Random Acts of Adventure
The Binary Chef - I Love The King (Of Fruit)
July 16, 2009
I love mangos. Mangos have recently stolen my taste buds, and my heart. Yes, mangos are well-known members of the fruit family, but sadly I hadn’t had the pleasure of being introduced until about a year ago. Their sweet, tangy flesh is a tasty treat at any time and they are a good source of Vitamins A, C, B6 and E. These days, when in-season, I happily eat a few of them a week. I often eat them raw, sometimes with sticky rice, on top of plain yogurt, added to salsa, mixed in with a spicy red curry, and when I need something on the richer side, I top vanilla ice cream with some sliced mango and Grand Marnier … sooooooo good.
Did you know? The mango is a member of the Anachardiaceae family? Other distant relatives include the cashew, pistachio, Jamaica plum, poison ivy and poison oak – these last two being one reason why folks are allergic to them.
Dear Ellen
July 15, 2009
Dear Ellen,
Why don’t humans have tails? Don't you think they would be handy or at the very least super cool?
Curious
Dear Curious,
Humans don’t have tails because our pants don’t have tail holes. In the early stages of fetal development, humans have a rather large tail. As they near delivery from the womb, the tail becomes less and less prominent. This is because we innately know that it is almost time to wear pants.
Having a tail would be unbelievably cool, but I’m not sure if it would be handy. Tails have no digits or opposable thumbs, and contain many involuntary muscles, rendering it a fairly useless and potentially embarrassing body part. Although the right kind of tail could allow you to hang upside down from a tree branch, which would be great. Still we are left with the pants problem. What would be handy is a 3rd arm. Or telepathy.
Ellen
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Renegade Craft Fair
July 14, 2009
Lucky enough to live 5 blocks from the site of the most recent Renegade Craft Fair, held in downtown LA, I walked (note: walked in LA) to a gathering of over 200 artists selling their handmade goods. Beyond the obvious shopper’s delight and the fact that the event is completely FREE, the best part about the experience was being inspired by the creative use of everyday objects and materials. Here’s just a snippet from the visual stimulation smorgasbord:Journals made from covers of hard back vintage books - bookjournals.com
The world covered in wool - aguinigadesign.com
Beard masks and moustache pins made from felt and yarn (I would like these even if I didn’t have a facial hair fetish) – imadeyouabeard.etsy.com
Self-affirming buttons - sweetiepiepress.com
Insect wing like dresses - mothlove.esty.com
Lessons For An Optimist - Where Your Packages Come From
July 13, 2009
It was truly a pleasure last week when I was once again reminded of the special nature of our not-for-profit partner, Search in Chicago. This is an amazing organization that provides beautiful homes, quality life training and experiences for adults with developmental disabilities. They are also our partners that co-created Planet Access and Search for Adventure, the pick and pack operation that ships all of our product that then in turn funds an adventure travel and vacation program for these same adults.I could spend a few paragraphs on all they do with these programs but probably best to provide the link for you to read for yourself.
That said, I had a chance to tour their latest masterpiece … a 36,000 square foot life experience and arts center. This facility really epitomizes what Search is about – taking the practical needs of their members and satisfying those needs in ways that far exceed any possible expectation. Instead of generic classrooms in a sterile facility, they designed a magical New Orleans streetscape to provide a dynamic and real world environment in which their population can be truly inspired. Classrooms were more like workshops and as you walked through this beautiful facility, you quickly understand the point … you were a guest in a vibrant community.
Keep an eye out for gallery openings and possibly a t-shirt program promoting the terrific art coming out of their new arts studio (like the image above) and arrange for a tour if you find yourselves in the western suburbs of Chicago!
DIY Beer Cap Magnets
July 9, 2009
Needing something to do with your time? Feeling at a loss for how to attach that crazy photo you took at last Friday’s BBQ to your fridge? Just have a “thing” for bottle caps? Well, you’re in the right place. Check out this super simple and cool project on one of our favorite DIY sites. Plus, did you know that bottle caps and smaller pieces metal and plastic can’t be recycled? So … the name of the game is to reuse in a creative and innovative way!
