Who’d have thought bananas were really good for cats? As you can see above, a tiny slip has a great deal of appeal for our fine feline friend on a recent trip to the big city. Yes, I am full of (rather obvious) puns today. Before we get to the obvious moral here, it’s nice that Wabi-Sabi Cat wasn’t turned into a Keyboard Cat because (s)he’s much better as a reminder that life has its ups and downs and picking oneself up after a spill so we can forge ahead is the best way to live.
Note to new trade show exhibitioners: Outside of appointments where I walk away with something to review on the site or someone promises to shoot over samples later, the best way to get me to stop at your booth is to jump out in front of me and say “Hi!”. If that fails (and it usually doesn’t), feel free to use a tripwire or other handy item that gets me to stop, look and smile. Whenever that’s happened at Toy Fair, I’ve always seen stuff that makes me want to write cool things about. Here are a few of this year’s products and people that reached out at the right moment:
Meeting the Life is Wabi-Sabi crew was a highlight of the show because Aaron Castillo Jr. and Marilyn bought that Big Island spirit from Hawaii all the way to NYC, braving the record-breaking cold weather to introduce their SUPER cute line of buttons, magnets and plush kitties. Seeing that big-eyed imperfect cat stopped me in my tracks and made me smile for a few reasons. There’s just something wonderfully zen about that cat that makes you want to pick it up and stare back for a spell. Continue reading →
(thanks, tszwedo!)
Ladies and gentlemen, a friendly little reminder. Or not. Being a not so hunk of aged whine and cheese like me has its benefits, provided you’ve learned a few life lessons before old bad habits get set in stone and leave you a friendless freak trapped in a world you never made (or choose to ignore at your peril). It’s important while young to make enough mistakes you can take something from as you limp home, dragging the remains of your dignity behind you (or carrying it if it’s not too heavy) and determining you’ll not steer down that path ever again. Of course, if you’ve lost your dignity already, you know the drill: wake up in a field somewhere, drag yourself home and go sleep it off in a closet somewhere while the parts that can grow back do so…
On the other hand, if you’re a constant thrill-seeking type who has that sort of cheery support from friends and relatives who put up with your daredevil shenanigans, of course you should go for whatever gusto you can, secure in the knowledge that when you fall, that net is coming out to cushion the hard landing you’re about to take (again). Granted, I think I’m being vague here (as usual), but consider this some sort of not so Zen-like advice from me to you that may come in handy at some point in your actual beautiful career (aka: LIFE) when you’re about to jump into something like a strange car with a bunch of oddballs you’d normally avoid in the daytime hours. Now, I’m not saying there’s ANYTHING wrong at all with a little adventure, kids. I just want to make sure you’re smart enough to come back at some point and tell me about it over a pint somewhere…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 