photo by mike souza

Remember the childhood game that settled every argument? No, not thumb wrestling (or even arm wrestling, for that matter.) I’m referring to “rock-paper-scissors.” Sure, it’s fun to flip a coin or draw straws, but nothing says childhood like this favorite classic.

If you don’t know that rock beats scissors, then you might need to reconnect with your inner 8-year-old and think back to the simpler days of childhood – the days when disputes were so inconsequential that silly hand gesture games could resolve them in less than a minute.

Oh, if only adulthood could be that simple.

Well, apparently a federal judge in Tampa thought so a few years ago. K&J Nation member Steven S. shared with us an article about a childlike judge who made two arguing attorneys (hard to imagine, I know) play rock-paper-scissors to determine the location for retrieving a sworn statement from a witness. (Thanks for sharing Steven!) How cool is this judge?!

The most interesting part of this story was the poll on the website asking, “Was the judge right to impose a ‘rock-paper-scissors’ order on the attorneys?” The two choices were: 1) Yes: He sure was, embarrassing them that way will teach them to get along, and 2) No: It only makes the judge look childish.

Of course I voted “Yes.” After voting, I noticed that out of 36,083 votes, 92% also voted yes with only 8% voting no. These numbers give me hope regarding Adultitis and tell me that maybe us grown-ups need to (and want to, as indicated by the 92%) stop taking ourselves so darn seriously. So, in an effort to help you do that, here are 9 adulthood decisions you can make using “rock-paper-scissors.” Feel free to get creative and add your own in the comments.

1. Who has to change the dirty diaper?
2. Who has to pump the gas on a cold wintry night?
3. Who has to bring the car for an oil change?
4. Who has to change the printer cartridge?
5. Who has to take out the garbage?
6. Who has to mow the lawn?
7. Who has to do the dishes?
8. Who has to vacuum the car?
9. Who has to go grocery shopping?

P.S. You’ll notice, all of these tasks are often Adultitis-inducing. So, why not mix it up and have some fun with it? Silly fun like this is a simple way to take the dread out of daily chores.

P.S.S. If you’re a R-P-S fan, check out our cool t-shirt!

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photo by mauren veras

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.

I wonder what other stipulations the agent puts on first class flyers. Is everyone required to tap away incessantly on their laptops, taking breaks only to talk about how bad the economy is or sigh loudly when it’s announced that the flight will be delayed? Laughing must surely be outlawed, but what’s the punishment for a smile? An extra helping of airline food?

In a follow-up story, United Airlines was quick to point out that the gate agent is a contract employee who works for Air Wisconsin. They also said they’re investigating the incident. According to the airline, although there is no dress code, there are two rules: Ticketed passengers can not be barefoot and must be clothed.

[Side note: I can't help but wonder about the origin of these rules. Have they actually had naked people try to board a flight? Or did they create the rule preemptively, thinking, "We'd better figure out a way to keep all those naked people I see walking through the airport from coming on OUR planes!"]

Whether or not this incident reflects United’s corporate culture or it was simply a rogue agent acting alone, the fact remains that every airline I’ve encountered is bursting with high levels of Adultitis. It seems like Southwest Airlines keeps things fun, but I can’t speak from experience because they don’t service Madison. The only Adultitis antidote I’ve discovered for air travel is the technique of bringing a baby with you. Smiles and good service are guaranteed.

I realize that air travel is a stressful industry across the board. But I can’t help but think how easy it would be to make noticeable changes. For instance, don’t just tell us our flight is delayed. Explain why. Err on the side of giving us too much information, and don’t treat us like your slaves. Let us keep our shoes on in the security lines. Smile more (or at the very least, pretend like you give a damn).

For the overachieving airlines (if there are any), here are a few ways to take things to the next level and create raving fans:

• Instead of peanuts, serve Cracker Jacks (with a prize inside.)
• Hire more comedians to serve as flight attendants, or require your current people to take improv classes.
• Paint cool murals on the planes, a la the Cow Parade that’s been held in Chicago and other cities.
• Draw random seat numbers for door prizes, which might be 500 extra bonus miles, a free drink, or a gift certificate to an airport restaurant.

