It is official: making ugly treats is a foolproof way to annihilate Adultitis. Indeed, forgoing the stress that can come from trying to create a confection that might make Martha Stewart weep tears of joy is not nearly as fun as concocting something that would have her wailing and gnashing her teeth. Although we have extolled the virtues of cooking up ugly cakes and cookies for some time, we had not actually undertaken the task -- until now. We used the latest Small Rebellion, aka The Ugly Treat Initiative, as a fitting excuse to jump right in. It's easy to be intimidated by some of the …
Small Rebellions
Adultitis can't be taken down by government legislation, well-financed corporations, or an army of powerful tanks. Its only weakness is ordinary people instilled with the soaring spirit of childhood who rally against the rules that don’t exist and engages in ruthless, senseless acts of silliness. We call these actions small rebellions. They may be small but they are also mighty. They undermine the slavery of Adultitis and its unadventurous version of adulthood, and they have the power to change the world.
Small Rebellion #6: The Ugly Treat Initiative
According to the Interwebs, the first week of April is Laugh at Work Week. If there’s one thing work could use more of, it’s laughter. Inspired by our most recent Champion of Childhood award winners who made an epic ugly cake for a co-worker, we are introducing a new Small Rebellion and we'd love to have you join us! It’s called The Ugly Treat Initiative, and the instructions are very simple: The MISSION: Step 1) Make a delicious dessert that also happens to be really, really UGLY. Step 2) Bring it to work to share. Step 3) Enjoy laughter and improved morale with your colleagues. (And …
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Sendoff of Co-Worker Gets Ugly
Kathleen Molland, Jeanette Raab, and Susan Withey were at a speaking program I did in Williston, North Dakota. I told the Ugly Cookie story. Then these three took it to a whole new level. Here's what happened, in the words of Kathleen: …
Daughter Teaches Dad Proper Way to Eat Banana
A few years ago, a TV reporter referred to me as "The Champion of Childhood." Although I never received a jewel-encrusted crown or an oversized gold-plated belt, it's a title I wear proudly. Admittedly, I don't actually consider myself "THE" Champion, but rather "A" Champion of Childhood. There are scores of people infinitely more qualified than me in this arena, but I quite fancy the idea of acting as "a militant supporter and defender" of the ideals of childhood. Ultimately, I like being a verb more than a noun. Kim and I love using the platform we have to highlight the brilliant …
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Dad Breaks Rule on First Day of Spring
The first day of spring is Wednesday. How are you planning to celebrating it? Wait...you weren't? A woman at a recent speaking gig shared with me a neat family tradition that I had to pass along. She grew up in Connecticut, and every year, on the first day of spring, her father would "kidnap" his kids and play hooky. They'd all load into the car as usual, but he'd eventually take a "wrong turn," and they'd never quite make it to school. One time, he took them sledding to take advantage of a new blanket of snow on the ground. Another time they ended up at the Statue of Liberty. Since it …
Grown Men Go To Great Lengths to Avoid Being “It”
"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing." Benjamin Franklin said that. Or maybe it was George Bernard Shaw or somebody else entirely; it seems the Internet can't make up it's mind. The sentiment is true, though. And as I like to remind people, grown-ups have the money, the skills, and the autonomy to take play to a level of awesome kids could only dream of. Exhibit A: Nine guys, friends since high school, who have been engaged in an epic game of "Tag" for over 20 years. It started as a way to have fun while they were in high school and it grew …
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Woman Builds Cardboard Castle for Cats, Rejuvenates Creative Spirit
I recently wrote about the importance of being ridiculous. A few days after I posted it, I came across a photo of a cardboard cat castle lovingly (and impressively) constructed by Mindy Holahan. (You may remember Mindy as the co-host of the Nerdkicks podcast and co-originator of the Sidewalk Chalk Small Rebellion we instigated last fall.) Let's face it: few things are more ridiculous than building a cardboard castle for your cats. I was curious to know the backstory behind this curious castle, as it promised to be a good one. So I asked her about it. Mindy told me that she had just moved …
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Boy Suspended from School for Dressing Up Like…Fruit
In the Adults Are Ruining Everything department, a kid got suspended for running around the field dressed as a banana during halftime of a high school football game. My hero is reporter Pat Collins, who dresses up like a bunch of grapes for the interview. His best line: "When you think about it, you might see their point. It starts with a banana, then all of a sudden you have an apple or an orange and maybe a grape and before you know it, you have FRUIT SALAD at the schools! We can't have that." Hat tip to Mindy …
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Freedom I Can Wear
For years, Jason has been teasing me about my wardrobe around the house. I am the Mismatch Queen. "Homeless" is how he puts it, and I laugh -- we both do. I DO HAVE matching comfy clothes. My mother-in-law faithfully supplies her three daughter-in-laws with cute new pj's every Christmas Eve. (Thanks, Linda!) And yet, when I enter my closet to "get cozy" (as Lucy puts it), I walk away looking like I am colorblind. Why? I'm not sure. But, I've come to the conclusion recently that "why" is the wrong question. …
Family Turns Christmas Eve Dinner Into a Barbarian Affair
One of the attendees of last summer's Escape Adulthood Summit was inspired by the Barbarian birthday party we held to celebrate our son Ben turning one. She wanted to have one with her family on Christmas Eve, but she was worried about how it would be received. Unsurprisingly, it would be quite a departure from their normal holiday traditions. Judging by the pictures she sent, it seems like it went over pretty well. (Bonus points for the twisty straw!) Sometimes the biggest hurdle to initiating a Small Rebellion is our own fear. That feeling of dread or uncertainty is Adultitis' last …
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