07/30/03’s illustrious band:

The Dangling Freuds

Brought to you by Sister-san, Jen X and the Soup Group. And their mothers, of course.

Sister-san recently gave me the gift of a Sigmund Freud action figure. He looks sort of like a fierce Colonel Sanders in a grey suit. As you’d expect, he’s holding a tiny cigar in his right hand. His arms are posable, but only up to a point, so he can’t actually smoke the cigar. His packaging (which is much larger than the figure itself; remind you of anything?) sports some interesting information about Freud and some pithy quotations from the good doctor.

A former psych major, I found the figure very funny. He’s been a hit at the office, too. Dr. Freud accompanied the Soup Group to lunch yesterday, where he was passed around like a talking stick. Whoever was holding Freud felt moved to reveal deep-seated secrets about his or her family life and hidden motivations. Speakers who seemed on the verge of a breakthrough or a Freudian slip were invited to tell it to the doctor. When not in someone’s hand, Freud presided over the table, propped on his bent arms on the rim of a water glass. Every party should have a Freud to keep the conversation flowing.

Naturally, my friends wanted to know where they could find Freud figures of their own. A few minutes’ diligent research revealed an excellent source: Archie McPhee toys at www.mcphee.com. Not only can you find Freud action figures, but also Rosie the Riveter, Jesus and Moses (sold separately), Benjamin Franklin (complete with plastic kite and key!), a set of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine crew people, and a set of 8 miniature debutantes. And much, much more!!

You really owe it to yourself, and anyone on your gift list, to check this site out. Be sure to click on the Enlightenment categories, where the sections include, in addition to Buddhism, Christianity, Nuns, Hinduism and Judaism, such spiritual classics as Devils, Elvis and Voodoo. And don’t miss Tiki Island, where you can find tiki lights, coasters, masks and swizzle sticks -- pretty much everything but an inflatable tiki god. Other finds include:

• In the Lifestyle category, there’s a whole section on bowling. Want a bowling bag-shaped purse? Click here!
  
• Want to see 10 variations on the Magic 8 Ball? Visit the Amusements category, Magic Balls section!
  
• Need a new rubber chicken? Amusements, under Classics.
  
• Fresh out of cocktail monkeys? Look no further than the Top 12 Items list.
  
• Thinking of giving your brother-in-law a shower curtain emblazoned with cuts of meat as a housewarming gift? Lifestyle category under Hygiene.

  
  

I could go on and on -- oops, too late! -- but I’ll let you discover some of the finer features for yourselves. Don’t bother buying me the kung fu coaster set as a thank-you gift for steering you to Archie McPhee, though. I already ordered myself a set.

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