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Yeah, I said HOMEMADE roller coaster
OK, what? A homemade roller coaster? Yes, and I’ve ridden it!
Built by Indiana resident John Ivers in his spare time out of scrap metal, the Blue Flash is one of the world’s only homemade private coasters and as far as I know the only one to include a loop.
Claiming he was tired of waiting in line at amusement parks, Mr. Ivers decided the most logical solution was to build his own ride. An obvious solution, right? John is as easy going as they come and barely seems phased by the endless parade of riders from all over the world who come to rural Indiana to ride the Blue Flash. I rode it a few years ago and he didn’t even charge us, although we did leave a donation for his second coaster “Blue Flash Too” which is now complete.
The car consists of a van seat that sits on top of a small cart with wheels. As I was about to ascend the track for the first time John casually instructed me to turn my head a certain way during the loop to prevent a sore neck. Well guess what, I could barely remember my name as I took the first drop and headed for the loop. Turn my head where, huh? Did he say left or right? Where am I, why am I doing this? If you look close you can see my head almost snap off, but it was worth it.
My first ride on the Blue Flash
Video of John and his creation. Please note, they are pretending this was his first ride. I know this because he told me he starting riding it before it was even finished. His first ride ended with him flying into the yard after the track ended.
Since the very beginning of Fooey we have had tons of requests to do T-shirts in adult sizes. Well, here goes. – LetsBeAwesome.com
You’ll see with this first line we have included some favorite Fooey designs from past and present and have a variety of all new designs as well. We will be adding new designs and T-shirt styles frequently so check back often or better yet, join the mailing list for the inside scoop on new items and exclusive member’s only coupons.
“Alright Rogers, you’ve got the floor.”
Growing up I never missed Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I could watch the guy feed his fish and do crafts all day. His gentle demeanor had such a soothing and welcoming affect on me I was often found talking to my friend Fred Rogers through the TV.
I could go on and on about how great this man was but I think this clip from 1969 of Mr. Rogers addressing a US senate subcommittee concerning significant purposed cuts in funding for PBS will sum it up. The chairman, John Pastore, was not familiar with Mr. Rogers’ show and did not seem particularly anxious to hear from him. However, after 6 short minutes of quite yet passionate testimony, Mr. Pastore fell under his spell and I’m sure he understood why a 5 year old boy would talk to the TV when Fred Rogers was on it.
It’s worth watching this clip all the way to the end.
I was lucky enough to start music lessons in second grade. First on violin and then piano lessons. Sure it felt like torture at the time but I can not thank my mom enough for making me stick with it. Like many teenage boys, I eventually I picked up the guitar and punished my parents for creating an amateur musician. I played in bands for the next 20 years and have some amazing memories because of it.
So parents, get your kid those drums, and buy yourself some aspirin! It’s worth it. Music is a great learning experience that also happens to be incredibly liberating and fun.
Los Gauchos
Check these kids from Argentina rocking out some Iron Maiden. You’ve got to love the little sister in this clip. Here’s an interview in Esquire about Los Gauchos.
Johnny R. – Waiting for the Sun
This 8 year old plays in an all kid band called “The Bolts.” He performs the Jayhawks’ song Waiting for the Sun with a sweetness no adult could reproduce.
El Cumbanchero
This family can really pick some blue grass. Any good jamming clip featuring kids should start with a few “wait wait” moments like this one.
Japanese Battle of the Kid Bands
After watching this clip I decided I needed to move to Japan ASAP! The full length version can be viewed here and it’s worth it. These kids RULE!
Don’t Stop Believin’
If this clip doesn’t make your day you need to see a doctor. Not technically an entirely kid band but the singer is 7 and the guitar player is 9!
And Finally…
I love these two clips. While they are not kid bands, these kids still rock. Come, on, what is more awesome than a kid in a car seat singing Van Halen or two tiny ninjas rocking out to Pavement?
