Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Yeti + Penguin = Gross
Pingwin is a game for those with a strong stomach--at least this version. I've seen less violent versions but I don't know where they are right now. Basically Pingwin answers the question: "What happens when a Yeti decides to use Penguin's for batting practice?" Parental discretion is definitely advised.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Math & Science Set to Music
Most scientific folk have heard the legendary Tom Lehrer's Elements song. But most don't know there is a universe of songs about math and science. At Math And Science Song Information, Viewable Everywhere (M.A.S.S.I.V.E.) you can find hundreds of songs (including Tom Lehrer's) about math and science. You can search this data base by performer, keyword, writer, or title. Each song has fields for album, performer, writer, lyrics, sound samples, and purchase info. An interesting approach to presenting math and science concepts but then Sesame Street has been doing it for decades.
Be The First on Your Block to Have a Pentagon Dodecahedron or Rhombic Dodecahedron Calendar
A 12-sided paperweight with one month for each side. That's what you will find at 12-sided Calendar. And as the disclaimer goes, "Some construction is required." This calendar comes in a PDF format. The problem is the whole pattern doesn't fit on a single page unless you use at least A4 size paper. Since this isn't something that most folks have laying around the house you have to attempt plan 2. I managed to get the image on a regular sheet (8.5 x 11) of paper by going to the PDF Print dialog box and reducing the finished print size. That seemed to work. You'll need scissors and patience to complete this project. I managed to make all the folds and cuts but I couldn't figure out how to get the whole thing together without placing unsightly tape on the outside of the "cube."
There's also a second cube shaped (6-sided) construction that folds and refolds to get all 12 months. I had all I could do to get the 12 sided version folded and together. The cube shape is much more complicated.
CAVEAT: When I printed this on an inkjet printer all lines (solid and dotted) printed without a problem. When I printed the same file on an inkjet the dotted lines did not print. The solid lines are for cutting and the dotted lines are for folding. You may have to manually determine folding sites.
There's also a second cube shaped (6-sided) construction that folds and refolds to get all 12 months. I had all I could do to get the 12 sided version folded and together. The cube shape is much more complicated.
CAVEAT: When I printed this on an inkjet printer all lines (solid and dotted) printed without a problem. When I printed the same file on an inkjet the dotted lines did not print. The solid lines are for cutting and the dotted lines are for folding. You may have to manually determine folding sites.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Offbeat Tourist Attractions
Roadside America will take you to places you never thought about visiting on vacation. There's the Hippie Monument, Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival and Broom Straw Capital of the World in Arcola, Illinois. You say you want to go to Stonehenge? No need to cross the Atlantic. We have several excellent replicas right here in Maryhill, Washington; Nuberg, Georgia; Kerrville, Texas, Rolla, Missouri; my favorite Carhenge, in Alliance, Nebraska; and several other places. Roadside America can be searched by sight, city and state.
Everyone Collects Something
This lady collects swizzle sticks. Over 50,000 of them. She has photos of many of these swizzle sticks at Swizzledd's Swizzle Stick Collection. They are grouped in various formats: Geographic by state, Cuban, Mexican, Canadian, Transportation (from various airlines), and more. She is willing to trade or sell. She also sells on Ebay. In addition to the swizzle sticks she also collects: Whiskey Pitchers, Tiki Mugs, Thimbles, and, of course, PEZ dispensers.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
The Art of Creative Heckling
Are you tired of hearing and making the same old heckles made at players and game officials? Visit Heckle Depot to get find the latest and most creative heckles heard at various sporting events. The emphasis is supposed to be baseball but that doesn't stop the site from bringing in heckles from other games.
What's Your Extension?
Are you and your spouse compatible? Are you Type A or Type B? Open almost any popular magazine and you can take a test that promises answers to these questions and more. But for computer folk there's only one truly important piece of information. What Extension are you? That's right. Are you an EXE or a BMP? A COM or a DAT? Answer a few brief questions and find out what type of personality you are.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Cows in Revolt
Imagine if one day the cows decided that becoming hamburger was not a life goal. Then they decided to do something about it. This is the ballad of "Cows with Guns." Long download with dial-up.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Very Interesting
Describing Interesting Ideas is difficult. You just have to visit. William Swislow sees art where others might see junk or crass advertising. He makes a good case for everything he displays. I especially like his ode to White Castle (famous in Chicago among other cities). The site has collections of store names, interesting signage, Chicago's lakefront gallery and more. If you are a fan of White Castle you absolutely must visit the White Castle Corner at this site.