What about you? What are some ways you think the airlines could make flying more fun? Share your ideas in the comments.

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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 kindergartner has become harder and harder over the years, which is why Jason and I do what we do. It’s a constant journey to rediscover that childlike me, fighting Adultitis every step of the way.

Well, I found “her” in Chicago on Saturday.

About three months ago, I was introduced by my good friend Lance Ekum to The Levity Project. You may have heard me talk about this. Katie West is the brainchild behind this amazing endeavor as she seeks to create global social change towards a world which unites in joy. Her vision is to design a more buoyant society through laughter, play and celebration. In order to do this, they engage in public acts of levity which create social change in a public place and for those present, which creates a ripple effect of positivity to all those they come into contact with during the moment and afterwards.

I had the opportunity to participate in The Levity Project in Chicago on Saturday. It involved three creative events – each one bringing countless smiles and laughs to not only the participants, but also the passersby. Heck, some folks even stopped to join us, without full understanding of what was going on – proving once again that laughter and happiness are seriously contagious. Thank goodness, right?!

Amidst the building momentum of each event and the giddiness of the activities, I found myself tapping into levels of silliness that I haven’t gotten to in years. Ya know when you’re little and you think you can tackle the world, you think you can do anything?! I had these same grandiose feelings sweeping through me. I was playfully confident, with more energy than I would know what to do with. I felt five — just like the good ‘ol days!

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for staying in this blissful state. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It takes effort to be this buoyant, but it’s totally worth it. Need a jump start today? Here are a few ideas (inspired by Katie and The Levity Project) to help you drink from that fountain of youth, bringing out your childlike spirit once again…

• Wear a funny hat.
• Go outside with friends and enjoy the fresh air.
• Practice laughter (fake it ’till ya make it).
• Play freeze tag.
• Sport some silly sunglasses.
• Smile at strangers.
• Speak gibberish (Hat tip to Katie West’s FABULOUS blog)
• Laugh until you get someone to laugh with you.
• Wear a lei.
• Blow bubbles.
• Ride on the top of a double decker bus.
• Give someone a high five.

Thanks for the levity, Katie!! Can’t wait to see what city The Levity Project hits next!

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 the film, Forest Whitaker and Catherine O’Hara, who play Ira and Judith, respectively. It was neat to hear that Sendak was very involved in the movie, and fascinating to hear about the unorthodox technique director Spike Jonze used to coax remarkable performances out of the actors.

According to O’Hara, typical voiceover work [the actors didn't appear on-screen as the actual Wild Things] is done in a studio, often just one or two actors at a time. “For the most part you’re by yourself in this kind of vacuum world, hearing other voices or having someone who’s not even playing the part read other parts,” said O’Hara.

But Jonze didn’t go the typical route:

O’Hara: It was nuts! For three weeks he got us all to go up in the woods. The idea of course, was to get us to be like wild things, but also to get us to be like children. I found it really hard at first to just kind of let go and be loose. We were all kind of looking at each other like, “Really?” And then by the end of it we were–

Whitaker: Yeah, everybody was totally involved. Spike had divided us into groups, and we were chasing each other through the woods trying to knock each other out. By the end, everybody was so into it.

O’Hara: It sounds very “method,” but it was really fun and silly. And we were in such good company, you wanted to be good for everyone. But I also enjoyed going back to thinking and acting like a child, to be that open and not self-conscious.

Whitaker: We did all the scenes, and we basically just had mics on our heads, and each person would have a camera person to follow us around and watch everything we were doing. Even when we weren’t saying lines.

The movie has yet to be released, but it’s on the top of my must-see list. Judging from the accounts shared by the actors, my guess is that the extra effort will be what helps make the project go from good to remarkable.

Sometimes, in order to create something remarkable, you need to shake things up, try a different approach and let play enter the picture.

If you’re stuck on a project or a product, try a new approach. Relocate your team to a different location. For instance, what if you held your planning meeting at the local pizza joint? Or a park? (Who says meetings have to held in conference rooms, anyway? That’s definitely a rule that doesn’t exist.)

