Create Your Own Graffiti

Kinda tricky to use it though.
(via Crazy/Beautiful)

Create Your Own Graffiti

Kinda tricky to use it though.
(via Crazy/Beautiful)

'Corpse Flower' to Bloom in UConn Greenhouse

I might have to take a trip to CT to see this. Although they do have a webcam if you want to take a look without travelling.

Within the next few weeks, New Englanders will have the opportunity to see and smell one of the strangest productions of the vegetable kingdom: the titan arum, or corpse flower, which features a gigantic bloom — and a mighty stench -- is expected to open sometime near the end of June, at the University of Connecticut's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Conservatory.

Currently, the UConn-based flower bud is more than three feet high and growing by several inches each day. Clint Morse, plant growth facilities manager and the researcher who obtained and planted the titan arum, is estimating the plant will flower between June 28 and July 2. He emphasizes, however, that those dates only represent his best guess.

The fully open flower lasts only a few days, so visitors hoping to catch it at its peak will have to time their visit carefully. The infamous odor of the corpse flower is strongest just as the flower opens, becoming faint, for better or worse, after the first day. Already, gardeners, botanists and curiosity-seekers from across the northeast and beyond are making plans to travel to Storrs to experience the horticultural equivalent of twin NCAA basketball championships.

(via Collision Detection)

'Corpse Flower' to Bloom in UConn Greenhouse

I might have to take a trip to CT to see this. Although they do have a webcam if you want to take a look without travelling.

Within the next few weeks, New Englanders will have the opportunity to see and smell one of the strangest productions of the vegetable kingdom: the titan arum, or corpse flower, which features a gigantic bloom — and a mighty stench -- is expected to open sometime near the end of June, at the University of Connecticut's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Conservatory.

Currently, the UConn-based flower bud is more than three feet high and growing by several inches each day. Clint Morse, plant growth facilities manager and the researcher who obtained and planted the titan arum, is estimating the plant will flower between June 28 and July 2. He emphasizes, however, that those dates only represent his best guess.

The fully open flower lasts only a few days, so visitors hoping to catch it at its peak will have to time their visit carefully. The infamous odor of the corpse flower is strongest just as the flower opens, becoming faint, for better or worse, after the first day. Already, gardeners, botanists and curiosity-seekers from across the northeast and beyond are making plans to travel to Storrs to experience the horticultural equivalent of twin NCAA basketball championships.

(via Collision Detection)

Guest Blogger

I am always looking for different ways to improve Cynical-C. My good friend Paul is constantly ferreting out interesting links so I have created an account for him and he will be posting from time to time under the initials pvc. Paul was born in FL but moved to Boston to attend MIT and never left. He must have hated those brutal Florida winters. I worked with him for a few years developing software and he would send me weird links before I had even heard of blogging so I know that he will be a great addition to this blog. He has carte blanche and I told him to post whenever he feels like it so a warm welcome to pvc.

Guest Blogger

I am always looking for different ways to improve Cynical-C. My good friend Paul is constantly ferreting out interesting links so I have created an account for him and he will be posting from time to time under the initials pvc. Paul was born in FL but moved to Boston to attend MIT and never left. He must have hated those brutal Florida winters. I worked with him for a few years developing software and he would send me weird links before I had even heard of blogging so I know that he will be a great addition to this blog. He has carte blanche and I told him to post whenever he feels like it so a warm welcome to pvc.

Videogame Fan Fiction

Fan Fictions are stories written by fans of pre-existing cultural artifacts using and reworking the characters, plots, settings, etc. to the author's liking. It seems natural that fanfictions will be written based on movies, TV shows and even classical mythology.

But there is an active and enthusiastic core of fan fiction writers creating stories from video games. Again, this should not be too surprising for games that have well defined plots and characters such as the Final Fantasy series. But people write stories based on Sonic the Hedgehog, farming simulators and even Minesweeper.

Here, do we have marvelously active imaginations, people with too much time on their hands, or both?

Disclaimer and shameless self-promotion: this blogger is a videogame fanfiction writer himself. Too much time on my hands in my case.

Videogame Fan Fiction

Fan Fictions are stories written by fans of pre-existing cultural artifacts using and reworking the characters, plots, settings, etc. to the author's liking. It seems natural that fanfictions will be written based on movies, TV shows and even classical mythology. But there is an active and enthusiastic core of fan fiction writers creating stories from video games. Again, this should not be too surprising for games that have well defined plots and characters such as the Final Fantasy series. But people write stories based on Sonic the Hedgehog, farming simulators and even Minesweeper. Here, do we have marvelously active imaginations, people with too much time on their hands, or both? Disclaimer and shameless self-promotion: this blogger is a videogame fanfiction writer himself. Too much time on my hands in my case.

Cool Bus

Nice.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Cool Bus

Nice.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Dead or Alive

Not sure if a celebrity is dead or alive? Check here.

Dead or Alive

Not sure if a celebrity is dead or alive? Check here.

More US Separatist Movements

Why should Hawaii have all the fun? Don't Vermonters, New Englanders in general, Texans, Pacific Northwesterners, and Californians deserve self-determination also?

More US Separatist Movements

Why should Hawaii have all the fun? Don't Vermonters, New Englanders in general, Texans, Pacific Northwesterners, and Californians deserve self-determination also?

