the Nomad Surfer

Movie Stars who Die the Most

2009-04-22T11:44:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder which of your favorite movie stars are killed off the most? It might not surprise you that Robert DeNiro tops the list with 14 deaths, but did you know that in 2 of Bruce Willis' 11 movie deaths the killer was his ex-wife Demi Moore? The full list is here.

Beer Goggles are a Myth

2009-04-20T09:53:00.002-05:00

The well-worn concept of 'beer googles' that make men view women as more attractive the more they drink is a myth, claim scientists. More here.

Where the Government Spends your money

2009-04-15T14:12:00.003-05:00

Click here for the full picture.

LaCie iamaKey (needs a new name)

2009-04-13T09:07:00.002-05:00

With the new LaCie iamaKey, inventive storage meets data protection. The key-shaped design is functional and memorable, and the protection that the LaCie iamaKey offers makes it extremely reliable. Best of all, with its 4GB and 8GB models, you can fit an enormous amount of data in a small flash drive. With the universal Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, iamaKey can be used with both PC and Macs. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 not only offers universal compatibility and cross-platform convenience, but features a hot-pluggable connection and high-speed transfer rates, and is Windows ReadyBoost™ compatible. With its eye-catching design, the iamaKey certainly stands out, but its connector (Gold SIP) is both water- and scratch-resistant, making it one of the most durable and thinnest USB keys on the market. Protective edges on the connectors ensure that you'll always insert the LaCie iamaKey properly, keeping it usable and safe. By it here.

World's Best Hotel Beds

2009-04-10T11:04:00.003-05:00

Click here to see the other beds.

tiny puppy set to be the world's smallest dog

2009-04-08T14:34:00.001-05:00

He is a third of the size of an average guinea pig, and weighs in at just a few ounces - but this tiny puppy could be a big deal when it comes to world records. The miniscule chihuahua-Jack Russell cross - appropriately named Tom Thumb by its owners - is a serious contender for the title of being the smallest dog on the planet. Little Tom was born just three weeks ago as part of a surprise litter to mum Spice, a chihuahua. More here.

Martellus Bennett's thought on Female Farting

2009-04-08T09:11:00.005-05:00

Martellus Bennett has his own blog over at the Dallas Morning News that started a week ago. In this post he discusses what to do if your chic farts. The typos are minimal and forgivable since he is the Cowboys second best current tight end. Here is a little excerpt:

"Man what do you do if your chic farts?It doesn't seem as if women should fart. I was walking in the grocery store in the chips and dips aisle. This lady was walking in front of me pushing her cart she stopped to pick up some pringles and let one rip. Sounded like a growl and and a motor but smelt like a dead carcus. OMG! Now I knew it wasn't me LOL and we were the only two people on the aisle. She just smiled and kept walking like nothing happened the smell followed her. I swear I could see it like smoke out of a train just nasty."

Scientists explain why scratching helps relieve an itch

2009-04-06T14:45:00.003-05:00

Scratching helps to relieve an itch because it reduces the sensations of pain sent to the brain, a new study has found. However, the effect was produced only when the skin was genuinely itchy, researchers found. Neuroscientists believe that the findings could be used to discover potential treatments, including drugs, to offer relief to patients suffering from chronic itches. More here.

Beating a DWI case may soon get a lot tougher: Blood Draws

2009-04-03T07:47:00.003-05:00

Drivers stopped on suspicion of DWI can refuse to take roadside sobriety and breath tests, and about half of the nearly 4,000 people arrested annually in the city of Dallas for DWI refuse the breath test. The number of "total refusals" of both kinds of tests have been skyrocketing in the last year and a half, say officers, judges and lawyers. Drivers are getting smarter about the law, and DWI cases are getting tougher for police and prosecutors to win. To counter that, police have arranged to have judges standing by on no-refusal weekends, ready to sign search warrants that allow officers to get blood from drivers whether they like it or not. The weekend before this St. Patrick's Day, 32 people were arrested for DWI, and about half refused to give up their blood voluntarily to a certified medical technician stationed at the jail. Two resisted even after being served with search warrants and were cuffed and strapped into a chair so their blood could be drawn. More here.

