I’m a big fan of board games. I know they’re not for everyone and that they have this reputation for being boring, but I simply don’t agree. I’m not saying that I would play them all day, every day, until the end of time, but I think a board game a day isn’t so bad. I think it all depends on what game you’re playing and who you’re playing it with. Sure, if the people you’re trying to play Monopoly with absolutely hate the game, it’s not going to be much fun. But if you’re sitting down to a rousing round of Boggle with a master word sleuth, then it’s on for the rest of the night.
So you have to take a second look at the Super Mario Chess Set (ThinkGeek, $39.99) because it’s not some stuffy pretentious version of chess. This chess board trumps a regular old game of chess because the pieces are custom. I know, there are a lot of custom chess pieces out there, but have you seen a collection of 32 hand-painted pieces bearing an uncanny resemblance to Super Mario characters? I think not. This game would appeal to any child, or gamers’ child at heart, and yet is still a fully functional chess set. Now, you could just keep the set tucked away so it can accrue value (and dust) over time. Or, you could actually play it. And let me tell you, you want to play this game. How could you resist a Mario vs Bowser game of chess?
This game would give you some serious geek street cred. Just imagine you’re on your webcam, trying to hit it off with some cyber hottie, and she spots this chess set in the background. You’re golden. Instant second web date.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18.5″ square board; tallest piece is 2.5″
-Includes 32 hand painted pieces, metal collectors box, game board, and instructions
-Chess and Super Mario mash up
-Mario vs Bowser
-Ages 7 and up
MacGyver was pretty badass, wasn’t he? I mean, here was a man who could get out of virtually any situation just by using objects that were within his immediate reach. That takes a lot of skill. Not everyone can use a small wind up clock, some wiring, and a Swiss Army knife to rig an electrical system. But, if you want to be optimistic about it, maybe all you really need is a quality utility knife to jump start your MacGyver skills.Then again, skill like that takes a bit of time to master, so you’d probably have to start out with one heck of a tool set.
To that note, I present you with the Giant Swiss Army Knife (ThinkGeek, $999.00). I guarantee this knife’s beauty would make MacGyver weep. For one, this isn’t any ordinary knife – it’s gigantic. I mean, really, it is a beast of a knife. Weighing in at just under three pounds and almost nine inches wide, it’s not really as portable as a traditional Swiss Army knife. However, it’s not like any of that space is wasted here because there are 85 tools built into this single knife. Yup, 85! There’s a reason why this knife id the Guinness World Record holder for the most multifunctional penknife (I mean, it’s kinda a no-brainer). Ok, so you might not be able to carry it around with you everywhere and the price is a bit steep, but you’ve got to admit the sheer awesomeness of this knife. Keep it in your car or at the office; it would be perfect for a long camping weekend. And it has a lifetime warranty, so you know that your money is gonna be well spent.
Yeah, I know that just owning this knife isn’t gonna turn you into some kind of superhero. But, I do think that if you flash it around a bit, not a whole lot of people are gonna mess with you. I wouldn’t recommend bringing it through airport security though. Somehow, I think that might end badly.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8.75″ wide
-Weight: 2lbs, 11oz
-Contains 85 tools built into a single knife (see complete list)
-Guinness World Record holder for most multifunctional penknife
-Special edition knife
-Manufactured by Wenger (maker of the Genuine Swiss Army Knife)
-Lifetime warranty
There are just some things that unquestionably make me think of my youth. I distinctly remember my blue Skip-It, and how beat up it was after I had used it only a few days. Let me tell you, I was a Skip-It champ. Sure, anyone could master stationary Skip-It, but how many could work the mobile Skip-It? Walking while simultaneously rocking the Skip-It is a rare skill, one of which I wish was a noted job skill. Guess Who makes me think of middle school, when I was at a friend’s house and they didn’t own the game. Rather than be deterred by such an insignificant obstacle, another friend and I created our own Guess Who cards. Believe me, it’s not as easy as it sounds.
Somewhere in between Skip-It and Guess Who, there was the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine (Perpetual Kid, $17.99). Oh man, Snoopy brings back some memories. I mean, what kid doesn’t love Sno-Cones? The answer is none. There is no way a child could resist a Sno-Cone, and as far as sugary treats goes, this one isn’t even that bad. Yes, there’s some high fructose corn syrup going on, but it’s also poured over a bunch of shaved ice, so it can’t be all bad. The main problem with Sno-Cones was the access. Besides, fairs and boardwalks in the summer, you don’t see a whole lot of Sno-Cones. And that’s where Snoopy came in. Snoopy made it possible for kids to make Sno-Cones at home by themselves (under adult supervision, of course, but basically by themselves). This machine really couldn’t have made it any easier to enjoy a delicious ice beverage at home. Ok, so they could have made it a little easier to turn the hand crank, but you’re shaving ice cubes here so that’s the easiest thing in the world. The point is, Snoopy has your back.