Make your own bottle cap magnets.
Grant For Change
July 7, 2009
Today Nau, our sister brand, is very excited to announce the launch of the annual Grant for Change. It is a grant of $10,000 to an individual or group working to bring positive change to their community. This year’s $10,000 grant will highlight the efforts of people who move in the spirit of the Nau Collective: athletes who are challenging assumptions about what it means to move through the world; artists, designers or other creatives who are moved to design better solutions to the world’s greatest problems; and, activists who are seeding positive change in their communities, and moving others to do the same. Whether it is a photojournalist creating awareness on climate change through visual storytelling or a designer prompting behavioral change towards sustainable living, Nau wants to hear how global citizens are making a difference. Positive change is at the core of Nau’s business philosophy, and it affects every decision, from product design to marketing partnerships. By acting both as a community organizer and a platform, Nau believes the Grant for Change can help support individuals, industries and the economy intelligently and sustainably. Working to be an agent for positive change and inspiring others has never been more important than during these challenging economic times.
For details about the grant, the nomination process and to view the current crop of nominees, simply go to www.nau.com.
Please help us spread the word by becoming a friend of G4C and sending this announcement to everyone you know.
Lessons For An Optimist - Shades of Good
July 6, 2009
It is nearly impossible to go a day without being reminded of the economic hardships being played out around the world these days. Spending the 4th of July weekend up in Northern Michigan on a beautiful lake with friends, unplugged from the daily news and digital media was just what the doctor ordered. A respite from the gloom and doom and an opportunity to again, find some always needed time to reflect.But after just 24 hours of lounging lakeside and making my first of several trips to the country store for homemade ice cream, two things became very clear.
First, times are really tough and people here, as much as anywhere else in our country, have felt the real pain of the economic meltdown with much of their livelihoods depending on the Detroit automakers and tourism. The number of homes, boats, cars and other belongings for sale along every roadside tells the story all too well.
The second, we will get through this tough time and bounce back stronger for it. The resilience, the optimism and genuine belief that good news is just around the corner made itself into every mom and pop store conversation and BBQ debate. These folks are resilient and I believe reflect the heart of what has made our country great. They are still making the most of what they have, taking time to enjoy the summer sun and beautiful blue lake water and will be damned if they are going to wallow in their personal misfortune.
There are some better and some worse years up here but from what I could tell this weekend, they are all shades of good.
Capture the Moment
July 6, 2009
Our friend Kris Holm, a world champ on the unicycle and insanely cool/nice fellow, is running a photography contest. It’s called “Capture the Moment” and is for all of you that either ride or admire those one-wheeled machines. We thought we’d toss it out to you guys to join in on and enjoy and maybe even win!
A Message For Independence
July 4, 2009
Gordon sent this out to our companies (Horny Toad and Nau) on Thursday before the holiday break. I thought it was a great sentiment that you would enjoy on this, our day of independence. A good reminder to keep things at heart and to be grateful for the gifts of voice we have.
The Scarcity of Heroes
When I was a kid, I loved watching movies about heroes. Whether it was George Washington, Jackie Robinson, Thomas More or pretty much any character played by Jimmy Stewart, I was drawn to people who stood up for what was right even in the face of great criticism, opposition or persecution. As a result, I assumed the world was full of heroes, and I wanted to be like them some day.
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Oh Canada!
July 1, 2009
With all the talk about the 4th of July occupying the hearts and minds of citizens of the good ol’ U.S. of A., it’s easy to forget our northern sisters and brothers. That’s right folks, Canada! They too celebrate their proverbial birthday in July, and ironically only three days ahead of us … what are the odds?Canada Day (Fête du Canada) is on July 1st of every year and is often thought of as Canada’s birthday. In 1867 the enactment of the Britich North America Act, which united Canada into a single country, marking the beginning of a beautiful life as a great country.
I for one will be celebrating this fine day with a Molson beer, maple syrup, grilled salmon all while clad in my Carhart overalls. Happy birthday Canada!
If you are looking for a an outfit for your Canada Day party, check this out. Hilarious.
Crusade Against the Mundane
