This article was originally published on Mako
We're all guilty of having some rather questionable ideas once in a while. The following is a look at some of the ideas that people have had that worked out much better than anyone (even themselves) thought they would. Life's a lot more fun when we're all having a bit of a laugh, so, instead of having a laugh at the expanse of others, let's laugh along WITH them...
"Broken Bad"
As a result of the many opportunities that one has to try their hand at being creative, partaking in a gingerbread house building contest is an excellent occasion for someone to dabble with an off-the-wall idea, or, perhaps, they just want to create a house that reminds them of some of the houses in their neighborhood. After all, a little realism never hurt anyone...
There's little chance that this crack den gingerbread house is going to win any contest but it might result in this family rethinking where they live.
"A Helping Hand"
When companies are trying to decide on which marketing campaign best suits their business plan, there are many things that need to be considered. It's a good thing that there are marketing agencies whose purpose is to help figure that out - more specifically, the agency's creative team. It would have been great to be a fly on the wall in the meeting in which Handman was conceived.
Person 1: "You know what would be a good idea? A hand with a disgruntled looking face".
Person 2: "I see it. And the thumb knuckle would be the elbow!"
CEO: "This is why we pay them the big bucks!"
Person 2: "I see it. And the thumb knuckle would be the elbow!"
CEO: "This is why we pay them the big bucks!"
"Bauble Head"
Getting oneself ready for the family's holiday reunion doesn't have to be a stressful process. On the contrary, there are many things that one can do that will help to lighten the mood and also break the ice when arriving at the aforementioned reunion. Formal wear might not be a necessity when seeing family, but it would be nice to go the extra mile and do something a little festive...
This is what we call a real-life "bauble head". When the dress code doesn't accentuate our style appropriately, there's only one thing left to do - adapt.
"Kraken Open Another Box Of KD"
Convincing a child to eat the food that's been prepared for them isn't as easy as the movies make it seem, and some movies make it seem pretty tough. No matter how much our parents tell us about our level of pickiness as children, nothing can prepare a parent for 3-5-year-old who refuses to eat anything unless it resembles their favorite character from the books we read to them before bed...
Okay, maybe it wasn't a good idea for these parents to introduce their little ones to "The Call of Cthulhu" or "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" at such a young age.
"Pump'kin' Go Boom! "
Every year, by the time the summer is ending, many people in North America begin to prepare themselves for the inevitability of the upcoming winter season. However, before the "real" cold arrives, there are a few things to look forward to. First, and foremost, there's Halloween, and all of the fun activities that go along with the spooky holiday, like the pumpkin carving contest...
This is so ridiculous that it's difficult not to appreciate. It would have been easy to only use pumpkins for this creation, however, this work of art's creator found a way to incorporate the pumps as well. Good effort!
"It Does Not Smell Like Roses In There"
The condition of the restroom in an establishment is a good indication of how much ownership cares about its customers. It would be very easy to have the facilities fitted with a regular washroom stall and the typical white urinals that one would find in any other business. Going the extra mile to spruce up the place won't go unnoticed...
Instead of spending their money on these flower and plant-shaped urinals, they could have just planted a real garden out back and used the customers to fertilize it...
"All It Took Was The Snap Of A Finger"
Using biblical images in art is something that has been done for centuries. In the grand scheme of things, using images from popular culture in order to help young people connect with a piece of art is fairly new. This next artist thought it best to try their hand at combining the old with the new in an attempt to bring people together.
Although this drawing did turn out pretty well, there are some things that there's just no coming back from -"Endgaming" all of humanity seems like one of them.
"Are Those Real Teeth? "
It's gotten to the point where there are so many children's programs and coinciding toys that it's impossible to keep up with them all. However, when a child's birthday is coming up, it's important to figure out which of the many programs the kid is into at the moment, so that the gift we get for them is in line with what they want. When in doubt, just grab something cute and fuzzy.
If the goal of this stuffed monster thing is to scare children into thinking that their toys are going to eat them, news flash, it doesn't just work with children.
"Don't Utter A Word"
Considering how much time dairy farmers have spent milking cows in their lifetimes, one would have to come to the conclusion that they would most likely have a favorite stool to sit on while performing the task. However, if the farmer is trying to blend in with their cows (to not frighten them, clearly), a little bit of 'cow'mouflage is never a bad idea.