Ok, so a lot of people will quibble with the quality of the machine’s construction, but I think they’re just a bunch of babies. I mean, have you ever tried making ice cream from scratch with a hand crank ice cream maker? It’s tough as shit, right? Same thing here. You want to make Sno-Cones at home? Man up and get cranking!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.7″ x 10″ x 3.4″
-First introduced in 1979
-Transforms ice cubes into Sno Cones
Do you have an important notice that you want to post at work, but you’re afraid that everyone will just overlook it if you post it on the community bulletin board? I mean, you could send out a personal memo to everyone in the company, but that’s a huge waste of paper, not to mention a lot of work on your part. So what are you gonna do? The boss said that it was your job to inform everyone about the new dress code standards, and that if you didn’t, you would be demoted again. And trust me, that is not something you want to risk.
All you need is a set of the Ninja Star Push Pins (ThinkGeek, $11.99) and you will have the entire office’s undivided attention. People will walk by the bulletin board, whispering and speculating about the origins of said ninja stars. Maybe they’ll think there’s a ninja among them, hunting down naysayers in the office. Perhaps they’ll think twice about disregarding the new casual Friday guidelines, seeing as there’s a trained killer in their midst. Don’t tell anyone, but this set of three push pins are not actually ninja stars. Crazy, I know, but it’s true. One corner on each ninja star has been cut off and replaced with two push pins, giving the illusion of a ninja star having been forcefully thrown into the wall. And since they’re made of injection molded ABS with a chrome plate finish, these faux ninja stars look like the real deal.
Just think of all the fun you could have with these push pins. Of course, I would never advocate throwing these at anyone, no matter how awesome it might be. Man, I bet that would be pretty awesome though…
I said no!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.75″ tip to tip
-Includes 3 Ninja Star Push Pins per set
-Each star’s corner has been cut off and replaced with 2 push pins
-Made of injection molded ABS with a chrome plated finish
Something a little bit different for you today…an in-depth look at one particular design specialist for your reading pleasure. Now, we don’t post a lot of t-shirts on here because frankly, most quirky t-shirts are a dime a dozen and they’re usually something that you think is pretty cool, but would never wear. Well, get ready to thank your lucky stars because there’s someone out there producing awesomeness in the form of a t-shirt.
Daydream Silkscreen is an independent silkscreen printing company whose products range from your average t-shirt to book artwork, patches, rock posters, etc. Basically, if you have an idea and you want it silkscreened, they can do it. Based in the New York metro area, the company is comprised of a small group of artists and friends who have a passion for fashion. Ok, just kidding about that last part, but they do have a passion about producing your design concept throughout the art process.
If you’re interested in wicked cool apparel, then you can check out Daydream’s store for a taste of what they have to offer. The prices are pretty decent, especially when compared to that generic crap you find at the mall, with each shirt costing about $22 each. Now, let’s take a moment to think about the last time we saw an original design at the local craft fair, and now
let’s think about how much it cost. About twice that, right? I know, I know, artists have to eat, but that doesn’t mean that you should charge $40 for a t-shirt. I digress. I’ve posted just a few of my favorites to show the eclectic range of design available at Daydream’s store. Ok, so maybe you’ve checked out the store and you’re thinking, “Those shirts are pretty sweet, I think I might have to get me one of those. But wait, what if someone else buys one too? Then there will be someone else out there looking just as rad as me.” Well, you’re in luck because Daydream is a full service design shop, meaning that if there’s something you want them to make from scratch, they’ll do it (click here for a price quote). They’ll work with you until you’re satisfied with the final design. If you want to draw it and you just want them to print it, that’s fine. Do you suck at drawing? That’s cool too. You can just describe to them the idea you have and they’ll work it out. And you don’t have to worry about meeting a minimum quantity requirement because there isn’t any. Daydream will design and print just one shirt for you, if that’s your fancy. I’ve gotta say, that’s totally boss.
There is another way that you can get a one of a kind t-shirt, and that’s to go to one of Daydream’s shows. Daydream has been involved in a number of craft fairs, which help support artists and local communities. At these shows, you can pick up a collage shirt which is guaranteed to be the only one of its kind. What happens is that sometimes a design gets messed up, and since Daydream wouldn’t sell anything less than perfection to its customers, that t-shirt gets transformed into a collage shirt made up of different designs and ideas. Then it’s set aside for the next show, where someone like yourself might be lucky enough to purchase it. And no, these shirts are not outrageously priced either. Collage shirts can range from $7-$30, depending on the intricacy of the design.
So what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself some Daydream!
5 out of 5 design stars.
Upcoming events:
Brooklyn Lyceum Craft Market
May 2, 2009 and May 3, 2009; 11am-6pm
Brooklyn, NY
Renegade Craft Fair
June 6, 2009 and June 7, 2009; 11am-7pm
Brooklyn, NY
INDIEana Handicraft Exchange
June 13, 2009;11am-10pm
Indianapolis, IN
For more Daydream Silkscreen events info, click here.
