Wednesday, June 29, 2005

I've got my tinfoil hat on!

eclectech : pointless but fun : mind control
More fun with silly movies today.

Thanks, Janet

CBC News: Same-sex marriage law passes 158-133

CBC News: Same-sex marriage law passes 158-133
Another reason to love Canada, too bad it's so far north/so damn cold so much of the time.

"The "vote is about the Charter of Rights," said Martin. "We're a nation of minorities and in a nation of minorities you don't cherry-pick rights."

Michael Jackson vs. Nintendo Famicom

Michael Jackson vs. Nintendo Famicom
Bizzare flash animation of a Michael Jackson character moonwalking, kicking, and spinning through various Nintendo Famicom games. Full of pixelated goodness and cheesy music.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

[ Welcome to DeadLounge.com ]

[ Welcome to DeadLounge.com ]
Quite busy today, and likely all this week, but just wanted to post something. This is certainly something. A surreal mix of goth and lounge cultures. Maybe I'll use one of thier cocktails for Friday.

Monday, June 27, 2005

FedexFurniture.Com

FedexFurniture.Com

"My friend Tom moved to seatle without any furniture... well to keep a long story short he ended up ordering boxes from fedex for free and building himself a desk. A few months later I moved out to Arizona for a new job, and didnt have any furniture except for a lamp. I ended up sitting on the floor working untill one day tom sent me a picture of his desk. I immidiately ordered a few hundred boxes and such, and they arrived later that week. that weekend I went to work on designing and building everything.

He's made a whole appartment's worth.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Cocktail of the Week - El Diablo

Cocktail

Here's an old favorite for summer. We often drink these instead of margaritas when we're eating mexican food. They go great in tiki mugs or our pirate skull mugs from vegas.


  • 2oz tequila
  • 3/4oz creme de cassis (can substitute other fruity liquors if necessary though cassis is the best for this drink
  • juice of 1/2 a lime


Mix in tall glass, preferably tiki, filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

Cheers

Movies and Music on the Lawn Tomorrow

The last post made me realize that I hadn't posted this yet.
Press Release

Dreams on Film
Baton Rouge - Ever wondered what your dreams would look like on film? In 1925, readers of the Tribune- America got just that opportunity. Come and see these odd films produced from letters sent in to the paper at Movies and Music on the Lawn.

Saturday, June 25th, at 8 pm, Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art will show “The Dream Picture” as well as the second exciting episode of “The Power God”(1925). Also featured will be “Parted”(1920) and “Hearts of Age”(1934). The latter is Orson Welles’ first film made at the age of 19.

Admission is $5 and free for Gallery Members. Concessions will be sold and popcorn is free. Please bring picnic blankets and/or parade chairs. The back lawn will be sprayed for mosquitoes, but bug spray is still recommended.

Films will be held indoors in case of rain.

American Grilled Cheese - Recommendation

We saw American Grilled Cheese last night and would recommend the Baton Rougians check it out. I blogged the press release verbatim last week. The performance was set up like the Pena performance at the Swine palace a while back, with mini-stages scattered throughout the space. The performers, performed sometimes on the stages, sometimes in the crowd, sometimes alone, sometimes interacting with each other, and sometimes interacting with the crowd. There was also visual art and video pieces. The content, as far as I can describe, had a lot to do with stereotypes and sexual identity within an American context. I was afraid the show might turn into privledged white college students bitching about capitalism, but that didn't happen. There was also some strong work regarding the war.

If you do go, bring some extra cash for the bar. If you go, go tonight so you can make it to Movies and Music on the Lawn tomorrow.

More Recent LPs

For me anyway:

L7- Monster; special numbered edition; Slash Records; plastic sleeve + insert; UK; 1992 (12 inch)I didn't remember that much detail, but the web does.

Saw Pond open up for some other heavier band at Stache's in Columbus Ohio. I really dug their show and was surprised they never took off. I bought the lp at the show. It was a really cool marblized mint green lp. I eventually repurchased this on cd.

As the barware collection increased, so did the lounge music lps. Here's another favorite:

Got caught up at American Grilled Cheese last night, so I didn't have much time to dig through the vinyl as I'd planned. Maybe I'll look a little more over the weekend.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men - a photoset on Flickr

Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men - a photoset on Flickr

Didn't plan on blogging anything else today, but couldn't resist this Flickr photoset of former 3 time pro-bowl defensive lineman and his needlepoint for men.

Via BoingBoing

33 1/3 What's that?

