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Archive for August, 2009 
Wait! Wait! Hold on a second, I forgot something! In the post about Rose’s Street Fair Party I forgot to mention one of the loveliest touches at the party. Rose set up a Wishing Tree to which guests affixed their wishes for everyone to see. Here are some photos by Gao Gao of the Wishing Tree and the Zucchini Racers! Vroom.
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Did any of you ever watch The Magic School Bus when you were a kid? Hmm. Maybe that show was after your time… ok– Did any of you ever watch The Magic School Bus when you were home sick for the day vegging out on the couch? At any rate, the star of the show, Ms. Frizzle, was an elementary teacher all about exploration, learning, and… ADVENTURE. Just like The Adventure School! She also had a mega awesome catch-phrase she’d say at the beginning of every field trip, whether she’d brought her class to the far reaches of the galaxy or inside the whorls of a decaying nurse log. These words invariably made learning magical, and it’s unquestionably advice to live by. For these reasons, I’m going to reproduce the Wisdom of The Frizz right here on the blog: Take Chances! Make Mistakes! and GET MESSY! *image courtesy of Squidoo
Another whirlwind weekend at The Adventure School– TWO parties back to back on Sunday. Semper Ad Extremum foreva! The first party, a 50th birthday celebration, took place in the impeccably landscaped backyard of a beautiful home near The Arboretum. Actually, we can’t really take credit for this party’s success; the props go to Rose Tatlow, the wife of said 50 year-old birthday party recipient. We just provided moral support, the adventure bike, and some muscle to go along with it. (Read: THE ADVENTURE SCHOOL ALSO DOES CONSULTING WORK!) Rose’s party was absolutely overrun by swarms of adorable children. To keep them all happy and tantrum free, Rose came up with some fantastic activities. The spin art bike made a splashy appearance, of course. Rose had seen it at the 4th of July Party in Cal Anderson Park and asked it rent it. In fact, it was actually the bike that gave her the inspiration for the party, which had a street fair theme. As usual, the bike was a huge hit; we spun art in an unceasing stream for three hours, the spin artists producing many masterpieces of creative expression. Rose had also set up a tattoo station (fake, of course) and a zucchini racer assembly area complete with a custom-made zucchini racer track! Provided with feathers, nails, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and beads, the kids went to town and built some super sweet rides. Because Rose’s ideas were so great, we felt inspired to come up with a few more ideas of our own for cool activities that make celebrations kid-friendly. 1. Snow Globes Stress Level: Messy and requiring considerable adult supervision, but tremendously fun. Probably only suitable for causal parties where kids are wearing clothes they can get messy. Materials: Glitter, beads, tiny trinkets, water, baby food jars with the labels peeled off, glue gun The Deets: Save old jars, fill them with plastic trinkets, confetti, glitter, and water. Kids can also hot glue figures to the lid as well as put them in the snowglobe. Definite adult supervision required (probably more than one). 2. Gumdrop Architects Stress Level: Low-ish. The only thing to worry about is getting sticky from the gum drops and poking oneself in the eye with a toothpick. Materials: Gumdrops and toothpicks The Deets: Set up a station and let the kids go wild and make huge structures by connecting gumdrops and toothpicks. 3. Masked Avengers Stress Level: On a sliding scale, depending on how fancy you get with the materials Materials: Anything decorative! (Stickers, beads, feathers, ribbon, etc.) half-masks, adhesive agents for any non-self-adhesive decorations The Deets: We actually vetted this activity at Eliza and Steve’s wedding and it was a hilarious success– the kids made masks for the catering staff. 4. Adventure Packs Stress Level: Low. Everything is pre-assembled. Materials: Things that amuse children- snacks, parachuting people, crayons, bubbles, candy, small games, etc. The Deets: Hand out the packs at the beginning of the party and turn the kids loose. The best thing about most of these activities is that adults can do them too; they also help everyone loosen up and get in touch with their inner child, which can significantly can boost the success level of any party. We see this happen every time we break out the spin art bike– the adults hover 3-5 feet away until we cajole them to come over and try it out. At first, they hesitate, but once they get into it there’s no turning back. Because let’s face it: no one can resist spin art or the chance to be a kid again.
