Merillian Blog » Random Fun Stuff

Your Next Board Game Cabinet

Jason — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:55:13 +0000

We love board games and have a pretty big collection of great games. After keeping them stacked in closets and hard-to-reach places, we finally scored a beautiful wood and metal set of shelves that someone was giving away. It’s an old grocery store shelf dating back to the 1950s. After refinishing it, and buffing out the metal, it’s a beautiful and really convenient place to store and display our games.

I stumbled across some furniture recently that looks like it would make a great home for at least a few board games. The design on these pieces is fun and really cool. Great colors, and amazing shapes:

You should definitely check out the Wadoo furniture company’s products. I haven’t had the chance to see their furniture in-person, but you can see from the photos on their website that this is some really playful and fun stuff. Rescue those board game boxes from the closet and display them in style!

Funny Find of the Week: Dancing Porcupine

Jason — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:42:45 +0000

During a trip to Northwest Trek, we saw this great Porcupine who would give random dramatic looks and then dance. Pretty funny stuff.

Funny Find of the Week: Mouse Cloud

Jason — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:47:53 +0000

In keeping with last week’s “Funny Find” post, here’s another strange thing we happened to see. We’re bending the rules already…it’s not “funny” in a “makes-you-laugh” sort of way, but in a “that’s unusual” sort of way. Either way, it’s still worth posting.

The photo is of a cloud that looks remarkably like a mouse. The cloud looked even more mouse-like before the photo, believe it or not, but in the few seconds it took to grab a camera, the wind changed the cloud a bit. It’s still a pretty strong likeness, though.

If you’re wondering what a mouse cloud has to do with toys & games, well the cloud brought back a flashback of a rubber mouse toy I had when I was a kid. Or maybe it was the cat’s toy that I’d snagged? Ah, nostalgia! Now, you can even get high-tech mouse toys (like this), but there was something so fun and reliable about a toy that was kid and imagination powered, and that didn’t break the first day. Also, see last week’s post for more info. It’s all about noticing things and inspiration…

What’s playing…

Jason — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:29:21 +0000

Wired Magazine in the early days has a section called “Colophon” which listed tools that got them through creating the issue. It listed computers used (early editions were on the Mac II), Software, and even music. I always thought that kind of fun, so here’s a tip o’ the hat to that idea. This is a list of some of the songs and albums that we especially enjoyed while making Flibbix. We really love music around here and, while not even remotely board-game related (well, we do like to listen to music while playing board games), it’s still fun.

“Colour The Small One” album by Sia
“Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn & John
“Messages” by Xavier Rudd
“Balloon Ranger” by Ane Brun
“Food in the Belly” by Xavier Rudd
“Maddest Kind of Love” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
“Finally Woken” by Jem
“The Simple and the Wonderful” album by Maeve
“Open Season” album by Feist
“Gone” by TobyMac
“Road Ragas (Live) album” by Harry Manx
“The Mirror Conspiracy” by Thievery Corporation
“Enter the Mowo” album by Mocean Worker
“A Kiss in Time” album by Patty Griffin
“Children Running Through” album by Patty Griffin
“Give Up” album by Postal Service
“Nothing is Sound” album by Switchfoot
“Live” album by Alison Krauss & Union Station
“Only Four Seasons”album by Joe Purdy
“The Antidote” album by Morcheeba
“Motown Remixed” album by various artists
“Espacio Sideral” by Jesse and Joy
“C Jam Blues” by Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
“One Perfect Sunrise” by Orbital
“African Playground” album by various artists
“You Can Bring Me Flowers by Ray LaMontagne
“How to Save a Life” album by The Fray
“Is You Is, Or Is You Ain’t My Baby” by B.B. King

Giant Keyboard at FAO Schwarz

Jason — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:21:49 +0000

Everyone knows the giant keyboard at FAO Schwarz from the movie “Big.” It’s even more impressive (and fun) in-person. It lights up and plays notes when you step on the keys. Amazing to see and even better to play on.

FAO is a great experience. We highly recommend checking it out if you’re in New York. We couldn’t help but be struck by their emphasis on “build your own” products. Everywhere you turn in the store, and even on their web site, you’ll find make-your-own or build-your-own goodies:

- Build your own doll house
- Make your own doll
- Make my Own Monster
- Make your own stroller/buggy (for above)
- Become a Fashion Designer (draw a dress or outfit and they make it for you)
- Comic Book Creator
- Even a Make your own keychain

We couldn’t help but think that the only thing they’re missing is “Build your own Board Game.” Hmmm…we’ll have to talk to them about Flibbix.