Hello my name is Busy, and I like to do drawings
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Last summer, d Wife went online to find Fury a lunchbox for the upcoming school year. I don't know how she stumbled upon it, but she ended up purchasing one from Go Green Lunchbox. When it arrived, I didn't think much of it. It was a lunchbox. I have better things in my life to pay attention to. But then I opened it. And my life changed.
It had a whiteboard in it.
If you know me from Twitter, you know that I
Love
Me
a
Whiteboard.
Naturally, I drew a ninja on it. Followed by Optimus Prime, then of course Boba Fett. And that's how Lunchbox Daily was born. Almost every day, I would draw a cartoon on the whiteboard and send Fury to school. I would also post it online. While I loved that people on the internet dug my cartoons (they even got a mention in Wired), my favorite accolades were the ones Fury gave me:
"Dad! I'm the 4th most famous kid at my school because of the lunchbox!"
"All the big kids crowd around the lunchtable to see what you drew."
"Mr. [asst principal] came by to see today's lunchbox."
"I didn't understand the lunchbox today."
While I have to admit that it can get really tedious thinking up things to draw every day of the week, Lunchbox Daily means a lot to me. First, Fury likes it. Also, my mom did the same thing for me when I was a kid. Every night, she would draw cartoons on me and my sisters' lunchbags. They usually had to do with something that happened that day, so I kept them all in a box, like a cartoon diary. Sadly, I have no clue where they are now, but the happiness they brought me is something I will always cherish and I wanted to pass that on.
Also, I want to let you know that over the summer, I painstakingly moved every single cartoon off of my Posterous blog and into their new home right on this blog. Because honestly, that site got more traffic than this blog and this is the one with my name attached to it and, dammit, traffic is a matter of honor and I want it here! Call me an internet Samurai.
Since today is also Fury's first day of school, I thought it was a good time to officially introduce you all to Lunchbox Daily and also post the first cartoon of the school year.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to give props to two essential elements of Lunchbox Daily: Go Green Lunchbox and Mabel's Labels.
Go Green Lunchbox is obvious. They make the lunchbox with the dry erase board on it. Why Mabel's Labels? Because they make cockroach-in-nuclear-winter durable labels, my friends. At the end of last school year, I noticed that the Mabel's Label affixed to Fury's Lunchbox survived the entire year! Fury would wear out a kevlar vest if you let him wear it to recess. Those are some tough labels. Also, they serendipitously became essential to this year's lunchbox and literally saved Lunchbox Daily. Read on...
You know the whole bento box craze that has been hitting the school lunch circuit these days? Go Green was doing this long before it was cool. So there. Their lunchboxes feature a durable outer insulated bag, with a compartmentalized container inside (the bento part, if you will).
And of course, there's the whiteboard on the inside cover. Go Green was nice enough to send me their latest model a few weeks ago; however I must admit that I was a little bit sad because they changed the whiteboard. It seems that they replaced the vinyl whiteboard from last year's model with a metallic one held by a green frame. I did a quick drawing test on it, and it takes dry erase ink better and erases more easily (on the vinyl one, I had to erase it with olive oil to get all the ink out). But what they gained in quality, they lost in size. This new whiteboard, because it is metallic, cannot be sewn directly on the canvas. It must instead sit inside a plastic frame that is sewn into the cover. While this improves writing quality and aesthetics, it greatly reduces drawing space.
I needed to mod this sucker out. Ever seen a grown man gettin' crafty? Now's your chance.
Yes, I'm doing crafts. Wanna make something of it?
Like Orange County Choppers, but with lunchboxes
There's crazy in them eyesYes, like the hearts of my vanquished foe, the green frame was cut out of the lunchbox to give me more drawing room. But like the barbarian warriors before me, I cut first and pondered later: "How the hell do I get this metal whiteboard to stick to the canvas now??"
I'm bright like that.
Superglue doesn't work on metal. I don't care what the ads say. But you know what does? Mabel's Labels!! I had never really taken the time to handle a Mabel's Label in the past, so I had no idea that they weren't simply stickers. I have no idea what they are composed of, but they are not of this earth. You know the teflon tape that plumbers use to seal threads between pipes? That's kind of what they're like. Mabel's Labels are stretchy, and they will stick to anything -- and stay there. You want proof? Check it:
That whiteboard ain't going nowhere! And now I have more drawing space for the cartoons, and you can identify my son's lunchbox from outer space. You know what I want? I want a roll of unprinted Mabel's Labels. Just to fix stuff around the house.