Stem cells to grow bigger breasts

2009-03-30T15:02:00.003-05:00

A Stem cell therapy offering “natural” breast enlargement is to be made available to British women for the first time. The treatment could boost cup size while reducing stomach fat. It involves extracting stem cells from spare fat on the stomach or thighs and growing them in a woman’s breasts. An increase of one cup size is likely, with the potential for larger gains as the technique improves. More here.

24-year-old SMU grad shot, killed outside Dallas club

2009-03-30T14:02:00.004-05:00

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From the Dallas Morning News: A 24-year-old SMU graduate was fatally shot outside a downtown Dallas nightclub early Sunday morning when someone from a passing vehicle fired into a crowd, police said. Jessica Chanè Waldron was waiting with a friend outside the 2026 Ultra Lounge on Commerce Street about 2:20 a.m. for a valet to return with their car, police said.

Witnesses told police they heard multiple gunshots. “I’ve been hit,” Waldron said before she fell to the ground. More here.

Cuban fined $25K for ref complaints on Twitter

2009-03-30T13:40:00.001-05:00

From ESPN: The NBA slapped Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with a $25,000 fine Sunday for publicly criticizing the officials after Denver's 103-101 win over Dallas. Cuban used the Twitter online social network to complain after Friday night's game that Denver's J.R. Smith was not called for coming off the bench to taunt Antoine Wright after he missed a shot near the Nuggets bench. Cuban said in another posting Sunday that he "can't say no one makes money from twitter now. The NBA does." More here.

Teenager paints giant phallus on roof of parents' home

2009-03-27T11:29:00.002-05:00

A teenager inspired by ancient fertility symbol has painted a 60 ft long phallus on the roof of his parents 2 million house in England. It was up for over a year before they found out. More here.

Drama Next Door

2009-03-27T11:11:00.001-05:00

From the Dallas Morning News: The owner of Bob's Steak & Chop House, the well-known, high-end Dallas steak restaurant, has been indicted for theft. Bob Sambol could face up to life in prison under the indictment, which was released Thursday. According to records, Sambol asked an investor, Lee Thompson, for $300,000 to add a cigar lounge to the restaurant's Oak Lawn location. Thompson was supposed to get a percentage of the profits in return, and the expansion was supposed to begin in January of last year, according to the records. But that didn't happen, and Sambol didn't pay back the money, the records say. An arrest warrant for Sambol was to be issued. Neither he nor his attorney could be reached immediately for comment.

New York City Sitcom Map

2009-03-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

In Italy, a Vending Machine Even Makes the Pizza

2009-03-18T14:44:00.002-05:00

NY Times Article: Over the last decade, Mr. Torghele, 56, an entrepreneur in this northern Italian city who first made money selling pasta in California, has developed a vending machine that cooks pizza. The machine does not just slip a frozen pizza into a microwave. It actually whips up flour, water, tomato sauce and fresh ingredients to produce a piping hot pizza in about three minutes. More here.

5 Mixed Drinks Manly Men Can Drink (And Remain Manly)

2009-03-18T14:26:00.003-05:00

If you’re reading this and are a man, you probably have a penis. Since you have a penis, you primarily drink beer and whiskey. Good man. Manly man. When you go to a bar, however, beer all the time can get a bit boring, and you may be looking for something like a strong mixed drink. However, being the manly man you are, you’ve never ordered a mixed drink before, and don’t actually know what drinks are safe to order without risking penile deflation. Worry not, my friend. Read on, follow our guidelines, and we’ll show you what you can order to drink, and still be a manly man.

1. Irish Car Bomb

Hell even the name sounds manly. This drink is a shot glass filled with Irish Whiskey (preferably Jameson) with Baileys Irish Cream floated on top. The shot is then dropped into a glass of Guinness and downed. All Irish, contains both whiskey and stout beer. Definitely a man’s drink.

