So, instead of trying to explain what happened today ... my good friends at Eight Hour Day have already tackled it. Let's just say we met and shook hands (and had a quick little chit-chat about rainbow sprinkled doughnuts) with the leader of the free world today, all by chance. Because the 3 of us were so in shock and giddy like the Double Rainbow guy, we didn't manage to capture any of us shaking hands with the dude. If anyone out there has photos or video, please contact us! What a surreal day, and a great start to the EHD tour.

Photos by Nathan Strandberg.

Well, thanks to you guys - our Lil' Happy Invisible Creature S.A.S.E. Club was a success. We are still counting envelopes, but it looks like we received 200+ submissions. We can honestly say that you guys made our trip to the post office something to actually look forward to (and subsequently brought smiles and fun comments from USPS employees - which usually isn't the norm), so our mission has officially been accomplished. Now it's time for us to return the favor. Since we received so many envelopes (and the shop has been busy), we're running a tad later than we had planned. But like we said when we launched this, have patience. It will arrive.

Since this was so fun, we'll be making this an annual tradition each summer. Thanks again, everyone.

I first met Nate Wragg shortly after I stumbled upon his brilliant work for the film Ratatouille. Namely the 'Your Friend The Rat' short and his great books that were inspired by the film. Many of you are familiar with his fun illustrations and epic character work for Pixar and now DreamWorks. We began chatting as we seemed to share an obvious affinity for all kinds of misc. critters. Namely Sasquatch and the elusive Yeti. It was only natural that a trade was in order.

It took me weeks to nail down an idea, but decided that a 'biker Yeti' may be a funny prospect. I quickly started sketching and 'Freddy Mushyeti' was born. He may look a bit menacing, but I guarantee he's harmless. As for the rest of the 'Mushyeti's' crew, I can't exactly say the same.

Nate had the idea that we'd just surprise each other with the Yeti's and ship off the framed pieces without a clue as to what we'd be receiving. It was a great idea and I can't tell you how cool it was to unwrap. I think I may have even injured the UPS man as I ripped it out of his hands. I absolutely love it.

Next year: Swap Of The Sasquatch.

Nate's Yeti: 'A Break from the Snow' / 10" x 16" / Acrylic & Paper Collage / 2010 My Yeti: 'Freddy Mushyeti' / 17" x 23" / Digital / 2010

Charles and Ray just moved in. Thanks House.

We received a pretty fun gift from our pal Aaron Horkey today. In fact, it was so fun - I had to show you some of the finer points. His incredible attention to detail and obvious pride in his craft is inspiring. Thanks for the love, sir.

So, our dad is pretty cool. Cool for many reasons, but right now especially because he just launched Curtis Clark Guitars, his new blog showcasing his amazing (if we may say so ourselves) hand-crafted acoustic guitars. Dad's an incredibly gifted woodworker, so naturally we were pretty excited when he decided to become a luthier. We're proud of you, pops! Oh, you can also follow him on Twitter.

Excited? Uhhhhh yeah, me too.

Thanks Shane.

Many thanks to Chris Weiford for sending us this amazing IC cookie. We can't wait to see if it tastes as good as it looks (I'm sure it does).

What do you get when you cross a pirate store, Office & Dave Eggers? Brilliant packaging, apparently.

Apartment Therapy just posted an article about an antique store called Hunt & Gather in Minneapolis, MN. I'm currently searching for airfare as we speak.

Not really, but this looks like some sort of paradise.

Holy smokes! I can't decide on whether I'd like to be Morpheus or John Lasseter at this moment. So good.

Thanks Rob.

Anna-Maria Sviatko from Canberra, Australia may have created a dollhouse or two that my daughter and I would actually have to arm wrestle over. And yes, dollhouses are METAL!

If you have $7,500 blowing a hole in your pocket (who doesn't these days?) and you are absolutely sick of those nondescript alien life forms and various ghost-matters in your life - maybe it's time to purchase a WETA designed raygun. 

Via Likecool

I am loving Nerdbots (and their site) - and may just have to pick one up. 

"Oddly obsessed with all things robot, married couple Nicholas and Angela from Kansas City, Missouri, decided on a whim one day to do nothing other than to build one themselves."

I'm starting to feel partial to Drip, but Beamer looks like he may need a hug ...

Via Yewknee

Sagmeister is at it again.

Jean Shin and Paul Villinski are my favorite people this week. Holy smokes ...

Word on the streets is that Sacramento (our hometown) legends, Far, are back in action. This puts very large smiles on our post-punk faces. Shouts to Slopez.

The leaves are slowly starting to change color here in beautiful Seattle, and I can't help but wonder - how many more days until the infamous red cups?

Mmmmm ... first cupcakes, now this: Fantagraphics just announced their new Flora book, arriving in stores next year. If anyone knows where to find a time machine, let us know.

I had the great pleasure of seeing one of my very favorite bands, Oasis, a few weeks ago on their only currently-booked US date here in Seattle and needless to say, they were amazing. Oasis' new album will be released on October 7th, and you can pre-order this amazing special edition box now.