I am a complete sucker for things that appear in multiples. And it turns out that many of my photographs chronicle this little obsession. Stay tuned for more.

I love Swedish Fish (pastellfiskar), but am moderate in my intake. However, not so with this Swedish Lip Balm. I’m told that “hudsalva forsvarets” literally means military skin cream. The packaging is austere and promises nothing other than what it is. One can purchase it online from http://www.apoteket.se. Follow these directions for ordering, unless you’re lucky enough to be able to read Swedish.

Manhattan’s Chinatown is chock full of food and vivid street life. But it’s also a bastion of oddities and small treasures. These instructional rubber acupuncture models are part of that trove. Rounding out the selection of teaching aids is a cow, a horse, a dog, a miniature foot, human figures (both male and female), as well as a smaller ear and more. You can purchase any of these online here. Or, better yet, get yourself downtown and have a person-to-person transaction at my favorite Chinatown pharmacy, the Lin Sister Herb Shop at #4 Bowery.

My plastic bags were a crumpled mess before my friend Keiko taught me how to fold them properly. Life is somehow a little better now knowing that my bags are all in little triangles. Thank you Keiko.

I was more than a little surprised when I inked up these antique French stamps. I was fully unaware of the anatomical detail prior to purchase. Furthermore, what in heaven’s name were these used for?