The Octonauts are a crew of adorable animals who roam the ocean in search of adventure and fun! From their undersea “Octopod” base, the eight talented critters (including a valiant polar bear, daredevil kitten, and big-hearted penguin) are always ready to embark on new exciting missions.
In their debut episode, the Octonauts encounter a lonely sea monster out looking for others of its kind. As the Octonauts help him search the four corners of the ocean, everyone learns the special value of friendship and individuality.
This wonderful book is the creation of Vancouver designer Vicki Wong and LA designer Michael Murphy, collectively know as MEOMI.
Both you and your children will fall in love with these cute and quirky characters as they go on their worldly adventures. Story time has never been so stylish!
Illustrator, designer, nice guy, poster genius
You should recognize John’s name from the super awesome posters he designed exclusively for Fooey. We are huge fans of John’s amazing hand silk screened posters. He produces his mostly rock related posters under the name of Spike Press and I suggest you go there now and buy one of each. Then come back and buy his exclusive signed and numbered Fooey posters while they last!
John, what do you have to say for yourself…
“I can’t really point to some clouds-parting-shaft-of-heavenly-light moment. I started drawing as a kid and my 5 older siblings were a big influence – I grew up with stacks of Mad Magazine and National Lampoon (back when both were actually funny) and also, this was back in the 70s when DIY artsy-craftsy stuff became popular – ceramics, jewelry-making, crochet, macrame, etc. Both of my brothers also had notebooks full of drawings of planes and war scenes (my father was a career Air Force officer before retiring), so I was always surrounded by creativity. Illustration is pretty much the only thing I ever wanted to do, aside from a few brief flirtations with oceanography, motorcycle stunt riding, and exotic dancing.”
“I went to the University of Cincinnati’s Design, Art, Architecture and Planning college, which taught me a lot about graphic design and illustration, but I didn’t start screen printing until much later, so I guess I’m somewhere between self-taught and art school.”
Read the full interview here.
Listen to this song every day!
I realize this song is a classic and I’m probably not introducing it to too many people for the first time, but still, go listen to it NOW!
in 1976 The Damned made their mark in the punk history books as the first UK punk band to release a single. That single was ‘New Rose’. In 1977 ‘New Rose‘ was released on their debut album ‘Damned Damned Damned’ and it lives on as one of the great songs of all time.
Okay, full disclosure on this entry… The Sugar Syndicate is my wife’s pastry company. So, yes, I obviously have an extra interest in her success, BUT I feel confident in calling this a Fooey Favorite because she is an amazing pastry chef who keeps the Fooey sweet tooth happy.
Cathay started her professional pastry career in 2002 after graduating from the prestigious French Pastry School where she had the privilege of studying under Master Chefs Jacquy Pfeiffer and Sebastien Canonne. While working at Chicago’s Hotel Sofitel she met Chef Dimitri Fayard and subsequently spent four years as Sous Chef for Dimitri and his wife, Chef Keli Fayard, when they opened their own French Pastry shop. Cathay decided to fulfill her dream and started The Sugar Syndicate in late 2006.
The Sugar Syndicate specializes in custom cakes and miniature pastries. She combines sumptuous pastry made with fresh, high quality ingredients and hand-crafted decorations for a truly personal creation for every occasion.
Update:
The Sugar Syndicate has joined forces – SweetCollective
I’m stuck again, trying to find a way to describe someone’s artwork without sounding a) dumb and b) well… still dumb. Amy Hevron likes to draw and paint whimsical animals, happy people, humorous characters, plants and flowers. Luckily for all of us, she also likes to sell them.
Come on, how awesome is that ham painting? That kid WANTS that ham!
Amy Hevron was born and raised in Texas and received a BFA in graphic design from Southwest Texas State. She currently resides in Seattle with her husband, Scott and “the boyz” (cats) – Winston “winnie-head” and Otis “gorilla kitten”. Most of her paintings are acrylic on various types of wood and usually measure around one foot square. Oh, and she also has some really cool tote bags!
Do yourself a favor and take a look at her current collection, I promise it will make you smile.