When I first launched this blog on my 33rd birthday, my quantitatively inclined friend Chris emailed and mentioned that when he turned 33 he immediately thought of lps playing at 33 1/3 rpm and he mentioned that my lpday would be June 25. I set me palm pilot to remind me, so I could do some lp based blogging in honor of my 33 1/3rd.

My first lps were:

and

Rock on. These were xmas gifts from my aunt Linda and they were actually hand me downs from her collection. I still have all but one of the temporary tattoos that came with one of those albums. I eventually ended up with her whole Kiss collection. I think I was 5.

Less cool, the first lp that I bought with my own hard earned, saved up allowance was:

OK, it was 1981 or 82, and I was only 9 or 10 years old, but I do still have it somewhere. After that, there were mostly pop music lps that I'm not particularly proud of:

The Bee Gees Greatest hits LP had the coolest embossed cover that I made rubbings from.
And here's the beginning of the end:

This was the last lp I thought I would ever buy (or get as a gift, I can't recall). This is also the only lp that I ended up with a cassette tape of, ending my time with lps, or so I thought. I got my first boom box around this time and switched to cassettes through high school and got a cd player for hs graduation, ending the tape collection. Of course, it was in college in the early 90s that I was caught up in grunge and diy which inevitably led back to vinyl. Mostly 7inch singles, but a few picture discs and other oddities (like 7inches that played at 33 1/3). Then I got into garage saleing and thrifting lounge music and other lps. I'll post something tomorrow on these newer/old lps.

I'd be interested in hearing any of your vinyl memories (lp type, not fetish, though you could share those too if you like).

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

There's no room for cabbage in baseball... - Yahoo! News

There's no room for cabbage in baseball... - Yahoo! News

It must be awfully hot in South Korea. The Korea Baseball Organization has ruled that players cannot put frozen cabbage leaves under their hats during the game. Pitcher Park Myung-hwan's cap fell off recently to reveal the foreign object. This could cause a disruption to the hitter or the umpire. I wonder if it really works?

Wooster Collective : Invader at Sixspace

Wooster Collective : Invader at Sixspace

Neat picture from the Wooster Collective of the art of Invader currently showing at Sixspace in Los Angeles. Didn't think that much of it though until I saw this one:

Wow!

FutureFactories

FutureFactories

If you're going to use rapid prototyping to manufacture objet d'arte, why mass produce when you can tweak the design for each item. That's the concept developed by designer Lionel Theodore Dean, used to create these unique and beautiful lumieres.

Via FutureFeeder

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Baton Rouge Art Car Parade is Coming

artcarbr.com

It's still a while away, October 1, but you might want to get started now entry forms are due August 27. The website is up and running with information on how to enter and pictures from the Houston art car parade. I downloaded the entry form and noticed that it's not at all limited to art "cars", cycles, "contraptions" and "performance" categories are also possible.

More Cyborgian Goodness

Robo-Legs - New York Times
The sci-fi image of soulless and evil cyborgs just might have to change as more and more amputees are choosing to show off rather than hide their artificial limbs. Burried on the second page is the suggestion that it might be traced back to the walkman, making society comfortable with carrying personal electronics, and seeing others and being seen ourselves as "plugged-in". Two other interesting ideas in the article are that men might be more likely than women to show off the prosthetics due to our love of gadgets and taboos about women's body image (ideas only, no data), and a story about a man with a cochlear implant (to improve hearing) going to Radio Shack to get a cord to plug his mp3 player directly into his head.

The future's so bright I won't have to wear shades because my robo-tinted eyeballs will adjust automatically (except for my eye phobia that would prevent me from ever having this type of surgery to implant the enhancement).

Via Collision Detection Via Eyebeam

Guardian Unlimited | Arts news | Chimp's art fetches 14,000 pounds

Guardian Unlimited | Arts news | Chimp's art fetches 14,000 pounds
I think Becca sent this when the paintings went up for auction, but I never got around to blogging it. Now, they've been bought for 14,400 pounds by an American collector. Unfortunately, this makes me more sad than happy since there are so many human artists who could use the cash.

Monday, June 20, 2005

WhatDoesThatMean?

Welcome to 'Whatdoesthatmean?'
User submitted idiom and phrase explanation database, gives the country of origin with the definition. Might come in handy.