I'm horrible at transitions, so here is where I simply tell you that I am giving away a make-your-own-lunchboxdaily-lunchbox kit. This kit includes: one Go Green Lunchbox of your choice, and a Mabel's Labels Ultimate Back-to-School Combo. Box cutter and crazy Asian not included.
To enter, just go to Go Green Lunchbox's site and choose the lunchbox you would want. Then write it in the comment section below. Also, tell me what you wish you could label if you could label anything in the world (because if you can't stick a Mabel's Label on it yet, I'm sure they'll eventually make one that will - yes I am giving them free market research). If you do both things, you will be entered into my drawing. I'll give you until the end of the day Friday.
Reader Comments (48)
I have my kids' lunchboxes already, so I don't need the giveaway.
So, can I win the Asian with the crazy eyes instead?
These lunchboxes are so cool! Although I can't draw even a respectable stick figure so my son will have to be content with abstract art. I'd definitely buy the Pit Stop bag. I'd like to label all of my son's gear with boomerang labels so that when he inevitably loses them they would just come back!
This is AWESOME. Kiddo is starting school this year and this would be perfect. I would choose the Pac Man lunch box because he's really into his trains and cars and the design could serve as tracks or as a street.
As for sticking a label on something, I would stick a label on .... uh, I can't think of anything I want labeled other than the lunchbox :-/
Dude, what an awesome thing to do for your kid.
Also, thanks for making me feel like an inferior Dad.
Damn you.
"Call me an internet Samurai" - #NINJAFAIL
I almost ordered one this year. The Black Stallion is perhaps the most universal, so that would be what I'd pick. Boys and girls can effectively wield it without looking too dorky. As for labels, I wish I could label my daughters sweatshirts effectively because she loses about one a week.
I'd get the black one for my husband and the cherry one for my daughter. The compartments speak to me.
Labeling? I swear I'd label the girl child's socks if I could. She's always losing everything. I haven't quite figured out HOW she lost her socks, but she has.
Crazay eyes and Zoolander pout!
I'd pick the extreme lunch box and label my son's coat so some idiot kid doesn't take the wrong one home at preschool.
I want the packman one for myself.
Also, you are coming to Celebration 6 next year right? RIGHT?
If choosing for myself, I'd choose the cherries, because those are sweet. But practically, I'd pick either the Black Stallion. And Candy Store is pretty cute too.
As for labels - I'd label each of the trucks my son insists on bringing to the park. Man, I've lost more crap toys this summer.
PSH! As if there's even a choice to make... Packman all the way! That way, I could force my geekdom over anyone in the house who wants to use it. Mua-hahahaaa!
As for the labels, I would label my good pens and notebooks. Why? Because I'm tired of hunting through Thing 1's bedroom to reclaim them and then have her say, "I thought they were mine!"
I...me....my kid likes Candy Store and yes, I'm aware that stupid me is stupid exempt from your stupid giveaways but my kids are sick of people asking them what 1of3 and 2of3 and 3of3 mean. I need new mabel's, dammit.
I, I mean my kids, would like the Zig Zag lunch box.
I need to label my computer as mine because clearly the kids think it's theirs. heh.
I would love the Cherries Jubilee--because it would be for me--those lunch boxes ROCK!
As far as labels, I need to somehow be able to label socks--two men who wear similar socks, two girls and a mom who wear similar socks. We can never keep them straight and fights ensue--or I get told I'm not very perceptive if I can't tell the son's socks from the husband's socks (well then neither is he if he can't tell the daughter's socks from the mom's.)
Cool idea with the cartoon a day. I was sending notes for awhile, guess I need to get back to it.
I love the Zoe's ZigZag Go Green Lunch Box! These are really cool. Wish they had them when I was a kid.
Then I would but Mabel's Labels all over my lunch box because it's all mine!!!
If I was choosing for myself, I would go with Candy Store. But since this for my kid, he would probably go for the race cars. Or the camo. And again, because I have an almost 5 year old, I would label everything of his he has to take to preschool. I am SO FREAKING INVENTIVE THAT WAY.