Be playful, and be patient with the process. It will likely be met with some resistance, mainly just because our childlike side has gotten so rusty. It’s awkward at first. Fortunately, Spike Jonze gave his actors permission to let loose. Get your people to let our their inner wild thing and watch the magic happen.

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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 individuals, superheroic and otherwise. And I still cry any time I hear Peter, Paul, and Mary sing Puff the Magic Dragon.

In a recent interview Kim and I did with our friend Thom Singer for his Some Assembly Required podcast (listen to it right here – it turned out awesome!), Thom mentioned his own imaginary friend from childhood, aka Chuckie.

When he was a boy, Thom’s aunt dutifully made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for him and Chuckie. He admitted that he had lost contact with Chuckie over the years, but our conversation inspired Thom to track him down and see if he’d be willing to write a guest post for his blog.

The search was successful and Chuckie agreed. The resulting post is a creative and insightful account from the perspective of an imaginary friend. (You can even follow Chuckie on Twitter @ChuckieandMargo)

Once you read the post, you’ll see that your own imaginary friend might be closer than you think, and probably has an important message he or she has been trying to share.

So the questions I leave you with today are these:

Did you have an imaginary friend? What is he or she up to today?

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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 Sports) are bound to be up in my grill no matter what I say, I’d like to throw out the disclaimer that like pizza and beer, a good thing like fantasy football has the ability to wreak real havoc if consumed in extremes. Taking out a second mortgage to finance the 73 leagues you’re in, or being so focused on a game that you neglect to notice your kids lighting your sofa on fire, or accidentally calling your wife Suzy are not good, and will do nothing to help your chances at Dad of the Year.

But in moderation, your fantasy football fix can certainly enhance your fathering. Here’s how:

1) Recharge Your Batteries. Fantasy football allows you to escape from the stressful day-to-day grind that is typical of most modern lives. Pastimes and hobbies are important. We all need some “Me” time once in a while, and there’s nothing selfish about it. Taking some time to recharge by doing something fun gives you more energy to be more fully engaged in the other areas of your life, including parenting. The key is to make sure your spouse also gets some time to herself doing things she enjoys, which is most likely stuff as useless and silly to you as she finds fantasy football.

2) Share Your Passion. It’s always a good thing for your kids to see you passionate about something and having fun. It sends the message that life is not all about work, work, work and provides an example that a well-lived life has a sense of balance. Plus, kids are most secure when their parents are happy and Dads can set the tone of the household. I think about days — fortunately, they were rare — when my dad was in a foul mood, and it cast a dark cloud over the whole family. When he was really excited, we were able to share in that excitement and enjoyed the happier tone.

3) Teach A Lesson on Losing. Speaking of foul moods, unless you experience the mother of all seasons, fantasy football almost always gives you the opportunity to model what it means to lose gracefully. Whether it’s when Tom Brady blows out his knee in the first quarter of the first game (yep, that was me last year), or you lose a crucial game by one tenth of a point, hard losses come our way from time to time. How you deal with them is a great lesson to share with your kids. Remember, kids learn more from what you DO than from what you SAY, so practice what you preach…

(Read the rest of this article over at Dad-O-Matic, a cool site for Dads, by Dads.)

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 same exact results!? I learned this fabulous life-changing fact from Katie West, the Levity Coach. In her work as a certified life coach, she encourages the rediscovery of laughter and playfulness as a way to fuel the work of achieving your dreams. She shared in a recent blog,

“Pretending to laugh (or practicing laughter) can alter our body chemistry since our brains can not tell the difference between real and fake laughter.”

So, the benefits of “real” and “fake” laughter are the exact same! This simple statement is what gave me the courage to take the first step towards participating in her “15 Minutes With the Levity Project,” in which you gather in a public place and laugh for 15 minutes. My first (and only) objection to this idea had been answered right away… how would I laugh for 15 minutes straight? What would be so funny? As Katie assured, pretending to laugh is just as good for you. So, last Saturday fellow Wisconsin blogger Lance Ekum from The Jungle of Life joined Jason and me as we co-hosted the first Madison Laugh Flash. It was a blast!

