I have spent most of my professional life working with kids, so this video really warms my heart.  Enjoy!

My son convinced me to put this one up.  Looks lame at first, but I have to admit, we had a hard time stopping once we started.  You'll need a friend for this one.  Have fun, and you can be sure I will post this one again when they come out with the trampoline controlled version :)

So I just got back from a week in the Blue Ridge mountains, and yes I brought my banjo!  No phone or internet which is why we went a week without posts, but if you want an idea of what went on for me, watch this video several times every day for the rest of the week.  Enjoy!

Got friends who always seem to have cute ascii art as the signatures on their emails?  This little web app lets you upload pictures from your computer or link to ones on the internet and it automatically turns them into ascii masterpieces.  Have fun!

A few months ago, I found an old Rubik's Cube and wondered if it would be more or less easy for me to learn how to solve it at almost 40 than in my childhood or adolescence.  After using the "sticker changing method" and the "break apart" method as a kid, I did finally get a book and follow the step-by-step instructions to completion once (maybe twice) but it didn't actually stick.  This time, I found dozens of resources on the internet and had mastered (well okay, not really mastered it) in a few weeks!  My younger son took an interest and, and now he can solve the cube as well.  So now I can check it off my bucket list, but what is next?  We bought a "speed-cube" to see if we could get faster times, we have played with the 2x2 and 4x4 cubes at our local game store, and as you can see in the picture above, there are dozens of new challenges to try.  Now that I am a cube snob, nothing can substitute for the real thing, but click the picture above for a link to an online flash version of the cube (click the astronauts below to scramble, solve, undo, etc.) or click here to see me solve one (rather slowly :)

My son showed this one to me.  If you like physical comedy, you are in for a treat!  Enjoy!

One of my top "go-to" games on my iPhone is Cover Orange.  I was lucky enough to get it for free when it came out a few years ago, and it has provided me hours of entertainment waiting in the doctors office, on public transportation, etc.  I just recommended it to a friend who was looking for a game for her iPad that is family friendly and makes you think.  I think it is $1.99 now but they update level packs for free more frequently than any other game on my phone (this may stop now that there is a Cover Orange 2 - which I haven't played yet but that still gives you 400 levels to get through).  Or you can play the web version by clicking the picture here.  Enjoy!

This week's music submission is actually a Ted Talk, but you have to see this guy's process of what he calls a "Virtual Choir" to appreciate any of the now 4 pieces that he has composed and orchestrated in this totally unique way!

This video may be a little to serious to be featured in the Playpen, but since it is Free-for-all Friday, and it is the combination of a great song by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, an extremely well done, Memento-like video and a hefty heaping of social consciousness, I had to work it in somewhere!

Growing up in the early 80's meant that any toy or game with electronics was awesome!  The handheld Mattel Football Game was a staple.  I spent hours with my 2-XL.  And Parker Brother's Merlin came in the car with us on every family trip.  But by far my favorite was the Milton Bradley's "Dark Tower."  My father, grandfather and I would set up the board, make sure we had an extra pack of D batteries, and fight brigands and dragons all night long.  Since I no longer have my copy, I have been tempted to bid hundreds of dollars for one on ebay, but then I found this flash version to bring me down memory lane. (Warning: if you did not grow up in the 80's or have never played this game before, playing the flash version may make you doubt my taste in all things fun.  But if you remember, it is totally worth checking it out!)  Enjoy!