To quote the eminently quotable Rebecca Black:
“It’s Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend”
Anyhow… let’s get started!
1) Man Bun Ken is here, whether you like it or not
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several years, you’ve probably noticed that man buns have slowly taken over society. And whether you like them or not, they’re here to stay. (Full disclosure – I like them. Mr. Seeking Ambition has one, along with a big glorious beard, and it’s ERRYTHANG.)
And like a virus spreading through the herd, the man bun has reached Ken (that would be Ken Doll, of the Barbie and Ken Dolls.) Ken and his friends – are they ALL named Ken? – have gotten a major makeover and are now sporting man buns, dad bods, and hipster glasses. (Not all at the same time, though – that would be far too revolutionary.)
Here’s an interesting look at Ken throughout the years:

Sorry/not sorry, but NO ONE is hotter than Totally Hair Ken. [Image: Mattel.]
2) It’s all fun and games until…
Just in time for summer vacation, there’s a new way for kids to severely injure themselves and/or others! Two words: TOOTHPICK CROSSBOWS.
They’re pretty much what you’re imagining – a tiny little crossbow about the size of your palm that you load toothpicks in, instead of arrows. They’re the hottest fad among Chinese kids, and the government is cracking down on them because they’re dangerous as all get out. Apparently, these suckers can shoot up to 66 feet away (!!!) and cost about a dollar, which make them incredibly accessible.
And yes, someone has already been shot in their eye. This is why we can’t have nice things.
3) This is why you proofread things, people
Accidentally fulfulling dreams of pregnant women everywhere, New Hampshire lawmakers briefly made it legal for expecting mothers to murder people without consequence earlier this month.
I’m not going to get all political on y’all, but N.H. Senate Bill 66 surrounds the definition of a fetus at certain stages of development can be considered victims of murder or manslaughter.
“The bill as drafted allows… a pregnant woman to commit homicide without consequences. Although that was never the intent, that is the clear reading of the language.” – Rep. JR Hoell (R.)
As someone who has a dear, dear friend who lives in New Hampshire, and also as someone who lives about thirty minutes from the New Hampshire border, I was slightly concerned about the potential for open season. However, I can rest easy now… on Thursday, a technical amendment passed that corrected the bill’s language to prevent The Purge.
Things just said on the NH House floor: “to make sure pregnant women don’t go around killing people” #onlyinnh #nhpolitics
— Paige Sutherland (@psutherlandNHPR) June 22, 2017
4) Sometimes we can have nice things
The Tall Ships festival is currently going on here in Boston, and, well, it’s a whole bunch of Extremely Tall Ships. (It’s actually really beautiful and a ton of fun. SO MANY PEOPLE come from all over the world!) But the best part was the human feline interest piece I read in the Boston Globe earlier this week about the kitties that live on some of the ships with the sailors.
The kitties have done yeoman’s work historically on ships – eating mice and rats that could do serious damage.
But, most adorably, they’re also Chief Cuddle Officers to the sailors. And they even have little life jackets!
Let me know when you’ve stopping squealing in delight, because it’s time to move on to…
5) Outdoor AND indoor activities
Canada has an initiative called ParticipACTION 150 Play List – it’s a collection of all kinds of physical activities from hockey to raking leaves to snowshoeing (and so on) that are designed to get people excited about getting off their duffs. This week, a Calgary weatherman was responsible for introducing the activity of the day on air and just… couldn’t deal.
I don’t think the Canadian government had THAT kind of activity in mind for their list! Although they are very progressive…
thehouseturnedhome
I have to say that I’m not at all a fan of man buns. Toothpick crossbows sound like a bad idea, and number 3 gave me a good laugh! Thank goodness it’s Friday!
Marcie W.
As a lifelong Barbie fan, I am not in love with the man bun concept, but do feel that the Ken line needed an update, as well as more diversity. The version from the 1990s is the one from my childhood, so that one will forever be my favorite!
Brandi with Big Fit Fam
OMG NOOOOOOOOO man bun ken!!??? Jeez people….our decendents will look down on us with such disdain! lol
Karen Morse
Dang, that’s a lot of Kens through the years! Definitely was expecting the man bun though. Lol. Not a huge fan of the toothpick, why did anyone think it was a great idea to seel those to kids!
Karen Morse
Sell*
theclutterboxblog
I love a good man bun!
I totally know some people who could use toothpick crossbows! Also I get why you would crack down on these. That’s just dangerous.
OMG I am from where those anchors are located hahahA
Claudia Krusch
I can not believe how much the Ken doll has changed. I would love to go to the Tall Ships festival.
fashionmommywm
It has to be 1970s Ken, don’t think I’ve laughed so much in ages, is that a Burt Reynolds doll?
