I have no idea what that thing is, but had he found it in a dumpster, my son would've most certainly brought it home and propped it against the wall behind my favorite chair and between my beloved sailboat paintings and antique coffee pots. (I'm just grateful that he left the rusty chain outside. Oh yeah - there was always a rusty chain.)

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Remember that old song by Peaches and Herb, "Shake Your Groove Thing"? Well this is the thing that actually makes the groove in a thing -- and it has a handle for facilitating the shaking (and/or carrying) of said grooved thing.

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This is a sample of the maracas designed by early German engineers. They were made of heavy brass and filled with steel ball-bearings that made the sound. These instruments were also believed to be the source of the first recorded "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" in a Third Reich mariachi band musician. Tsk.

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This was an earlier, Victorian-style version of Senor Wences' head-in-a-box gag. The head would say "S'alright" with a British accent, which wasn't nearly as funny as you'd think.

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Chuck Norris' Timex.

(He doesn't require minute or hour hands on his watch.
He creates his own time.)

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ps: Twaggies logo, XL.

A steampunk bra worn by a daring Victorian-era stripper. (You should show a picture of her g-string -- it's got bolts and hinges.)

Oh, the book. THE BOOK! It would bring much joy.

It's a steampunk dental floss dispenser.

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A tool for grasping the scrotum of hogs in order to sterilize them.

Ick.

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This is a container that the bankers put out on Wall Street. The OWS-ers can write out their demands and put them in the pot, which will later be counted and analyzed by the entire banking community in order to make equitable changes in their financial practises.

Or it's the bucket for the leprechaun's gold, like Astrella said. Equally likely.

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Congratulations! He's a fine, handsome lad!

As for advice, the no-duct-taping-to-the-wall pretty much covers it.

That, and singing. Babies usually enjoy any words to any song, just keep it fairly rhythmic. Repeat, as needed.