I’m talking about retiring in the year 2060, of course. Not when I’m 60 years old.

Because while the French are storming the Bastille to protest the very insolence of working into the Autumn of their lives, I’m hoping to fight off the wolves long enough to get the kids through college and the mortgage down to a manageable number.

It seems as though the days of cushy pensions are a thing of the past here in America. Even government employees are thinking twice about life in the public sector. But I’m glad the French are fighting for the right to a life of leisure in their later years. You go girl (and garcon).

Despite several high-profile political races and important issues being voted on in the upcoming 2010 elections, the general consensus of voter seems to be, Meh. In short, expect a low turn-out at the voting booth. Especially if the weather is bad or the sports on TV is good (both of which are a good bet).

Fortunately, that means YOUR vote carries even more weight. In fact you could be the one vote that tips the scale for Candidate A or Measure B. So get registered, get in line at your polling place (hopefully there will be at least a short one) and get an annoying sticker that says “I Voted” (but please don’t stick it on any public property).

If you want to let people know how they should vote, be sure to visit our 2010 election section for political t-shirts, bumper stickers, signs and other goodies to sway the vote your way. From Governors and Senators to the issues on everyone’s mind, find designs that say it all. Oh, and if you decide on the tanning booth instead, don’t fall asleep in there. We need you pain-free for the 2012 Presidential Elections.

With Halloween only a week away, it’s that time to talk costumes. Whether you’ve had yours planned out for a while, or you’re like 98% of the population and wait until the last minute to put something together, we have a few ideas up our sleeves (literally). A quickie costume. Awesome, versatile, comfortable, and WHOOP! – easy. Check out these t-shirt costume ideas we came up with, and tell us about your t-shirt costume ideas too – select items are on sale for $15!

Uh Oh, Red. Star Trek.

Anytime a group of the trekkies beamed off the ship for a foreign mission, the red shirt always got the short end of the stick. My advice: don’t follow Captain Kirk into battle unless you want a phaser’s laser to the chest. Call in sick, and never volunteer to go on a mission!

Zombee baby.

Eat. Cry. Poop. Sleep. Repeat. These are the major daily events in the life of a wee little baby. And for Halloween, how ironic – to put you sleepy bee into a fitting costume. Or are you the one craving the sleep? Just hope they don’t wake you up at 3 a.m. from the monster in their closet.

You’re the Casual James Bond.

Suave, charming, debonair, intelligent and a bit cheeky. You’re the more interesting cousin of “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” Instead of dolling it up in a long-tail coat, cuff links and too much hair gel, grab yourself a ready-to-wear suit that will bring out the gentleman in you faster than you can say “gym tan laundry.” You’ll have the ladies saying, “Break me off a piece of that.”

Happy Mommy Jack O’Lantern.

You’re expecting, and your tummy is expanding into a perfectly pretty rotund shape. Very similar to our favorite fall pie and fun fall outing. Just make sure the momma-to-be isn’t the one carrying all those heavy pumpkins to the car.

Skeleton Ribcage a la Dia de los Muertos

You’re looking quite skinny, my friend. Have you been eating? Oh, it’s a costume? Well then, work that mustache and sombrero like you’re on the runway.

From the “You Gotta Be Kidding” file (but yes, it’s true), a 48 year-old man recently had “93 Rock” tattooed on his forehead. He did it to earn a $100,000 prize from local radio station KORB.

Much to the “winner’s” dismay (or perhaps he didn’t care?), he later learned that the contest was all a joke. Doh! I guess it’s sorta hard to read the fine print when two disk jockeys are bantering back and forth. Lucky for you, we have plenty of products for sharing your love of tattoos (without becoming a walking billboard, of course). Rock on!

As they say, “it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it.” And usually, that person is Mike Rowe, creator and host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs.”  Whether it’s old mattresses, garbage of any kind, all things animals, or a host of other things that may make your gag reflex go bazonkers, you name it…he’s probably seen it, worn it, and maybe even rolled around in it. But of course, that’s half of the fun.

mikeroweWORKS has a mission of bringing trade and skilled labor workers together in a welcoming, informative and community-building environment. Through videos and stories, Rowe’s site highlights many skilled laborers across the country, helping to educate people on the kinds of unique, interesting, and completely clean and extremely easy jobs they have. Clean and easy? They laugh at the thought of those words, HA!  One thing that isn’t missing is their enjoyment of work.

In reality, would bridges, buildings and other structures we use and live in every day be in existence if it weren’t for the workers who created them? I’d like to think of myself as accomplished when I knit a scarf, but if you ask me to electrically wire a single light fixture or build a wooden table, then you’ll get something that looks like a Lite Brite screen gone wrong and my initials in a sculpture of plywood. Translation: appreciating the guys and gals who do these jobs that keep polite society running on a regular basis is not only important, it’s critical!  (You trying taking all your garbage to the dump for a few weeks.)

