The Weekend Links

From Slate, a slideshow of strange maps that include California as an island, utopia in the shape of a skull, and other cartographic curiosities.
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I'm thinking about getting my bathtub redone. What do you guys think? Here are 11 more creative bathtubs.
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A partridge in a pear tree isn't what it used to be ... it's cheaper! The '12 days of Christmas' did get slightly pricier overall though, with the Christmas Price Index climbed an anemic 0.9% this year as plunging bird prices offset an increase in the cost of five gold rings.
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When Geeks inherit the earth, expect more everyday gadgets like these nerdcore wallets (actually, I can't wait!)
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Flossy Faithful Sarah (no doubt inspired by this article), found yet another strangely specific museum all about lace. Has anyone been?
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If you think the BCS bracket is a lot of mess and nonsense, they've got nothing compared to the fairness (or lack thereof) in Mortal Kombat. ("Wait, so she doesn't fight until Round 7? What does she do before then, get 6 rounds of byes?" "If that's what you want to call it ... yes.")
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Do you have lush acreage coveted by your neighbor? Or perhaps your apartment is going co-op and those adjacent to you are anxious to expand? Don't fall for the old Trojan Pig trick!
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Here's an end-of-the-year list that's actually worth reading: the Nat Geo News's Top Ten Discoveries of 2009 (including megamouth sharks, giant snakes, a transparent-headed fish, and rare species rescued from obscurity—then eaten).

[Last Weekend's Links]