Tim Cimbura

Technology, Speaking, and Entertainment

LEGO Bricks and Play

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According to research, the happiest people on earth are the Danish! I guess it’s not surprising. They make LEGOs in Denmark. Who doesn’t like LEGOs?

Seriously, play is important business. A kids primary job is to play. Through play they learn and grow. One of my Child at Heart mantras is “Play More”. This is such an important life lesson. Making play out of your work can really help lower stress and make life more enjoyable.

One of the favorite toys I bought my daughters was a LEGO train set. There are so many possibilities and ways to put the track together. I figure, if I’m going to get them something to play with, I might as well enjoy playing with them. The results? Smiles, laughter, fun, and joy at seeing children delight in having you be with them.

The girls have had a lot of fun with new LEGO toys and I play alongside building some of the things we’d love to have, but that are a lot less expensive (and safer) in LEGO form like: a Jet Airplane, horse trailer, Beach House, Jet Ski and Off Road Vehicle, motorcycle, and finally a Secret Agent Mobile Command Center. (By the way, the price of many of these items may be inflated online as they are more difficult to get unless you can find them in stock at a store.)

LEGOs can be expensive, but they are very high quality toys that last for years and maintain their resale value. Look for LEGO deals on Craigslist or eBay. We got enough train track that way to run our train clear around the house! If you see a set you like, get it ASAP since LEGO regularly changes the toys it has available and once they are sold out they often do not make the set again.

Fun LEGO facts:

  • LEGO is a combination of two Danish words “LEg GOdt” which means “Play Well”.
  • There are 52 LEGO bricks for each of the world’s 6 billion inhabitants. Do you have yours?
  • Children (and adults) spend more than 5 billion hours a year playing with LEGO bricks.
  • Fortune magazine named LEGO the “Toy of the Century” in the year 2000.
  • You can arrange six eight-studded LEGO bricks in 915,103,765 different positions! That should keep you busy.
  • LEGO annual sales have exceeded $1.1 billion.
  • When you enjoy LEGOs as an adult you’re known as an AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGOs).
  • More than 235 Billion Lego parts have been manufactured since 1949.
  • LEGO is the 4th largest toy manufacturer in the world. LEGO Group employs more than 5,000 people.
  • Lego bricks are very consistent, with only 18 bricks out of every 1,000,000 made being considered defective. The design and manufacture of bricks is also consistent enough to allow bricks manufactured today to interlock with those manufactured in 1958.
  • A single Lego brick can support 430 kilograms before the onset of collapse.
  • Lego is the largest tire manufacturer in the world.
  •  Today LEGO produces not only toys but theme parks, video games, movies, robots, etc. We even have our own LEGO store in Minnesota at the Mall of America.

The LEGOs I keep on my desk remind me of fun and imagination! Here’s our family complete with RV, surf board, jet ski, bike, and private Island. I’ve also got a pontoon airplane, kayak, whale, and sports car nearby.

A recent book emphasizes those things you can learn from a kid and their toys. With LEGOs they talk about connecting relationally with others and building a foundation for leadership. Connections don’t happen by by accident. Just like a model built from LEGOs, connecting relationally requires design, intention, and work to build.

“Leadership is really child’s play. Forget the latest trends and theories! The most important leadership lessons are learned as kids, through the simplest sources – toys. In this fun and fresh book, authors Ron Hunter Jr. and Michael E. Waddell reveal how toys have already taught you the secrets of successful leadership.” Toy Box Leadership: Leadership Lessons from the Toys You Loved as a Child

Kids Games

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Recently, I played an exhausting hour of tag, hide-n-seek, and then “duck duck grey duck” with my daughters.

I didn’t even think it was possible to play “duck duck grey duck” with only three people. I thought you needed a circle of children. The kids were inventive enough to make it possible with new rules that they made up on the spot. It had the element of surprise and then excitement when you got chased around the yard in “tag” fashion. “Duck duck blue duck. Duck duck red duck. Duck duck GREY duck!”

It was actually pretty fun. I needed to let myself be in the moment and let the children lead. When I asked the kids “Why is this fun?” their response was “Because you’re here and we’re together.” Time together is what matters. This is truly what keeps us young.