Overclocking a P4 to 5GHz

First item you need is a lot of liquid nitrogen.

Overclocking a P4 to 5GHz

First item you need is a lot of liquid nitrogen.

Japanese Comic Book Covers

Since the site is entirely in Japanese, I am really not sure what year these comic books are from or what they are about. But they look cool.

Japanese Comic Book Covers

Since the site is entirely in Japanese, I am really not sure what year these comic books are from or what they are about. But they look cool.

Bush/Cheney Mods for Quake 3

Also available are mods for Hillary Clinton and Condi Rice. I wonder if the Cheney mod swears?

Bush/Cheney Mods for Quake 3

Also available are mods for Hillary Clinton and Condi Rice. I wonder if the Cheney mod swears?

Free Hawaii!!

Welcome to the website of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government presently operating within the occupied State of the Hawaiian Islands. Since the Spanish-American War, 1898, our Nation has been under prolonged occupation by the United States of America.

Sorry Hawaii but the last time a state tried to leave the union was in the 1860s and it didn't go too smoothly. Once you become a state you are a state for life. Kinda like the mafia.

Free Hawaii!!

Welcome to the website of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government presently operating within the occupied State of the Hawaiian Islands. Since the Spanish-American War, 1898, our Nation has been under prolonged occupation by the United States of America.

Sorry Hawaii but the last time a state tried to leave the union was in the 1860s and it didn't go too smoothly. Once you become a state you are a state for life. Kinda like the mafia.

PRICKly

A class of third grade students in Jackson, Mississippi started a "welcome-back-to-school" class project to make a plant pot to take home, and wanted a plant that was easy to take care of. So it was decided to use cactus plants.

The students were given greenware pottery in the style of a clown plant pot and they painted them with glaze and had them professionally fired at a class outing so they could see the process. It was great fun.

They planted the cactus seeds in the finished planters, and they grew nicely, but unfortunately the children were not allowed to take them home. Instead, the cactus plants were removed from the planters, and a small ivy replaced them before the children were allowed to take them home.

When interviewed, the teacher said cactus had seemed like a good idea at the time. But . . . .

PRICKly

A class of third grade students in Jackson, Mississippi started a "welcome-back-to-school" class project to make a plant pot to take home, and wanted a plant that was easy to take care of. So it was decided to use cactus plants.

The students were given greenware pottery in the style of a clown plant pot and they painted them with glaze and had them professionally fired at a class outing so they could see the process. It was great fun.

They planted the cactus seeds in the finished planters, and they grew nicely, but unfortunately the children were not allowed to take them home. Instead, the cactus plants were removed from the planters, and a small ivy replaced them before the children were allowed to take them home.

When interviewed, the teacher said cactus had seemed like a good idea at the time. But . . . .

The George W. Bush Singers

These are the words of the President – exactly as they were spoken -- brought to life by live musicians and a majestic choir – all ready to let freedom ring! These words of inspiration and toe tapping musical selections inspired by George W. Bush are presented on CD in a musically delightful manner by the GEORGE W. BUSH SINGERS.

The George W. Bush Singers

These are the words of the President – exactly as they were spoken -- brought to life by live musicians and a majestic choir – all ready to let freedom ring! These words of inspiration and toe tapping musical selections inspired by George W. Bush are presented on CD in a musically delightful manner by the GEORGE W. BUSH SINGERS.

100 Best Movie Songs

The American Film Institute (AFI) revealed the top movie songs of all time in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs three-hour special television event hosted by John Travolta. Having contributed to the list himself-his dance moves helped SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER'S Stayin' Alive disco its way into a Top 10 spot and he made his own way onto the final list with his performance of GREASE'S Summer Nights-Travolta was a natural representative for 100 years of American movie music.

100 Best Movie Songs

The American Film Institute (AFI) revealed the top movie songs of all time in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs three-hour special television event hosted by John Travolta. Having contributed to the list himself-his dance moves helped SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER'S Stayin' Alive disco its way into a Top 10 spot and he made his own way onto the final list with his performance of GREASE'S Summer Nights-Travolta was a natural representative for 100 years of American movie music.

Car Survey

Here is a helpful site if you are in the market for a new car or want to share info about your current car. The reviews are listed by manufacturer.

Car Survey

Here is a helpful site if you are in the market for a new car or want to share info about your current car. The reviews are listed by manufacturer.

Van Halen on the Violin

Impressive. This guy does a version of Van Halen's guitar solo Eruption on the violin.

Van Halen on the Violin

Impressive. This guy does a version of Van Halen's guitar solo Eruption on the violin.

Toaster Oven Mod

Another case mod.
(via Waxy.org)

Toaster Oven Mod

Another case mod.
(via Waxy.org)

Painted Rocks

George, primarily uses rocks from the shore, as they have been smoothed by the surf and are, therefore, ideal for painting. He does not attach anything to the rock, or chisel pieces of it away; he prefers to work with the shape provided by nature. The natural imperfections, such as chips, streaks or holes, often work to his advantage; a rock with one edge broken off became the half-eaten side of an apple.

(via Exclamation Mark)

Painted Rocks

George, primarily uses rocks from the shore, as they have been smoothed by the surf and are, therefore, ideal for painting. He does not attach anything to the rock, or chisel pieces of it away; he prefers to work with the shape provided by nature. The natural imperfections, such as chips, streaks or holes, often work to his advantage; a rock with one edge broken off became the half-eaten side of an apple.

