If you're looking for a unique, last-minute gift to give to your more voyeuristic friend or relative, the Planet suggests retrieving a copy of one of our fave periodicals, Found.
The first glimmer of Found came to co-creator and editor Davy Rothbart on a snowy winter night in Chicago when he discovered a note on the windshield of his car — a note meant for someone else. This completely and unreservedly fascinating peek into another person's life read, "Mario, I hate you, you said you had to work then whys your car HERE at HER place?? You're a fucking LIAR. I hate you I fucking hate you. Amber. P.S. Page me later."
The magazine was launched grass-roots style a few years after, and today its editors continue to collect found stuff of all sorts, including birthday cards, love letters, kids' homework, ticket stubs, to-do lists, telephone bills, poetry on napkins, doodles, photos and pretty much anything that provides a glimpse into someone else's life.
Dirty Found is available for $10 per issue; the first three "regular" issues of Found are cost $23.21 together, or $10 each at www.foundmagazine.com (issues four and five cost $5 each). You'll also find T-shirts, The Booty Don't Stop CD (10 booty songs found on a cassette tape in Ypsilanti, Mich.), the Found 7" LP, and some buttons and stickers. For the heftier "best of" version (Found: The Best Lost, Tossed, and Forgotten Items from Around the World), visit Amazon.com or call your nearest book retailer.
