Craig Conley

An interactive workbook proving that the only rocket science is rocket science. "The world's only compendium of things that are not, in fact, rocket science." --Martha Brokenbrough, author of Things That Make Us Sic] "Both intriguing and amusing." --Ken Clinger, recording artist

A manual for typographers published in 1917 acknowledged that there are many beautiful forms of the ampersand, yet it forbade their use in "ordinary book work." Extraordinary books are another matter. This opus explores the history and pictography of our most common coordinating conjunction. "Enjoyable on many levels. Visually it's quite elegant." --Ken Clinger, recording artist

Explore the fine lines between 167 dichotomies in this beautiful graphic presentation by Prof. Oddfellow. Examples include: * Abstraction / Obfuscation, * Confidence / Cockiness, * Danger / Safety, and such whimsical cases as* Exaltation of the Conquistador / Despair of the Shipwrecked "Sometimes quite humorous, sometimes very profound, and always worth 'visiting.'" --Ken Clinger, recording artist

Moon, Fish, Ocean is a Zen pastime for one, two, or three players. Easy to learn and highly rewarding, every game is a mindful meditation that communicates a Zen poem through sign language. A less poetic, trendy version of "Moon, Fish, Ocean" is popularly known as "Rock, Paper, Scissors."This offbeat gift book covers the complete rules, scoring, and history of the game. It also explains four separate variations of the game. Presented in a tongue-in-cheek style, this whimsical volume is simultaneously a hilarious send-up of Zen and a reverential tribute. It will appeal to fans of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" as well as to students of Asian philosophy and spirituality.

This coloring book contains 89 images of white things, printed on white paper. Is one to fill in these images with a white crayon? Or is one to let go of the crayon and practice the Taoist concept of wu-wei (actionless action)? Why color white objects white?White is the absence of color which contains all colors.It's easy to keep within the lines.It helps one to focus on process, not results.It fulfills Zen Master Han-Shan's invitation to "leap the world's ties and sit among the white clouds."It is a rejection of artifice, an unveiling of the void.It is an antidote to art theory.Why not color white objects white?In Zen terms, the absence of coloring contains all coloring.

A note about the price: This book is of a rare nature, not for the general public, and the author has priced it accordingly. Less affluent readers are invited to pursue used copies or contact the author directly. A pragmatic reference replete with tips and easy-to-digest tidbits from folklore, physics, and literature, this Field Guide is at once a commonplace book, a work of refined playfulness and wit, and ultimately a self-help tool for centering and opening awareness through active listening. Blending the author's signature sensitivity to the awe and magic wrapped up in folkloric phenomena with a tongue-in-cheek bending of scientific principles to his fanciful purpose, this concise book uniquely balances humor, scholarship, spirituality, and imagination. As readers open their ears and awaken their inner senses, they are guided to effortlessly attune to whispers of the soul. Readers may set off in search of hearing a unicorn, but through deep listening they are likely to encounter their higher selves. Dozens of easy-to-grasp, deceptively sensible illustrations expertly marry science and whimsy. Delightful, enchanting, and unique, it is perhaps the ultimate in whimsical zoology.

For those who know the meaning of Christmas but can't use it in a sentence...This delightful compendium features 126 distinct definitions of the Christmas holiday, with literary quotations. This book is the antidote for people who complain that Christmas has become so commercialized that it is devoid of meaning. The surprising and intriguing entries encourage contemplation and reminiscence. One whimsical example is "Christmas means 'Whiskey': 'Pour a little Christmas in that eggnog, darlin'.' -expression from the American South."