Holly
I really love this post. It was informative and very funny. Keep them coming and I will be back.
travelnidajourney
This is so Fun !!! reminds me my childhood and my love for Ken !! Embarrass now !!
Chloe
My partner had a man bun when we first met haha. I had no idea that Ken dolls had changed so much over the years!
Terri Steffes
OMG, the Canadian video was hilarious! I had to watch it over and over. Still laughing…
cvnxena
Thank goodness I didn’t know this sooner haha at 36 weeks pregnant I am pretty hormonal and could have wiped a few people out :p
Sarah Bailey
Man buns are very strange things, they look good on some and not on others, plus mini crossbows, they sound sorta cool but sorta dangerous a toothpick to the eye?! Totally not good.
SavvyMomNYC - Ker (@SavvyMomNYC)
Man Bun Ken, this is too funny. I love seeing your evolution of Ken and his friends, Ken, Ken and Ken.
Scott
I had to laugh at man bun Ken. We have a friend that wears a bun – we’re going to buy one and dress it up like him!
Akamatra
I would need to see a photo of your Mr to sat for sure about man buns. Lol I am kidding I don’t like them. Mostly because the bows I make on my etsy shop are for women buns. Hmm mm should I make a men’s series?
Elizabeth o
Good luck to Ken and his man bun. Like every fad that catches fire for a hot minute, this too shall sizzle and fizzle. Girl, now I sound like you. Lol!
I love the tone of your blog. 🙂
nlampert
Those toothpick crossbows sound crazy dangerous! But I think it’s hilarious that they’ve released a Man-Bun Ken, so trendy!
Gloria
They should add a Ken with beard and long hair. I’d totally root for that version!
Charity Gorman
This post definitely made me laugh. I couldn’t believe how much the Ken doll has changed over the years. It is funny to see the different trends and how the change through time. I remember the Ken doll from the 90’s when I was a kid, but I never would have thought about what they look like now that I am an adult with two boys. I think it’s great that toy companies want to keep up with the latest trends.
Misty Nelson
Lol! When I first saw the manbun Ken pop up, I just about died laughing. I can’t believe this trend has made it this far, and now it’s forever plasticized its way into history with it’s own Ken doll.
curiouswordsblog
What ARE the other dolls’ names? They can’t all be Ken, can they?
Your post cracked.me.up. You were 100% right about the squealing in delight over life-jacket-wearing kitties.
Now about those crossbows… where can I get them?? haha
Heather Garcia
I’m not sure Ken can pull off the man bun as well as Jared Leto can but I am not opposed to him trying! And what crazy person came up with toothpick crossbows! Lol! Now people are going to have to start walking around with safety glasses!
Mommy Engineering
NOOOO! Man buns are awful, WHY! lol I haven’t seen the ken doll with a man bun yet but now I have to look -.-;
rhianwestbury
I can’t believe there’s a ken doll with a man bun, this is absolutely crazy. I never actually had any ken dolls when I was a kid x
Prime Beauty Blog (@PrimeBeauty50)
I have to say 80s Ken looks the most normal. The whole hipster, man bun Ken is just a no for me. It is good for a laugh as least.
Ali Gilbert
Toothpick crossbows sound SO dangerous. Oh my gosh. And the Ken man buns!! hahahaha! I am cracking up. My daughter will definitely want one- guaranteed!
Heather Riccobono (@BrieBrieBlooms)
The evolution of Ken is the best news I’ve read all week. Okay, maybe not really, but it’s certainly fun.
Dawn McAlexander
I am not on board with the man bun at all. I am sorry, but a hairdo that is inspired by a twist tied trash bag is just not that great if you ask me. I am wishing that the Mattel company had passed on this doll.
Renée ♥
I live in Oregon, and I have a daughter who attends college in Eugene, home of way too many man buns. I just don’t need Ken to go there too. On an entirely different note, I’m glad to know the New Hampshire got things cleared up before mass mayhem broke out.
Amanda Love
Well, Ken was expected for sure, especially since that haircut isn’t going away for months. Lol. Absolutely NO to toothpick crossbows.
Ali Rost
Why am I suddenly asking Man Bun Ken if he’s a swinger?
So much wrong, blended with, nay, pureed… with so much fun… makes this post a winner!
Jennifer L
WOw what an evolution for the Ken dolls. Not going to lie I’m digging Shavin fun Ken and Dream Date Ken…they’re interesting but still my thing oddly enough lol.
toughcookiemommy
I have been a Barbie fan since I was a kid. It’s amazing how much Ken has also changed over the years. It’s funny that they are now changing certain physical aspects of him as well.
Theresa
It’s so funny they changed Ken now too, and Barbie as well. What a unique marketing idea!