Aqua Dots Super Studio

When I first saw the advertisements for Aqua Dots a few months ago, I thought that it was cool enough to go on my wish list. I began to imagine all of the trinkets I would make with it and to whom I would give them to. Flower pendants for my future children. Ornaments for people with Christmas trees. Kitty magnets for people with refrigerators…

So when I heard about the sudden Aqua Dots recall, I was pretty perplexed. What could possibly be bad about Aqua Dots? After all, Bindeez (the Australian version of Aqua Dots) recently won Toy of the Year at Melbourne’s Toy & Crafts Fair. I did not even have to search for the answer, because the media took such interest in delivering it: Gamma hydroxybutyrate.

Apparently it contains a solvent which, when metabolized, is converted to this famed “date rape” drug. It falls under the same category as heroine and cocaine under the Controlled Substances Act. Originally, I had thought that the $29.95 price tag on the Aqua Dots kit was a bit much for a toy comprised mostly of cheap polymers. In light of this new bit of information, however, the price became more forgivable. On the street, GHB will costs you a good $65-$100 per 16 oz. bottle or $5-$20 per capful. So I’ve heard.

I know that it is a horrendous situation and that a number of children have been hospitalized due to it. I am puzzled though, as to why anyone with children still in the “I Put Everything in My Mouth” phase would buy this. Forget the illegal drug for a second, and just focus on the fact that the pieces are large enough to be a choking hazard and small enough to be ingested… But what do I know? I am not a parent. And my Mom swears that I used to eat spiders when I was 1.

So, should you buy me some Aqua Dots or not? Well, I doubt you will be able to find them in any US store presently anyhow. In which case, just buy me a pony. Just a final note for my fellow females: If a number of guys start offering you Bubble Tea… those bubbles may not be tapioca balls…

NaNoWriMo Word Count: (13,211/50,000)