So, in honor of the “Dirty Jobs” new season premiere this week, we invite you to take today by storm, bring your sandwich, a warm (or cold if so you prefer) snack and handy thermos on site.  Visit CafePress shopkeeper mikeroweWORKS and enjoy your workday to the fullest.

I’m already hungry.

It’s no secret that positive thinking can lead you to the happiness or serenity you’re looking for.  CafePress shopkeeper Tricia Waltman found her calling to inspire and encourage those around her – similar to the idea of the Law of Attraction – and Vision Art was formed. She works out of her basement, which is a treasure trove of magazines stacks, scissors, lots of glue and even a karaoke machine for breaks in between all those long hours of designing. What started out as tangible vision boards slowly shifted to designs on mugs, calendars, cards, tote bags and more.

“After I watched ‘The Secret’ I delved into any and all books on that subject, where I learned to cultivate creativity. I was making vision boards for my friends and me. Their reactions were priceless; many burst into tears, they were so touched.”

Waltman works day and night to find the right words, quotes, statements and beautiful images for her designs. Many people have told her they’ve never see anything like what she does. She has designs thanking soldiers and officers for their sacrifices and others dedicated to empowering girls. “I didn’t invent the collage or dream board, but I do believe I took the vision board to the next level.”

When Waltman first opened shop in November 2009, she had never made a template, nor did she know what dpi was.  Now it’s become intuitive as she navigates the CafePress design tools effortlessly; and when she needs help, she knows CafePress is there for her. “My favorite thing about CafePress is the customer service!  Excellent!  This is coming from someone who worked in customer service for 20 years – a big compliment.”

You know something, New York gubernatorial candidate Jimmy McMillan is right -the rent really is too damn high! Anyone who missed the debate on Monday night should know that renters of the nation have a supporter on their side, and he’s not afraid to talk about his rental views.

All jokes aside, the man has a point.  While I’m not sure that his platform is broad enough to win the election, there’s one thing I know for sure, no one likes high rent – and people do need to eat.

If I did live in NY I just might vote for Mr. McMillan and his party, if for no other reason than to make a point for simplicity in messaging.  While other candidates slip and slide from one position and topic to another, I know EXACTLY what my vote for the “Rent is Too Damn High” party will get me – a Governor fighting for fair rent prices.

I have no idea what else he brings to the table, but the more jaded I get about the political process the more I wonder if it really matters…

Well, here it is October and the baseball playoffs are in full swing (although with the stellar pitching so far, there’s a lot more swinging and missing). If you’re a fan of the Giants, Phillies, Yankees or Rangers, you’ll be glad to know our collection of baseball-themed products go deep. And if you’re a fan of another team … well, there’s always next year (just ask the Cubs).

The four remaining teams seem to be pretty evenly matched, and it looks like each series may go pretty deep too. I’m a huge Giants fan, so it’s been quite awhile since October has had much significance for me baseball-wise (a painful 6-year dry spell). If you have any tickets for games, be sure to let me know. I’ll pay face value, plus include a free T-shirt (I’ll even pay for shipping out of my own pocket). Well, the next game is starting so I have to follow it on the desktop. Play ball!

Just got back from a quick trip to Europe. Had a great time beating the heat in Gothic churches, applying band-aides to my aching feet in-between art galleries, and licking my plate clean of cuisine which I had absolutely no idea what I just ate (and probably don’t want to know, either).

Rifling through our fine art posters collection, I’m seeing many of the works I gazed lovingly at. Guess I could have saved myself some money by just buying our posters instead of flying over? Oh well, I need more culture. Because even though the Paris posters look awe-inspiring, there’s no substitute for the smells and sounds and tastes of a Left Bank bistro.

Traveler’s Tip: With not enough space in my luggage, I was smart and ordered Europe-themed T-shirts before I left. Now I’ll hand them out to friends and family, giving them a thoughtful and well-designed souvenir. Too bad that won’t work for people here at the office (they’ll recognize them in a heart-beat as CafePress designs). C’est le vie.

From the country pup to the city pooch, dogs in shelters everywhere are washing up and brushing down to look their very best for Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month. Maybe you’re a superhero (to be) looking for a canine sidekick, or in dire need for a guard dog to keep those deer away from your tomato plants. Whatever the reason, look no further than your local animal shelter for a new companion.

As Christopher Morley so famously said, “No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as a dog does.” You’ll hear countless stories from all over about dogs providing therapy, saving lives, and providing love, loyalty, support and companionship to their owners. But only one out of every ten dogs born ever finds a permanent home.

If you’ve already adopted, then you are one step ahead of the rest! Here are 5 great reasons to adopt a shelter dog, inspired by celebri-dogs worldwide. What are your guesses?

1) They could be the next pop sensation.

2) On the days you’re too tired for Poker Night, send in the back up.

3) They will keep your family’s baked bean recipe a secret – as long as you can keep an eye on them.

4) You’ll always have an extra player for basketball.

5) They can take you on a storybook adventure. We hear they’re great storytellers, and they like to dress up too.

What’s your favorite breed?