Here’s a video about the event from the NBC news…

In preparation for the event, Katie shared with us that laughter is made up of three words… Ha, Hee, and Ho. When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, all you have to do is belt out some fake laughter, and immediately your body will start to release endorphins and you’ll be feeling good. Much of Katie’s work falls under the umbrella of “laughter yoga,” an amazing movement founded by the Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. This CNN clip is a good summary of what this is all about.

So, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Could you use a little laughter in your life? Do you find yourself dealing with the stress that accompanies adulthood? Would your body benefit from some natural stress-relieving chemicals? Do the people around you need an excuse to smile and chuckle? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it’s time to incorporate a little (of A LOT) of fake laughter into your day. Before you know it, you’ll be laughing for real and making some real improvements in your health and in your attitude.

Get started right now… ha ha ha, ho ho ho, hee hee!

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Photo by dreamymo

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 time for play.

Apparently the media has decided that this should be the “Summer of Michael Jackson.” Which I guess is a better alternative to their first draft: “The Summer of Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Over the Economic Meltdown.”

What’s your theme for the summer?

We’re already well into July, and the summer is speeding by. Declaring a theme for yourself is a tangible way to take control over the direction your life is headed. There are many things we can’t control –like the economy, the weather, and the recent phenomenon of celebrities dropping like flies — but dwelling on those things is an open invitation for Adultitis to take over.

I quite like Chip’s “Summer of Play” idea. So far, I have Shamwowed my neighbors, triumphed over my wife in a dizzy bat race, grilled Twinkies and Twizzlers for the 4th of July, enjoyed a pontoon boat ride on Lake Michigan, and competed in a four-course mini-golf tournament with my dad and brothers (finishing second). In a week, I’ll be heading out to Arizona to hang with my speaker friends and visit the Grand Canyon with Lucy and my parents. I’m wrapping things up with a U2 concert in Chicago. Rock on.

Here are some simple steps for creating your own theme in order to annihilate the Adultitis in your life while having the best summer ever.

1. Decide on a theme. It can be anything, as long as it’s fun. Consider tying it to an interest or hobby, like reading, biking, cooking, or local travel.
2. Make a list. Generate a list of different things you could do. Come up with more ideas than you can possibly get to; it’s always good to have options, and you never know, maybe your summer theme will stretch into the fall. Load up on little things. A big fat two-week vacation is nice, but a series of small things spread out over the summer is more effective when it comes to consistently keeping Adultitis at bay.
3. Schedule it. Everyone knows that if something doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t get done. Don’t just wait for a random free day. Nature abhors a vacuum, and if you’re like most people, those “free” days have a habit of being filled in with chores and unappealing invitations. Give yourself the opportunity to say, “I already have plans.” Reserve little chunks of time for yourself and maybe mix in a meekend or two.
4. Share your adventures. Adultitis is very contagious, but so is a childlike spirit. Let your enthusiasm spread to others. Join Chip’s Summer of Play Group, share your stories in the comments below, or post photos on the Kim & Jason Facebook Page. Putting your adventures out there not only can inspire others, but it also gives you the confidence that comes from knowing that you’re living your life on purpose and having fun doing it.

So, what’s your theme for the summer?

Photo by Kevin Lawver

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 wrinkle: Everyone is strategically trying to get the other people to make a noise (or even better, laugh) by making silly faces or goofy gestures. The champion is the one who is able to maintain their silence the longest.

Something tells me that three-year-olds rarely emerge victorious.

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 central focus… I love campfires. So much of our life is spent moving in different directions, but the summertime campfire grabs you by the hand and asks you to sit and relax… together. Enjoy these ten campfire games you have to play…

1. Telephone
2. Truth or dare
3. Chubby bunny
4. Two truths and a lie
5. Guess the jelly bean
6. Twenty questions
7. Name that tune
8. A What?
9. Do as I say… not as I do
10. I can tap this stick just right

P.S. This isn’t a game, so it didn’t make the list, but here’s a fun site with over 1,600 campfire songs.

