Now is a really good time in history to be a nerdy kid, or nerdy kid-at-heart.  Not only have remote control flying toys – specifically helicopters – come of age in sophistication and ease of flying, but they’re also extremely cheap.  That is, at least compared to how expensive they were just a few years ago.

Now instead of costing hundreds of dollars for something that will fly apart if you just look at it wrong, they’re only $30-$60 dollars, are relatively hardy, and you can even fly them around in your house.

Here’s two that I’ve been playing with for the last few weeks:

Think Geek’s Dark Blade ($29):

Air Hogs Havoc Heli ($29):

Basically we’ve arrived at a time where, if you’ve ever secretly lusted after those cool flying R/C toys you’ve seen the serious hobbyists playing with, you now have no excuse not to get one and indulge yourself.

What, you think you’re too old?  That since you’re an adult, you can’t do this?

Stop right there and rethink that.  If you’re not playing, you’re dying.

Let me say that one more time:  If you’re not playing, you’re dying.  It’s a fact that stress is one of the leading root causes of death in this modern world.  You need to unwind, relax, and not take everything so seriously.  And one good way to do that is to release your inner child and buy yourself a toy.

ThinkGeek.com has some of the most advanced designs, but — as I’ve found — the actual quality of the products are somewhat shoddy and if you have a problem with it, their customer service is lacking.

On the other hand, mainstream toy maker Spin Master, who produces the Air Hogs line of R/C toys, has pushed the price point incredibly low while still producing very high quality, durable, and innovative designs you can purchase at your local stores.  The Havoc Heli featured in the above video came from Toys R Us, and I’ve been seriously looking at their other designs in the Target right across the street from where I live.

The lightweight, powerful Li-Po rechargeable batteries and space-age construction materials are what have made these toys possible.  A twenty minute charge will give you about 10 minutes of flying time.  And each 10 minutes of flying will probably add another month to your lifespan, just by the pure fun it gives you.

I have one I fly around my corporate office environment, and while some may roll their eyes at me, most of them grin like a kid and their fingers itch to grab the controls.

I hand it over upon request.

Everyone deserves some fun.

My kids gave me this little flying toy from ThinkGeek.com.  The video was taken on my new iPhone 3GS.

I came upon this at Wal-Mart yesterday.

It’s a Barbie sized Jesus doll that quotes scripture, tells bible stories, and gives sermons.

It’s also long-winded, because after I pushed the button on His back, Jesus went on and on, and kept going long after I put Him back on the shelf and wandered away.

This toy is surreal in a way that the late Philip K. Dick would have either absolutely loved, or been terrified by.

Combine this with the AI of the various robotic toys that are coming out now, and by Christmas 2010 we’ll have little Jesus dolls that follow you around the house, quoting scripture and asking you to accept Him into your heart, until you’ve been completely saved.

God be praised.  And keep plenty of batteries on hand.