Wonder No More

Elf Ears

Here's an interesting body mod that turned up on Instructables - elf ears.

For the folks who want to do this without surgery, here are a couple how-tos for applying elf-ear costume ears :) (Full Story at makezine)


I thought you could use this at your next Lord of The Rings themed wedding or something.

The World Is My Canvas

Keep It in Park

The FHWA’s “Traffic Volume Trends” report, produced monthly since 1942, shows that estimated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on all U.S. public roads for March 2008 fell 4.3 percent as compared with March 2007 travel. This is the first time estimated March travel on public roads fell since 1979. At 11 billion miles less in March 2008 than in the previous March, this is the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history. (Full Story at dot)


That's a lot less driving. I wonder if the trend will continue or even move at an exponential rate. And another thing, when will this decreased demand translate into cheaper fuel?

Parting Picture

Amanda and Her Cousin Amy, Valdese, NC May 1990 | by Maryellen Marks

Genetic Discrimination

President Bush yesterday signed legislation into law that will bar health insurance companies or employers from denying or canceling coverage, hiking premiums or making decisions on hiring, firing and compensation based on genetic test results. (Full Story at sciam)



This very much reminds me of Gattaca. It also brings up some interesting questions. If it became cheap and easy to analyze someone's DNA, don't you think this could start being a problem? Clearly I'm a cynic, but I just don't think people tend to be all that honest when money is in the equation.

Telectroscope

As the first splinters of sunlight spread their warmth on the south bank of the River Thames on Thursday, it became clear that after more than a century, the vision of Victorian engineer Alexander Stanhope St. George had finally been realized.

In all its optical brilliance and brass and wood, there stood the Telectroscope: an 11.2-meter-(37 feet) long by 3.3-meter-(11 feet) tall dream of a device allowing people on one side of the Atlantic to look into its person-size lens and, in real time, see those on the other side via a recently completed tunnel running under the ocean. (Think 19th-century Webcam. Or maybe Victorian-age video phone.) (via makezine)

Of course they didn't actually drill a tunnel across the Atlantic, but its still cool. I'm betting their are some folks who will buy the story hook, line and sinker too.

No Worries Point And Shoot

Now here is a point-and-shoot I might actually want to have around. My Rebel XT has served me fine for a couple years now, but I’d be wary of taking it whitewater rafting. This Pentax, however, will go 13 feet under the waves for a couple hours and be none the wetter inside.

It’s sealed against dust and dirt as well as water, and will operate down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a 5x non-protruding zoom, a perfectly decent LCD, takes 720p video clips, and can focus as close as a centimeter, which is fantastic. At $330, it’s a bit expensive, but I think I can honestly say that I’d buy this over any other point-and-shoots I can think of off the top of my head. (via crunchgear)

This seems ideal for moms who take the kids to the pool all the time, or someone who goes camping etc. Seems like a lot of camera for that price actually.

Don't Be Hatin'

ScienceDaily (May 23, 2008) — University of Alberta Educational Psychology PhD student Lindsey Leenaars has completed a study that assessed what types of high school students are being indirectly victimized. This includes being involved in emotionally damaging scenarios such as receiving hurtful anonymous notes, being socially excluded, or having rumours spread about them, including threats of physical harm.

Leenaars analyzed data that was collected in Ontario in 2003. More than 2,300 students aged 12--18 filled out an anonymous questionnaire asking them questions, including how they rate their attractiveness, their sexual activity, their friendships and school social problems. (Full Story at sd)

So basically they did a study that showed teens don't like snobs. Is that what you are getting from this too? To me, this seems rather obvious.

Coke-Bot

Just spotted, a Coke vending machine robot walking around outside of Shibuya Station in Tokyo. Coca-Cola has oversized robot vending machines lumbering around Tokyo pinching the heads of people who prefer a different brand. These robots have been made to the likeness of the 11inch tall desktop toys which feauture the regular as well as the black Coke Zero available in Japan. The toys feature bendy arms and have a little coin slot for saving up your yen and buying more coke. (via livegrids)


Japan is nuts. Every time you turn around they are doing something crazy. It would be cool to watch one of these in public.

Look at Me, I'm an M&M

At this week's National Confectioners Association All Candy Expo, Mars announced that it will be taking their personalization of M&Ms program to the next level with "M&M Faces." Now you can write personal messages on M&Ms, but with M&M Faces you'll be able to upload a photo and put it on a batch of M&Ms. The program is set to launch next month.

"The consumers aren't recreating the brand, they enhance it," said Cass. "The brand essence is fun, and they simply redefine that," says Jim Cass, Mars Direct's VP. Kudos for understanding how consumers interact with THEIR brand guys. (via candysnpb)

You can also go over here and create an M&M to look like you.

Parting Picture

Jesus Take The Wheel

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - It seemed like an almost literal answer to their prayers. When two New Zealand pilots ran out of fuel in a microlight airplane they offered prayers and were able to make an emergency landing in a field _ coming to rest right next to a sign reading, "Jesus is Lord." (Full Story at wtop)

Overheard

Frat boy #1: Dude! Look at that girl in that store... She's checkin' me out.
Frat boy #2: Dude, that's a mannequin!
Frat boy #1: Oh.

--Rockefeller Center

Overheard by: Michelle



You can go here to check out more things people have overheard in New York City. (Do remember that people don't always censure themselves on the street. . . actually, I should say they almost never do).

Save Gas, Buy Mules

MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - High gas prices have driven a Warren County farmer and his sons to hitch a tractor rake to a pair of mules to gather hay from their fields. T.R. Raymond bought Dolly and Molly at the Dixon mule sale last year. Son Danny Raymond trained them and also modified the tractor rake so the mules could pull it.

T.R. Raymond says the mules are slower than a petroleum-powered tractor, but there are benefits.

"This fuel's so high, you can't afford it," he said. "We can feed these mules cheaper than we can buy fuel. That's the truth."

And Danny Raymond says he just likes using the mules around the farm.

"We've been using them quite a bit," he said.

Brother Robert Raymond added, "It's the way of the future." (From wtop)

Who's laughing at the Amish now?

Build Your Own Casket

None of us are getting out of this alive, so you might as well bury yourself in your work. Join a growing number of independent-minded people looking for a more meaningful alternative to today’s burial arrangements. This course covers a range of important details such as: proper sizing, joinery, handle construction, hardware and design options. (Full Details at northhousefolkschool)
I actually think it would be a good exercise. I wonder if I can find something like this near where I live.

Perfect Sandwich

A leading UK chemical engineer has revealed the unlikely ingredient needed to make the perfect sandwich ... bubbles.

Speaking at an Institution of Chemical Engineers’ (IChemE) lecture, Professor Grant Campbell said that bubbles in bread are as important for making a good sandwich as its filling, due to the unique composition of wheat. (Full Story at sd)

Call me crazy but I think he is overstating his case a tad.

Not All Dudes

Alright, alright I didn't mean to ruffle feathers by saying "all" my readers were male. I do have a small group of females that visit the blog.

Parting Picture

Poll

I'm giving the poll a rest this week. We don't have a full week anyway. Interesting to see that the few people who peek at this blog are men. I guess that's to be expected though. Next up - several parting pictures.