Decline of Civilization

No, it's not what you're thinking... And I don't want to hear any cracks about Bert and Ernie!

Apparently, the newly-released volumes 1 and 2 of classic Sesame Street episodes on DVD, "Sesame Street: Old School," come with warnings declaring them suitable only for adults! This according to the New York Times' blog "The Medium."  You can read the whole post here.

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As one of the few people at my place of work with small children, I'm usually at the forefront of bizarre chid-related trends, especially odd child-targeted food items. Today, I was scooped by a childless co-worker who told me of the existence of the Grapple®, a thing of which I had until now been blissfully unaware. Apparently her well-meaning but ultimately misguided husband brought home a box last night, and both pronounced them inedible. What is a Grapple®, you ask (assuming you don't already know)? Apparently it's pronounced not "grapple" as in "grappling hook," but "gray-ple," as in unholy amalgam of grape and apple. Yes, it's an unassuming Washington Fuji apple injected, infused, and otherwise tainted with 100% natural Concord grape flavor. The company that produces these things has a website: www.grapplefruits.com.

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No doubt you've heard of the recent recall of the Bumbo baby seats by now. The seat is a squat little foam thing with two slots in the front that allow for a baby's legs to stick through. The contraption props up baby who can then sit up, more or less.  Here's a video of one in action courtesy of YouTube and the website bumbosafety.com, which was presumably set up in response to the recent unpleasantness. read more »