On a side note: Most of you will know this child’s game as “duck duck GOOSE!” or “quack quack honk!” But that isn’t the case in Minnesota. It’s either “duck duck grey duck” or “duck duck gray duck” here. Take your pick. If Minnesotans are the only ones calling it something different, then obviously we are right and everyone else is wrong. I wonder if they call it “duck duck Canada goose?” in Canada.

On another note, I want to share one of the most fun toys of the summer. Hasbro Water Pistols made for an inexpensive and fun afternoon of running around and dodging water.

Using LinkedIn

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LinkedIn is a professional business networking site. It’s a powerful tool for storing your resume, getting recommendations, and finding jobs or business prospects. LinkedIn can also help you find people you worked with or went to school with at some time and then maintain connection with them. I’ve found LinkedIn to be very valuable…and it will only gain more value over time as my personal network grows. It’s a great way to advertise your services and expertise at no cost to select groups of people.

Recommendations on the LinkedIn network truly have value. They are more reliable than a marketing resume you could put together because you do not have the ability to edit other people’s comments about you. You can only approve/disapproved them to be visible on your profile.

As your network grows, it’s fun to see people you connect to that may already know one of your contacts. Like Facebook, it can be a practical example of the small world phenomenon. The more information you enter about previous jobs and education the more likely you will connect with people you know.

Ideas for LinkedIn use:
* Use LinkedIn to connect to people you truly trust and have confidence in their work quality. On occasions I will connect with someone that has many similar interests or would be good from a networking standpoint, but it is the exception rather than the rule.
* Choosing when to connect with people is important. I only do so after working with them for some time or after having a good personal conversation where I feel I can trust them. If this is the case, I contact people on the same day I talk to them and include a short personal message about how I met them or why I’m interested in connecting with them.

I believe one key with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn is authenticity. If you do not care about the person on the other end of the electronic communication or you’re not adding value to their lives, then they most likely will not want to connect with you. People don’t want to be advertised at, but they do want good information. Sales guru, Jeffrey Gitomer says it this way “People don’t like to be sold, but they love to buy!” I believe you need to be providing value at no cost. With an established relationship, you will gain clients. Your LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts are not for sales unless you’re paying for ads which is a different beast altogether.

LinkedIn is another really valuable tool in your toolbox for finding people/jobs, connecting with other people that may have similar interests, sharing your knowledge in discussion groups, building relationships, etc. Guy Kawasaki had some ideas for 10 uses of LinkedIn.

It’s important to build your network now and keep at it slowly over time. You never know when you’ll need it and it’s more difficult to build quickly.

Activating Your Senses and The Hunchback of Notre Dame II

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Although the animation production quality of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame II is not as good as the original film, the music and message of the film excel.

One notable sequence is when Quasi Moto falls in love with Madeleine. He takes her on a tour of Paris. Paris is known as a city of incredible outward beauty in its architecture, parks, monuments, etc but on this particular tour Quasi Moto focuses on the beauty of Paris by utilizing the other senses:
First, they TASTE a souffle straight out of the oven.
Second, they SMELL Rosemary that isn’t pretty but have a wonderful fragrance.
Third, they HEAR the noisy crowds and from a distance they sound magnificent.
Fourth, they TOUCH the rain that would normally ruin a beautiful day.

In each case, something that potentially negative is seen in a new way. It’s really easy for children to see these things and be fascinated by them but we need to make a conscience decision as adults to appreciate them. As with Quasi Moto, you need to look past his exterior to see the beauty of his character. So many things are illusions in life. What you see on the outside is not always what is really there. Often what is really there is more than you can see. Another example of this in the film is the bell in the tower of Notre Dame which looks ugly on the outside but in reality is filled with amazing and valuable jewels.

In this film, magician and juggler Sarousch is the bad guy. Particularly funny was his line at the end as he is taken away “Did I mention I do birthday parties!?”

The film itself is a bit like Quasi Moto. It’s not so much to look at, but valuable and good. The movie is less scary than the original and has romance appropriate for all ages.

Jennifer Love Hewitt (the voice of Madeleine) wrote and sang the closing song “I’m Gonna Love You”. It has special memories for me as Brenda and I had at our wedding.