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town

Cory Doctorow's new book has finally hit the shelves and is the first book in the Sci-Fi channel's book club. Cory is one of the writers of BoingBoing and his first two books "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" and "Eastern Standard Tribe" were two of the books that got me back into pleasure reading. I thought I recalled him saying something on BoingBoing a long time ago about this new book veering into fantasy, which would turn me off, but the synopsis doesn't sound like middle earthy stuff, so I'll be checking this out soon as I finish Everything Bad is Good for You.

"It's only natural that Alan, the broadminded hero of Doctorow's fresh, unconventional SF novel, is willing to help everybody he meets. After all, he's the product of a mixed marriage (his father is a mountain and his mother is a washing machine), so he knows how much being an outcast can hurt. Alan tries desperately to behave like a human being--or at least like his idealized version of one. He joins a cyber-anarchist's plot to spread a free wireless Internet through Toronto at the same time he agrees to protect his youngest brothers (members of a set of Russian nesting dolls) from their dead brother who's now resurrected and bent on revenge."

Following the link above takes you to a blog about the book and links to the free etext version and what you might find interesting is his discussion of creative commons liscensing and why he gives the book away in many situations.

Friday, June 17, 2005

The Friday Cocktail - New and Refreshing

Cool Hunting: Refined Refreshment

Earlier in the week, I noticed this post on Coolhunting about how the Pimm's cup is becoming a popular drink this summer, taking over for last summer's mojito's and capirinhia's. I've never had a Pimm's cup, but it sounds right for this weekend, so I'll be sure to get the ingredients. The main ingredient is Pimm's No. 1 a low alcohol (50 proof) gin infused with a secret mix of herbs. Pimm's has made 6 variations, though only No. 1 and 6 remain (6 is vodka based, the others tried other liquors). Although I've never had one, I heard about the Pimm's Cup a long time ago and I thought it was just Pimm's and Ginger Ale garnished with a cucumber spear. However, in researching this there are apparently a myriad of variations, all simply calling themselves Pimm's Cups. So, I plan to experiment with variations using the following bases: ginger ale, lemonade, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, tonic, and soda water. I'll also try some variations on garnish including: cucumber, mint, lemon, lime, apple, and possibly other fruits. Regardless, I'll start with a shot of Pimm's No. 1 in a highball with lots of ice. Will report back next Friday.

Cheers

American Grilled Cheese - Performance Next Week


Will have to find out more about this:

"The LSU Department of Theatre presents "American Grilled Cheese," a performance art installation featuring LSU students, recent graduates and local artists, running Thursday, June 23, through Saturday, June 25. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held in the Hatcher Hall Theatre, located in the basement of Hatcher Hall on the LSU campus.

"American Grilled Cheese" is intended for mature audiences only. Tickets are available one hour prior to performances for a suggested donation of $6, and a reception will be held each night of the installation.

Conceived by LSU Theatre students Alex Beck and Leicester Landon, this wild and whimsical event is a clever twist on current political and social themes. The piece will feature visual art created and inspired by local artist Rachel Bergeron and promises to not be your average evening of theater.

"People should feel empowered to make a positive choice about their lives when the leave this performance," said Landon.

The cast will also include LSU students Zotis Bumgardner, Jonathan Butts, Natalie Donner, Andrea Graugnard, David Huber, Robert Lee, Shauna Rappold, Caitlyn Sabrio, Katie Wyckoff and Preston Lorio and recent graduates Tara MacMullen and Michelle McCoy.

"The cast will collaborate to produce an installation in a number of mediums including visual art, video feed and live performance," said Beck.

For more information contact 225-578-4174 or visit www.theatre.lsu.edu."

Threadbared

Threadbared
This blog is devoted to scanning images from vintage sewing patterns, but that really doesn't do the site justice. See for yourself:

"Whoops! Are these my pants or yours? Oh yeah, that's right! It doesn't matter!"

"Unisex Pull-On Drawstring Pants™ - For The Couple Who Needs Easy Access.

In Case They Want To Have Sex With Each Other.

In An Alleyway Or Something.

Or Heck, Even Right Here On This Cobblestone Street.

Which Might Hurt A Little Bit.

What With The Cobblestones And All.

Unisex Pull-On Drawstring Pants - What Could Possibly Be Sexier Than Unisex Pants? "

Early 70s Precursor To The Evil That Is Anne Geddes.
"What happens when the Big Green Pepper finally meets a...um...Special Lady Friend? And they lay down together for a nap and hug each other in a special way?