2. Jagerbomb

Another bomb? Could be a trend… A Jägerbomb is a drink in which the only liquor is Jägermeister. Basically you fill a glass with Red Bull energy drink, a very masculine bull-like energy drink, then drop in a shot full of Jägermeister and chug it. On a side note, Jägermeister is in my copy-paste clipboard because you can’t fucking type ä on a normal keyboard. Damn Germans.

3. Martini

Ok, so no trend. The primary reason a martini is on this list is because James Bond drinks them. Shaken, not stirred. Otherwise, this would be a pretty hoity-toity drink. But, because James Bond is so manly and cool, what with all the explosions and all (ok, maybe a trend), anything he drinks voluntarily has a degree of awesome to it. A martini is gin and vermouth, garnished with an olive. Though on occasion, its masculinity is insulted with a sliver of lemon peel.

4. Hurricane

In the words of Alan Jackson, “Pour me something tall and strong, make it a Hurricane, before I go insane.” The man needs a damn stiff one. A Hurricane is a great answer. Jack Sparrow would appreciate this one, as it’s made with light rum, dark rum, passionfruit syrup, and lime juice. Since rum is the primary ingredient, and the drink was originally given away in New Orleans to sailors, this one has earned a spot on the list. Plus, it’s the manliest tropical drink you can get in Margaritaville. Look at it, doesn't it look refreshing?

5. Lynchburg Lemonade

This tastey alternative to a boring lemonade is made with Jack Daniels, Triple Sec, lime soda, and sour mix. It looks lke lemonade, tastes like lemonade, contains whiskey, was and is sold as a cocktail by Jack Daniels. This drink is safe to drink anywhere, anytime. Even at 9:00 am on Sunday.

A-Rod in Love with Himself (not photoshopped)

2009-03-18T14:17:00.004-05:00

I always knew this to be true. Apparently, this photo was taken the same day that he was questioned by an ESPN reporter regarding past steroid use. Also of note, A-Rod imbibed several shots of patron to prep for tie photo shoot. Full article here.

Hard Rock Cafe stages its Dallas comeback

2009-03-18T14:07:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess it was only a matter of time before the Hard Rock decided to come back to Big D. They are planning an almost 9,000 square foot space on N. Houston Street. More here.

Franchiser Ed Bailey vs. McDonald's Corp.

2009-03-16T18:09:00.002-05:00

From a D Magazine Article: When restaurateur Ed Bailey filed suit last year against the giant McDonald's Corp., he was living up to his reputation as a strong-willed business pioneer. One of the nation's largest McDonald's owner/operators, Bailey has succeeded by calling his own shots on everything from eateries' decor to employee-training practices. The rest of it here.

Now Ed has put up all of his 63 McDonalds up for sale. Here is the update.

Basically McDonalds agreed to buy all of Ed's stores, but also gave him the option to sell them individually for more. I guess Ed wants to create his own Patrizio's franchise. There are now 4 in the metroplex.

Boxed Water

2009-03-16T15:04:00.005-05:00

Drinking bottled water is for assholes who hate the planet. Boxed water is for enlightened awesomes. People who drink boxed water are also taller, wittier, and better in the sack. More here.

Rocket Scientists Shoot Down Mosquitoes With Lasers

2009-03-16T14:44:00.002-05:00

Excerpt from the WSJ article: A quarter-century ago, American rocket scientists proposed the "Star Wars" defense system to knock Soviet missiles from the skies with laser beams. Some of the same scientists are now aiming their lasers at another airborne threat: the mosquito. In a lab in this Seattle suburb, researchers in long white coats recently stood watching a small glass box of bugs. Every few seconds, a contraption 100 feet away shot a beam that hit the buzzing mosquitoes, one by one, with a spot of red light.The insects survived this particular test, which used a non-lethal laser. But if these researchers have their way, the Cold War missile-defense strategy will be reborn as a WMD: Weapon of Mosquito Destruction. Continued here.

On Vacation!!!

