[ This is an excerpt from "Penguins Can’t Fly +39 Other Rules That Don’t Exist." Order it now and read about 39 more rules that might be holding you back from living the story you deserve. ] Many well-intentioned parents, grandparents, and teachers urge kids to get a job with good benefits. I couldn’t agree more. Except. …
Archives for February 2015
Saturday Morning Sprinkles: Art of Snow Edition
• Oh man, every single one of these snow sculptures is just awesome. • Ever wonder what your old toys are worth? The original Teddy Ruxpin can fetch up to $1,000, and old Matchbox cars can go for even more! • An interesting article on the downsides of testing. This one really struck a chord: "Tests make teachers hate teaching and kids hate learning." • Breakfast cereal is the savior of these popcorn balls, which I'd normally despise. • Our family has been smitten by the video of Maroon 5 crashing a bunch of weddings. It has been on constant rotation at our house. If you haven't …
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The Future is Here (Minus the Aliens)
I was born in 1976, the same year this interview of Arthur C. Clarke happened. He describes in great detail the gadgets we are using today. The dude even pretty much nails the Apple Watch, which isn't even officially out yet! Considering I was a newborn when he made these predictions, I would not have understood any of it. But even if I'd watched it for the first time in 1983, when I was seven, I still would have been amazed by the future he so accurately predicted. It would have seemed like a far-fetched fairy tale. Keep in mind, the Atari 2600 would be released a year AFTER this …
Meet Marty, Mini Adultitis Fighter
One of the best ways to defeat Adultitis is to set booby traps for it. An Adultitis Booby Trap is a simple item or routine you incorporate into your life for the purpose of serindipitously reminding yourself to smile, laugh, or take yourself lightly, particularly when Adultitis levels are at their highest. Our favorite Adultitis Booby Trap involves a tiny penguin eraser called Marty. For many years, we used Gumby's friend Pokey until we stumbled upon Marty, who reminded us of the hero on the cover of my book), and has since become a champion of dreaming big, ignoring common knowledge, and not …
Thou Shalt Not Let Them See You Car Dancing
[ My book, Penguins Can’t Fly +39 Other Rules That Don’t Exist, is now available for pre-order! Here is one of my wife’s favorite chapters. ] It’s an incontrovertible fact: It is impossible to hear Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” while driving and not transform into a head-banging, lyric-belting, steering wheel-pounding god or goddess of rock ’n’ roll. In the cozy cocoon of your humble car, you are the Alpha and Omega of Awesome. Your inner child is running naked in the rain and you don’t care who knows it. That is until Adultitis reminds you that you are at a stoplight and there …
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Pre-Order Penguins Can’t Fly
Pre-order "Penguins Can't Fly" now and get rad bonuses! About the book Did you know there are lots of rules you’re dutifully following every single day...that don’t actually exist? Even worse, they’re stressing you out, sapping your energy, and keeping you from living your best life. Life is supposed to be fun. We knew this instinctively as kids, but somehow forgot on the way to adulthood. We got busy and overwhelmed, started valuing things that don’t matter, and learned to follow a ton of so-called rules: Hate Mondays Only celebrate when the calendar gives you permission Don’t …
Thou Shalt Not Color On Thine Arms
Almost exactly one year ago, I drew a purple mustache on my son Ben. It was a dark day for Adultitis, my friends, and a great personal reminder about how big an impact a small rebellion can make. Especially small rebellions involving washable markers. Not long ago, an Escape Artist named Angel emailed me about one such adventure. While in the process of cleaning, she discovered her two-year-old coloring on his arms. Adultitis was at the ready, encouraging Angel to flip out. But she decided not to. She wrote, "As Adultitus was SCREAMING, 'We don't color on our arms' somehow turned into, …
Saturday Morning Sprinkles: Play Donkey Kong Online Edition
• It's true, you can play Donkey Kong online. And other awesome games from the 80s, too. Might not want to tell your boss. • Snow angels never get old, even if you do. • Good stuff here: 7 Simple Ways to Spend Quality Time with Your Children • Love these ideas for repurposing old toys into awesome home decor. Finally, some posts from around here you may have missed: • Facebook is the New Christmas Letter • 7 Escape Lab Highlights...So Far …
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