In all the hubbub over Roger Federer's 4-in-a-row win streak at Wimbledon, a far more newsworthy story was overshadowed. CNN is reporting that this is the 9th year in a row that Arkansas native Del Hampton has won the Wayne, Nebraska Chicken Show Cluck-off. Del has perfected the art of scratching, pecking, clucking and then producing a spring-loaded fake egg the size of a watermelon. And while nothing should distract the spotlight from his special moment, I did become curious as to why Wayne,... READ ON
Two of my favorite historical events have occurred in Prague. I love reading about the Velvet Revolution, just because I think it's amazing that Vaclav Havel and his playwright cronies managed to sweep away communism in a completely bloodless coup. I also love the Defenestration of Prague, not only because defenestration is a GREAT word (to defenestrate means specifically to throw out of a window), but also because according to Britannica, when Czech Protestants threw three officials out of a... READ ON
If you're looking for a an air mattress that truly lives up to the name, check out the new magnetic floating bed designed by Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars. 6 years in the making, the bed debuted at this year's Millionaire Faire, and can supposedly carry more than 1800 pounds. But how's it stay in place? In addition to the magnets keeping it afloat, the bed has four, thin tethers to keep it from shifting. Of course, you're going to have to shell out some serious cash if... READ ON
a) They both lean to the right (ants' left legs are markedly shorter than their right ones) b) They both hate magnifying glasses c) They both use pedometers If you said c) they both use pedometers, you're right! New Scientist magazine is reporting today that ants have an internal system that counts exactly how many steps they take, and probably "resets" when they get back to their nests. The phenomenon, in conjunction with previous studies that claimed ants use the position... READ ON
While thumbing through the new issue of Wired magazine, I was amazed to see all the gadgets that are available to help hobbyist fishermen catch dinner. While any of this equipment would have made Santiago's life a whole lot easier in The Old Man and the Sea (and also probably have pissed off Hemingway), my favorite of the devices is a $699 fish caller you use to make your bait more enticing. You simply dangle the Fish Activator electronic speaker system under your boat, and choose one of the... READ ON
Continuing on today's trend of posting on all things Pimp, I found these amazing sneakers on the Dada site, via PopGadget. Quite frankly, I'm not a "shoes guy" so I don't have the best eye for fashion, but for just $199 you can get your hands (or feet) into these multitasking silver trainers which double as MP3 players! Sounds like a steal to me. The shoes, which were designed to be used while exercising (they come with hands-free wireless headphones), also have speakers on the side in case you want to... READ ON
According to CNN (your daily source for pimp and ho news), Iowa Senator Charles Grassley is trying to put the squeeze on the sex trade by getting the IRS involved. His so-called "pimp tax" will require workers in the sex trade to pay taxes, and will designate $2 million dollars to help prosecute any tax violators. More specifically, the article states, "under Grassley's proposal, a pimp could get up to 10 years in prison for each prostitute for whom the pimp hasn't filed a W-2, which... READ ON
According to this month's Wired magazine, speed enthusiast and self-described "inventrapreneur" Brian Walker is planning on shooting himself into space (or at least 20 miles into the atmosphere) via an enormous home-made crossbow. The plan is simply to "stretch a carbon-fiber bowstring 24 feet along a rail, fire up a jet turbine with 1,350 pounds of thrust, hit a trigger and pull 10 G's." Easier said than done, of course. Aside from catapulting himself, Walker is also... READ ON
I have no real reason for posting this link to the movie trailer, except that a) I heart Borat, b) I'm thrilled that they've announced a release date for the movie (November 3rd in the US), and c) he's wearing the most amazing bathing suit I've ever seen. If only Cargo magazine was still around to let people know they should be wearing it this... READ ON
Sick of people peeking over at your laptop screen on airplanes? Worried that your frat brothers will laugh at you because you religiously visit the Better Homes and Gardens' knitting blog? Well, for people that have nothing to hide (but clearly still choose to), Joe Malia's Computer Hood is for you. The masters student at the Royal College of Art has designed interactive clothing to fit over almost any gadget from Blackberries to PS2's. And while the scarf might leave you struggling... READ ON
5 Questions: Great "Scott"!
Troy McClure Film or Actual Terrible Movie?
Obsessive nose picking is called rhinotillexomania.