2009-03-06T12:01:00.001-06:00

Rick Santelli and the "Rant of the Year"

2009-02-25T14:25:00.000-06:00

First Dog Chosen: Portuguese Water Dog

2009-02-25T14:07:00.003-06:00

The dogs medium-sized and are supposed to be good temperamentally. Also, Ted Kennedy has two, and you don't mess with the Kennedys, unless you are David Paterson. In other first animal news....Socks is dead...RIP.

Cake Balls!!!

2009-02-25T10:09:00.004-06:00

No....this is not some new middle school derived homophobic word, but Cake balls are just what you’ve been waiting for—bite-size bits of moist cake blended with rich frosting, surrounded in a deliciously beautiful confectionery coating. This appears to be an exciting twist on cupcakes and a sophisticated alternative to traditional desserts, it’s no wonder why they are becoming such a sweet sensation. The Cake Ball Company is located on Northwest Hwy near White Rock lake. They claim it is a one of a kind experience. Website here.

Rape Stats, Not Athletic Stats!

2009-02-24T14:37:00.001-06:00

Bush Visits SMU Today

2009-02-24T14:08:00.000-06:00

Usability Analysis of Apple.com: Why is it so Good?

2009-02-24T13:56:00.002-06:00

We all have been influenced in some way by Apple, whether it be their brilliant OS, stunning industrial innovation, or the trends they have started in web/application design. Apple focuses a lot on usability. This can be seen in their products, and Apple.com. It is important for Apple.com to be a usable site, because it leaves a good impression on users, and they will therefore be more likely to buy products from Apple. Click here for the full in depth analysis.

1. The Most Usable Content Navigation and Menus

2. Clean and Flowing Grid-Based Layout

3. Consistent and Smooth Colors; High Quality Images

4. Smooth and Scannable Content Organization

5. Fast Load Times

6. The Search

7. The Subtle Details

A History of Home Values

2009-02-24T13:54:00.003-06:00

Here's the big problem with almost all the current rhetoric about the housing crisis: It presumes that the goal should be to get house prices rising again. The problem with that idea is that, even after a 25% decline, house prices are still way too high. Even if there is a government mechanism that could stop house prices from plummeting and artificially pump them up again, therefore, it would just postpone the inevitable. The rest of the article and a bigger picture are here.

Four Bad Bear Markets

2009-02-24T13:48:00.000-06:00

20 Most Valuable Blogs

2009-02-24T13:45:00.001-06:00

Well, to no one's surprise, 'the Nomad Surfer' didn't even make the top 100, maybe next year. Here is the link.

Gawker Properties -- $170 million.

Huffington Post -- $90 million.

The Drudge Report -- $48 million.

Perez Hilton -- $32 million.

Sugar, Inc -- $27 million.

TechCrunch -- $25 million.

MacRumors -- $21 million.

SeekingAlpha -- $11 million.

GigaOm -- $9.5 million.

Politico -- $8.7 million.

SmashingMagazine -- $7.7 million.

SearchEngineLand -- $4.5 million.

Boing Boing -- $3.6 million.

ReadWriteWeb -- $3.4 million.

SB Nation -- $2.7 million.

Destructoid -- $2.5 million.

Mashable -- $2.5 million.

Alley Insider sites -- $2.25 million.

/film -- $2.1 million.

The Superficial Network -- $2 million

Neatorama -- $1.5 million.

Daily Kos -- $2 million.

Talking Points Memo -- $1.2 million.

VentureBeat -- $1 million.

Wowowow.com -- $1 million.

How The Three-Tiered Beer Distribution System Works

2009-02-24T13:41:00.003-06:00

An interesting insight into why we have the three-tiered distribution system. Beer distributors generate $8 billion dollars per year, which is passed on to the consumer. The article is here.

