The Challenge: Ask an expert something you are curious about in his/her field.
Kim:
A few years ago I met a very talented man named Jason Huett. He is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and founder of Kicks Unlimited. Jason’s vision is to develop the greatest martial arts system in the United States—one where kids and adults of all ages could learn not only the martial arts, but also life skills in a positive and service-oriented environment. The thing I remembered right away about Jason is that he told me that he used to be a real Power Ranger. I also found out today form his website that he has worked as a professional stuntman in Los Angeles for the movie Legally Blonde and the ever popular ER.
Well, needless-to-say I had a few things I was curious about in his field. So I called him up and fumbled through the reintroduction of myself, after having only talked with him for two minutes two years ago. He was super nice and very open to answering my questions.
I asked him to explain for me about his style of martial arts. He called it "extreme martial arts." He said that in the 80’s with the Karate Kid movies martial arts became more popular. His style combines some of his acting and stunt experience involving entertainment and it also combines some acrobatics with martial arts. I asked him about the choreography of the Power Rangers. Is it all choreographed perfectly and how long does it take to learn it? Jason shared that for the TV show they would get on set that morning very early, choreograph the scenes for the day and then shoot the scenes the same day. For the live performance shows he would do for Power Rangers, the moves were choreographed farther ahead of time. They would try to "mix it up" here and there to keep adding harder moves and to add variety to their performances. Jason also shared that the talent in Hollywood pales in comparison to the talent in the Karate schools across the country. The teachers in his classes are some of the best talent there is out there.
Of course by the end of our ten minute conversation I was wanting to see some of this talent in action. Jason invited me to stop by anytime to watch any of the classes or even the tournaments. He also directed me to the NASKA website.
I have to say that this experience really got me out of my comfort zone and got my curiosity peaked into an area I know very little about. Jason’s profession is fascinating and it is neat to hear home much creativity and personal style he has put into his profession and business.
Jason:
On Challenge #17 I took the time to learn a magic trick (they’re illusions, Michael). I only had 30 minutes and no chainsaw, so I wasn’t able to figure out how to saw Kim in half. Safely, that is. Today I turned my attention back to magic. I happen to know a magician, and I figured that this was a pretty good time to ask a burning question:
Where do magicians get the ideas for their tricks?
Are there special books they can buy? Do they create their own original tricks? Do magicians get together at conferences to learn new tricks? Here’s what Robert said:
All of the methods you asked about I do. There’s no easy way to answer your question. Yes you can buy tricks and illusions and probably make them work OK. Remember though, it’s kind of like buying PhotoShop. You can probably make it do what you want. But there are countless nuances and techniques that transform it from a software program into real magic. I’ve been doing magic for 31 years and I’m still learning.
Best secret…it’s not about the tricks or fooling people. It’s about connecting with people and having fun.The real secret is to make stars out of your audience members.
Interesting comments, I thought. (Thanks Robert!) Upon further review, I uncovered a magazine devoted to magic and quite a few web sites that turned up conferences. I’ll be meeting with Robert in a few weeks, and I have a few follow up questions to ask him then. So far I have not been able to dig up a book that will show my how to saw Kim in half. Safely, of course.
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
Hooray! We were able to rescue SOME of the footage of Kim being ambushed yesterday by an onslaught of Silly String.
The Challenge: Buy something that captures the spirit of childhood for under $5.00 (including tax).
Kim:
My “find” totaled $0.99. As you can see it is a glow-in-the-dark eyeball bouncy ball. There is something magical about bouncy balls when you’re a kid. Maybe it’s their unruly and unpredictable nature. Maybe it’s because it’s one of the only cool prizes in the gumball machines that you can afford as a kid. I’m not sure but I think it definitely serves as a product that captures the spirit of childhood. Jason and I actually went into the dark bathroom to see how it glows. Boy, did that bring back memories.
Jason:
Two words: silly string.
Purchased at Walgreen’s for $2.99. I never really got a chance to play with this stuff when I was a kid. (After the cleanup, I can see why.) I had a blast ambushing Kim as soon as I got home. It was even kind of fun when she stole the cannister and turned the tables on me. I don’t know who the heck invented this stuff, but something tells me they were virtually Adultitis-free.