(via Exclamation Mark)

Getting Your News in Photos

If you are sick of reading headlines and just want your news in picture form try this.

Getting Your News in Photos

If you are sick of reading headlines and just want your news in picture form try this.

Magazine Art

Magazines shaped our lives. They came into our homes and showed us how to dress, how to act, what to read, which way to vote, and how to think about ourselves, literature, science, art, and the rest of the world. We've created this website because these magazine covers are difficult to find and study, even considering all the influence they had on us. We're here because we love the art and want to make it available once again. Take a look around; try one of the links in the left column.

Do they even sell pulp magazines anymore?

Magazine Art

Magazines shaped our lives. They came into our homes and showed us how to dress, how to act, what to read, which way to vote, and how to think about ourselves, literature, science, art, and the rest of the world. We've created this website because these magazine covers are difficult to find and study, even considering all the influence they had on us. We're here because we love the art and want to make it available once again. Take a look around; try one of the links in the left column.

Do they even sell pulp magazines anymore?

Shoelace Knots

Here are Six Ways To Tie Shoelaces. Pictured above is the Surgeon's Shoelace Knot.

Shoelace Knots

Here are Six Ways To Tie Shoelaces. Pictured above is the Surgeon's Shoelace Knot.

CoffeeGeek.com

All things coffee at coffeegeek.com

CoffeeGeek.com

All things coffee at coffeegeek.com

Question

Do all spammers use the email address hrie@yahoo.com when spamming comments on blogs or is it just one jackass?

UPDATE
Actually I haven't had too many problems with spam on my comments after installing MT Blacklist. I did a quick google search on hrie@yahoo.com and it appears I am not the only one who gets comment spam from this email address. My guess is it that it is some type of script. Here are what some other blogs are saying.

Question

Do all spammers use the email address hrie@yahoo.com when spamming comments on blogs or is it just one jackass?

UPDATE
Actually I haven't had too many problems with spam on my comments after installing MT Blacklist. I did a quick google search on hrie@yahoo.com and it appears I am not the only one who gets comment spam from this email address. My guess is it that it is some type of script. Here are what some other blogs are saying.

I, Robot

There is a good discussion on Monkeyfilter about the movie I, Robot which is coming out soon that is supposedly an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's book of the same title. It has been a few years since I read I, Robot and it is not really a novel but a collection of short stories. I don't understand why they even named this movie I, Robot unless they just expanded one of the short stories from the book. From the looks of the trailer(which they played constantly on the tv at my hotel), it seems that it is about a robot revolt which as far as I can remember never happened in any of the stories of I, Robot because Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics always held true. I will wait for some reviews to come out before I decide to go but it just seems like Hollywood taking a great idea and dumbing it down to what the studios think is the intelligence of their audience.

I, Robot

There is a good discussion on Monkeyfilter about the movie I, Robot which is coming out soon that is supposedly an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's book of the same title. It has been a few years since I read I, Robot and it is not really a novel but a collection of short stories. I don't understand why they even named this movie I, Robot unless they just expanded one of the short stories from the book. From the looks of the trailer(which they played constantly on the tv at my hotel), it seems that it is about a robot revolt which as far as I can remember never happened in any of the stories of I, Robot because Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics always held true. I will wait for some reviews to come out before I decide to go but it just seems like Hollywood taking a great idea and dumbing it down to what the studios think is the intelligence of their audience.

Time

I had seen this site quite a long time ago but I don't think I ever posted it. They really are the best time-elapse photos I have seen.

On June 17th, every year, the family goes through a private ritual: we photograph ourselves to stop a fleeting moment, the arrow of time passing by.

(via Idle Type)

Time

I had seen this site quite a long time ago but I don't think I ever posted it. They really are the best time-elapse photos I have seen.

On June 17th, every year, the family goes through a private ritual: we photograph ourselves to stop a fleeting moment, the arrow of time passing by.

(via Idle Type)

Found Magazine

I have seen websites that display things they have found but I didn't know there was a magazine in print dedicated to it.

we collect FOUND stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, doodles- anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life. anything goes...

Found Magazine

I have seen websites that display things they have found but I didn't know there was a magazine in print dedicated to it.

we collect FOUND stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, doodles- anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life. anything goes...

Mayday Mystery

Every year around May 1st at the University of Arizona, cryptic ads appear in the school's newspaper. The guy who runs this website was a former webmaster of the newspaper's website and has been trying to figure out what is going on. He has scanned twenty years worth of ads and put them on his site. Very interesting and worth a read.

Mayday Mystery

Every year around May 1st at the University of Arizona, cryptic ads appear in the school's newspaper. The guy who runs this website was a former webmaster of the newspaper's website and has been trying to figure out what is going on. He has scanned twenty years worth of ads and put them on his site. Very interesting and worth a read.

What is that thing?

This site gives you a gallery of images and multiple choices to guess what the gizmo pictured is. For example, what is pictured above?
A. A pasta cutter
B. A musical staff inscriber
C. A paste applicator
D. An oil paint texturizer
Click here for the answer.

What is that thing?