P.S.S. Also, not a game, but here’s a cool site to inspire some spooky campfire stories.

Photo by lambchops

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 making matter worse.) The bestseller from Little Tikes may be just a toy, but I believe that automakers can improve their fortunes by taking some cues from the Cozy Coupe.

1) Make ‘em unique. No, really.
Auto shows are cool for one main reason: the concept cars. A host of shiny, exciting prototypes are put on display, and everyone ogles the futuristic eye candy. It’s as if George and Jane Jetson decided to showcase all the cars they bought from the proceeds they earned from cashing in all their Google stock.

The problem is that the concept cars never show up. Instead, the car company introduces a boring lump of steel that looks eerily like last year’s model. Bleh. Talk about a letdown. I think in order for a car to be allowed to make it into production, it has to pass what I call the “Squint Test.” If you squint your eyes a bit, about 95% of the cars on the road today look EXACTLY the same. The Squint Test goes like this: if you squint your eyes and can’t tell the difference between your car and a Civic, it’s back to the drawing board time.

2) Make ‘em with a little personality.
Some of the Cozy Coupes actually have faces on them. While I’m not sure turning America’s highways into a scene from Pixar’s mega hit Cars will ever fly (although isn’t it kind of fun to imagine?), there’s something to be said about building in a little personality. Face it, the Toyota Camry screams, “I’m plain, practical (and a little boring.)”

Now think about the Ford Mustang GT. The ‘57 Chevy. The Mini Cooper. And yes, even the Hummer. For better or for worse, these vehicles come standard with personality. We need more of that. It’s the exact reason I love that I hate the 2004 Toyota Scion xB. I hate the look of the thing, but I love that they made it so I HAD to have an opinion about it.

3) Make ‘em fuel efficient.
The Cozy Coupe operates on pedal power. Not the most effective way to go from 0 to 60 in 6 seconds, but it’s as green as it gets. I’m not for big government stepping in and pushing mandates; innovation doesn’t work that way. But getting off of fossil fuels is a GAME CHANGER in a bajillion different ways. Be it hydrogen, nuclear, or Doc Brown’s garbage-fueled Mr. Fusion reactor, there is a huge pot of gold waiting for the company that can design a fast, ridiculously fuel efficient car that doesn’t look like a shoe.

4) Make ‘em durable.
The Cozy Coupe is made mostly of plastic. They last just shy of forever, and kids are not known for taking it easy on toys. Saturn was on to something with its dent-free body panels. Body shops might disagree, but I think it would be awesome if we could design some cars that could bounce off each other in a collision with little to no damage. I’d even settle for one that wouldn’t dent when bumped by a car door in the supermarket parking lot.

Just the act of writing this post got my playful juices bubbling, and I’m not even in the car industry (which may actually be the key.) How many more neat innovations could be generated with a little childlike creativity? Here’s a few I came up with:

• What if you could push a button to change the car’s color? Or what if it changed to reflect the driver’s mood?
• What if cars came in stripes, polka dots, camouflage or paisley?
• What if the body was translucent so you could see all the working parts underneath?
• What if every single car was one-of-a-kind? They can do it with shoes, why not cars?
• What if it was built to accommodate widgets? You could customize the dashboard controls, headlights, stereo. I know, mechanical types can pretty much do this now, but what if it was designed so the average Joe could just take the old one out and plug the new one in.

I don’t know, maybe I’m an unsophisticated rube, ignorant of how science, assembly lines, and the auto industry really works. Or maybe that’s exactly the type of thinking the auto industry needs right now.

* * * * *

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Kim and I have been watching the inaugural episodes of the new Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. I think he’s doing a great job, and have been enjoying the shows. I’ve always connected with Conan’s goofy brand of humor. (I did this painting of him when I was in college.)

One of my favorite jokes from last night came during the “In The Year 2000″ segment Conan and sidekick Andy Richter resurrected from their old Late Night days. (The skit has been updated with fancy new costumes and the title, “In The Year 3000.”)…

In the year 3000, Jesus returns to Earth, but due to the bad economy, is forced to lay off seven of the twelve apostles.

