Escape Adulthood

Archives for June 2012

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G’Day Mate: Adventures in Expanding Your Comfort Zone

I often wonder why I care so much about what other people think. I shouldn’t, and I like to think I don’t, but I do. Not always, but more often than I should. The irony is that the worst-case scenario is always the most terrifying when it stays in our head. If we were to actually speak our fears out loud -- to shine light upon them -- we would realize how ridiculous it is that we allow them to enslave us. When Kim and I wrote The Escape Plan, we identified this unfortunate but all-too-common trait that keeps us tied down and hastens the spread of Adultitis. And so we wanted to include …

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Time For a Mustache Cookout

I got this idea -- and the photo -- from Lisa Braithwaite, a K&J Nation member and all around person of awesomeness. It all began last Christmas when someone pulled out a mustache on a stick, which was used in photos at a family wedding the year before. Since there was only one mustache on a stick (note to self: always make sure to have plenty of mustaches on a stick on hand), someone else pulled out a pen and started drawing finger mustaches. Within about two minutes, everyone was in line for one and a good time was had by all. Lisa’s favorite is her mother-in-law, who is in the third row …

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3 Childhood Games Super-Sized for Backyard Fun

Remember that one summer cookout back in the seventies when your inebriated uncle was impaled by one of those steel-tipped Jarts? Talk about a buzzkill. Jarts are safer now, but removing the element of bodily harm seems to have dampened some of the fun as well. Fortunately, here are a few backyard game ideas that will -- safely -- bring back a fresh spirit of fun. …

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Mister Rogers Remixed

PBS and video mash-up artist John D. Boswell, aka melodysheep, teamed up to create this awesome tribute to Mr. Rogers. Seeing the clips of Mr. Rogers' house made me remember how much I longed to play there, what with the sand table, the fish tank, and the sweet Land of Make Believe toys. Bonus points for the awesome fridge. This is a great little video. And remember, "It's good to be curious." …

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Woman Creates Airplane Bathroom Portraits in the Flemish Style

Here's a small rebellion for you. While on a long flight, Nina Katchadourian spontaneously put a tissue paper toilet seat cover over her head and took a picture in the mirror using her cellphone. It reminded her of 15th-century Flemish portraiture. So she took more of them, using materials close at hand. I love the contrast between the serious poses and the silly concept. Proof that if you're on a long flight and find yourself bored, you're not trying hard enough. …

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Homemade Donut Crayons

Food Network's Alton Brown may consider donut pans a "unitasker," but Tiffanie Turner has proven otherwise. She used her new pans to make these sweet donut crayons. The process is pretty simple: 1) Preheat the oven to 250º 2) Peel the paper off some old crayons. 3) Chop the crayons up and put them the pans. 4) Pop in the oven for 13-15 minutes, until donuts are just smooth at the top. 5) Cool them on a rack for about 15 minutes, then put them in the freezer for about 5 minutes to let the wax shrink away from the metal. Don't have donut pans? Sounds like it's time to get creative with …

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Gotta Love That New Art Smell

Last summer, after years of doing very little art, my creative juices started percolating. I felt the overwhelming desire to make stuff. To cast off in new directions and have fun. I started creating art again. Not everything was great -- most wasn't -- but I thought it was time to release some of the good stuff into the world. Here you'll find the first new prints we've offered in several years. Perhaps one or two would look great in your home or office. …

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Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Interview with Austin Kleon

If you give a kindergartner a piece of paper and a box of crayons, she'll know exactly what do with them. Give them to a teenager or an adult, and you're likely to be met with a blank stare. Sadly, it seems as though the older a person gets, the more unlikely they are to consider themselves creative. Guess what? You ARE creative, whether you think so or not. And in this interview, Austin Kleon shares valuable tips you can use to set yourself up to allow that creativity to shine, no matter who you are or what you do. Austin is the author of the best-selling book, "Steal Like An Artist: 10 …

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