This site gives you a gallery of images and multiple choices to guess what the gizmo pictured is. For example, what is pictured above?
A. A pasta cutter
B. A musical staff inscriber
C. A paste applicator
D. An oil paint texturizer
Click here for the answer.

Question

How much damage can a one-armed drunk Texan do in a SUV?

Answer.

Question

How much damage can a one-armed drunk Texan do in a SUV?

Answer.

Who wants Gmail?

I have one invitation left. The first person who emails me at cc@cynical-c.com gets it. (Be careful if you want the invitation sent to a yahoo or hotmail account. I have heard that gmail invites are treated as spam).

UPDATE:
It is gone. Sorry to those who emailed me for it. If I get any more invites we can try again.

Who wants Gmail?

I have one invitation left. The first person who emails me at cc@cynical-c.com gets it. (Be careful if you want the invitation sent to a yahoo or hotmail account. I have heard that gmail invites are treated as spam).

UPDATE:
It is gone. Sorry to those who emailed me for it. If I get any more invites we can try again.

Wireless Camera Pill

M2A® Capsule Endoscopy is a naturally ingested device for use in the gastrointestinal tract. Natural peristalsis moves the M2A® Capsule smoothly and painlessly throughout the gastrointestinal tract, transmitting color video images as it passes. The procedure is ambulatory, allowing patients to continue daily activities throughout the endoscopic examination.

Wireless Camera Pill

M2A® Capsule Endoscopy is a naturally ingested device for use in the gastrointestinal tract. Natural peristalsis moves the M2A® Capsule smoothly and painlessly throughout the gastrointestinal tract, transmitting color video images as it passes. The procedure is ambulatory, allowing patients to continue daily activities throughout the endoscopic examination.

War Kayaking

As the summer approaches, we crawl out of our protective wired covered lairs to sometimes partake in outdoor activity. Last weekend, we went kayaking around Lake Union in Seattle, WA and of course, we couldn’t help but bring along a lot of equipment and decided we’d hunt for open wireless spots, this friends- was “War Kayaking” we found a ton, charted it with GPS, Wifi finders and we’ll show you how we did it for this week’s HOW-TO Tuesday.

War Kayaking

As the summer approaches, we crawl out of our protective wired covered lairs to sometimes partake in outdoor activity. Last weekend, we went kayaking around Lake Union in Seattle, WA and of course, we couldn’t help but bring along a lot of equipment and decided we’d hunt for open wireless spots, this friends- was “War Kayaking” we found a ton, charted it with GPS, Wifi finders and we’ll show you how we did it for this week’s HOW-TO Tuesday.

geocoder.us

What is geocoder.us?

Geocoding is the process of estimating a latitude and longitude for a given location. Geocoder.us is a public service providing free geocoding of addresses and intersections in the United States.

It nailed my exact coordinates. (I booted up my gps to check)

geocoder.us

What is geocoder.us?

Geocoding is the process of estimating a latitude and longitude for a given location. Geocoder.us is a public service providing free geocoding of addresses and intersections in the United States.

It nailed my exact coordinates. (I booted up my gps to check)

The Katherine Interface

Tell her something and she will react.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

The Katherine Interface

Tell her something and she will react.
(via Bifurcated Rivets)

Marbles Playing Musical Instruments

I don't know how else really to explain this but it is pretty cool.

Marbles Playing Musical Instruments

I don't know how else really to explain this but it is pretty cool.

Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian

Heh.

Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian

Heh.

The Real Gilligan's Island

So reality tv is now emulating old sitcoms?

Get ready to take a three-hour tour and end up on an uncharted desert island. That's right -- Gilligan's Island is coming back on TBS -- and this time, you can be a part of it! The producers of "Gilligan's Island" are teaming with the producers of the "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" to bring you The Real Gilligan's Island.

This all-new version of the classic sitcom will feature real life versions of the original show's characters: a real-life skipper, first mate, millionaire couple, movie star, professor and Kansas farm girl. And one of them could be you!

The Real Gilligan's Island

So reality tv is now emulating old sitcoms?

Get ready to take a three-hour tour and end up on an uncharted desert island. That's right -- Gilligan's Island is coming back on TBS -- and this time, you can be a part of it! The producers of "Gilligan's Island" are teaming with the producers of the "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" to bring you The Real Gilligan's Island.

This all-new version of the classic sitcom will feature real life versions of the original show's characters: a real-life skipper, first mate, millionaire couple, movie star, professor and Kansas farm girl. And one of them could be you!

Language Maps

Click a language and state to see how multilingual that state is.

Language Maps

Click a language and state to see how multilingual that state is.

Laptop anti theft device

But wouldn't it look odd bringing a pizza box everywhere you go?

Laptop anti theft device

But wouldn't it look odd bringing a pizza box everywhere you go?

The Ballad of Adriana

Cute if you are a Sopranos fan.
(via Mookie)

The Ballad of Adriana

Cute if you are a Sopranos fan.
(via Mookie)

Don't Link to Us

Don't Link to Us hasn't been updated since 2002 but still has websites on it with absurd or just plain stupid linking policies. Boing Boing has the latest company with a ridiculous linking policy. FastCompany, which is a tech magazine, states this as their web link policy:

Due to the large volume of requests we receive, we do not have a reciprocal linking program. However, if you like, you may link to us at no cost. This option requires the execution by you and Fastcompany.com of a one-page Web-linking agreement. Please download and sign the agreement and fax it to 617-738-5055, attn: G+J legal, Fastcompany.com. As soon as you receive back the agreement signed on behalf of Fastcompany.com, you may begin linking to our content.