One last word regarding the city formerly known as New Amsterdam, although my return to Seattle transpired a week ago: Hidden precisely in the center of SoHo, concealed behind a heavy metal door, up a heavily-graffitied stairway, and down a dimly lit passage lives KioskKiosk, equal parts gallery, a store, and adventure headquarters. You know, one of those secret New York gems. The people behind KioskKiosk are unquestionable adventurers. They comb the world over for unusual yet sundry design objects, buy a passel, and display one of each along with a description of its history and origin. They posted their manifesto on the wall, and I took a picture. It’s not terribly easy to read. But if you’re up to the challenge, I promise you’ll find that squinting was worth your while.
They had an array of rather cool stuff. I was very tempted to buy something, but if I’m completely honest with myself, when am I ever going to use a citrus-sizer?
Pictured: Also check out the Kiosk blog KioskKiosk, you and The Adventure School are kin! *Photos courtesy of KioskKiosk
Full disclosure: I was a little shy the first time I met Wylie Bush, the owner of Joe Bar, the sophisticated, hip, European yet welcoming coffee shop, small bar, and creperie where I practiced being cool and bided my time until I turned 21. I’d hole up in the loft with a cappuccino, my notebook, the newest edition of The Stranger and be deliriously happy for hours. Without Joe Bar, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Well, probably hung out at Vita instead. But without Joe Bar, my teenage years wouldn’t have been the same. Vita doesn’t have a loft. Or a one-eared rabbit. Wylie is also part owner of The Corson Building, my new Seattle fixation, and a dead ringer for Abe Lincoln. He’s also BFF with Obama’s dog. Don’t believe me? See for yourself…
What skill do you want to learn? How to fly in one of those squirrel suits. YouTube that s**t and you’ll want to do it too. Food and drink you donʼt want to live without? Tacos and Negro Modelo with a lime. What’s the scariest thing you can think of? I really don’t want to take you there. I would rather have a good time. What is your favorite party supply? Bouncy house Your favorite book of the moment? Horses and Hitches Describe your dream party place. Do you remember the 700 Club? What is the evil version of you like? Stick around when there is enough whiskey and find out. What gives you confidence? Kryptonite Name four essential elements of a good party. Music, smiles, games, wigs What do you appreciate most about a party host? That a plan has been made and the question “what can I bring?” has been answered. Favorite adventure supply? A headlamp Describe the best party you ever attended. We called it “A Fifth on the Fourth”. There were friends, music, fireworks, wigs, dancing, wrestling, bb guns, drinking, and I learned to fiddle. Hotel room or campsite? Ooooh, tough question. Two great places to have fun but I’m going to go with campsite. Do you have a style icon? Lawrence Welk Where is your next adventure destination? Parshall, CO. If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach? The fiddle Your motto? Shazzam What is your spirit animal? What is my spirit animal or what do I want it to be? Others would most likely say I’m a chipmunk with A.D.D. trying to find a nut, but I would like my spirit animal to be an orangutan. Who has anything bad to say about an orangutan? You’re super strong, orange and hairy, and you’d get to hang out with Clint Eastwood.
Every time a new International Adventurer Profile comes down the pipes, I start feeling real itchy to get up and go have an international adventure of my own. But no one has inspired me more than Mike Lewis, the most adventure-y adventurer we’ve heard from yet. This guy is going EVERYWHERE and seeing it ALL. On a motorcycle. I’m in love with his lack of fear in the face of living large. Hopefully you’ll feel equally buoyed after you read Mike’s dispatch. But what really drives the point home are Mike’s magnificent photos. If you don’t feel some wanderlust after looking at these, I think you might be travel asexual. My name is Mike Lewis. In 2008 I sold my home, office, business, and virtually everything else I owned so I could travel around the world on my motorcycle. At this writing, I am in Medellin, Colombia, and happily confess that the trip, so far, has exceeded all expectations. I made my decision back in April 2007. Without any major life crises or traumas to act as impetus, I simply came to the conclusion that something had to change. I had created a good life in Seattle and had achieved some success, but things felt flat. I was comfortable, but bored by life. So, for the next 4-1/2 years I will experience the highs and lows of a more challenging life. Challenged not by paying my monthly bills on time, or making next quarter’s projections, but how I will handle adversity. I am 45-years old and want to see what I am capable of. To see what kind of a man I have become. I wanted to get out of my office and become a global citizen. I want to experience different people and their cultures, eat their food, breath their air, and live were they live. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, and that’s perfectly fine by me. I now feel alive and inspired by life.