First Timing and Jelly Belly Taste Sensations

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The other day was an average day. Our family was visiting Target to get some groceries. As a habit, I avoid the candy area because the girls go crazy with sugar and I don’t need the extra calories. It was engrained in me since childhood that I must protect my health and teeth.

But this time I saw something different. I saw an opportunity to make a fun experience. There they were…the Jelly Belly beans…so many flavors and colors just waiting to be discovered. I honestly hadn’t noticed them in the past even though I’d walked by them many times.

We had each family member choose 2 flavors each. We went outside the store and shared them. We took our time to try each one and savor the flavors. It was a lot of fun and made our day memorable. Of course, we don’t do this EVERY time we visit Target, but now when we do, it will be a big treat.

Did you know that there are 50 official Jelly Belly flavors, 10 sour flavors, 20 BeanBoozled flavors, and more? You could try a new one every week and take in a year of taste sensations. Fun flavors like Juicy Pear, Watermelon, A&W Root Beer, Very Cherry and Buttered Popcorn make every bite an adventure. The BeanBoozled flavors are crazy and even come in game form with the BeanBoozled Spinner Game.

For a fun practical joke, mix a BeanBoozled bean in with your friends favorite flavor. For example, the chocolate pudding looks just like the Canned Dog Food flavor and Buttered Popcorn looks just like Rotten Egg.

Jelly Belly offers factory tours in Fairfield, California and a Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin warehouse tour.

Drawing on Creativity

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“I’m not creative. I can’t draw.” I hear people say that all the time. If you think you can’t draw, give Ed Emberley’s books a try. If you can draw a rectangle, triangle, and circle, you’re on your way to some pretty amazing drawings. I started drawing using his ideas when I was in first grade. In fact, here’s a sample of what I created way back then. I entitled it “Underwater World”.

Here are three of my favorite books.
Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals — Ed Emberley
Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book Make A World — Ed Emberley
Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Faces — Ed Emberley

All you need is a box of crayons or markers and some paper. Once you’ve gained some confidence, try varying the colors, sizes, etc. It’s a great project for a rainy or snowy day.

Now you can doodle some goofy looking people or crazy monsters during your next boring meeting. (Don’t assign names underneath them.) It just might spark an idea or brighten your day. Don’t be afraid to let your boss see it. You’re just doing some creativity stretching exercises.

If a kid can do it, I believe you can, too. After all, you were once a kid. You just need to try. Have fun!

Jumping in Leaves

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Recently, we found a fun bean bag chair from CordaRoys. This product is way better than the bean bag chairs I had as a kid. It’s not filled with thousands of Styrofoam beads that are impossible to clean up if the bag ever tears (or gets opened by a curious kid). Inside it’s got chunks of foam that are soft and resilient. The really cool part about this chair is that there is a bed inside! Unzip the bean bag cover and pull out the mattress for an extra sleep over bed.

I love just jumping into the bean bag like it’s a pile of leaves I was a kid in the fall. (It’s a lot safer for adults, too.) It’s very comfortable for reading, watching a movie, or relaxing. Check it out if you’re looking for a great Christmas gift. We got a Queen size Buck color bean bag chair. If you live in Minnesota, you can pick one up at the Mall of America and save a little money…or get it through the mail. Either way, it’s a great product.

State Parks

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This weekend we took a short trip a couple of hours north to the Duluth area with our family. I’ve been to these places before (mostly as a kid or teenager) so I wasn’t so excited about seeing them again. My wife and I wanted our kids to experience them as we had. When we arrived it was amazing how things had changed! It was all new to us once again.

We stayed at the new Burlington Bay lodge rooms at Superior Shores Resort on Lake Superior just north of Two Harbors, MN. We enjoyed their restaurant and a swim at their indoor pool with outdoor connected whirlpool that was cool enough that our little girls could join us.

On Saturday we got breakfast at McDonald’s (Egg McMuffins and orange juice…mmm!) and followed up with a trip to Agate City in Two Harbors. They have displays of many beautiful natural stones. We let the girls pick out some souvenirs. Then we headed to Gooseberry Falls State Park and a beautiful loop trail hiking path around the park. They have a great gift shop and interpretive center.

