‘Stress Buddy’ Creator Believes a Friend to Knead Is a Friend Indeed

Think of him as Gumby for yuppies.

Worry beads for the upwardly mobile. Low-cost therapy to get you past the 4 p.m. won’t-this-day-ever-end hump.

He’s Stress Buddy, the invention of Bob Armstrong, who chucked his job as a computer salesman to give birth to what he hopes is the perfect under-$10 gift for the ulcer set.

It’s cheaper than psychiatry and healthier than a double martini.

Armstrong, 45, who lives in Rancho Bernardo, says the idea came to him late one afternoon as he was staring out his office window in downtown San Diego.

“I look at stress as nature’s message for you to lighten up,” he said. “That afternoon, I realized I was the poster child for Mid-Life Crisis.”

What the world needs, he decided, is a 6-inch, flexible plastic figurine that can be kneaded and bent and twisted and placed in various spots around the torture chamber known as the modern work station.

The road to Stress Buddy was anything but stress free. Enough faxes went to and from Armstrong’s agent in Hong Kong to fill a big-city phone book.

“It’s been a two-year exercise in frustration and persistence,” Armstrong said. “But I’m confident that persistence is going to win out.”

A deal has now been struck with a plant in China. Distribution agreements are signed with PlayCo and Host International (which runs gift stores in airports and hotels) and maybe more later.

Stress Buddy comes complete with his own mini-briefcase.

He can sit atop your desk or computer or Pet Rock. His hands can beckon skyward, cover his eyes or grab his pounding head. His legs can be crossed or twisted.

And what’s next?

Ms. Stress Buddy, of course. The modern lady executive, dressed for success.

Available by this summer’s angst season.

Council Vote Won’t Hold Water

How toxic is the political atmosphere at San Diego City Hall?

The week began with the council’s ruling coalition reacting angrily to Mayor Maureen O’Connor’s proposal to cut $1 million from her office budget if the council will make a similar cut in its budgets.

By Monday afternoon, the coalition seemed to strike back.

By a 5-4 vote, the council summarily rejected the mayoral nomination of Fred Thompson to a spot on the County Water Authority board.

Unqualified, said Councilwoman Abbe Wolfsheimer. Thompson was allowed to speak only after the vote.

In case you’re interested, here’s the resume of someone deemed unqualified to do unpaid public service:

Graduate of San Diego State University. Owner of a public relations/marketing/entertainment management firm.

Service on the Mayor’s Committee for the Homeless and the boards of the Police Athletic League, Aztec Athletic Foundation and Old Mission Beach Athletic Club.

Also, a leadership role in rebuilding the San Ysidro Boys Club, St. Jude’s Academy and the Southcrest Little League facility.

Thompson, 46, who is Hispanic, would have been the only minority member on the water board. Among those recommending him was banker-civic activist Murray Galinson.

Voting no were Wolfsheimer, Linda Bernhardt, Bob Filner, John Hartley and Wes Pratt. Only Wolfsheimer offered a reason.

The Same Old Rodent Race

Roundup.

* The Del Mar Fair has hired animal fancier and trainer Donna Kingsley of Ramona as supervisor of the Fancy Rats and Mice Show for the 1990 Fair.

She promises daily Rat Chats. Sounds Mickey Mouse to me.

* The California Catholic Conference, made up of the state’s 27 Roman Catholic bishops, meets Thursday and Friday for its semi-annual meeting in Los Angeles.

Among the topics to be discussed will be whether the church should censure Catholic politicians who support keeping abortion legal.

Translation: Was it smart for Bishop Leo Maher to scold Lucy Killea during her successful race for a State Senate seat, or did it just provoke a pro-Killea backlash?

The debate, expected to be spirited, will be behind closed doors.