Goddamn Brownies

While I was going through stuff to pack for moving I had to go through my "junk" drawer. This is not the normal junk drawer most people have with odd keys, screwdrivers and other assorted randomness. I have one of those too, but this drawer takes up an entire level in my dresser. In here I stash things I really want to keep but do not currently have shelf space for them. I found a G.I. Joe toiletry kit (the soap still has the Joe wrapper on it), Batman cereal box, a Jesus of the Ozarks pencil sharpener (!), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cereal box and many other cool trinkets. Luckily in my office at the new house there is a shelf in the closet so I can put some books there and use other shelving for my toys. Yes, I'm a dork.

One of the cooler items in the drawer was something I had forgotten all about - a Mickey Mouse wind-up alarm clock. I could not remember where this came from, just knew I have had it in my possession for as long as I can remember. Because of the lack of space, and me forgetting about it, the clock has been in this drawer for at least five years, maybe longer.





As you can see the clock has seen better days. There is a crack in the front, some rust on the bells and the back leg is missing. I decided to try winding it for fun and it works! This thing has kept time for over 24 hours now.

I called my mom to see if she knew where it came from and she, of course, does not remember except that it was most likely hers. Then I turned to the internet for info. After a while of searching I found one on this site called Go Antiques that is just like the one in my room. According to the description it was made by Bradley in the early 1950s. I really cannot believe this clock is, probably, 50+ years old and is still working, especially since it has been sitting unused for so long. Really shows you how well made things used to be. If it was something from today it would never make it that long.

As soon as it began to work I figured the ticking would get to me, it's definitely not quiet. I kept packing with it sitting near me and soon I forgot about it. Every once in a while I would notice the sound, but it wasn't a big deal.

This morning when I woke up I was greeted by the hypnotic sounds of the ticking clock. I was ready to get up but instead I just lay there in bed listening to the ticks and tocks for what seemed like a few minutes. In reality it was about thirty. Not really sure if this is a good thing, but I had some great brainstorming ideas in that time. I guess it hypnotized my brain into a good, creative place. Thanks Mickey!

By the way, the alarm does work. A very annoying ringing sound as one would expect. For some reason though it did not wake me up this morning, or it did and I just don't remember. It was not sitting very close to my bed and I sleep very soundly, so I might try moving over to my nightstand.