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
The Challenge: Take a routine you do everyday and put a childlike spin on it.
Kim:
Today as Jason and I walked to the car together I put my arm around his shoulder and invited him to walk "like The Monkees" with me. Then on the way home from church I stopped at the grocery store so that Jason and I could each pick out a doughnut. I always loved stopping for treats when I was a kids- whether it was ice cream from Dairy Queen, gingerbread cookies from the bakery, or a Frosty from Wendy’s. Little treats were always such a big deal as a child. Who am I kidding? They still are.
Jason:
Normally, when I think of a routine, I normally don’t think of weekends, which is when this challenge fell for me. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I have some morning routines that happen each and every day, whether I’m working or not. I decided today would be "opposite" day.
I started in the shower. (Hey, get your mind out of the gutter.)
I washed my hair first, which I normally do last. I put my pants on one leg at a time, but this time I put the right leg in first. Same thing with my socks; opposite foot first. I ate my breakfast cereal — Capn’ Crunch again — with my left hand. Then I brushed my teeth with my left hand, and this proved to be the most difficult task of all. I’m sure my dentist would not give me a high score on the thoroughness scale. At church, Kim and I sat on the opposite side that we normally do. (I resisted the urge to drive on the opposite side of the street to get there.) To top it all off, I ate dinner with my left hand.
And tonight, I intend on once more brushing my teeth with my left hand.
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
The Challenge: Open to a random page in the dictionary and look at the first word on the upper left-hand side. Keep turning pages until you find a word you don’t know. See how many times you can use this new word in a sentence today.
Kim:
My word was “dowdy.” It has two definitions: shabby/ not neat and old-fashioned. I managed to squeeze in a few “Not too dowdy” phrases, as if to say “Not too shabby.” I have to admit I didn’t do a very good job in remembering. I usually tried to incorporate the word into my language shortly after Jason used his word. (I’m trying to be honest here.) However at dinner I used it very appropriately when referring to something being old-fashioned. So, I was able to use both definitions. I know that I am not one to use new words, so this was very different for me today and quite honestly I had a hard time remembering to even do it.
Jason:
My word today was entrechat. What??? Exactly.
en·tre·chat n.
A jump in ballet during which the dancer crosses the legs a number of times, alternately back and forth.
First of all, the word was extremely fun to say. It reminded me of the two years of French I had in high school (of which I recall almost zilch). It was so fun that I think Kim said it more times today than her own word. I was able to use it several times successfully in a sentence, including these highlights:
"I imagine that it would be quite dangerous to try an entrechat in the shower."
(Before taking a shower this morning.)
"I’m sure I’d capture their attention if I did an entrechat to open my talk."
(After Kim warned me before a speech I gave to seventh graders today that I shouldn’t expect to get much of a reaction out of them, even if they are enjoying it.)
"I’d say the driving performance you pulled off tonight was more difficult than an entrechat."
(After Kim had successfully navigated congested Chicago traffic in the middle of a downpour.)
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
The Challenge: Talk in a phony voice or accent to a complete stranger.
Kim:
This was by far the hardest challenge for me yet. Why do I care what others think about me? I failed miserably the first time and had to “try again.” My first attempt was at a “Will Call” booth at a concert we went to (Andrew Peterson’s concert, which was awesome, by the way.) I started with my British accent, which quickly turned into my Wisconsin accent (which means my normal voice). It was tough being face to face with this guy, looking right at me. And my British accent really stinks, by the way. Bummer. That one stunk. So, I had to try again. After the concert we went through the drive-in at Wendy’s for some Frostys. This went pretty well. I followed through – from the ordering to visiting both windows. This challenge helped me to see how much I take myself too seriously. These people were complete strangers who I will probably never see again, yet my heart was racing. It was definitely an eye opener.
Jason:
Today’s challenge scared the snot out of me. Talk about measuring how much you care what other people think of you! Of course, children don’t think twice about how silly they might look to others; this is a "skill" we gradually attain as we grow up.
