Need a Break?

If creative frustrations are getting the better of you, Sarah's Smash Shack in San Diego has the solution for your aggravation.

And it's a smashing success.

In specially designed "break rooms," you can demolish plates and glasses--wearing safety gear, of course--and someone else cleans up mess. Then you can donate the broken bits to artists for use in mosaics. Responding to customer demand, the entrepeneurs even offer mobile smashing sessions.

The beauty of destruction? Satisfied smashers say letting loose with breakables releases stress and anger and leaves them feeling free.

Don't knock it 'til you've broken it.

Stick It.

Ever wonder why some things stick--urban legends, pitches, conspiracy theories, proverbs-- while others don't?

Made to Stick by Chip Heath & Dan Heath identifies six commonalities of "sticky"--i.e., memorable--ideas:

* Simplicity
* Unexpectedness
* Concreteness
* Credibility
* Emotions
* Stories

As a writer, the last requirement--Stories--interested me most.

It's worth bearing in mind when you want to create stickiness for your products or services.

Eat--Er, See This Movie.

Today I learned what a "notional tomato" is. And I also know that production agriculture controls food from seed to supermarket.

Hungry to learn more?

Food, Inc., is in theaters right now. http://www.foodincmovie.com/

On America's Birthday.

Food for thought, in between bites of potato salad, grilled burgers, watermelon and apple pie:

"The United States is the only country with a known birthday. "
James G. Blaine, polititican, 1830-1893

What Miss Moss Knows.

My longtime gal pal Susan Moss tossed this nugget off during dinner last night:

"Those who are older than us know things we've not yet seen. Those that are younger than us know things we've forgotten."

Which is the best argument I've heard for including both toddlers and seniors in your social circle.

Life's Big Three.

According to a Chinese proverb:

Happiness is somebody to love,
Something to do,
And something to hope for.

One Line Wisdom.

"There is no path that goes all the way."
Han Shan, Chinese poet, 9th century