Southwest Airlines' Bikini Plane

2009-02-18T14:12:00.003-06:00

Southwest Airlines has entered into an awesome partnership with Sports Illustrated; this was the result. More here.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

2009-02-17T11:22:00.002-06:00

The cutting-edge of sports therapy: Injecting athletes with their own blood to speed recovery of everything from tennis elbow to knee tendinitis. According to an article in today's Times, injecting someone with their own blood “catalyzes the body’s instincts to repair muscle, bone and other tissue.” Sounds pretty good! Platlet-rich plasma is derived by placing a small amount of the patient’s blood in a filtration system or centrifuge that rotates at high speed, separating red blood cells from the platelets that release proteins and other particles involved in the body’s self-healing process, doctors said. A teaspoon or two of the remaining substance is then injected into the damaged area. The high concentration of platelets — from 3 to 10 times that of normal blood — often catalyzes the growth of new soft-tissue or bone cells. Because the substance is injected where blood would rarely go otherwise, it can deliver the healing instincts of platelets without triggering the clotting response for which platelets are typically known. More here.

The Video Guide to Successful Seduction

2009-02-13T08:03:00.001-06:00

Kiva.org

2009-02-11T21:50:00.009-06:00

Well, today I finally decided to give this whole micro-financing thing a try. Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. After the loan is given, I will get journal reports and be able to track how much of the loan has been paid back. After the loan is repaid, I can then lend the money to another person. From what I have read, men are less likely than women to repay the loan. I, however, have more faith in my gender, so I lent two half men.

Who I split my $200 between:

Maria Elisa is 45 and from Ayacuccho, Peru. She used to have a soda fountain shop with three employees, but now she wants expand into a full restaurant. She needed a $950 loan to buy rice, sugar, and some more sodas. Why I chose Maria...I liked how she already had a functioning business with three employees; past performance is a great indicator of future success.

Emmanuel Amofah is from Swido, Ghana. He requested $375 loan to buy some palm fruit so he and his machine can produce palm oil to sell at Ayaase Road near Cape Coast. He has been doing this for 2 years now and wants to increase business. Why I chose Emmanuel...he has received schooling through senior high. I am sure it isn't as good as here in the states, but I respect his educational accomplishments.

Mr. Yon Mouk is from the Preak Traeng Village in Cambodia (I have no idea where that is). Mr. Yon Mouk is 46 years old and requested a $2,725 loan to buy some piglets to start pig breeding business. Why I chose Mr. Mouk...I liked his simple idea...pig farmers, like prostitutes, have been around for a long time (well not in Israel).

Mrs. Srorn Chhay is a 38 year old widow from Tep Archurun Village, Cambodia. She asked for $1,975 to buy grocery products to stock her store. Why I chose Mrs. Chhay...from what I could tell her store was the main store in the village...she practically has a monopoly on the small store market...winner winner chicken dinner.

David After Dentist

2009-02-11T12:01:00.000-06:00

This is Why You're Fat

2009-02-09T14:27:00.002-06:00

In my quest be more calorie conscious, I came across This is Why You're Fat. They had some good ideas for State Fair food, but thankfully I didn't see my idea for a corny burger ( a hamburger with corn batter around it instead of a bun). I am glad so see one my ideas hasn't been done just yet.

Identical Twins Escape Death Penalty

2009-02-09T14:21:00.004-06:00

A pair of identical twins escaped being convicted and hanged on drugs charges in Malaysia, due to confusion over which one of them was the culprit, reports said on Saturday.The 27-year-old twins, R. Sathis Raj and Sabarish Raj, had been charged with trafficking 166 kilos of cannabis and 1.7 kilos of raw opium in 2003. But police had trouble identifying which one was in possession of the drugs."This is a very unique case as they are identical twins. Even the DNA evidence could not prove anything as the DNA could be either Sathis' or Sabarish's," said High Court judge Zaharah Ibrahim. More here.

Pets Who Want to Kill Themselves

2009-02-06T11:44:00.002-06:00

All the photos of the ridiculous things humans do to their pets, compiled onto one handy blog with fitting captions. Naturally, this would be right up our alley because it seems like we feature tortured pets every day. More pics here. Crazy poodle travesties.

