Kim and I mentioned the new Play-Doh cologne in our last podcast. Hasbro has commissioned Demeter Fragrance Library to create and distribute the scent in honor of Play-Doh's 50th anniversary. I'm not sure how many people would actually buy the stuff, especially at $19 an ounce. In fact, I read on Foxnews.com that they didn't necessarily expect that many people would actually wear it, but rather "take it out of (their) purse or glove compartment now and then and just smell it." Interesting. Why wouldn't I just buy a container of real Play-Doh for a few bucks and stick THAT in my purse or …
Archives for May 2006
Super Mario Remixed
This one's for those of you nostalgic about Nintendo. Santa brought us one for Christmas one year, leaving it in the downstairs oven so that we would be forced to open it last. It was a big surprise. Odeo has featured a Super Mario Brothers Theme Remix that you can download. One of the commenters posted: The more I hear this song (there seems to be a recent trend of people in our generation to revive this) the more I realize that Japanese composer who did this is actually quite a genius. I can't think of any other piece of music that you wouldn't kill yourself after hearing 452,421 times when …
My Mom Won
I don’t know if you are aware, but my Mom is THE BEST MOM EVER. She is the official #1 Mom! I have collected the evidence right here for you to see for yourself. Here’s one piece of evidence for every year of my life. 1- Labor and delivery, late night feedings, cloth diapers, teething… need I say more? 2- My Mom would refill the orange juice in “my baby cup” (as I called it), what probably seemed like dozens of times a day. I loved juice, apparently. 3- After I “helped her” run her errands we’d stop at the bakery and get the best gingerbread men cookies, together! …
Grown-Up Finger-Painting
Who says finger-painting is only for kids? Not the folks who live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida! The Arts and Design Society is putting on a finger-painting workshop this week. This is a good thing. But the $185 registration fee intrigues me. Oh sure, supplies are included. However, I remember doing a LOT of finger-painting as a lad, and I'm pretty sure it didn't set my teacher back 185 clams. On the other hand, you do get to learn a high-level Impressionist technique (even though it seems to me that pretty much all finger-painting done by kids is Impressionistic.) …
Cartooning Bootcamp Announcement
Last year we held our first summer cartooning workshops in Madison. We had so much fun, we're doing it again. It's open to kids currently in grades 3-7, and no previous cartooning experience is necessary. We're offering one day and multiple day courses, in two different locations. Class sizes are limited, so if you know any kids who spend more time doodling than just about anything else, get them signed up pronto! Get all the details. …
The Funny Man at McDonald’s
The modern world is like a packed, noisy McDonald's restaurant. Imagine yourself sitting in one of its stiff, uncomfortable chairs and eating its unnourishing food. Like a child whose parents are preoccupied, you feel vaguely lonely, bored, edgy. Looking across the room, all at once you see a funny man. His head is cocked sideways and he's making faces at you. You realize he's trying to get your attention. …
EA #9: When I Grow Up…
In this podcast, brought to you from Madison, Wisconsin, we throw out the question, “What did you want to be when you grew up?” Also, we talk about the hazards of stress, Play-Doh cologne, and share some highlights from our recent speaking tour. Listen now by clicking play below. …
Leader of the Free World
I'm not sure that's a responsibility I'd like to take on. I can't imagine a more stressful job than being President of the United States. Think about it. The decisions you're forced to make have big, life and death consequences. 24-hour news stations and countless radio hosts analyze everything you say and do -- every single day. No matter what party you hail from, or how popular you are, there will always be a big chunk of the population that flat out dislikes you, no matter what. Whether you're Carter or Reagan, Clinton or Bush, it's quite common to have your accomplishments ignored and get …
On Work and Kindling
I'd mentioned that I'm reading the book The Mystery of Children, by Mike Mason. Great book. I love this passage on work and play: Adults largely avoid working with children because children have an unnerving habit of turning work into play. This drives adults crazy because we tend to be so goal-oriented. Adults know too well what children have yet to learn: Work is supposed to be drudgery. Children are not yet enslaved by work, nor do they intend to be. They are quite content living all day long in a big, happy playground. When it comes to work, children must eventually learn that being …
Just Jump
A while back I added this quote to my collection of inspiring words that surround my desk. It's been stumping me ever since. "God does not require success, but radical, immediate obedience." I'm not sure who said it, but I am challenged by it. What a statement. I think it's the word "radical" that really gets my attention. When's the last time I acted radically about anything, especially for God? Not long after coming across this quote I found a profound story online, told by Gilles Côté about his first-hand experience witnessing childlike faith in his three-year-old daughter. The …