Shrek Dreck

WHEN: August 2009
WHERE: Shadyside, Pittsburgh
Here's a much-marketed green guy who's overstayed his welcome. Now, blow away.

Bee Is For Balloon

WHEN: March 17, 2009
WHERE: Wilkinsburg, PA

Not only has this balloon died, but its collapse -- against the window of a dead store -- has taken a bee with it. That black dot above the UPC code is a former buzzer, trapped.

Study in Pink: Twisty Balloon

WHEN: March 2009
WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh

Another cheerful twisty-balloon creature dumped unceremoniously in the garbage. Today's ponder: Why not pop it first? As it is, it's taking up the whole trash can.

Another Twisty Balloon Goes Down

WHERE: Strip District, Pittsburgh
WHEN: November 2008
ADDED PATHOS: Rain

I am not a big fan of the twisty balloon, so I was cheered to see this shoved in the trash. Not sure what shape it was meant to be assuming, but it looks fairly obscene from this angle.