Here is a bit from their web-linking agreement form:

For good and valuable consideration, effective upon the duly authorized signatures of Owner and G+J below (the “Effective Date”), G+J hereby grants to Owner a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to create a hyperlink from the Linking Site to Inc.com from the Effective Date, unless and until such permission is terminated by G+J upon notice to Owner, subject to the following terms and conditions.

I will admit that I have never read FastCompany but that is one tech magazine that really has its finger to the internet's pulse. This actually has made me rethink Cynical-c's web linking policies. I checked with my legal dept and this is what they told me.

ANYONE CAN LINK TO CYNICAL-C OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE FOR THAT MATTER!! Linking is the backbone of the internet. Without hyperlinks there is no http. So link away. Oh, and does doing a search on google constitute a legal dept?

Don't Link to Us

Don't Link to Us hasn't been updated since 2002 but still has websites on it with absurd or just plain stupid linking policies. Boing Boing has the latest company with a ridiculous linking policy. FastCompany, which is a tech magazine, states this as their web link policy:

Due to the large volume of requests we receive, we do not have a reciprocal linking program. However, if you like, you may link to us at no cost. This option requires the execution by you and Fastcompany.com of a one-page Web-linking agreement. Please download and sign the agreement and fax it to 617-738-5055, attn: G+J legal, Fastcompany.com. As soon as you receive back the agreement signed on behalf of Fastcompany.com, you may begin linking to our content.

Here is a bit from their web-linking agreement form:

For good and valuable consideration, effective upon the duly authorized signatures of Owner and G+J below (the “Effective Date”), G+J hereby grants to Owner a non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free license to create a hyperlink from the Linking Site to Inc.com from the Effective Date, unless and until such permission is terminated by G+J upon notice to Owner, subject to the following terms and conditions.

I will admit that I have never read FastCompany but that is one tech magazine that really has its finger to the internet's pulse. This actually has made me rethink Cynical-c's web linking policies. I checked with my legal dept and this is what they told me.

ANYONE CAN LINK TO CYNICAL-C OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE FOR THAT MATTER!! Linking is the backbone of the internet. Without hyperlinks there is no http. So link away. Oh, and does doing a search on google constitute a legal dept?

The RIOT Wheel

The RIOT Wheel is a huge, heavy motorized single-wheel vehicle, originally built for Burning Man, the natural home of deviant vehicles. Check out the FAQ and Technical sections to find out more, and watch the video clips.

I looked but the FAQ doesn't say how it steers.
(The last few links from The Presurfer)
UPDATE
Almost forgot. RIOT stands for "Re Invention Of The"

The RIOT Wheel

The RIOT Wheel is a huge, heavy motorized single-wheel vehicle, originally built for Burning Man, the natural home of deviant vehicles. Check out the FAQ and Technical sections to find out more, and watch the video clips.

I looked but the FAQ doesn't say how it steers.
(The last few links from The Presurfer)
UPDATE
Almost forgot. RIOT stands for "Re Invention Of The"

Rent A Jerk

I think the deal is that you hire them to berate your coworkers or friends for you. Linking to these sites are much easier when there is an about section that you can just copy and paste too. Can you see I am still in vacation mode?

Rent A Jerk

I think the deal is that you hire them to berate your coworkers or friends for you. Linking to these sites are much easier when there is an about section that you can just copy and paste too. Can you see I am still in vacation mode?

Ho Chi Minh, the Asian Colonel Sanders

From the aptly named ihavetoomuchfreetime.com

Ho Chi Minh, the Asian Colonel Sanders

From the aptly named ihavetoomuchfreetime.com

Back to Work

Just as the sun setting on Mallory Square in Key West, (pictured above) my vacation has ended. Time to get back to work. I had a great time and tried to avoid the internet and news as much as possible. (Does USA Today delivered to your room in the morning count as news? I didn't think so.)

The Keys were beautiful of course and I think I will have to go back there again although the ideal time would be in Jan or Feb when we are stuck in snow and frigid temperatures. The biggest surprise for me was going to a Florida Marlin's game at Pro Players Stadium. Being from Boston, it is nearly impossible to get Red Sox tickets during the season and you are going to pay an arm and a leg for any decent seats. I always forget that it isn't as difficult to get tickets in other markets, especially FL. We went and got our tickets an hour before the game and for $28 bucks a ticket we were a few rows behind the first base dugout.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and emails. Blogging resumes on Monday. It might take me awhile to go through my bloglines reader but I will catch up. Now onto the links!

Back to Work

Just as the sun setting on Mallory Square in Key West, (pictured above) my vacation has ended. Time to get back to work. I had a great time and tried to avoid the internet and news as much as possible. (Does USA Today delivered to your room in the morning count as news? I didn't think so.)

