Sure is hot out! Yep, it's summer.

Since the mid-1990s, this is the time of year when creative professionals have some a little spare time to buff and polish their websites. Often to my surprise, as I virtually wander through our digital archives, I realize the stress-riddled pain once associated with that particular piece lingers no longer. "Wow! I actually LIKE this!"

Yesterday, the Wifi was down for an extended amount of time, and since I was now cut off from the outside world, I had the opportunity to do a little portfolio cleanup within the air-conditioned comfort of our Think Tank.

Quite suddenly, I stumbled upon holiday cards designed in 2004 and 2005 for Boston IP (Intellectual Property) law firm, Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C. Through most of the year, the team at Wolf Greenfield focuses on legal issues such as copyright infringement, patent law, licensing, etc. Bottom line, they help scientists, inventors, and other forms of brainiacs protect "their stuff." Then a month or so before the winter holidays, chuckles begin wafting from the conference room as the holiday card committee meets. "How can we top last year's holiday greeting?" is the main topic of conversation.

The two examples that I am posting will offer instant relief from the near triple-digit temperatures.

The 4-page "Smarts Illustrated" from 2004 features a cover story regarding "The Law of Gravity" demonstrated by a flipping snowboarder. On page one, a syringe-injected snowball highlights the article, "Not Your Father’s Snowball: Lab enhancements pump up playful pastime." The author, of course, is no other than Pete Reedish (read it slowly). The sidebar "Ballpark Figures" informs the reader that there are 98 chemical elements in a stadium hot dog. You get it, sports and science. PowerNog® dominates the back cover and promises their product will replenish the nutmeg and cinnamon that your body craves.

Are you feeling cooler yet?

The following year, we created a faux mail-order catalog with a single theme, SNOW. One item of particular interest was the "Name Your Own Snowflake!" product which was sponsored by The U.S. Snowflake Registry (USSR), a bogus division of The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

On the back cover, the catalog publisher admits a severe order snafu. While thinking that they were ordering wholesale snowmobiles, instead they were ordering 600lb. "Snowmobile Mobiles." Just the thought of these is enough to make even Alexander Calder blush.

Okay, I don't know about you, but I am now so chilled that I need to step outside! Hopefully, you too have enjoyed this stroll down the frozen memory lane as much as I have!

Stay cool! –Doug.