On the 68kMLA (68K Macintosh
Liberation Army), a very popular thread was born that took on a life of
its own. It focused on Hats and Feets, which you can read about in
The Hats and Feets Uprising. I
can't help but recollect this thread during the course of reviewing a
hat that is beyond anything I could have possibly imagined, a hat that
has truly given meaning to the word unique while perched atop the hat
is a penguin which stands at attention.
<cue March of the Penguins>
Gavin Shapiro is the man behind - or rather under - the Penguin Hat.
Per his website, penguinhats.com, these lines say it
all: "It is without a doubt the most attention-grabbing hat you will
ever wear - on or off the ski slopes (for extra attention, try Penguin
Hats during the summer months)." And: "Penguin Hats are particularly
great for people who love penguins . . . you don't not love
penguins, do you? Of course not! Penguins are universally cherished by
everyone around the world and are nowadays commonly prescribed to
people in place of antidepressants."
My first look at the Penguin Hat came via my good friend, Michael
Neely, who had just purchased one and posted a picture to Facebook
showcasing it. I was intrigued instantly! In due time, my Penguin Hat
arrived. Upon opening the box, my eyes were greeted by arctic blue
tissue paper, which gave the feeling of being in Antarctica. Then came
the moment I had been waiting for - the penguin with those dapper eyes
looking back at me. The feeling was indescribable. I felt like I had
arrived! This would clearly be the dawn of a cultural phenomenon!
After removing the Penguin Hat from the box, I noticed how it was
made. The craftsmanship is of the highest quality. There is also a
plastic lock to secure it under your chin while walking. On the Penguin
Hats site, it states, "Penguin Hats are the finest winter hats
available, designed specifically to simulate the experience of having a
penguin sitting on your head." That is an assumption I consider
accurate. The penguin is not heavy on your head, and it is soft to the
touch. The Penguin Hat keeps your head very warm, as well as your
ears.
I should also mention the equally awesome Penguin Hats stickers.
These stickers are great for handing out to interested family, friends,
and enemies alike - maybe even a penguin or two.
I had tried the Penguin Hat on, but now came the real test,
reactions from the public. Thus, I began my reaction-finding mission by
wearing the Penguin Hat while out and about. The reactions were beyond
my wildest expectations. Almost everyone loved it, save for a few. Kids
as well as young, middle-aged, and older adults thought it was really
cool (pardon the pun). The Penguin Hat also made a few excursions to
work, where reactions were mostly positive.
To see the smiles on people's faces during the hustle and bustle of
the holiday season was truly a sight to behold. The joy it brought
people really made me smile. That is a joy you just can't put into
words. To quote Garfield the cat from A Garfield Christmas
Special, "Please permit me one sentimental moment here will ya
. . . I have something to say. Christmas . . . it's
not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving. There, I said
it, now get outta here."
The Penguin Hat will be a permanent fixture in my household and will
make regular excursions among the public. I give it five out of five
Macs. You can order your own Penguin Hat through penguinhats.com for $24.99. A five
pack of stickers can be ordered for $1.99.
A big thanks to Gavin for bringing joy to each individual, one
penguin at a time! 