I would want the Candy Store lunch box and my kid would most likely want the same one. Then I would label the crap out of all my good things so my husband would know not to use them for bad things. I would have a good towels label so he knows not to use them to sop up raw sewage or dry the dog, the good knives would be labeled to not use them for screwdrivers or prybars, the good rubbermaid containers would not be used for carwash soap or motor oil drip pans, and I would label my clothes washer with clear instructions on how to separate RED clothes from the WHITE clothes.
You're promoting something green! *tear!*
I want a lunchbox, and will prob get one for Mom since she started the whole thing :) She once asked me to make a nice lunchbox for her but my sewing/crafting isn't up to par. This is a good idea...Or maybe I should sew with those labels.
My son would flip over the new camo. And I'd label the crap out of the girl's toy boxes.
I love the prepster bag, but for me. Oh, alright, 'the girl' can use it.
I would label the crap out of my kids things. My handwriting is horrible, so to stick their tiny names into shoes and backpacks is tough! I WOULD have labels my daughters glasses so that whoever found them last year could have returned them to us :(
Since my 2.5 year old is an expert at peeling stickers off of anything and has a style of her own...this giveaway would be perfect for the testing laboratory of childhood products that is preschool, as long as it was the Candy Store (she has a thing for polka dots). Today, I would put labels on the hundreds of "big girl" underwear we are sending with her to daycare...and then all the snow gear shes going to have to take with her...oh the shoes! I haven't found a way to label her shoes yet (besides a permanent marker applied weekly). And I'd put a label on my coffee mug at work.
nice blog jim! k-leb's totally down with the "extreme." what would i like to label??? my toilet! it'll say: put the toilet seat up BEFORE peeing, aim for the water, then put the toilet seat down! if there's room, i'd like to add, if you miss, please wipe!
My wife used to make my lunches and draw little stick figure cartoons on napkins that were included. They were funny and sweet, though not as artistic as your drawings.
I like the pit stop one. And I'd like to label my son's moods, so I know when to stay the hell away from him while I'm still at a safe distance (it would be a big label).
This is great. My wife just found this site for me as I was lamenting there are no good daddy blogs I can relate to. Nice haxor skillz as well.
I'd go for the PacMac, if my little girl is like my wife. She'll end up losing everything, at least this is easy to spot...as for the stickers; my coffee cup. No matter where I hide this damn thing in my office or on my desk. It mysteriously moves away from me.
I'd pick the Blue Bomber bad and I'd label the girls' dance shoes and Bray's sports equipment.
Whoa! The Packman lunch box/bag is awesome. My son would love it.
And if I could label anything, it would be my son's water bottles. (the labels I have keep coming off) He's been in kindergarten for two weeks and has gone through 4 water bottles?!? I seriously need some labels that stick or a kid that can remember where he put things. :)
I'd totally get the camo. I <3 the bento thing though. Anyways . Camo shell and my sticker might say .. Lady J (G.I. Joe and me .. we're tight).
aw. Comment FAIL. Sometimes .. i should stop and actually read the instructions but i just get so excited. *sigh* I'd label something lame .. like my "oh so cool" retractable sharpies. :)
I would choose the candy lunch box for my daughter. I wish I had known about those labels during summer, I would have labeled all of my kids' camping/scout gears.
Thanks to "D Wife" live-linking this blog entry of yours. I didn't know you draw so well =)
Aha! I don't see a rule along the lines of "company officials, employees, and their relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity are prohibited from participating in this contest..."
so count me in! Bwahahaha (ominous laughter)
I likey, I mean, Bella likey the Zoe Zigzag lunchbox. It was her first day of "real" school yesterday, first time riding the big yellow bus, and she came back home unscathed! So she deserves a prize. Like a pretty lunchbox =P
And you get to draw something in permanent ink so she will forever (or until lunchbox survives) remember Uncle Jim who draws really funny and cool cartoons and knows all the cartoon characters in the whole wide world!
And of course it has to be Mabel's labeled:
"Keep your hands off ~ "Isabella G." We need to label our car too; there's just too many cars of the same make and color in our parking lot.
This is so awesome.
Zoe would love the Zoe's Zig Zag (duh), but I'm going to need some drawing lessons (I've got crazy asian eyes down pat).
