Clean out the bottom drawer of your desk for the first time in a while, and -- what do you know! -- there's strange stuff collecting dust. We're all cleaning out our desks at The Dallas Morning News before we move to new digs in downtown Dallas, and we found much more than orphaned paperclips in that bottom drawer.
We found a family of misfit toys shoved behind a stack of VHS tapes. We found granola bars that were way past their expiration dates. We even discovered a few bones. (They were from press kit. That's what we're telling ourselves, anyway.)
And we're not just cleaning out our desks; we're cleaning out that random file cabinet over there, that closet we never had keys to, and the basement -- including the caged-in storage areas that look like they should be the set of a horror film. You could say we didn't do much spring cleaning at the giant, historic building at 508 Young Street.
We found too many weird things not to share.
So let's play a game. We show you the silhouette of an item found at The Dallas Morning News. We'll give you a hint. Swipe or click the photo gallery to see what it really is. Ready?
All photos by Ashley Landis
HINT: Listen, these were a Halloween costume.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: elf ears]
Hula, hula? Not so fast.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: HOW SCARY IS THAT?]
We'll call him Mary. Or should we call him Annette?
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: a puppet who we can't seem to untangle]
Crap, we don't even know how to describe this one.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: Yeah, that's a pile of fake poo.]
'He'll fight for freedom wherever there is trouble.'
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: "G.I. Joe is there!" He lived among us, feetless, for years.]
Calling all cosplayers with an interest in Norse seafaring.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: a viking hat made of fake fur? We're going with that.]
Before Cards Against Humanity existed...
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: ... There was this irreverent, Not Safe For Work game, Raging Hormones. Do not worry; we've thrown this one away.]
He melts in your mouth. Not on the shelf near the copy editors.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: M&M man had notes taped to him. ... Um, do we live with ghosts?]
The '90s are calling.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: two pagers and a floppy disk]
No animal was harmed here.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: a pile of bison hair. Or a really bad toupe?]
Don't shoot the messenger.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: Yep, that's a bullet.]
You think we're pulling your leg? This was actually in someone's cubicle.
A Slideshow of 2 Photos
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Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer -
![Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)]()
Weird items found in the desks of employees of The Dallas Morning News during their move, as shot in the studio on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 508 Young St. in Dallas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)
Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer
[Answer: prosthetic leg that I promise we did not take from someone who needs it]
Thanks for helping us memorialize 508 Young Street, a place where a naked G.I. Joe lived among Pulitzer Prize winners. We're honored to move to 1954 Commerce Street, but we'll never forget where we came from.