Just for a moment, imagine a farmer wearing white and black spotted clothing while sitting on this stool in a field of cows. Now, try and think if there are any other reasons to own this stool.
"Magic Carpet Ride"
Altering one's vehicle to suit their taste and fully display their personality is a hobby that millions of people around the world have in common. Finding the perfect shop to bring that vehicle to, one where the mechanics and detailers can be trusted to convert an idea into reality, as accurately as possible, however, that's where things can get a little tricky.
This can't be what they had in mind when they sent their car to the shop to be recarpeted. In fairness, it could have been worse - they could have gone with shag carpet.
"Lookin' A Little Tired"
As yet another piece of evidence that proves that the saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", could not be more accurate, let's have a look at a piece of art that someone created as a result of what they envisioned when they saw piles of old tires. When it comes to each individual's perception, what we see isn't always what's before our eyes.
Instead of seeing old tires as rubbish, this artist saw their curves as something a little more zen. Now, instead of towers of tires at the impound lot, there's a ten-foot rubber buddha on display in their stead.
"The Day That Changed The World"
History is full of generation-defining events. In the first half of the 1900s, there were World Wars 1 and 2. In the Second half, there were the moon landing, the cold war, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. 9/11 was, without a doubt, the defining event of the early-2000s (until COVID happened at least). Each event is remembered for its own reasons, and everyone has their own way of commemorating their anniversaries.
It's fairly safe to say that no one who was there that day will forget the moment that they saw a parade float of the Twin Towers burning drive past them.
"Penny For Your Thoughts"
After a short time away from the spotlight, themed restaurants are beginning to make a comeback. However, in order to be successful, restauranteurs need to develop a gimmick that other business owners either haven't thought of or are too afraid to try their hand at. For instance, instead of a regular tip jar that's been placed on the host's podium, why not try something like this...
Passersby who see this beggar statue will be horrified into leaving their spare change in its cup - and that's where the brilliance of its execution lies.
“Oh, Hello, Old Sport! ”
A themed party is a great way for people to let off a little steam while not taking themselves too seriously. If, by chance, a Great Gatsby theme is what's been decided upon, then preparing the ambiance to match is of the utmost importance. This includes not only the decorations and music but also the food that will be served. The appropriate hors d'oeuvres are essential for any Gatsby party...
Considering the prevalence of smoking back in those days, these coated pretzels with a poppyseed dip actually make for pretty creative finger foods, although caviar would have been the more Gatsbyesque choice.
"Who's Helping Next Year? "
With the holiday season always coming sometime in the next 12 months, it doesn't hurt to start preparing early. In fact, why not prepare all year round. When guests are over, why not get them in on helping out as well - it'll be so much fun that they won't even know that they're helping someone else prepare their house for the holidays. All it'll take is a case of beer...
That's right! Beer can ornaments - and they're full of beer when they come home. If one of the ornaments from the tree gets damaged, replacing it is as easy as having another beer and hanging up the empty.
"Be Good For Goodness Sake"
After more than a century of Christmas decorations being made, the ability to create something unique for the holidays, that is also holiday-appropriate, isn't as simple as it once was. On the other hand, plenty of things are being made all the time that most people wouldn't even think twice about purchasing because of the lack of Christmas cheer they possess - some items are downright disturbing...
If the eye socket ornament isn't quite creepy enough for someone, just to be safe, it also doubles as one of the world's most terrifying nightlights.
"Who Needs A Lift? "
Arriving in style at an event that will be full of high-profile individuals can be as easy as showing up with an entourage the size of a football team. In order for the arrival to be received in the way in which it had been planned to be, everyone would, ideally, show up together. Without a limo that's large enough to carry everyone, they might as well arrive separately or not at all.
Fear not! Depending on the size of the group involved, there are limos for every situation including the infamous 20+ person stretch limo and the open area party convertible. Just got married? There's something for that too.
"A Little Off The Top And A Lot Off The Sides... "
From James Dean's messy swept-back ducktail hairstyle to anything that Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) had ever done with her hair, dating back for decades, people have been asking their hairstylists to style their hair in the image of their idols. With that in mind, it must have come as a shock when this next person showed up for their appointment and asked for the "Marge Simpson".
