So, Volkswagen asked the question: “Can we entice people to do something that’s good for them if we make it fun?”
Tag / fun
Like being a kid again
There’s something about birthday parties that make everyone feel like a kid again. Especially kids’ birthday parties. Lily celebrated her eighth this weekend with fourteen of her closest friends and a few party crashers (her brother, her sisters, Grandma, and a few who stopped by when they caught a glimpse of the movie – you know who you are.)
We celebrated by making pillowcases, eating pizza and ice cream cake, a few rousing renditions of “What time is it, Old Witch?” 
and an outdoor viewing of “Nim’s Island,” projected onto the screen affixed to the side of the garage with stadium seating arranged in the yard. Not to mention a large collection of blankets and pillows strewn about.
Ah, to be a kid again, even if only for a night.
Hall of Fame*
My most recent article for the Indianapolis Business Journal dealt (once again) with the infamous Barry Bonds and his record-setting baseball. This time, however, we’re telling the story of Marc Ecko, the fashion-designing baseball fan who purchased the ball for $750,000 and plans to… well, you’ll just have to read the article for that.
When I grow up, I want to be…
Lily turns seven tomorrow. On the way to school recently we were discussing what she and Jack want to be when they grow up. Not surprisingly, Jack wants to be a spy, like his Dad. Lily, on the other hand, had a different idea.
“I want to be a Vet, Dad. Like Megan’s Mom,” she said.
“That’s a good idea,” I responded. “You’re really going to have to study and get good grades for that.” Thinking about her bossy side, I added, “You know what you should be, Lil? A dictator.”
She got a funny look on her face and asked what a dictator was.
“That’s someone who runs country and tells everyone what to do,” I answered.
She got a far away look on her face for a moment, smiled, and then said, “I could be good at that.”
Sometimes "Best in the World" Means Just That
Voyage, Holiday World’s mammoth wooden roller coaster, has just earned praise from Amusement Today magazine as “Best Wooden Coaster on The Planet.” After so much exposure to all the bunk about other claims (“Best [fill in any seemingly unimpressive item here] in The World!!”), it’s truly refreshing when something gets recognized for actually having achieved the designation.
Of course, we could debate on the authority of the organization bestowing such award, but for this category, for this particular award, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Holiday World won four Golden Ticket Awards, which are considered the Academy Awards for the amusement park industry. Aside from Voyage, Holiday World was recognized as the Friendliest Park, Cleanest Park, and for having the Best New Water Slide.