Are you sure you want to know? "



And one more:
I'll Be Out of the Bathroom in a Second, Mom

"This has more of a "this one time when I was delivering pizzas, I got this call for a house over on St. Andrews. I rang the doorbell and these three girls answered. They didn't have enough cash for the pizza, so I told them we could work something out" kinda vibe. But I mean, really, when three girls prance around with an "EASY" sign over their heads, who can blame him?"
That one's part of a larger post full of 60's sexiness. I could get lost in this site for a looong time.

Homemade Baby Wipes

Homemade Baby Wipes

This one's specifically for my friend Mike, a woodworking hobbyist and expectant father. What can beat the satisfaction of making your own babywipes using paper towels, baby soap and oil, and of course the table saw!

"Now, a box of 384 premade wipes costs around $10. A bulk package of 8 paper towel rolls costs around $5, and makes somewhere around 900 wipes. So the former runs around 2.6 cents per wipe, while the latter is about 0.6 cents per wipe. Plus you have the intangibles, like a personal feeling of accomplishment and the fact that you get to use the table saw."
Of course P&G probably makes these anyway, so it's moot.

Via BoingBoing

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Forgotten Ohio--Abandoned and Haunted Places

Forgotten Ohio--Abandoned and Haunted Places
Personal explorations and photos of abandoned buildings throughout Ohio. Really well done photo essays mixing in history, personal exploration experiences, and ghost stories when applicable. Sad and creepy. I particularly liked the focus on Drive-Inn Theatres and Motels.

Heath Drive-In Exterior

Heath Drive-In Booth
I also was happy to explore the Cincinnati Subway. I had heard of it, but never explored it while we were there. I was never quite sure where it was. Turns out it was very close all along.

Tons of spaces to explore, without the hassle or fear of being caught.

Via blography

Fresh off my listening of the DaVinci Code

Brazilian doctors uncover 'Michelangelo code' - Yahoo! News
The doctors claim that there are hidden images of human anatomy all over the Sistine Chapel. They also claim that there are often clues within a section of the painting to indicate what is hidden (e.g. figures pointing at a body part, then that internal body part being depicted in a camouflaged way). Is it coincidence, or making up cloud images?

Stuck at Prom - Duck Tape Contest

Stuck at Prom
I've seen this before, but I didn't have a blog then. I am amazed by what these kids have come up with. I've only scanned through a fraction of the pictures and here are a few that stand out:

The craftspersonship in the larger photo is incredible.

Where do you go to school that you won't get absolutely emotionally destroyed by your peers for wearing duck costumes to the prom? Maybe one of those high schools for the arts?

Alladin, complete with duck tape magic carpet.

If it weren't so hot, I'd wear that tux any chance I got.

Speechless

I love the combo design.

Big Pimpin

Gotta stop, but there's tons more that are worth a look.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Underpants Only Video Game Tournament

thehappycorp press news: GMHRD - Underpants Only Video Game Tournament

In the tradition of the Greeks, check your pants at the door for sport. My only question is where do you keep your wallet?

Via BoingBoing

Comedian for Senator? Don't Laugh - New York Times

Comedian for Senator? Don't Laugh - New York Times
Al Franken in Minnesota in 2008? Sounds like a real possibility, and Minnesota seems like a state in which he could succeed.

Contour Crafting - Global Prospects

Contour Crafting - Global Prospects

Rapid prototyping on the scale of a home, or even larger by 2008. It is estimated that building costs could be reduced by 1/4 to 1/5 and time reduced exponentially (construction estimate 1 day). And, there will be much less restriction of design by the standard box framing techniques currently used. There's video of the model and discussion of implications at the site in both quicktime and windows media formats. There's also a design contest that is not limited to architects.

Via Inhabitat

PBS Previews | Guns, Germs & Steel

PBS Previews | Guns, Germs & Steel

Coming Mondays July 11-25, a 3 part mini-series on PBS. Looks like it might be better than the Real Gilligan's Island:

"Visually compelling, the series uses a widescreen format and features footage from such richly diverse countries as Jordan, Peru, Spain, Zambia, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, the United Kingdom and the United States. GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL explores the central idea of Diamond's thesis: geography as destiny. Why is it that some countries have so much and others have so little, Diamond asks? What led to the development of sophisticated weaponry, and how did that contribute to the downfall of some civilizations? Why are certain groups of people immune to strains of germs while others are not? And finally, how did all of these factors create the inequalities that still exist in the world?