Kim and I drove down to Rockford, Illinois tonight for a concert. I found my perfect opportunity to take this challenge head-on at the McDonald’s drive-thru. My English accent was FAR from perfect, but I managed to place our order and thank two different window clerks as Kim tried desperately to muffle her boisterous laughter.
Perhaps I shall try to recreate my dialogue in the video today, although I can only promise you’ll not be impressed. The important thing is that I did it, ungraceful as it may have been, and dealt a mighty blow to Adultitis.
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
The Challenge: Figure out a way to add some color to your day in a new, unusual, or wacky way.
Kim:
I am happy to report that we have had some very sunny days here in Madison recently. So, I had that in my favor today as I filled 8 glasses (2 wine glasses) with colorful water. I lined them up along my window seal by my desk. I had a very colorful desk, with the sun shining through the many colors. I really enjoyed looking at the light and different reflections throughout the day as the light and colors moved to different parts of my desk. Dropping the food coloring into the glasses brought back some great memories of dyeing Easter eggs, making play-do and most recently teaching our “Color” unit in Kindergarten (the kids would ‘experiment’ with color mixing using eye droppers and colored water.) I really don’t want to put the glasses away.
Jason:
Dr. Seuss would be so proud. This morning I took great joy in eating some GREEN eggs. Sadly, I did not have ham — or spray paint — but I expanded my breakfast rainbow by eating Capn’ Crunch in BLUE milk and washing it all down with some RED orange juice.
I cannot even begin to explain the sensation of giddy joy that I felt when I saw my eggs turn green. With God as my witness, food coloring is the best toy EVER.
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
The Challenge: Take a picture of the most childlike spot in town.
Kim:
I immediately thought of this shoe slide that is a part of the playground near Madison’s Vilas Zoo. I would’ve loved this as a child! It reminds me of something similar that I experienced when I was little. The McDonald’s that was in my hometown had a big Ronald McDonald car in the seating area, which actually had two built-in booths. I always hoped to sit in “the car” when we went there. I can only assume that kids would love to go to this park because of the “Old Lady’s Shoe.”
Just for fun I looked up the actual nursery rhyme to see how it goes and found the original version to be not unlike most original nursery rhymes: surprisingly harsh, which is probably why I found tons of “adapted” versions that were much more “PC.”
Old version:
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so many children she didn’t know what to do.
She gave them some broth without any bread,
Then whipped them all soundly
And put them to bed.
PC version:
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so many children she didn’t know what to do
She gave them so broth along with some bread
Then hugged them all soundly and sent them to bed
Jason:
I would say that Ella’s Deli is the most childlike spot in Madison, Wisconsin. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to photograph. This place is an old-time delicatessen and ice cream parlor that features a classic carousel in the summertime. The inside is an overwhelming feast for the senses. The entire ceiling is populated by animatronic characters: a Superman that flys back and forth, keeping watch on diners below… tropical fish that spin round and round…a genie that skims through the air on a magic carpet. There must be a hundred of them — definitely over fifty — and I’d bet that Ella’s is the electric company’s favorite customer.
We took our nieces there last weekend for ice cream and I was waiting for the youngest’s head to explode due to sensory overload. (Speaking of ice cream, they also have a $38 sundae called the Sparkled Kazoo that boast 32 scoops of ice cream and sparklers for decorations.) I particularly enjoy the tables, many of which have detailed shadow box type displays — some with movable parts — which add a taste of nostalgia to the menu. Within the tables pictured here are old soda bottles and candy. Ella’s website sums it up, saying, "The effect is one of entertainment for children and for adults who will remember many of the things from their childhood."
And that’s why I think it’s the most childlike spot in town: it offers up a serving of childhood to the young and old alike.
Dark Room Confessionals (Club K&J Only):
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
(Watch videos from the first 10 challenges free)
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
Attention Voyagers! Do you have any photos from your Escape Plan experience that you’d like to share? If so, e-mail to us at escapeplan@kimandjason.com with the challenge number, your name, and where you live. If we get a good response, we’ll post them in a gallery for all to see!
Don’t miss Episode #6 of the Escape Adulthood podcast. We pretty much spent the whole show talking about the Escape Plan and highlighting a few great Voyager solutions. We even interviewed a Voyager about her experience so far.