What Will the 21st Century Look Like
That's the question that Phrenicea attempts to answer. They list their mission as: "Predicting the ultimate outcome of the Internet and biotechnology revolutions. The site is a pseudo documentary of the changes that take place in the 21st century. Crime is eliminated through genetic engineering; Total recall of every moment and instant in your life from the moment of birth (and before?); People living and working in an 8-ft. cubicle because they don't have to leave and can get everything they want right where they are. These are just a few of the predictions you will find in Phrenicea.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Just When you Thought it was Safe to Go Back on the Net--The 30-second Bunnies return
It's a Wonderful Life as performed by Bunnies in a 30-second compression of the Frank Capra Christmas classic. And just like the original this version has not been colorized. This is the second appearance by the bunnies at this site. Look through the archives for other compressions by this amazing troop of rabbits.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
George Dubya Gets Some Brains
If anyone can find an equally humorous game for the loser, I'll be happy to post it here. The loser is forgotten. The winner wishes everyone would forget. Enjoy this cute little Give Bush a Brain Game.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Not As Seen On TV
Every talk show and now, a reality show, has had more than one episode of "Miracle Makeover" or something like that. Well now you can experiment with your own makeover absolutely free and you don't have to worry about the entire viewing public of America viewing it. At Makeover Solutions you can try different hair styles, colors, cosmetics, etc. You can try changing the models that are part of the site or scan your own photo and see the changes take place on you.
Belly Up to the Bar
It's been a long day and you need a little something to help you relax. But you're tired of the same old martini. This is a job for The Mixilator! The Mixilator will create a drink recipe for you. It can be totally random or you have a limited number of options you can set concerning strength, easy to make, taste, etc. Once you've given the Mixilator your criteria, an image of the robot charge from the silent classic Metropolis appears to let you know the Mixilator is working. In just a very few seconds your cocktail has been designed to your taste, complete with name. If there's an ingredient you don't have or don't like, click on it for a substitute or alternative.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Museum of Humor
The part of the Museum of Humor that I like the best is that they have a whole section dedicated to educators. While there is a large collection of jokes and oneliners, there are also essays and articles about humor. How to use comic books to improve your English Literature class, Using Humor in Statistics and Accounting. The site "...is designed to promote humor skills among speakers, writers, teachers, clergy and other professional communicators."
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Security? What Security?
The Stupid Security web site is a collection of post from people who have had some questionable experiences with security systems. Like the woman who went through a very thorough airport security scanning and then went to the rest room and found vending machine that offered a lovely little grooming kit, complete with razor. There are also links to sites discussing security.
How Much of This Do You Remember?
You Thrill Me is a pleasant little site that does absolutely nothing but make some of us wax nostalgic for the good old days. To the tune You Thrill Me you are taken through a list of the way things used to be. From waiting for 5 minutes for the television to warm up to the days when all the male teachers wore ties. A nice little stroll down memory lane.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
The King Lives! And They've Got Pictures to Prove it.
Isn't digital photography grand? The things folks can do with a simple picture. The idea behind this site is to find photos of the King (Elvis Presley) to see what he's doing now. He certainly can't be dead. So what is he doing. For the answers see Worth 1000 and you will see Elvis the Janitor, Elvis the Heavy Metal God, Elvis the Kung Fu Master, and many many more. They can't all be fake? Can they?
Politically Correct and All Inclusive Winter Holiday Greetings
This site covers it all. A wonderful Flash file with cute imaging and sharp wit. It celebrates chrismahanukwanzakah. The site is worth visiting just to find out how to pronounce it. If you consider religion to be super serious with no room for a little humor, don't visit this site. It's really quite mild.