Clearly, upon seeing the tattoo on the back of their head, things made a bit more sense. With a little bit of creativity and just a hint of blue hair dye, this dream came true.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! "
The holiday season is a time for bringing families and friends together. After not having everyone together in the same room for a few years, it might come as a bit of a shock when someone shows up as a drag queen rendition of Christmas' biggest villain. Hopefully, this family is an accepting one, otherwise, one of the weirdest episodes of "Backyard Brawls" might have ensued.
Whoever did the makeup for this costume deserves incredible praise. Without their expertise, the drag-Grinch concept could have been an absolute disaster, instead, it turned out great!
"What A Load Of Croc! "
It doesn't matter where we live, the weather will always play a part in deciding what we wear for the day. It's up to us, however, to decide how much of a part we'll allow that to be. For example, all because someone lives in Melbourne, where it could be raining cats and dogs one moment, and be 100 degrees and sunny the next, that shouldn't stop them from wearing high heels, if that's what they want to do.
When living in a rainy climate, high heel crocs are a must - especially for someone who already owns a pair of high heel hiking shoes. It would complete the collection.
"Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just Me? "
Know anyone who's dying to get their hands on the hottest new thing in the world of candle art? There's no need to look any further. There's a shop that sells candles that look like human body parts. After being lit, the various layers of wax (fingertips, fingernails, and bones) are exposed to appear as though the limbs are melting away. For an extra touch of realism, the majority of the interior wax is red.
There must be a market for this thing otherwise it wouldn't exist. The real question that should be asked is if there is a market for them outside of the Halloween season.
"Did It Blink? "
Finding the perfect piece of jewelry to give to a loved one isn't easy. The item will need to exemplify the type of relationship that the gift-giver and the gift-receiver have with one another. Once that's been established, the next thing to do is to decide if something modest is best, or, maybe a "one ring to rule them all" vibe is in the air - maybe not...
This ring gives the eye of Sauron a whole new meaning. And if LOTR isn't his/her thing, this ring is a great way to let a loved one know that you're keeping an eye on them...
"Puppies Everywhere! "
When George Michael passed away on December 25th, 2016, the world didn't just lose a musical legend, it lost out on the opportunity to see the former member of Wham! perform in the musical stage presentation of Disney's 101 Dalmations as the one, and only, gender-neutral Cruella de Vil. Well, maybe that would never have happened, but it might have, and thanks to our next picture, we now know what that would have looked like...
Can anyone honestly say that they wouldn't have wanted to see George Michael perform in that show? Exactly! Perhaps, with enough push, we'll get to see Adam Lambert do it one day instead. *Fingers Crossed*
"Sexy Slashers"
Whether people prefer to watch the Voorhees family terrorize the staff at Camp Crystal Lake, Michael Meyers tormenting the quiet town of Haddonfield, or Ghostface stalking Sidney Prescott and the rest of the Scooby gang from Scream, slasher films have been giving people nightmares for more than 50 years. And just when we thought that the figures that have haunted countless dreams couldn't get any scarier, something happened that changed everything.
Nail art that depicts some of the most infamous killers in cinematic history posing sexily is not something that most people would have expected to see in their lifetimes...good luck unseeing it - you're welcome.
"How To Get Perfect Abs In Less Than A Day"
Anyone who has a tattoo knows the permanence of the choice that they've decided to make. For that reason, more than any other, it's a good idea to think through any idea that might be had about getting some ink done. The next person who we'll be taking a look at clearly thought hard about their decision, and they decided to go with something that they wouldn't mind lasting forever...
This surely is one way to guarantee the perfect beach body no matter what time of year it is and no matter how many Loblaws birthday cakes they happen to eat.
"The Red One Has Sun-Dried Tomatoes, The Green One - Spinach"
Nowadays, it seems as though everywhere we look there are new bakeries popping up - left, right, and centre. However, very few of these new ventures, like those before them, will last longer than a year or two. The key to a long life in the food industry is creating an identity that's based on a unique product of which one's competitors are unable to match the quality.
If the inside of the bread toque is as fluffy and warm as the real thing, then it will be a great addition to the weekly sandwich-making process.