It has been a fun little routine crawling into bed with Kim to watch the 6-foot-4 redhead. It’s always better to fall asleep with a smile on your face than with a heart burdened by the worries of the world (I’m looking at you, evening news.)

I’m not sure if The Tonight Show is a better antidote to the doom and gloom the news sprinkles on your pillow than a good children’s book, like I’ve written about before, but laughs are always good for what ails ya.

And definitely one of my new favorite ways to escape adulthood.

How about you? What’s your favorite bedtime routine for escaping adulthood?

Photo credit: bossanostra

So an employer decides that his team needs a little cheering up. It’s Christmastime, nearing the end of what has been a tumultuous year. He remembers his daughter’s recent birthday, and a simple party favor he purchased that was a huge hit with the kids. It was also a huge hit at his own birthday party, some twenty-five years earlier.

A simple red clown nose.

He bought enough for every one of his employees — he had to visit three different stores to collect enough for everyone. Because of the holiday, the clown noses became “Rudolph Noses” and everyone was encouraged to wear one.

He wore his all day long.

So the employees wore them too, and had quite a hoot. Laughter was everywhere. The customers enjoyed the fun as well. After all, it’s impossible to take yourself too seriously while wearing a clown nose.

Now, this didn’t occur at a place you might expect, like an elementary school or a design firm or an internet startup. Nope, this happened at a bank, arguably one of the least desirable places to work during this economic downturn. A place often filled with stuffed shirts and even stuffier demeanors. The story is true. The ringleader was the CEO, and his name is Morty. I met him today in Tampa, Florida.

Many industries have been hit hard by the weak economy, maybe yours is one of them. Don’t wait for someone on the news to give you something to smile about (you might be waiting a long time.) Clown noses cost about a quarter. If the CEO of a bank can give his employees permission to have a little fun with some red foam, imagine what fun you could have where you work.

The expense is minimal, but the benefits could be priceless.

One of the best parts about my job speaking to different groups around the country are the stories people share after the program. Our audiences are a treasure trove of great ideas for escaping adulthood!

While in Tampa, Florida, one woman came up to me and shared a game her brother-in-law (Lowell Allen) plays with his family. I’d heard of it before, but didn’t really know what it was. It’s called Peep Jousting. If its new to you. here’s the skinny, according to Urban Dictionary:

A game involving the classic Easter candy, Marshmallow Peeps. Each Peep has a toothpick sticking out of the front of it, like a lance. Two Peeps, so armed, are placed in a microwave facing each other. As they are heated, they expand, until one Peep’s toothpick makes contact with the other, causing the unfortunate bugger to pop.

Now, as awesome as that sounds, it’s even awesomer to watch:

Now, is this little game the result of people up north having too much time on their hands during long winter months spent indoors? Maybe. Does it border on childish? Perhaps. (But it doesn’t hurt anybody — except maybe for Peeps unskilled in the art of jousting…)

One thing is certain: it is definitely a cheap way to escape adulthood.

Every once in a while I run across something in adulthood that I would’ve died for as a kid. Superfan Steven Sauke shared with us one of these things. FAO Schwartz has an online section of their store where you can actually build your own Muppet. Yep, you get to choose the color of the body, the type of eyes, nose and hair, as well as the outfit. Way cool! What a way to whisk you back to childhood. I certainly would’ve saved up my allowance for a chance to design and own my very own Muppet.

Now does anyone really need a custom designed, $90, Muppet? No, especially not in this economy, however I would argue that now more than ever one needs to treat themselves to a little fun. It would definitely be the “most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational” experience!

Reigniting memories from joyful childhood experiences is a simple way to decrease the stress in your life. For instance, the simple act of watching the intro to The Muppet Show brings me back to a simpler time in my life, when sprawling out on the carpet for an episode of The Muppet Show was a highlight of my week. We are so fortunate these days, with the Internet at our fingertips, to be able to Google things from our childhood and to steal a few smiles and memories. This is time well spent. Give it a try!

In a matter of seconds, with the help of YouTube, I was able to find the intro for you here. However, I also found a hilarious version of Beaker singing Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Enjoy!