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Follow-up: One Free Minute

Wired News: Artist Cranks Up No-Name Rants
In case you were wondering about the One Free Minute project (previously blogged) where people could phone in and be heard anonymously for 1 minute. Wired News has picked up the story. Apparently it went well, is continuing at OSU and will also be shown at The New Center for Contemporary Art in Louisville, Kentucky. What are people doing with their free minute?
"With some 200 and 250 entries from the public at large so far, answers to Jolliffe's question ("What would you say?") run the gamut. One caller intimately discusses her spreading pancreatic cancer, while another offers a bizarre performance of the theme song from Beverly Hills Cop in the voice of a chicken."
Audio samples available via the wired article, video via the One Free Minute Site.

Friday, June 10, 2005

The Friday Cocktail - Home to Ohio Edition

CocktailDB: The Internet Cocktail Database | Home On The Range

Leaving work at noon today to head home to Ohio for a long weekend to see my family and a wedding between good friends Shonda and Jake. I've been waiting to post a cocktail from this site for a while. It's got the most exhaustive database of drinks I've encountered. That leads to finding a lot of drinks with exotic ingredients, which can be frustrating, but all ingredients are hot-linked so you can find out more about them and consider alternatives. Another great part of the site is the mixilator, where you can specify a few parameters such as (strength of coctail, cocktail hour, style, and complexity) and it will mixilate a random recipe. Here is the Home on the Range from the CocktailDB:

  • 1oz Bourbon
  • 1oz Red Dubonnet
  • 1/2oz Cointreau
  • dash of Angostura Bitters
Stir in mixing glass with ice, strain into cocktail glass, and garnish with orange and lemon peels. Dubonnet is a sweet French aperitif wine, so I expect this cocktail to fall somewhere between a manhattan and an old fashioned (two of my favorites).

Here are a couple more "Home" cocktails:

Take Me Home:
  • 4oz Whiskey
  • 2oz Pernod
  • 20z White Creme de Cacao
Stir in highball glass. Given the strong flavor of Pernod, I'd guess this one might need a bit of personal adjustment to get it right, but the ingredients sound good to me.

Goin' Home
  • 1oz Gin
  • 1oz Peach Schnapps
  • 1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
  • 1/3oz lime juice
  • 1 1/2oz sparkling apple juice
Shake all ingredients (except apple juice) and strain into an old-fashioned glass half-filled with broken ice. Add apple juice, and serve.

Ohio Cocktail:
  • 1/2oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 1oz Whiskey
  • 1/2oz Orange Liqueur (Triple Sec, Curacao, Cointreau, etc.)
  • dash of Angostura Bitters
  • Champagne
Stir or shake all ingredients except the champagne in ice, strain into a champagne flute, and top with champagne. Garnish with a cherry. Sounds like a more refreshing version of a Manhattan.

Enjoy your weekends, I'll be back on Tuesday.

Cheers

Thursday, June 09, 2005

A's for Everyone!

A's for Everyone!
A little something for Janet, Leanne, and any of my other college teaching readers. This article talks about the issues around student grade complaints and covers much ground that the three of us have covered many times over. Mostly this is just a nice to know it happens to everyone. In the middle there is some interesting history/theory of the origins of the problem:

"Arthur Levine, president of Columbia University Teacher's College and an authority on grading, traces what's going on to the Vietnam War. "Men who got low grades could be drafted," Levine says. "The next piece was the spread of graduate schools where only A's and B's were passing grades. That soon got passed on to undergraduates and set the standard."

And then there's consumerism, he says. Pure and simple, tuition at a private college runs, on average, nearly $28,000 a year. If parents pay that much, they expect nothing less than A's in return. "Therefore, if the teacher gives you a B, that's not acceptable," says Levine, "because the teacher works for you. I expect A's, and if I'm getting B's, I'm not getting my money's worth."

Rojstaczer agrees: "We've made a transition where attending college is no longer a privilege and an honor; instead college is a consumer product. One of the negative aspects of this transition is that the role of a college-level teacher has been transformed into that of a service employee."

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Vader's 20 Questions Challenge

The Sith Sense
"Do not pick a specific object. Specific object's do not concern me." Say's Darth Vader in the introduction to this flash based 20 questions game. Vader will also hurl taunts and insults your way throughout the game such as, "Your mind is weak" and "This is a battle of wits and clearly you are unarmed." Near the end the Burger King may come from the back and whisper a hint to Lord Vader.

Via I Love Bacon

'Underwear Thieves' Return in Cambodia - Yahoo! News

'Underwear Thieves' Return in Cambodia - Yahoo! News
They're not stealing underwear, they're wearing only underwear, and covering themselves in oil to make themselves harder to catch. Apparently, this is the return of an old gang/style of theivery that might be attributed to a lapsing community watch program that was started to stop just this type of crime.