They have really made this
into a destination with costumed guides, a good movie, gift shop, etc. There’s a beautiful view of the light house from the hike down 171 steps to the lake that is really worth the exercise.
We drove back to Two Harbors where we enjoyed shopping at the local grocery store for some treats. Later that evening we relaxed with a good pizza dinner followed by a funny DVD movie in our room-Monsters Vs. Aliens.

On Sunday we ventured to Canal Park in Duluth and ate at Grandma’s Restaurant. We tried some authentic Oktoberfest German food. We saw the lift bridge rise as a boat came in and visited the nearby Maritime Museum. Nearby, there are shops with plenty of interesting things. We especially enjoyed the toy and candy shop.

Even with a little rain and grey skies, it didn’t bother us. It was a great weekend retreat. We live in a great state.

Lesson: When you see those brown state park signs, pull over, buy a state park sticker, and enjoy. If you’ve seen something as a kid, give it another try. It’s amazing how things change and become new again.

National Parks

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The United States National Parks are a great way to have a Child at Heart experience. Viewing nature in the parks can be stunning, breathtaking, and awe-filled experience that helps get perspective on your world. There are over 83 million acres of National Parks in the United States that allow for a breakaway from our every day stress.

Shelton Johnson has been a park ranger for 15 years. On September 20, he appeared on the CBS Sunday Morning show.

He said it this way “When we become adults we become anesthetized to the beauty of the earth that we stop seeing it and stop hearing it. But when we’re in a National Park it reawakens that sense of wonder that we all had when we were kids. Everything is new, everything is fresh. This is the first day that ever has been. It pulls you out of whatever it is that you are and into something that is much greater than you are. I’ve never been in any other environment that had that capacity to evoke so much wonder.”

I fully agree. Taking a vacation allows us to see things in a new way. In the parks there is little negative emotions such as greed, sadness, etc. People are at peace and amazed by the scenic environments. I’ve been to several of the parks and none has disappointed. I still remember my first view of the Grand Canyon.

It was so incredible that I almost thought it can’t be real. It looked like a painting. This is ironic because a painting often mimics nature and I was seeing the real thing with all its vivid colors. The Canyon brings about a sense of wonder that makes you want to know it’s secrets.

Ken Burns has a new series about the National Parks airing on PBS that should be a great introduction to those that you’d like to see in person. Here’s a list of 10 National Parks you don’t want to miss. [1. Yosemite, 2. Yellowstone, 3. Everglades, 4. Zion, 5. Shenandoah, 6. Grand Canyon, 7. Denali, 8. Glacier, 9. Great Smoky Mountains, and 10. Acadia] If you did one per year, it’d take 10 years to see them all!

So take a trip to a park. Take in a sunrise or sunset over amazing scenery. Breath deeply, get things in perspective, and feel renewed.

Bouncing Around

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We had a reunion party for some friends yesterday. One of the smartest things we did was rent a bouncer. (If you’re in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota…I highly recommend Magic Bounce for your rental.) We made a big deal about it for our girls. We were bringing the Disney princess castle to our house! It was magical watching them watch it inflate in the backyard. It only took about 5 minutes (but speeded up here for your viewing pleasure).

The bouncer was the single most important party investment we made. It gave the kids hours of fun and meanwhile the adults had time to enjoy conversations without thousands of interruptions. It also gave the adults times to have great fun IN the bouncer. It was big enough for the “big kids”. One person said it clearly: “I feel like a kid!”.

Having rented the bouncer, the only problem I see now is that after our kids have played in one for hours at home we’ve kind of spoiled them. They’ll never be able to go to a carnival and think it’s a big deal to spend 5 minutes in one for a dollar.

I thought bouncing was way more fun than on a trampoline. Everything is soft and safe. You can’t accidentally hit the edge and crack open your skull or get a finger stuck in a spring…and trampolines don’t have slides or basketball hoops! At first glance I was kind of confused by that one…a basketball hoop and net inside the princess castle? I guess Cinderella had to do something to pass the time while waiting for her prince to come.

It’s really easy for guests to find your home when there’s an 18′ princess castle in the yard. You can get all kinds of themes to match your party. Enjoy.

Cool! Just found the technical info on this bouncer.