We read recently that around two months of age a baby starts to recognize repeated events. It’s funny how we have naturally implemented goofy games and such into different parts of Lucy’s day (like Jason’s attack of the zurbert monster on her ultra-soft belly, each time he changes her dipe). Well, a new routine we’ve started is something I want to invite you to try, whether you have kids or not. After dinner, before bed, each person in the household gets to pick a song… and you all get to dance. Depending on your mood, you could rock out and release some energy (a great stress reliever), you could pick a slow one (a great way to relax from the day)… whatever fits your fancy. Maybe you enjoy a classic waltz with your sweetheart or you’d like to bust a move by yourself in front of the mirror. It’s your choice, each and every night.

You officially have permission.

We’ve been doing this with Lucy. Since the evenings tend to be her fussier time of the day, she seems to quiet down when we’re all dancing, so… let’s dance, baby!

We shared yesterday in the Escape Adulthood Show about doing the Macarena in the bathroom mirror in the morning, in your birthday suit. It’s a surefire way to stop taking yourself too seriously. It’s a great way to start the day and the idea of dancing after dinner is a fun way to end the day. Now, more than ever, we need to inject our lives with fun, things to look forward to. The idea of dancing everyday is not novel… Ellen DeGeneres is known for this and her audience has a blast with it everyday. We just need to do it. If Ellen doesn’t inspire you, there’s always Matt, the guy who literally dances all over the world. What a cool job!

Those of you who enjoyed watching The Cosby Show will fondly remember the classic scenes where the family danced and lip sang for Cliff’s parents. (not to mention the beginning credits, with Bill and the fam dancing to different music each season). We can learn a lot from the Cosby’s.

Even if the uncertainty of tomorrow is weighing you down, the idea of taking these small proactive measures to super size the fun in your day will go a long way in fighting Adultitis. Let us know how it goes! In the meantime, enjoy being inspired by America’s favorite family… (sorry about the quality on the “Night & Day” video)

Lucy hasn’t officially laughed yet, but she sure is doing a lot of smiling. One of our midwives told us that in her experience working with the Navajo people, there is a custom in which the first person to make a newborn laugh is obligated to throw the family a huge party to celebrate the occasion. According to their tradition, it’s considered the moment in which the baby is fully present and “in the world.”

I think that’s pretty cool.

I’ve often heard of people rejoicing over baby’s first words, first steps, and first day of school, but never have I heard a big deal made out of baby’s first laugh. At least not enough to warrant a party to be thrown because of it.

It’s a striking example of how little we value laughter in our society. If someone smiles and laughs much more than is deemed “normal,” we often start to get a bit suspicious about them. Surely they must be some combination of air-headed, irresponsible, or unhinged, right? And yet stress continues to be a contributing factor to every single thing that kills us, from heart disease to suicide. It seems like the standard operating procedure these days — especially with a lagging economy — is to trudge through life with furrowed brows and steely determination. But now, more than ever, laughter should be celebrated.

Every single laugh is a dollar in the economy of the human spirit.

Meanwhile, I am reminded about how unspontaneous our celebrations are as adults. It’s as if we’re only allowed to celebrate something if the fine print on our calendar gives us permission. Amidst the doom and gloom peddled by the media, there is so much to celebrate. Sunny days and snow days, the accomplishment of a big project at work, and milestones small (like making it to work with all green lights) and large (like making your last mortgage payment).

Our war-torn, terrorist-threatened, abortion happy, and economically sluggish world needs more laughter. When Lucy laughs for the first time, the world be better because of it. And that seems like a good enough reason to throw a party to me.

As we move into February, which tends to be a hard month for people living in the colder regions of the country, it’s time to get serious about not taking yourself too seriously… seriously! Adultitis is rampant this time of year! An easy way to fight this deadly disease is to celebrate the Super Bowl. It’s just five days away, leaving you plenty of time to come up with a fun strategy to have some super fun this weekend. There are countless ways to celebrate the Super Bowl and enjoy the game (or in my case, the commercials). Here are some ideas to get you started…

1. Host an appetizer party, with all of your favorite yummy starters.

2. Stay in your pj’s all day. Bring out the sleeping bags and comfy blankets, have a fire in the fireplace, and enjoy being lazy.

