3.28.2008

the facade of your refrigerator - what's it used for?

I would love to witness seemingly insignificant moments in history... like when the refrigerator became not only a device for keeping food cool/frozen, but when it became an advertising medium. Without the discovery of magnetism, this probably would've never happened.

Like other mediums, advertising space on our refrigerator is highly sought after and competition is tough. On our refrigerator, you better be a close relative, have a significantly cute child, or be a delicious deal on a pizza, or we're relegating you to the side. The side of the refrigerator? I know... it's like the Gulags of the kitchen.

Our space is so competitive, Ashley wouldn't even let me keep this awesome picture of Vladimir Putin fishing shirtless, that I rescued from GQ on our fridge.

So the other day when relatives and political leaders got cleared for a clipping from the LA Times, I knew I'd better pay attention. The clipping alerted me to the weekend performance of the American Ballet Theatre doing Swan Lake (pictured above).

There was no denying the importance of this gesture. So what did I do? Like any other good husband, I snatched up some tickets.

Ashley will give a recap of our date to the ballet. What I'd like you guys to comment on is:
What makes the cut for your refrigerator front? Family, friends, cute babies, inside jokes? What's the secret recipe? I'm looking for a magic combo of something that could never be vetoed, no matter how many ballet's came to town.

12 comments:

Mike said...

Okay, I just spent the last few minutes rearranging the pictures on my fridge, but that's all I have--some family and friends.

But this post reminds me of my high school days (late-'90s). At the time, the Chicago Bulls were the biggest thing going, and my best friend and I were huge bandwagon fans come playoff time.

His mom, though, had a serious problem with Dennis Rodman, whom she referred to as the devil. I would ask her questions like, "You don't mean literally the devil, right?" and she would assure me that yes, that's really what she meant. I would then point out how little sense that made, but we never got anywhere.

Anyway, since theirs was a typical suburban fridge overflowing with wedding invitations, one day we decided to print a small picture of Rodman (perhaps 2" by 4") off the Internet and stick it on the fridge until it was discovered. (It was just of him going for a rebound, not in a dress or anything.) She didn't find it for like a month. And thankfully, I wasn't there when she did. So my friend took the heat, which I believe included another "Rodman is the devil" speech. But I guess this is more an example of what not to put on your fridge.

Dawn D. Lion said...

Just wait to you have children, then you get even more competition from magnetic letters, magnetic paper dolls, etc.
Our best fridge item up until recently was a random 5x7 prom photo I found in the empty fountain at the park. I brought it home and put it on our fridge. I can't describe the photo, you'd have to see it, but I'll just say that Jason and I were intrigued and mystified by this couple. They had such a cosmic look about them that they quickly became our relationship idols, an example of how we wanted to be in life. It was on our fridge for about two years until recently, when I was looking for a 5x7 picture for a photo collage frame. Now this couple is residing happily next to some 70's wedding pictures from Jason's family.

pigeoninthepark said...

1st of all-I hope all is well David. It's been a long time...

2nd of all-I have, among random family pictures and the menu for my local burger delivery place, a complete set of Milwaukee Brewers sausage race magnets. 5 separate magnets (one for each race contestant: Italian sauage, Polish sausage, Bratwurst, Hot Dog, and Chorizo) that were lovingly collected over 5 weeks from the Sunday edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal. Sometimes, when I'm bored, I mix up their order on my fridge so it appears that they're racing into my fridge towards a finish line of butter and leftover lasagna.

It's really a wonder I'm not married yet...

http://www.ssb7.net/users/26081/ebay_mar_2008_011_1206648849.jpg

Unknown said...

I know a girl who is anti-anything on the fridge. Just her stainless steel refrigerater door. And she has 4 kids. She thinks it is tacky to put anything on the refrigerator. So there's an idea. Maybe if I had a really nice stainless steel refrigerator, I wouldn't put anyting on it, but mostly I just think that is lame.

Unknown said...

Lame of her to think that, not lame to put stuff on the fridge.

David said...

mike - that is an awesome story - brilliantly executed on a perfect target.

dawn - i loved that picture that you found. it was awesome.

emily - good to see you. i'm glad you found the blog.

serena - what's on your refrigerator?

Mia said...

I have a stainless steel refrigerator and so nothing will stick to it. I have to use the side which is the only magnetic part. I tried taping a cute picture that Zo had drawn to the front and Forrest vetoed it (he hates things on the fridge as well). On the side I have one family picture, one of my fav scriptures and one of my fav quotes about temples, I have my brother's engagement picture and several phone number magnets including our pediatrician, poison control, and several car side to go type magnets. On occasion I will have one of the kids' drawings up, but since no one can really see it I usually end up putting those in their memory box for safe keeping.

Blythe said...

For half the year, I have everyone's Christmas pictures up. Then I get sick of that, and down they all come. The rest is covered with coupons and random crap the kids bring home from school.

Unknown said...

On our refrigerator: basically the same as you. Sans Putin. With a grocery list pad.

Liz said...

Oh my gosh. My engagement pic made the Pulsipher's frig. This is so exciting. I feel so loved.

Matt and Jennae Porter said...

David, you are such a good husband for getting tickets to the ballet. Our fridge has pics of family, a list of phone #s for the babysitter, grocery list, something I got from Relief Society, and any invitations to weddings/parties coming up. Wow, we're really boring...

BHodges said...

Carmina Burana. You may feel uncultured, but fear not. Your exposure to recent pop culture, even if inadvertent, should suffice. Check this video, you'll recognize the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCB6-h3wbs