a change of address card the last time I moved. It was a big hit.

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

Votes are hidden, but they still count!

2007-10-17T10:07:00.000-05:00

Just a short note to let you know I haven't forsaken you, a post avec sexy lady will be coming later.

Also to let you know vote counts are now hidden on the site but rest assured, your votes are still being counted. So please keep voting! Thanks!

http://possessionobsession.apartments.com/contestant/41/

More later...

The Eye Opener

2007-10-16T18:01:00.000-05:00

By 1948, Gil Elvgren was in high demand as an artist and well known by name. In 1948 Brown & Bigelow introduced this little gem as yet another medium on which companies could advertise. Note the "Designed by Gil Elvgren" tagline on the inside, and the sketch of the artist at work.

Elvgren, 1948-49, Brown & Bigelow

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

Technical difficulties

2007-10-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

My computer went up in a puff of smoke (literally) this morning, so I'll be delayed in posting. But never fear, there will be babes!

Until then, please occupy your time with voting.

http://possessionobsession.apartments.com/contestant/41/

rosy cheeks

2007-10-15T06:43:00.000-05:00

Ballantyne, 1956, Artist's Sketch Pad

This image is in the same calendar as the How to Bowl image I posted earlier. I couldn't figure out what it was doing in the middle of all those pages with babes, but then I noticed the date. Joyce Ballantyne was a cheeky broad.

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

The Doctor's Holding Me for Observation

2007-10-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

Mozert, 194x, mutoscope

Just a pretty, curvy redhead from Zoe Mozert. Love the warm tones in this one.

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!

Something for the Boys

2007-10-13T06:53:00.000-05:00

Vargas, June 1943, Esquire calendar

I feel bad about the blurry picture yesterday (fixed with a better scan), so I'm putting up another pretty Varga Girl to brighten your Saturday and start your weekend off right.

Have you voted for my video today? Say YES to Sexy! Vote now!