3. Have a dessert buffet. Invite guests to bring a dessert and have a sweet afternoon.

4. Play cards while the game is on. Set up card tables and have a tournament. (My favorite: euchre!)

5. Do the fondue thing. Three courses… cheese, meats, and dessert. Dip until your heart’s content.

6. Play football bingo. Everyone makes out their own bingo card with football happenings (field goal, touchdown, penalty, timeout, reviewed play, etc.). Have prizes for the winners.

7. Have the ultimate popcorn party. Offer tons of different flavors.

8. Do a pizza party on steroids. Order one pie from all of your favorite places in town.

9. Make super sundaes. Cover your counter with toppings and enjoy the childlike giddiness of creating your own.

What ideas do you have?

In less than a month, on Valentine’s Day, Jason and I will celebrate fourteen years of being a couple. Yep, we had our first date on February 14, 1995, eating dinner at Monical’s Pizza in Princeton, Illinois. How far we’ve come. I’ve learned a lot from him over the years and now that we’ve become parents I find myself learning tons more about him and from him each day. It’s pretty cool.

One thing I’ve noticed is that Jason, being the creative type, has invented all sorts of little games and routines with Lucy. He has a variety of things he does with her at the changing table (like “eating up” her grub worm-looking toes), they dance around our living room to our playlists (which she adores), and he has countless nicknames for her (two of my favorites are Chief Chirpa and banana sandwich). Simply put: they have fun together! Even though it’s still rare to see a smile from her at this young age, it’s obvious by her bright eyes that she is in love with her daddy and enjoys the whimsy he brings.

It’s cool to be around people who keep it light. I am challenged by this because I admit, I have found myself falling into the camp that many primary caregivers fall into… rote routine versus creative fun. It’s not that I’m too serious or boring with her, I just often don’t take that extra step that I’ve noticed Jason takes to make things even MORE fun. Watching him doing this, though, I am inspired to make a considered effort to build in our own unique and fun games, songs, and routines- just mama and baby Lucy. Everything just becomes less stressful and more fun when you keep it light. I have a feeling my efforts towards this will not be in vain.

What area of your life needs a little extra dose of fun? Your work, family time, your friendships? Especially moving into February, which tends to be a hard month for people in the Midwest (it’s cold, the holidays are over, and you just get sick of being cooked up). What can you do to keep in light?

One tip I have is to surround yourself with people who inspire you to do this, friends who rise you up to new levels and make you better than you would be without them.

Is it possible for a whole town to be Adultitis-free? I don’t know about that, but Bethel, Maine sure comes close.

In 1999, the ski town of about 2,400 residents set the record for world’s tallest snowman.

In 2008, the record was finally broken.

By them.

This time, they built a “snowwoman” and she was no dainty lass. Her name was Olympia, and she clocked in at a towering 122′ 1″ tall (about 30 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty) and a scale-tipping 13,000,000 pounds. She featured eyelashes created from discarded skis and bright red lips made from painted car tires. Schoolchildren made her huge red hat and her 8-foot long “carrot” nose. She sported a 100-foot-long scarf and her eyes were made from giant wreaths. Her arms were 30-foot spruce trees!

Olympia was built with a series of concentric circles with the help of over 100 volunteers. A crane dumped the snow into frames, and volunteers climbed in for long hours shoveling and packing the snow. It took a little over a month from start to finish.

I think this is the coolest thing I’ve seen in quite some time. (Thanks for passing it along, Marilyn!)

I wonder how many people scoffed at the volunteers who contributed to this whimsical project. “An epic waste of time and resources!” I can imagine them saying. Another example of taking things too seriously.

Lots of people live in areas with snowy winters and the ones with Adultitis spend a big chunk of the winter grumbling about it. A snowy day is an exciting one for kids; a cause for celebration. I know that there are a lot of extra hassles that come with the snow when you’re grown up, but it sure is nice to see a community that still knows how to have some fun with it.

How are you doing in that department?