Earlier this year, my sister Michelle casually kicked a toy penguin out of her way while walking around her house, and her son Colby was unimpressed by this development.  So he ran off, drew a picture and posted it on the fridge to lay down the new rules of the house:

No Kicking Penguins

This picture was a big hit with everyone who saw it.  My brother Charlie tells the story thusly:

Michelle told us the story at Thanksgiving dinner at Donna’s – I then asked her to scan and e-mail the picture when she got home. I gave the electronic file to one of our graphic artists at The Telegram to clean up – the original appears to be pencil drawn on yellow paper (difficult to pick out). [The graphic artist] simply used software to turn it into black on white. Paula then used this file to make the t-shirt.

What you see above is the cleaned up version.  Here’s a picture of the original.  This shirt was given to Michelle for her birthday, here’s a pic of her wearing it on Christmas day..  The shirt was also a big hit.  (My brother Charlie points out the penguin in the drawing has clearly already been kicked, as his legs are flying forward from the motion.)  I happened to be home visiting when this took place, and as soon as I saw the shirt I thought “The Internet Must Know Of This!”

Upon my return home, I asked Paula to send me the scan.  Immediately, I posted it to Reddit.  Aside from a handful of weirdos and some people who think it’s faked or drawn by an adult, people generally recognized the awesome.  One redditor posted it on his fridge.  And today, I learn that “No Kicking Penguins” is now policy in Antarctica.  Also, The seals have been told!  As has anyone in the ocean!

I think this is simply wonderful.  I’ve set up a Cafe Press store here:

No Kicking Penguins

I don’t have any sort of official way to verify this, but I promise all proceeds from the sales that I get from Cafe Press will go to charity.  Until the end of January, that charity will be the Autism Society of America.  February will be the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.  March TBA.

And to the Internet, thanks!  You made Colby’s day!

Side note: If you’re the person who registered nokickingpenguins.com, get in touch with me, please.  Thanks!

1. I’m pretty sure the song in the commercial is one made especially for the ad.
2. I’ve discovered an entirely new context for “let your love flow”.

If you’re going to make your clever little catchphrase be “Respekt”

perhaps your jingle should not be a song wherein the chorus is spelling the word “Respect”.

R-E-S-P-E-K-T.  Find out what it means to me.

Good Idea: Develop and design a shampoo made for men and marketed towards men

Bad Implementation: Name it “Manpoo”.

But I wish I did.

I’m up, I’m having some Maudite, and I’m watching Seaquest DSV via my Netflix player.

This is a good use of my time.

Lookin' mighty fine.

Fail

Oh, Rachel Butler, your shipment of fail has arrived.