The Keys were beautiful of course and I think I will have to go back there again although the ideal time would be in Jan or Feb when we are stuck in snow and frigid temperatures. The biggest surprise for me was going to a Florida Marlin's game at Pro Players Stadium. Being from Boston, it is nearly impossible to get Red Sox tickets during the season and you are going to pay an arm and a leg for any decent seats. I always forget that it isn't as difficult to get tickets in other markets, especially FL. We went and got our tickets an hour before the game and for $28 bucks a ticket we were a few rows behind the first base dugout.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and emails. Blogging resumes on Monday. It might take me awhile to go through my bloglines reader but I will catch up. Now onto the links!

Vacation!

I am leaving tomorrow for a week in South Florida and the Keys. I won't be updating cynical-c until I get back but I will have email. If you need me I will be underneath that palm tree.

Vacation!

I am leaving tomorrow for a week in South Florida and the Keys. I won't be updating cynical-c until I get back but I will have email. If you need me I will be underneath that palm tree.

GMail

A special thank you to Gerard from The Presurfer for sending me an invite to get GMail. He had three invitations and the first three people to email him asking for one received it. See, these rss feeds really do come in handy!

I will give you a review of it once I start using it. I signed up for my account successfully but I keep getting a server error saying Gmail is temporarily unavailable. Grrr.

GMail

A special thank you to Gerard from The Presurfer for sending me an invite to get GMail. He had three invitations and the first three people to email him asking for one received it. See, these rss feeds really do come in handy!

I will give you a review of it once I start using it. I signed up for my account successfully but I keep getting a server error saying Gmail is temporarily unavailable. Grrr.

Portrait Illustration Maker

Make yourself into a cartoon character. Mine looks almost exactly like me.
(via My2SecondShelfLife)

Portrait Illustration Maker

Make yourself into a cartoon character. Mine looks almost exactly like me.
(via My2SecondShelfLife)

How to Fry an Egg in a PC

Some people see what is and asks why. This guy sees what isn't and asks why not?

How to Fry an Egg in a PC

Some people see what is and asks why. This guy sees what isn't and asks why not?

Presidential Lists

For presidential trivia fans. Especially helpful for questions such as, What presidents had facial hair?

Presidential Lists

For presidential trivia fans. Especially helpful for questions such as, What presidents had facial hair?

Defunct Amusement Parks

This site has lists of abandoned amusement parks from around the country. Some of the parks listed have photo galleries and articles about them.

Defunct Amusement Parks

This site has lists of abandoned amusement parks from around the country. Some of the parks listed have photo galleries and articles about them.

Make Way For Ducklings

Probably photoshopped but anyone want to take a guess to how many ducklings make it across? Click here for the answer.

Make Way For Ducklings

Probably photoshopped but anyone want to take a guess to how many ducklings make it across? Click here for the answer.

Ashcroft Sings

I can't believe I missed this video.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft ended a speech at a Charlotte, North Carolina seminary with a rousing rendition of a song he wrote called 'Let The Eagles Soar'

I can honestly say that he is as good as a singer as he is an AG.

Ashcroft Sings

I can't believe I missed this video.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft ended a speech at a Charlotte, North Carolina seminary with a rousing rendition of a song he wrote called 'Let The Eagles Soar'

I can honestly say that he is as good as a singer as he is an AG.

Animation of the Shaping of Cape Cod Over 7000 Years

Cape Cod, a peninsula jutting off the coast of Massachusetts, is little more than a sand castle built by a glacier. In this animation of Cape Cod, made from geologists' estimates and satellite pictures, the unusual history of this shallow strip of land can be clearly seen.

(via Incoming Signals)

Animation of the Shaping of Cape Cod Over 7000 Years

Cape Cod, a peninsula jutting off the coast of Massachusetts, is little more than a sand castle built by a glacier. In this animation of Cape Cod, made from geologists' estimates and satellite pictures, the unusual history of this shallow strip of land can be clearly seen.

(via Incoming Signals)

Make Your Own Pirate Radio Station with an iPod

This was going to be “How-To increase the range of your iTrip mini”. But after playing around with the new iTrip mini, the FM broadcasting accessory for the iPod (our review here) our little minds got working on some ideas. We thought we might be able to make the range of Griffin’s iTrip mini a little better if took it apart and exposed the antenna, turns out we could. And then we thought, hey- we could use a couple iPods to broadcast something we wanted to get out there, perhaps not “should” that is, but could. So that was our motivation, and here’s the How-To.

Make Your Own Pirate Radio Station with an iPod

This was going to be “How-To increase the range of your iTrip mini”. But after playing around with the new iTrip mini, the FM broadcasting accessory for the iPod (our review here) our little minds got working on some ideas. We thought we might be able to make the range of Griffin’s iTrip mini a little better if took it apart and exposed the antenna, turns out we could. And then we thought, hey- we could use a couple iPods to broadcast something we wanted to get out there, perhaps not “should” that is, but could. So that was our motivation, and here’s the How-To.

Guide to Shooting Rubber Bands

Anything you could possibly want to know about shooting rubber bands.

Guide to Shooting Rubber Bands

Anything you could possibly want to know about shooting rubber bands.

Clothes That Launder Themselves

From Nature.com:

Scientists have invented an efficient way to coat cotton cloth with tiny particles of titanium dioxide. These nanoparticles are catalysts that help to break down carbon-based molecules, and require only sunlight to trigger the reaction. The inventors believe that these fabrics could be made into self-cleaning clothes that tackle dirt, environmental pollutants and harmful microorganisms.

