For the Family

So my great aunt died, the one I only remember meeting a thousand years ago at family events. My mother is still in Indiana, my oldest sister in Seattle, and my middle sis and bro-in-law coming back in town tomorrow night. Which leaves me to do to the family stuff, erupting my plans of getting the brakes done. So I get a free brunch tomorrow before the viewing of someone I barely know. here is hoping on a side note my boss will let me go to the bad side of town to fix my metal on metal brakes before driving 500 miles each way.

Or we die on the way. Hope Adrian lives, just filed out the paperwork for him.

Christmas is Coming

Art by Kim Anno. Beautiful pieces of oil on sheet metal. I didn't ever even think such a medium was possible as getting oil to stick to anything is bloody hard to do, let alone something it can slide right off. These are pieces I would gladly hang on my wall.

Things I'd Probably Make If I Had More Free Time

Berlin-based Mashallah Design & Linda Kostowski have created items of clothing by scanning human bodies and using the data to create sewing patterns. The human form is turned into 3D patterns of polygons, which are then turned into 2D files and used to laser cut fabric. The project was on show at Create Berlin during the London Design Festival earlier this month.

..via Yatzer

Dan Akroyd Still Has a Job

Crystal Head Vodka

Thousands of years ago, thirteen crystal heads were scattered across the earth – and they are greater and more powerful than anything we have the ability to manufacture today. Their workmanship is perfect: they contain no tool marks and have been cut against the natural axis of the crystal, defying the laws of physics. Some say they are artifacts from the lost civilization of Atlantis, some say they date back to the Mayans, still others say they were created by a higher intelligence.

Brought together, the Crystal Heads are said to contain vast knowledge and enlightenment capable of unlocking our most enigmatic ancient mysteries. Alone, each is believed to house radiant psychic energy, which has magical powers and healing properties.

Pinata of Ridiculuousness

Palin: 6 times said the McCain/Palin administration are mavericks.
Biden: 8 times said Maverick to state exactly why McCain is not a maverick.

Really, how can someone want to elect a woman who gives a shout out to a 3rd grade class in the middle of the VP debates? This is not an award show, this is not the setting where you act like any common fool. Stop calling Americans 'Joe 6-pack' as if that is not an incredibly derogatory term to anyone who has a brain. Maybe there are those who are happy with a 6-pack and a blow job every other week, but do I want that person in charge of the country?

Also, typically the point of a debate is to actually answer the questions rather than to keep talking about things you have done in Alaska that have no tie to the actual question at hand. Biden used facts and well phrased statements, Palin barely managed to look like the thoughts she spoke were even her own and not just trained into her head in the last 48 hours.

Jeebus the woman scares me. Here's hoping next Tuesday has a better debate.

Best Science Images of 2008

Honorable Mention, Photography: "Squid Suckers: The Little Monsters That Feed the Beast" Drexel University doctoral student Jessica Schiffman won an honorable mention in photography in the 2008 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge for capturing what's actually an array of suckers found on the tentacles of a long-finned squid.

Each sucker--about 400 micrometers wide, or a little smaller than the width of a human hair--is surrounded with "fangs" of chitin, a hard organic material.

Squid use their powerful suckers to secure unwitting prey and feed their robust appetites--much like the horror-movie plant that inspired the image's color scheme.

..via National Geographic

Level Orange

Why is it that I have been back in Dallas for about 40 minutes and since that time I have been consistently sneezing and with a runny nose? Could it have anything to do with that 'level orange' pollution alert today? And hmmm...could that level orange have anything to do with the peachish/orange haze that hung over all of downtown this morning when I passed by on my way to Austin?

Zyrtec is my new bestest friend. And this is all coincidence, because mankind does not cause any pollution or damage at all! Silly me.

The United States of Mind

The United States of Mind"As for high-anxiety states, that group includes not just Type A New York and New Jersey, but also states stressed by poverty, such as West Virginia and Mississippi. As a group, these neurotic states tend to have higher rates of heart disease and lower life expectancy."

So it turns out according to this study that Texas has an extraversion of 16, agreeableness 25, conscientiousness 17, neuroticism 28 and openness of 17. All pretty low numbers, indicating we're nice, friendly folk. Go us!

As a bonus when looking at this, our fantastic vice-presidential candidate that is pro-life, pro-gun, creationist comes from Alaska, with the scores of: extraversion of 49, agreeableness 51, conscientiousness 51, neuroticism 47 and openness of 49. So she comes from the land of the introverted, mean, rude, laid-back, and close minded. Perfect for a position of power!

And I'm a Douchebag

I'm a PC

Really. Because having 86% tof the American consumers makes perfect sense to go ahead and mock the competition. Way to go innovative marketing/advertising team!

Things I Want # 237

LED interactive coffee table