Something Awful - The Greatest Albums Ever Suck

Something Awful
Really funny observations from an amalgam of "Greatest Albums" lists. Such as this one about the Beach Boys, Pet Sounds:

"Hearing Brian Wilson and his band of brothers hit the notes in '“Don't Talk' is a truly emasculating experience. Seriously, it makes my nuts suck up into my body a little bit, like imagining Ernest Borgnine naked."

or this one about U2's The Joshua Tree:
"Have you ever noticed that the choruses for '“I Still Haven't Found What I'’m Looking For,'” '“Where The Streets Have No Name,'” and 'With Or Without You'” are totally interchangeable? Next time you'’re hanging out with your moron friends, sing the verse of one and follow it with the chorus of another. I'll bet nobody will call you on it, because it'’s impossible to notice, because all three songs just sound like the same dopey U2 bullshit."

The author takes on a lot of my favorites, but I'm laughing just the same.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

DANCE DANCE IMMOLATION!

DANCE DANCE IMMOLATION!

"Dance Dance Immolation is an adaptation of the popular arcade video game Dance Dance Revolution, but with fire! Basically, you play DDR; when you do well, the computer shoots big propane blasts up into the air. When you do poorly, it shoots you in the face with flamethrowers. Yes, you, as in your actual corporeal body. And yes, flamethrowers, like the kind that are on fire."

Unfortunately we missed the party and raffle last weekend.

Via Boing Boing

Lock Installation

Wooster Collective : Stickers / Posters / Graf / Culture Jamming

I find this installation really intriguing. I love the juxtaposition of city life and landscape.

Cruise with the Flaming Lips

Xingolati ~ Groove Cruise of the Pacific

I've been on two cruises in my life. Both were family vacations and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, in the context of a family vacation. However, I figured I'd never seriously consider taking a cruise for a personal vacation. The activities and entertainment were a little mainstream for my tastes. But now, I might have to reconsider, as the feature entertainment is the Flaming Lips and includes other acts I'd want to see. Prices for double rooms range from $729 to $2,299 + $115 in fees per person. So, I won't really be considering this one, but if they keep it up...

Monday, June 06, 2005

ReadyMade: Feature - Sprout a Couch

ReadyMade: Feature - Sprout a Couch

If only we had a larger yard, I'd give this some serious thought. The directions sound simple, though I'm sure very physically demanding.

Via Inhabitat

Tankless Scuba Diving System on the way

IsraCast: Technology in Israel

An Israeli inventor has developed and tested a system to allow scuba diving without the large cumbersome oxygen tanks currently used. Evidently, fish get their oxygen via filtration to get air out of the water that gets into the water due to waves and currents etc. This new system uses a battery powered fiter and centrifuge to extract air from water. The lab model has been tested successfully and he is moving to a full-size prototype now.

Via Future Feeder

Friday, June 03, 2005

Cocktail of the Week

Donkey semen Cocktail : UK > Drink Recipes > Donkey semen (cocktail recipe).
I just couldn't pass up the disgustingly named drink. The ingredients lead me to believe it is much more pleasant to drink than the name implies:


  • 1.5 oz coconut rum
  • 2 oz sour mix
  • 2 oz soda

Shake with ice and serve in a margarita glass garnished with a slice of lime.
Lots of recipes on this site, with all the dirty sounding ones conveniently placed together on one page. Check out the one about the babysitter.

Cheers

ScrapHouse

ScrapHouse

In honor of World Environment Day, artists, architects, contractors, city officials, and engineers have worked together to build this beautiful ScrapHouse made entirely out of salvaged materials. The House opened to the public in San Francisco on June 2 and will be open only through June 5. I can't get over how fantastic this house looks. It's a 700 square foot 2 bedroom, 1 bath, kitchen, and deck home suitable for a family. The building meets all local codes. Some materials were reused for their original purpose and others repourposed. Here is part of the press release with info on some of the materials:

"Still, what is most intriguing about ScrapHouse is the creative use of previously discarded materials —most of which were destined for the landfill. On one wall, 500 old phonebooks, stacked vertically, provide both insulation and texture. Another room's floor is tiled with leather scraps, leftover from upholstery jobs. For landscaping, day-old flowers from local outlets surround the house in hundreds of tiny vases cut from garden hoses, which protrude from the green grass lawn."

There are tons of pictures at the site. Here are a few that I like.



Via Inhabitat