One More Vonnegut

Where would I be today without the wisdom of Kurt Vonnegut? His books blew my mind when I was in 8th grade. And even today, I find comfort and solace in reading his books. Yesterday, I began reading Armageddon in Retrospect that I found in the hot picks section of the library. Check it out it's a great read, and it help you embrace that hilarious curmudgeon within! (I just love the above image of Vonnegut as well. Something about that gnome riding a pig seems to say it all. It's so absurd and ridiculous, yet beautiful too.)

Looking for Fireball Island

Fireball Island, where are you? This old board game by Milton Bradley is calling to me. The sound of gurgling lava and exotic birds can almost be heard as I gaze upon these images. The burning desire to play this game is a strange and sudden compulsion that is hard to comprehend. Here's a commercial for Fireball Island, circa 1992.

Vintage copies on eBay go for $80 to $200. Perhaps that's part of the allure, that funky old and hard to find yearning, the hunt for the rare treasures of yesterday. Ooh yes, some day ... Some day Fireball Island will be mine!

Battle of the Chameleons

Today, I found this drawing under the computer desk and wondered to myself, "What is happening in this picture?" Are the Chameleons being led to an interdimensional vortex against their will? OR are they merely leading their friends to the local watering hole? Studying the drawings of children is so much fun. I place them right up there with great art like Klee or Chagall. I will find out the story behind this drawing by Sally and post an update soon.

UPDATE:
After talking to the artist, I found out some more information. It seems that the chameleons are smelling a rose or attempting to eat it, the rose is the large red spiral with the green leaves. The three stars are stopping them and fighting with the chameleons and the other super heroes pictured on the left-hand side. The red things are capes not swords or daggers (notice the S circle) and they are the chameleons friends. So my orginal title still holds true ~ Battle of the Chameleons!

Also ~ I am thinking that a weekly post of children's art sounds good as well. Perhaps you might spruce up that boring desktop background, or just enjoy the unbridled creativity of youth! Who knows where this could lead ...

Totoro Forest Project

Check out the amazing art up for auction at the Totoro Forest Project. I have spent over an hour just browsing through this site today. It's amazing! And the proceeds go to a good cause, helping to save a forest in Japan, the very forest that inspired Miyazaki! (Above image: A Gift by Jackson Sze, could be yours at the auction.)

I am also very excited about the next Hayao Miyazaki project, Ponyo On A Cliff, about a goldfish princess who wishes to become human. The new animation style for this film looks like watercolor paintings. But the question remains, when oh WHEN will it be released in the USA?

No More Clownin' Around?

Summer is over. The Children are back in school!
So what does my son do? He puts on a clown nose of course.
I think Sally described his new brown plaid Converse sneakers as clown shoes ... and they did just go to the Circus recently ... and so now its CLOWNS! Alas ye scurvy dogs, the days of going to school wearing a tri-cornered hat are over... apparently. (That's their word of choice - APPARENTLY this and APPARENTLY that happened as well.)

I have begun adding some of our more recent adventures to my Flickr account, so check it out and behold Sally and Xander chasing waves at San Gregorio beach. Enjoy!

Mighty Mallard Memories

Friday was my last day as a Preschool teacher. It was a very fun, crazy day involving donuts, hard work and good times with co-workers and the Mighty Mallard families that I have spent the last year getting to know and love very well. (Speaking of Mallard Families, A Tip of the hat goes to Jeni Paltiel for the Super Mallard t-shirt image pictured above. Super Mallards Unite!)

Just yesterday, I was driving down the street and I spotted an enormous cardboard box and thought of grabbing it for my class and then went - what class? I am no longer in the need of cardboard. How odd is that? This transition will take some time apparently. The teacher in me is still there and looking for projects ...