Skip links

Escape Adulthood

Live with Less Stress & More Fun

Main navigation

The Blog

Danny Donuts, June 2017 Adultitis Fighter of the Month

- - - | written by on | - - -

An Adultitis Fighter is someone who rallies against rules that don't exist and engages in ruthless, senseless acts of silliness that undermine Adultitis and its unadventurous version of adulthood. Once a month, we shine a light upon the most remarkable among us, holding them up as a dazzling example of what we should strive for in this epic battle against a formidable enemy. Our first experience with Danny Donuts was at an Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) conference. He was leading a group of people sporting red clown noses who went to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago to greet arriving passengers and give them their own clown noses to wear. Normal people don't do that. But top-flight Adultitis Fighters do. You could say that Danny has turned Adultitis Fighting into a career. He's a comic performance artist who also considers himself a Kids Performer, Musician, Author, Emcee, Auctioneer, Soccer Fanatic, Writer, Producer, Video Editor, Public Speaker, and …

[Read more...] about Danny Donuts, June 2017 Adultitis Fighter of the Month

Living a More Adventurous Life is as Easy as ABC

- - - | written by on | - - -

My friend Dave (a recent Adultitis Fighter of the Month) has Mondays off. They started becoming a little stale, so he decided to shake things up. Although he's an avid traveler, Dave realized that he actually explored very little of his home state of Wisconsin. One day, he pulled out a map, landed on a city named Amherst and set out to make a day of exploring this unfamiliar town. Next week, he went to a city that started with the letter "B" (Babcock), followed by Columbus, and has continued his quest through the alphabet. (He's currently on "H".) Most of the towns are quite small, but they all have something interesting about them, whether it's an old covered bridge, an obscure museum, or a unique little park where he and his dog Lily can hang out. And not surprisingly, these adventures turn out to be pretty economical. As we settle into the summer here in the northern hemisphere, I thought this was a neat idea worth sharing. It's proof that you don't need to jet off to faraway …

[Read more...] about Living a More Adventurous Life is as Easy as ABC

Do You Know the Real Reason They Made Stonehenge?

- - - | written by on | - - -

I remember the painting critiques back in art school. After spending several weeks working on our masterpieces, we’d all sit in a circle and explain what our paintings were about. Someone would inevitably say their piece was a postmodern reaction to the phycological impact of the industrial revolution that caused existential dread. To me it looked like a canvas with some paint sloppily applied. It did seem like the students who were better at making “serious" art got better grades. (Or perhaps they were just better at explaining why their art was serious.) Perhaps this is why, after making this painting of Stonehenge, constructed with ice cream sandwiches, I feel obliged to explain why. There are many theories about what Stonehenge is, who built it, when it was built, and what purpose it served. Many theories, but nobody knows for sure. Of course, someone put them there. Someone had a reason for it. Most theories assume it served some sort of “serious” purpose concerning …

[Read more...] about Do You Know the Real Reason They Made Stonehenge?

What if You Knew The Numbers?

- - - | written by on | - - -

Kim and I recently took the kids to their first Cubs game. It was a beautiful day, Wrigley Field was as friendly as usual, and we reveled in singing "Go Cubs, Go" after they sealed the win against the Giants. We often see first times coming. We prepare for them and anticipate them with the excitement of a little kid on Christmas Eve. The last times have a habit of sneaking up on us, though. We have a digital frame in our kitchen that rotates old family photographs. I find myself regularly spying an old snapshot of one of my kids and thinking to myself, "She was never that little, was she?" As of this writing, my oldest is only eight, but the pictures feel a century old. The other day, Kim commented on a photo of our son when we was an infant. "Some days," she said, "I'd give just about anything to hold that little baby one more time." I agreed. It occurred to me that although I held that little baby many times -- often in a sleep-deprived and grouchy state -- there was also a last …

[Read more...] about What if You Knew The Numbers?

How to Ensure Your Next Event Stands Out and the Message Sticks

- - - | written by on | - - -

I've always respected the idea that Native Americans who hunted bison would put every inch of it to good use. Meat, bones, hide, everything. As a speaker who just so happens to be an artist (or is that an artist who happens to be a speaker?), I love it when someone makes the most of everything we have to offer. Oftentimes, my art gets used in the printed program and marketing materials that promote the event. Other clients give products featuring my art as thank you gifts to sponsors and volunteers. Sometimes it’s even incorporated into the stage design! A recent client went next level and it was awesome. Not only was I able to deliver their luncheon keynote, but they used my art in a multitude of ways that tied my message into their event brilliantly. It's not surprising that Baird was listed in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, as they put a lot of effort into the small details to create a wonderful experience for their people. For example, Kristin, the …

[Read more...] about How to Ensure Your Next Event Stands Out and the Message Sticks

