Kim came across a story in which a man was denied a first class upgrade on a United flight by a gate agent because we was dressed "too casually." He was wearing a track suit. Good thing he wasn't wearing a clown suit; he'd be deported by now. It looks like a classic case of Adultitis, and I consider myself lucky that it wasn't me. You see, my standard travel garb is almost always a pair of Adidas track pants and a Mr. Incredible t-shirt (for good luck.) I've been upgraded to first class on a number of occasions, clearly not realizing how fortunate I was. …
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Drinking From the Fountain of Youth in Chicago
When I was five, I was the "character" in my family. Being the youngest daughter of four girls, I innocently sought after (and claimed) the attention of my family with my super silly dances and crazy mismatched outfits. The crazier my moves, the more reaction I received, which I loved! Over the subsequent 15 years, I slowly found myself growing up and becoming an "adult." Sure, I loved the later bedtimes, but the bills and responsibilities were not cool. Life became more serious: earn the diploma, land a job, pay down debt, be responsible...yadda yadda yadda. Finding that inner …
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What You Can Learn From the Making of “Where The Wild Things Are”
On the plane coming home from New York the other day, after the flight attendant told us to turn off our portable electronic devices, I reached for the Delta Sky magazine in the seat back pocket. I was delighted to find an article on the upcoming movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, Where The Wild Things Are. [Fun Fact: When the book came out in 1963, parents and teachers tried to get it banned. It was controversial because kids aren't supposed to be sent to bed without dinner. Pretty scandalous, huh?] The article featured interviews with two of the actors from …
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A Message From Your Imaginary Friend
Did you have an imaginary friend when you were a kid? If so, have you ever wondered what he or she is up to these days? Do imaginary friends age right along with you? Do they grow up and get imaginary jobs and have an imaginary family while living in an imaginary home paid for with imaginary money? (Which, by the way, is the kind of money real politicians like to spend.) Or are they sent to some kind of solitary confinement camp just for imaginary friends who have been neglected? I don't recall having an imaginary friend per se, but I did inhabit a lot of imaginary worlds as various …
7 Ways Fantasy Football Can Make You a Better Dad
Summer is winding down, the kids are back in school, and the long, bleak, football hiatus is almost over. If you’re a fantasy football nut, you already know that this is one of the most exciting times of the year. You know the thrill of channeling your inner Jerry Jones in order to take your shot at building a team for the ages, proving once and for all that should you be offered the opportunity, you’d have what it takes to be among the NFL’s top brass. What you may not have known, however, is that fantasy football can make you a better Dad. Even though the WAFS (Women Against Fantasy …
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The Most Overlooked Ingredient to a Happy Life
Is there a silver bullet to instant happiness? Yes, and it's an idea that I would hazard to guess wouldn't even be on your radar. Drum roll please... Fake laughter (aka practicing laughter). Yes, you read that right, I said "fake." Doesn't fake laughter usually have a negative connotation? I'm sure you've heard of the many benefits of real laughter in your life, like boosting the 'ol immune system, bringing you more energy, lower levels of pain, and protecting you from the dreaded Adultitis, which leaves you a stressed-out mess. But, did you know that fake laughter brings you the …
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How to Create a Theme for Your Summer (and Why You Really Should)
In an episode of Seinfeld, after discovering that a severance package from the New York Yankees should last him about three months, George Costanza decided to take the summer off, declaring it the "Summer of George." Some of the activities he engaged in were playing frolf, purchasing a new recliner with a refrigerator in it, and reading a book, from beginning to end (and in that order.) My buddy Chip Lutz has declared 2009 the "Summer of Play." Rather than focusing on the things you can't control, he implores you to control the things that will help you focus on living your life by making …
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1-2-3 Hush Puppy
Here's a cool game to play around the dinner table. (And if you're not gathering with your family around the dinner table regularly, what's wrong with you?) I learned about this from a friendly family I met after a speaking program in Witchita, and here's how it works: Everyone at the table says in unison: "1-2-3 Hush Puppy!" Immediately, all participants have to be completely quiet for as long as possible. You make a noise, you're out. Now this sounds a lot like the game harried parents like to play in order to trick their kids into some much-needed quiet time, except for this little …
10 Campfire Games You Have to Play
It's officially summer. (cue kids cheering) Life slows down a bit in the summer, at least it should, leaving you with more time to spit watermelon seeds, dip your toes in a swimming pool, and savor the sweet refreshing taste of freshly squeezed lemonade. Mmm! If I had to pick out a centerpiece of summer, though, it would have to be the campfire. They have a magical way of bringing people together, inviting them to laugh, sing, and tell secrets. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackles of the wood popping, the bright constellations above, and the warmth of people gathered around a …
How Childhood Can Save the Auto Industry
Wanna guess what the best-selling car in America was last year? Something by Honda? Or Toyota? Nope. At 457,000 units sold, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe outsold every other car in the U.S. in 2008. And I hear it gets great gas mileage. Now, I have super duper secret sources that tell me that -- I shouldn't even be telling you this -- the auto industry is in trouble. You might be saying to yourself, "What? How can this be? How does he know these things?" Trust me, I'm a blogger, we have our ways. So, yes, the auto industry is a mess (and as usual, Uncle Sam has done his part in …
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