Posted by Chris at 6:25 AM

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Clothes That Launder Themselves

From Nature.com:

Scientists have invented an efficient way to coat cotton cloth with tiny particles of titanium dioxide. These nanoparticles are catalysts that help to break down carbon-based molecules, and require only sunlight to trigger the reaction. The inventors believe that these fabrics could be made into self-cleaning clothes that tackle dirt, environmental pollutants and harmful microorganisms.

Posted by Chris at 6:25 AM

---

Star Wars Fact NOT Fiction

Oh boy, here we go.

George Lucas quite naturally believes that he wrote "Starwars", when, in reality, he was told telepathically what to write in the original first three Episodes (4-6), by the very "Force" to which the films refer, and was "forced" to make only episodes 4-6, first, as a very important step in the preparation of mankind for the long-awaited TRUTH, about the real reasons for human life on Earth ("what on earth am I doing here?"), the meaning of life and its purpose, contained in "The Way home or face The Fire", from which episodes 1-3 should have been made, as I did my best, frequently, to tell him.

And

Although "Starwars" (Episodes 4-6) is set as science-fiction and in a distant galaxy to make it entertaining, it actually refers to this galaxy and life on Earth. There actually was a REAL star war thousands of human years ago, in this galaxy, on the "Morning Star" [Venus] (Revelation 12 v 7; 22 v 16; Isaiah 14 v 12 in the king James Authorised Version of the Bible [which was the ONLY translation worth reading until the new "King of kings' Bible" was completed]); (Koran sura 6:76 and 86:1-4) and you were ALL on the losing side.

Star Wars Fact NOT Fiction

Oh boy, here we go.

George Lucas quite naturally believes that he wrote "Starwars", when, in reality, he was told telepathically what to write in the original first three Episodes (4-6), by the very "Force" to which the films refer, and was "forced" to make only episodes 4-6, first, as a very important step in the preparation of mankind for the long-awaited TRUTH, about the real reasons for human life on Earth ("what on earth am I doing here?"), the meaning of life and its purpose, contained in "The Way home or face The Fire", from which episodes 1-3 should have been made, as I did my best, frequently, to tell him.

And

Although "Starwars" (Episodes 4-6) is set as science-fiction and in a distant galaxy to make it entertaining, it actually refers to this galaxy and life on Earth. There actually was a REAL star war thousands of human years ago, in this galaxy, on the "Morning Star" [Venus] (Revelation 12 v 7; 22 v 16; Isaiah 14 v 12 in the king James Authorised Version of the Bible [which was the ONLY translation worth reading until the new "King of kings' Bible" was completed]); (Koran sura 6:76 and 86:1-4) and you were ALL on the losing side.

The Nightmare Project

If you like reading about people's nightmares, look no further.

The how of our project is quite simple. We provide a vehicle for visitors to share nightmares, experience the nightmares of others, and exchange ideas about these troubling dreams. For our purposes, "nightmare" means a dream you, the dreamer, considered significantly frightening or disturbing. We are looking for the dreams that made you wake with a start, that caused you to leave the light on, that made you think twice about going back to sleep.

Here is an example of one:

Everyone I have ever met is standing on the edge of a cliff with me. Suddenly they all get out a dagger and cut one of their hands off. This causes them to fall over the cliff into a ravine. The blood from their hands creates a river in the ravine. I am sad because of the death of all these people. Suddenly all the severed hands start moving towards me clutching the daggers, edging me further towards the ravine filled with blood. One of the hands jumps up and stabs me in the back and I start falling into the ravine, but I wake up before I hit the river of blood. I am crying when I wake up. I have this nightmare nearly every night.

(via The Presurfer)

The Nightmare Project

If you like reading about people's nightmares, look no further.

The how of our project is quite simple. We provide a vehicle for visitors to share nightmares, experience the nightmares of others, and exchange ideas about these troubling dreams. For our purposes, "nightmare" means a dream you, the dreamer, considered significantly frightening or disturbing. We are looking for the dreams that made you wake with a start, that caused you to leave the light on, that made you think twice about going back to sleep.

Here is an example of one:

Everyone I have ever met is standing on the edge of a cliff with me. Suddenly they all get out a dagger and cut one of their hands off. This causes them to fall over the cliff into a ravine. The blood from their hands creates a river in the ravine. I am sad because of the death of all these people. Suddenly all the severed hands start moving towards me clutching the daggers, edging me further towards the ravine filled with blood. One of the hands jumps up and stabs me in the back and I start falling into the ravine, but I wake up before I hit the river of blood. I am crying when I wake up. I have this nightmare nearly every night.

(via The Presurfer)

Powdered Alcohol

I am sure when people hear the term "powdered alcohol" they are both bewildered and dumfounded. It is true. Senba Alcohol Powder contains 30% (±2%) alcohol by dry weight. This has been confirmed by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Our alcohol powders can be used in such applications as: cake mixes, ice cream, jelly and jams, soups, cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, breads, hams and sausages, candies, coffees are where ever you would use regular alcohol.

Powdered Alcohol

I am sure when people hear the term "powdered alcohol" they are both bewildered and dumfounded. It is true. Senba Alcohol Powder contains 30% (±2%) alcohol by dry weight. This has been confirmed by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Our alcohol powders can be used in such applications as: cake mixes, ice cream, jelly and jams, soups, cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, breads, hams and sausages, candies, coffees are where ever you would use regular alcohol.

