Somebody figured out a long time ago that if you want people to like something, attach a cute kid to it and it’ll sell. This works for politicians and laundry detergent, but might not work so well with other things, like vodka or cigarettes. When it comes to marketing a radio station, put a kid in some element, and BAM: You’ve got a winner… First, you start with a bike jersey. This one is from the Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb at Mt. Evans back in July. It’s a pretty sharp bike jersey emblazoned with the logos of many participating sponsors, including The Mountain… The shirt itself is great, but it’s just a cool bike jersey. Lookee….

Sweet, huh? Then, you put my cherub into it, add a pair of ruby-red slippers (that glitter, by the way) and the shirt becomes “fabulous”!!  

Of course we Mountain Guides are SUPPOSED to remain apolitical, but in this instance, I couldn’t contain myself. I work (very) part time at Stomp Them Grapes, and this was the sign the owners Brian and Richard wanted the delegates and revelry-seekers in town for the DNC to see…

…You make sock puppets!!  

  Yessiree, when the dryer decides to unceremoniously cleave in two a pair of socks, and the remaining sock has made numerous return tours of duty through the laundry only to come up empty handed (footed??), you take the remaining “soldier” and dress it up reeeal purdy-like. Then, you take your creation, insert your hand up inside this new “friend” and allow your imagination to run amok. My daughter Gillian, a.k.a. “The Cherub,” and one of her neighborhood friends decided that this would be a great use of otherwise (nearly) useless miscreant footwear.  The end result?  Let’s just say to my eye, “she” looks like Joan Rivers, only I suspect that - comparatively - the sock puppet has the distinct advantage of more supple skin…

I am interested in things that are unconventional. It’s their sheer lack of convention that makes them stand out. Circular thinking I know, but you get the point: If you were to see a fish walking down the street, you’d probably find it interesting, and perhaps a bit unnerving as well. Likewise, when I think of an Italian monk, it’s not very likely that I’d generate a mental image of him singing heavy metal. That is, until I encountered Fratello Metallo…  This makes it very easy to conclude that - if you put your mind to it, you can do anything…

I am live. I have a forum within which to express my insights on virtually everything. This could be dangerous… I’m going to ponder the possibilities and begin scribing my thoughts within days, so check back often. In the meantime, have a Coke and a smile. Cheers!