This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #12: Dear Hero: Write a letter to a childhood hero (real or fictional). Last summer a group of us from Kim & Jason went to Milwaukee for a Get Motivated Seminar. It was an unbelievable experience. Not only did we get the opportunity to hear the perspectives of highly respected leaders like Suze Orman, Colin Powell, and Ed McMahon, we were also treated to hearing some snippets explaining "how he got to where he is today" from everyone's favorite TV dad, Bill Cosby. What a guy! The highlight for most attendees, though, was the …
General
Why So Serious?
A highlight for me this summer will be the release of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, featuring the late Heath Ledger in a standout role as the villainous Joker. One of the big lines being used in promoting the film comes from the Joker himself, who says, "Why so serious?" The same question might be asked of most of us. I remember standing on the bus stop as a young boy, waiting for my early morning ride to school. My mom made me walk the three blocks to the corner much earlier than was necessary, probably ensuring that she wouldn't have to disrupt her morning routine in order to …
Say Cheese
Pictures from your childhood are simply priceless. They often remind you of different parts of your life that you may have forgotten... like the specific toys you used to play with, your dad's old station wagon with the wooden panels, or your favorite t-shirt or polyester plaid pants. The coolest thing about old pictures is the spirit of childhood that is captured on paper... that unapologetic, unfailing enthusiasm for life. There is a very cool project online, YOUNGME - NOWME, put out by Ze Frank and Erik Kastner. They invited adults to try to recreate a pose and picture from childhood …
Tip of the Week: Backyard Adventurer
This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is: #13: Backyard Adventurer: Spend ten minutes doing something outside that you have never done before. As a kid I spent most of my summer vacation outside. All it took was a simple prop and I would be inspired for hours and hours, engaged in imaginative fun. For instance, one time my sister and I found two potato sacks in our garage... two hours later our front yard was adorned with an elaborate obstacle course. Of course, one of the many elements happened to be a potato sack race. I'll never forget the scratchiness of the bag …
Judy Irené Wins Escape Event #2
Judy Irené, Club K&J member and San Francisco Giants fan is the official winner of Kim & Jason Escape Event #2. She received over 60% of the total vote and has won an iPod Shuffle for her effort! Club K&J members (and their friends and families) were invited to take part in the Escape Event, which was held on April 27, 2008. The challenge was to "do something childlike that is music related in some way, shape, or form." We chose 3 finalists to compete for the top prize, all of whom did a great job of tackling the challenge. We want to thank everyone who participated and …
Go for the Ocean View
Kim and I just returned from a speaking engagement in Florida. This was the view from our hotel room on Clearwater Beach. When we checked in, our original reservation was listed as "garden view," but we were offered the option of upgrading to an "ocean view" room. As appealing as "garden view" sounds, I can assure you that it is usually hotel speak for "ugly air conditioning units view." Because we stay at this particular chain of hotels often, the cost of upgrading for both nights of our stay was $40. Now, many people would stay with the "garden view" room, pocket the $40, and rationalize …
Tip of the Week: Old Dog, New Tricks
This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #17: Old Dog, New Tricks: Learn how to do something new today. Your time limit: 30 minutes. At a speaking gig a few weeks ago, a woman in the audience came to our table afterwards and immediately joined Club K&J. In getting to know her better, we soon realized that she had come to the right place. She shared that not too long ago she signed up for a welding class. Her eyes widened with childlike excitement as she explained further. "Ya know, the sparks, machinery... it's all kinda like working with fireworks!" (Quick …
Do Re Me: Cast Your Vote!
Last Sunday was the second Kim & Jason Escape Event. The challenge was called Do Re Me, and Club K&J members were invited to do the following: Do something childlike today that is music related in some way, shape, or form. Kim and I had some fun mixing music and food. Lots of people joined in on the fun, sharing with us stories, pictures, and videos of the event. All Club K&J members who participated were eligible to win a cool prize: an iPod Shuffle from Apple. We pored over all of the entries, and decided on three finalists. The rest is up to YOU! Take a look at the …
Tip of the Week: Future Forecast
This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #19: Future Forecast: Spend 10 minutes visioning yourself 10 years from now as having accomplished one of your biggest dreams. Be as detailed as possible; imagine in all five senses. Every time Jason and I end up at a mall he makes a joke about the "Ice Cream of the Future"... you know, Dippin' Dots. This frozen treat company has been claiming this title for over 20 years. When is the future, anyway? And speaking of the future, when is our transportation system going to mirror that of The Jetsons? Speaking around the …
Tip of the Week: Instant Karma
This week’s Escape Plan challenge (aka our Tip of the Week) is #20: Instant Karma: Right an old wrong. In 2005 karma was given a primetime slot, starring as the central plot point on My Name is Earl. Whether you call it karma or not, most people believe that "what goes around comes around." Another way to look at it is the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When you're a kid and you have a fight with a friend those two simple words can turn everything around- I'm sorry. Sometime your mom makes you say them, and sometimes you just know you need to, but …