Also, I am such a label ho, labels make everything better. I would label my son's legos so I know what parts go with what set. LEGOS ARE HARD.
My son would LOVE the Pacman one! What cool lunchboxes - the white board is genius! I don't know how I missed this before, but I'm going to go thru the entire lunchbox daily blog!
We LOVE Mabel's Labels! I bought a pack for both kids almost 2 years ago, and I still have plenty! I especially love the ones that go on clothes, so inconspicuous but still label my kids' stuff!
I like the 'Extreme' design - my son would love it!
And I don't really have anything that doesn't have a Mabel's Label on it already! LOL!
I love the Candy Store bag (and also that you draw these cartoons for your kid - I wish someone would draw me a cartoon every day)!
I would label each of my daughter's shoes since we have lost one from pretty much ever pair she's ever owned!
I love Candy Store... Positive thinking would dictate I say..."when I am the winner, the lunch box styled Candy Store will be sent to me at no charge courtesy of Busy Dad because I stuck it out and read the entire blog entry....
I would label every grocery cart, parking spot, and Starbucks tip jar... I think it would be both safe and appropriate to have the label simply say, "MINE"...
These are pretty cool!! I was looking at another product that was VERY similar (only metal) that didn't have the seals between the different compartments. I am really liking these!
I really like the cherries and the candy store one. I know, you said pick one, but they are both very nice! LOL
What to label . . . . probably my kids' outside toys! The neighborhood kids seem to think that anything they can see is their's to play with! Uggh! LOL
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Reminds me of when I was a kid my mom got these lunch sacks from the Chevron gas station that were white and had the yellow smiley face on them (yes, this was the 70's, shut up). Every day she would draw a hat on the smiley face and my friends were always curious to see what was on the sack that day.
Cool thing to do for your son and great giveaway, but my 14 year old freshman is toooooooooo coooooooool for lunchboxes anymore. I really enjoy your drawings and the cartoons always make me laugh.
I would pick the Candy Store lunch box for The Chicken. She packs everyday and I think she would love the white board and the bento style. I have to admit that the Crazy Asian and the box cutter aren't included, but I guess the Mabel's Labels take the edge off that dissapointment....somewhat.
crud I forgot to tell you what I am going to label. I would label everything of her's because that girl loses everything!!
Love the kaleidoscope one.. These look awesome!!
and because I can't follow directions.. I would label everything my daughter owns.. She is always losing something!!
That lunchbox is super cool. I'm too late for the giveaway, but that's okay. I just wanted to say that I love your mod!
Black Stallion, baby. Simple, dignified, like me.
An me? I would label all my kids. With five now, plus The Grandbaby, I can no longer even come close to calling each child by the right name. They are hating me lately. It sucks.
Jim, I honestly have no idea how I missed this part of you/your blog. So hilarious! Thanks for sharing. My guy would love the New Camo lunch box. Very cool! Also, I would like to put a label on the front of all my baby girl's clothes that says "DON'T TOUCH THE BABY". I guess I should be flattered and not so neurotic, but I hate when strangers touch her.
I love the kaleidoscope lunch box! I'm sitting here wondering how I've never heard of these, they are awesome. I write a lunch packing blog on the side and maybe I should just add it onto my blog!
As far as labels? I'd label waterbottles, I write on them with sharpie and it always wipes off. When I'm in a hurry in the morning, I always am searching for a damn sharpie!
I would love the Prepster one but I think my daughter would love the Candy Store best.
I know that Mabel's labels can label most things but I would love to see one that would work for swimming goggles, we are on our second pair of the year.
Also, I'm in Canada does that mean I can't be in the draw? (makes puppy dog eyes)
Wow! I had no idea that you could draw! The cartoons are just awesome and I'm glad you're able to archive it here on the blog. Its funny because as a kid my dad didn't draw cartoons for me......instead he would make things out of Playdoh. He would make sharks, turtles, cars, planes, you name it...he would build it. Those are the memories from my childhood that I treasure the most!
Keep up the great work Jim!
-B
I'm sure I'm way past the contest, but that's okay because my kids aren't in school yet anyway. I just had to say, I love your illustrated posts. Both in whiteboard and in pictures. You make me smile! :)