Unfortunate Fourth of July Cards

What were some of these artists thinking?

Unfortunate Fourth of July Cards

What were some of these artists thinking?

Outsourcing Prayers to India

No, it isn't from The Onion. From The NY Times:

BANGALORE, India - With Roman Catholic clergy in short supply in the United States, Indian priests are picking up some of their work, saying Mass for special intentions, in a sacred if unusual version of outsourcing.

American, as well as Canadian and European churches, are sending Mass intentions, or requests for services like those to remember deceased relatives and thanksgiving prayers, to clergy in India.

Outsourcing Prayers to India

No, it isn't from The Onion. From The NY Times:

BANGALORE, India - With Roman Catholic clergy in short supply in the United States, Indian priests are picking up some of their work, saying Mass for special intentions, in a sacred if unusual version of outsourcing.

American, as well as Canadian and European churches, are sending Mass intentions, or requests for services like those to remember deceased relatives and thanksgiving prayers, to clergy in India.

A New Way to Enter Text

Dasher is an information-efficient text-entry interface, driven by natural continuous pointing gestures. Dasher is a competitive text-entry system wherever a full-size keyboard cannot be used..

How does it work?

Dasher is a zooming interface. You point where you want to go, and the display zooms in wherever you point. The world into which you are zooming is painted with letters, so that any point you zoom in on corresponds to a piece of text. The more you zoom in, the longer the piece of text you have written. You choose what you write by choosing where to zoom.

(via Borklog)

A New Way to Enter Text

Dasher is an information-efficient text-entry interface, driven by natural continuous pointing gestures. Dasher is a competitive text-entry system wherever a full-size keyboard cannot be used..

How does it work?

Dasher is a zooming interface. You point where you want to go, and the display zooms in wherever you point. The world into which you are zooming is painted with letters, so that any point you zoom in on corresponds to a piece of text. The more you zoom in, the longer the piece of text you have written. You choose what you write by choosing where to zoom.

(via Borklog)

Kite Aerial Photography

Some great pictures from a kite. It is a very informative website and shows how he does it.

Kite Aerial Photography

Some great pictures from a kite. It is a very informative website and shows how he does it.

The Stunning Ring

I just know I would set this off by accident.

THE STUNNING RING, a beautiful self-defense ring with pepper spray, offers safety, elegance and confidence close at hand.

(via J-Walk)

The Stunning Ring

I just know I would set this off by accident.

THE STUNNING RING, a beautiful self-defense ring with pepper spray, offers safety, elegance and confidence close at hand.

(via J-Walk)

Review of Mozilla's Firefox 0.9

I use Firefox for the majority of my web-surfing. I found a pretty good review of it from slashdot.

The last time we looked at Mozilla Firefox , it was still called Mozilla Firebird and then only in version 0.6. Times have changed. Oh how they've changed. Today, The browser with the identity crisis has a sleek new interface, modern features, and is blowing the doors off its competition... and this is putting it mildly.

Mozilla Firefox ( release notes | roadmap ) is a completely modular browser consisting of a basic, streamlined framework upon which users can add ' extensions ', which (just as the name implies) are essentially plugins for the browser. The idea of less is more has been taken to the next level with this browser. With the default browser, you have just enough browser to do pretty much anything you can on the Internet, while more advanced, custom functionality is reserved to the extensions. For instance, you can load extra functionality such as more precise ad blocking, mouse gestures, website registration bypassing, dictionary, user agent switching, complete page and listbox/textbox searching, text zooming, UI tweaks, and the list goes on. There are so many possibilities I can't go into them all here.

If you haven't tried it yet I suggest trying it for a few days. The ctrl-tab browsing feature is by itself worth using Firefox.

Review of Mozilla's Firefox 0.9

I use Firefox for the majority of my web-surfing. I found a pretty good review of it from slashdot.

The last time we looked at Mozilla Firefox , it was still called Mozilla Firebird and then only in version 0.6. Times have changed. Oh how they've changed. Today, The browser with the identity crisis has a sleek new interface, modern features, and is blowing the doors off its competition... and this is putting it mildly.

Mozilla Firefox ( release notes | roadmap ) is a completely modular browser consisting of a basic, streamlined framework upon which users can add ' extensions ', which (just as the name implies) are essentially plugins for the browser. The idea of less is more has been taken to the next level with this browser. With the default browser, you have just enough browser to do pretty much anything you can on the Internet, while more advanced, custom functionality is reserved to the extensions. For instance, you can load extra functionality such as more precise ad blocking, mouse gestures, website registration bypassing, dictionary, user agent switching, complete page and listbox/textbox searching, text zooming, UI tweaks, and the list goes on. There are so many possibilities I can't go into them all here.

If you haven't tried it yet I suggest trying it for a few days. The ctrl-tab browsing feature is by itself worth using Firefox.

10 Foods You Should Never Eat

Such as:

Pizza Hut's Big New Yorker Pizza
Pizza Hut brags that The Big New Yorker plain cheese pizza weighs about three pounds before baking. But when it comes to pizza, bigger isn’t better. Even if you split this monster with three other people, your two slices will end up with almost a full day’s saturated fat (17 grams) and sodium (2,200 mg), and 790 calories. That’s