Jill Fleming, May 2017 Adultitis Fighter of the Month

- - - | written by on | - - -

An Adultitis Fighter is someone who rallies against rules that don't exist and engages in ruthless, senseless acts of silliness that undermine Adultitis and its unadventurous version of adulthood. Once a month, we shine a light upon the most remarkable among us, holding them up as a dazzling example of what we should strive for in this epic battle against a formidable enemy. Jill Fleming is a joy magnet! Like all good Adultitis Fighters, she is SUCH a positive influence on all of those around her. People with Adultitis suck the life right out of you, but Jill is the exact opposite! Her free and playful spirit stands out like a rainbow in this world of gray boringness. As a registered dietitian and wellness coach, she knows a little something about being healthy. Jill's passion for heath and wellness is as contagious as her smile and laugh! You can’t help but want to be healthier and more intentional about fun when you’re around her, especially because she leads the way with a …

[Read more...] about Jill Fleming, May 2017 Adultitis Fighter of the Month

The Power of Turning Things Upside Down

- - - | written by on | - - -

Whenever I draw a portrait, I always do something that my wife thinks is weird. After I get the major shapes and outlines blocked in, I turn my reference photos and artwork upside down. Then I keep drawing. The reason I do this I because inevitably, during the course of a portrait, I get to a point where something seems "off." Because I think I know what a nose is "supposed" to look like, I get lazy, and draw what I "know," not what I see. Turning my paper upside down tricks my brain into forgetting this is a "nose" so I can see it for what it really is: areas of shape and form. In order to nail the likeness, I need to focus on values and lines, not noses and eyes. I need to rely on reality, not assumptions. This simple trick immediately allows me to see where I went wrong so I can make the necessary adjustments. The cool thing is that you can use this same strategy to make your life, relationships, or business better. Sometimes it's not new ideas we need, but a new …

[Read more...] about The Power of Turning Things Upside Down

You Might Be an Art Collector If…

- - - | written by on | - - -

If I have extra time when I am traveling for speaking engagements, one of my favorite things to do is visit art galleries. I love discovering new artists who inspire me. What I don't usually love is the vibe of the galleries themselves, and the so-called "art world" as a whole. Quiet as a museum and serious as a heart atttack, they often ooze pretension and feature prices that only an elite few could afford. Sometimes artists themselves contribute to this snobby, holier-than-thou aura. I believe that art is for everyone, whether it comes to making it or owning it. Art can address serious issues and be the catalyst for important change in the world, but there is plenty of room for art that's fun and makes people happy. My goal is to inspire, encourage and entertain as many people as possible with my art. I'm not against offering different levels of exclusivity in the form of originals and limited editions, but I want it to be accessible to everyone. I certainly don't care about …

[Read more...] about You Might Be an Art Collector If…

What I Learned From Charles Ingalls (This Week)

- - - | written by on | - - -

Our family loves watching Little House on the Prairie. As a homeschoolers, it has been a great way to discuss some pretty big topics with our kids, like alcoholism, racism, bullying, and more. (Confession: I want to be Charles Ingalls when I grow up!) We just finished season four. In the final two episodes (which TV Guide put on its 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time list), the big railroad companies were flexing their muscle to gain more power, engaging in questionable tactics that were putting farmers in rural areas out of business. Walnut Grove, the town where the Ingalls family lived, was rapidly dying. It was a big deal. Livelihoods were drying up, businesses were closing, and desperate people had to abandon their homes in search of new opportunities. But Landon’s character, Charles — a farmer with a lot to lose — couldn't have cared less. He'd just found out his oldest daughter was going blind. Weeks earlier, the economic catastrophe would have rocked his world. But as …

[Read more...] about What I Learned From Charles Ingalls (This Week)

Making a Splash at the First Madison Night Market

- - - | written by on | - - -

Last week we had the opportunity to participate in the first-ever Madison Night Market, which is a celebration of Madison’s unique and inspiring creative culture. It features handmade products, local art, artisan gifts, food carts, and live music. Little Luxuries, which is regularly voted as the best gift shop in Madison, carries some of our stuff. When Amy Moore, the owner, invited us to be a part of her store's booth, we jumped at the chance! It was the first time I'd be showing my new art in a public forum and I was excited (and a little nervous) for the opportunity to see people's reaction firsthand. We got to share the booth with Tami Reschke, owner of purple hair and jewelry maker extraordinaire. We complimented each other well, and Kim traded Tami some Bee Optimistic t-shirts for some sweet new necklaces. A few weeks earlier, I did a mock-up of our display in our garage, using some grid wall panels and accessories we had from our days doing gift shows. I was pretty …

[Read more...] about Making a Splash at the First Madison Night Market