"Monkeying Around"
When people have a lot of money it's common for them to spend at least some of it on things that no one really needs. But hey, I suppose that's part of the fun of being rich beyond belief. If one were to have no limits to what they were able to afford though, it seems a little odd that they would choose to go with a bloody statue next to the jacuzzi.
Even more so, having the golden monkey hanging above the hot tub just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. There must have been a better place to put the money - like maybe not above the tub, perhaps.
"Anyone For A Swim? "
Home renovations, when designed by someone who knows what they're doing, have the potential to completely change the atmosphere of a place for the better. The choice of material that one decides to use for the floors of the house can make or break the entire project. Hardwood is always nice for a classic rustic look but, if a sophisticated modern look is what someone's after, perhaps, they might want to go with the faux pool floor...
There's a very good chance that this is a one-of-a-kind design. It's hard to believe that more than one family would have fallen for this "indoor pool" scam.
"Why Is It Always Denim? "
Last year, in an article about the things that people make for themselves from old items around the house, we touched (not so briefly) on the overuse of denim in most people's DIY projects. For some unknown reason, people tend to think that denim should be used for everything. Sure, it's durable and strong, but there really is no need to make every type of clothing out of denim...
The only occasion there is, in which someone would need denim boots, will be if they've been invited to a party that has "Canadian Tuxedo" as the specified dress code.
"Already Got An Extra Hand, Thanks Anyway! "
"Tired of carrying your laptop around in a bag that's been specially designed to carry it? Are you secretly wishing for a helping hand to hold onto the laptop for you? It's time to stop being such a chump and doing all of the heavy lifting alone. Instead of the strap of a bag over the shoulder, with the new "Helping Hand" laptop carrier, it's time to let the hand do all the helping for us."
If the aim is to terrify would-be thieves into thinking that we've taken the hand of the last person who tried to rip us off, then this helping hand is perfect.
"Ride Successfully Pimped"
There are people who own cars for practical reasons, like getting to work or taking their kids to school, and then there are the individuals who look at their car as an extension of themselves - not a mode of transportation. These are the people who go to great lengths to give their car as much personality as possible. Usually, that would result in a cool paint job or, perhaps, flashy rims. Some people take it to a whole other level...
People laughed when the idea of crinkle suede upholstery was suggested, they said that a mini-bar in the front passenger side seat was a foolishly impossible idea... They were wrong.
"Don't Forget To Check The Pockets"
As a result of how interesting the details of war can be, quite a few people have spent their lives learning as much as they can about the conflict that intrigues them most. For many of these individuals, that's where it stops. However, some of them delve deeper into the histories and become so fascinated that they begin collecting old war memorabilia. Others tend to take collecting a little too seriously...
A chair that's been upholstered as a Soviet-era soldier is best suited for the head of the table in a boardroom run by sinister people...or a themed pub.
"The Newlywed Special"
These days there are apps for pretty much everything, including finding a place to take the Mr. or Mrs. "You" out for a nice dinner. By following a series of reviews and taking a journey down the rabbit hole of "Yelp", or other apps like it, we can filter down our choices to the select few that meet all of our needs.
Two small fish dressed as a lady and a gentleman is not what these diners had in mind when they ask for the newlywed special. At least the presentation was second to none.
"Comfort Is Important When Choosing Footwear"
One of the obvious reasons that so many people avoid going for long hikes in the woods is that they can't find the footwear they need in order to feel comfortable. Sure, there are dozens of shoes out there that have been designed for avid hikers and everyday people who crave adventure, but what about the big city folk who can't go anywhere without wearing a good pair of stilettos?
These "nature heels" have the support of sandals but the stability of stilettos. Unlike the heels that one would wear to a gala, these go great with socks and are easily washable as well.
"Where'd It Go? Oh, It's Right There"
Preparing the house for the arrival of guests is usually quite straightforward. Prepare dinner, tidy up the place, and, if the mood strikes just right, maybe even take that weekly shower a few days early. It's not very often that the tidying up phase of the preparation includes hiding the big-screen TVs from one's guests but it's nice to know that someone has thought of a classy way of hiding it in plain sight.
If the goal is to prevent the screen from breaking, covering the television with a cloth doesn't seem like a practical thing to do. If the aim is to have it resemble a window with a closed curtain...nailed it!