As I was walking out of the office one day last week, a box filled with brightly colored packets caught my eye casuing me to backtrack to conduct further investigations. Bacon Salt? “Oh yeah, we still have tons.” Cori said casually. “Take some. While you’re at it, grab a beer koozie.” And that’s how I found out about the “zero calorie, zero fat, vegetarian, AND kosher seasoning that makes everything taste like bacon.” Is this for real? Apparently it is. As Aviva walked me to my car, she filled me in on how Justin and Dave, just two regular guys, stumbled upon the idea of a vegetarian-friendly, bacon-flavored seasoning and hit the novelty food jackpot. Perhaps you’ve heard of Baconnaise? It’s brought to you by the same guys who came up with Bacon Salt. As it turns out, all the bacon salt in the Adventure School office was left over from the Henry Art Museum Gala, because Justin and Dave are from Seattle. Represent! Hundreds of guests took home bacon salt seasoning packs and beer koozies in their swag bags that night. And yet, like loaves and fishes, the bacon salt just keeps coming. Even three months after the fact there’s still plenty to spare. Thus Cori’s encouragement that I take a fistful and share it will all my friends. Because I am a genteel and moderate individual (ha) I declined the fistful. But for months now my boyfriend’s been attempting to cajole me out of vegetarianism to try the bacon-chocolate cupcake recipe he saw in The New York Times. Of course, the minute I saw the bacon salt, I knew the seasoning would make the perfect birthday gift.
The Adventure School is all about innovation, and going all out. After all, our motto is Semper Ad Extremum, Latin for “Take it to the max every time.” Without a doubt, Justin and Dave have taken it to the max. And according to their MySpace page, they’re in the process of developing bacon-flavored lubricant. I greatly hope that’s no joke.
Open your hearts, open you homes. The sk8rs are coming! Hang with them dudes! You won’t regret it. You can even meet illustrious adventurer, Nancy Chang (see her profile from Monday on le adventure blog!) Get pumped for Skate Like a Girl presents Winnipeg or Bust! An all girl skateboard tour! Hot on the heels of the Shh Just let this happen tour. Skate Like a Girl presents Winnipeg or Bust!, a van full of international female skaters weaving in-between the US and Canada to skate! The tour starts in Seattle, WA, traveling north to Vancouver, Calgary, Missoula, Winnipeg, and everywhere in between – teaching girls and women to skate, performing demos and competing in See Jane Skate and Chicks Flip Out! The mission is to promote girl’s skateboarding! Here are the tour stops: Women rule!
me! Allie Wollner here, Adventure School summer intern and reckless adventurer reporting live from New York, the city that, so to speak, never sleeps. That is how you Americans say it, yes? A few days ago, I found myself at the MOMA standing in front of a piece of art that I think makes an important statement about the status of the modern day intern. For your critical review: An ad for the Detroit chapter of the national AGIA design association by graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister.
The man in the picture is Mr. Sagmeister’s intern. He carved these words into his own body. With an Xacto knife. Himself. My thoughts on the piece: Aviva and Cori- Thank you for not requiring me to carve each post into my body, then photograph it, and then post on the blog. It truly saves a lot of time. Love,
Hardcore ladies, listen up– Today we are featuring one of your clan. Meet Nancy Chang, zoologist-turned-sculptor, social justista, and ”one bad-ass mother who don’t take crap from nobody.” (Name that quote! Anyone? Anyone? Cool Runnings!) She’s co-director of Skate Like a Girl, a mega cool organization that promotes female empowerment and social justice through female skateboarding. Skate Like a Girl’s Winnepeg Or Bust tour starts in Seattle tomorrow! Mosey down to Sea Sk8 on 2nd and Thomas tomorrow at 7pm to see some skilled lady skaters do their thing. But first read all about Nancy here and then visit her website , read her blog, and see her work.
What skill do you want to learn? Food and drink you donʼt want to live without? What’s the scariest thing you can think of? What is your favourite party supply? Your favorite book of the moment? Describe your dream party place. What is the evil version of you like? What gives you confidence? Name four essential elements of a good party. What do you appreciate most about a party host? Favorite adventure supply? Describe the best party you ever attended. Hotel room or campsite? Do you have a style icon? Where is your next adventure destination? If you could teach a class about anything in the world ever, what would you teach? Your motto? What is your spirit animal?
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*last two photos courtesy of the
