David Wahl

Director of Awesome for Archie McPhee

[zoomar]

In the latest episode of my podcast/newsletter Baffling Cyclops, we talk about local cults and our local Seattle spiritualist church. Their story is crazy with a lion in the backseat of a convertible, a drag queen seance, and a case that went ll the way to the Supreme Court. You can get the podcast on Apple Podcasts, by searching for “Baffling Cyclops” on your favorite podcast app, or on YouTube. 

Subscribe to the newsletter and see previous issues!

[zoomar]

I’m starting a podcast called Baffling Cyclops! It’s me and my wife Pepper Proxy discussing whatever I’m obsessed with that week. 

It’s intended to be a fun, funny conversation about weird stuff. Future episodes will cover crow funerals, cults, clowns, creativity, and Dandan noodles. 

 You can listen on Apple Podcast, Pocket Casts, or wherever you prefer.  Just search for “Baffling Cyclops” and it will appear! 

If you’re not into podcasts, we’re also uploading the episodes to YouTube so you can listen to them on a background tab. 

The first episode is an expansion of the story I wrote about serving Mick Jagger in a toy store. I cherry-picked details for the essay I wrote and this goes into more detail about Mick and the store where I worked. Not only that, but you get to hear about the time Pepper got fired from her job as a Christmas elf. 

You can also sign up for the show notes in newsletter form. The notes will include pictures and links to topics mentioned for further exploration. 

Thanks for subscribing. Or at least listening. 

[davidwahl]

I was interviewed on the GeekWire Podcast and it was a total blast.

They asked me about some of Archie McPhee’s failures:

On the whole, Wahl is philosophical about the also-rans. “Most of the time when we have a failure, we’re still proud of it,” he said. “We understand the idea behind it. and sometimes it takes the world a while to catch up with us.”

3 weird things about Seattle’s Archie McPhee: It’s original, national, and some of its products flop

[archiemcphee]

We love librarians so much we made a Librarian Action Figure! We think librarians are superheroes who use their superpowers (literacy and free access to information) to defeat ignorance while promoting empathy and understanding!

On the back of the package there’s even a Librarian Code:

Librarians love to read

Librarians don’t like censorship

Librarians think information should be free and available to all

Librarians know all life’s answers aren’t in books, but most are

Librarians know that empathy comes from experiencing other people’s stories

Librarians can help you find your next good read

Librarians are always happy to check that fact for you

Librarians organize the world of information

Get your own Librarian Action Figure here!

[davidwahl]

One of the great things about working at Archie McPhee is being able to put some of my own personal passion into products. The Librarian Action Figure is one of those. 

I wrote a bunch of tweets about it which you can read here:

I wanted to take a minute to talk about why we thought now was the time to bring back the Librarian Action Figure.

I wanted to take a minute to talk about why we thought now was the time to bring back the Librarian Action Figure. https://t.co/nNnB6oWmzb pic.twitter.com/z0dA7yoCwK

— Archie McPhee (@ArchieMcPhee)

October 26, 2017

[davidwahl]

I was so much cooler in 1997.

[davidwahl]

Found this picture of me from 2009 with an Archie McPhee Despair Pennant. 

[davidwahl]

That’s a picture of an older gentleman smelling a gorilla suit at the Archie McPhee store.

I owned that gorilla suit. 

I wrote an article for my creativity site about how objects gather meaning over time. Some objects seem more magical than others. That gorilla suit was amazing.

Read it here

[davidwahl]

Working at Archie McPhee isn’t always glamorous. For instance, today our new Cat Head Squirrel Feeder came in and the photographer, Scott Heffernan, needed someone to hold the string to make it look like it was hanging from a tree.  

[davidwahl]

I was interviewed on the Humor Weakly Podcast about how people are always parking in front of my driveway. The very talented Glen Tickle hosts. 

Listen here

[davidwahl]

Hey, it’s me, in the A.V. Club talking about bacon. That’s me with Mr. Bacon. 

Read it here to find out about all our bacon secrets. 

[archiemcphee]

Top Seven Funniest Christmas Gifts for 2016

Are you looking for a funny gift? We’ve got you covered with the best funny gifts of 2016! Some funny gifts make a comment about the recipient, others are just so absurd that they make you laugh from sheer surprise.

7. World’s Smallest Underpants

These hilarious pair of tiny underpants fits perfectly on hand to cover up your unsightly and embarrassing “finger crotch.” Get a pair of Finger Feet to go along with them and you have a winning combination that will keep everyone laughing all Christmas morning.

6. Unicorn Discovery Kit

This kit has everything you need to attract a unicorn into your life! Includes detailed instructions on how to get a unicorn, a unicorn hunter ID card, an Inflatable Unicorn Horn and more. The gift recipient will be up to their armpits in unicorns!

5. Grump Socks

Every family has a grump! These socks give them an easy way to communicate days when they wake up on the wrong side of the bed. If they’re full of complaints, you can also get them a grump notebook.

4. Duck Feet Finger Puppets

Tired of your boring old hand? Turn it into a duck. These Duck Feet Finger Puppets are perfect for frolicking in puddles or just “quacking up” everyone around the Christmas tree. You can also turn your hand into a pug or cat if you prefer. 

3. Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure

Know a crazy cat lady? This action figure will make her almost as happy as getting another cat! Of course, if action figures aren’t her thing, you can get a whole range of crazy cat lady items from a coloring book to a lunchbox.

2. Prank Posters for Poles by Obvious Plant

Is your neighborhood too dreary? This book of hilarious signs to hang on telephone poles brings a bit magical humor as you watch your neighbors read signs about finding the squirrel that stole your bagel or an invitation to watch you do sick judo moves in the park. High Five this Sign, created by the world famous Obvious Plant, will keep you happy all year.

1. Cat Bonnet

Cats love Christmas too! This little bonnet for kitty’s noggin will have the whole house rolling. It’s Little House on the Purr-ie! Of course you could also turn your cat into a unicorn or a wizard if you prefer, it’s up to you!

Click here to see even more funny gifts!

[davidwahl]

My modeling career without masks has been limited. However @obviousplant did a book with Archie McPhee and we needed a creepy staring guy quick. Thus, I am Keith.

I can’t wait for people to start challenging me to staring contests...

[davidwahl]

It’s amazing that you can start with a crazy cat lady action figure and end up with a whole crazy cat lady gift shop.  You’d think Archie McPhee would only sell stupid gifts!

[davidwahl]

Top-secret torpedoes and government agents get involved.

A great article about some of the weirdest problems we’ve had at Archie McPhee.

[davidwahl]

I got interviewed for a Washington Post article on the Archie McPhee Horse Head Squirrel Feeder.

Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. When it came to inventing the horse head squirrel feeder, however, a rather more complicated process was at work.

“We were trying to think of a way to be nice to squirrels and humiliate them at the same time,” said David Wahl of the Seattle-based novelty toy company Archie McPhee.

David’s title at Archie McPhee is “director of awesome,” and the company does sell a lot of awesome stuff: bacon-scented body wash, an Edgar Allan Poe lunchbox, an inflatable unicorn horn you strap on your cat.

Click here to read the rest

[davidwahl]

I got to remake the move Titanic (which I have never seen) for less than $20! Love my job...

[davidwahl]

Me and tall Jesus at Comic Con. I'm 6' 5"!