Bill Brewer Likes Him Some Fancy Suits

2009-02-06T11:28:00.002-06:00

On the back page of the Personal Journal section today, there appears a story headlined, "Inside a Bastion of Old-School Power Attire." The story is about how the recession is making even junior lawyers rethink their corporate casual attire. Really, though, the piece reads like a Match.com ad for Brewer and how handsome he his, how shiny his shoes are, etc. So good on Brewer’s PR man. He earned his keep.

6 Cars on Death Row

2009-02-04T14:33:00.004-06:00

Times are tough and these cars got purged:

Honda S2000
Chrysler PT Cruise (really gonna miss this one)
Saturn Sky
Hummer H3
Lexus SC
Dodge Viper

More info here. Article via Evan.

Free Wine at Cork on February 18

2009-02-03T17:49:00.004-06:00

On February 18, head over to Cork in the West Village, a really cool little wine store that you’ve probably heard about before. They will be doing a free tasting of Lungarotti wines, from 5:30–7pm. You’ll especially want to check out Lungarotti’s new Pinot Grigio and the ever-popular Rubesco. Did I mention the free-ness? For more info, go here. Cya there.

2009-02-03T14:29:00.002-06:00

Via Professor Moss

Tough Guy Challenge: on my "to do" list

2009-02-02T14:59:00.005-06:00

Billed as "the safest most dangerous taste of physical and mental endurance pain in the world", the Tough Guy Challenge took place yesterday, February 1st, on South Perton Farm, near Wolverhampton, England. Thousands of challengers (men and women) started the endurance race, with hundreds dropping out along the way due to exhaustion or injury - broken bones, dislocations, and over 600 cases of hypothermia. Even the overall winner, James Appleton, was treated briefly for hypothermia. The course takes racers through 21 obstacles - through mud, freezing water, across ropes and burning terrain. The challenge is also a fundraiser for charity, with funds going to the Mr. Mouse Farm for Unfortunates, which looks after hundreds of retired horses and provides jobs to young offenders. Here are a handful of photos from yesterday's race. More photos here.

Triathlon Training

2009-02-02T14:48:00.002-06:00

So I have officially re-begun training for a triathlon. I needed a little bit of instruction when it came to the art of swimming, running and biking. So I went on the web and found this site that features some Tri coach giving 5 minute instructional videos, enjoy.

Porn Clip Penetrates Super Bowl Broadcast

2009-02-02T09:30:00.002-06:00

One minute it was Kurt Warner going deep ... the next , it was some porn star!? Bowl fans in Tucson, Ariz. were subjected to 30 seconds of hard core porn -- wang and all -- when somehow, the game feed was suddenly interrupted by a clip from an adult television channel. Comcast -- the cable company in Tucson -- is working on an explanation, but right now it appears the porn break in only occurred in its standard-definition feed reaching analog TV sets. More here.

NYT Article: Billable Hours Giving Ground at Law Firms

2009-01-30T13:50:00.002-06:00

Over the last couple decades, high leverage--the practice of having each equity partner supported by three or more associates or income partners--was accepted as a basic tenet of profitability. A firm billed out these junior lawyers at significantly more than it paid them, often getting billings that were triple the lawyer's salary. It seemed like a sure-fire way to make money. But high turnover and rocketing salaries ate into profit margins. Now, the whole pyramid model is looking fragile. More here.

8th Annual Wish Auction for Dallas Contemporary

2009-01-29T19:03:00.004-06:00

Here is "Burmese Monastery" that I donated to the Wish Auction to benefit the Dallas Contemporary Art Museum. You can be on it here and the bidding starts a 60% retail value!

Does Apple have a case against Palm?

2009-01-29T11:35:00.002-06:00

There's been some growling and teeth-barring between Apple and Palm lately, but Engadget wanted to know: does Apple really have a case against Palm for their patented technology? They put their legal correspondent, Nilay Patel, on the case, and in this long but very interesting analysis piece, he answers: probably. Here is the link.

E*TRADE Baby Outtakes

2009-01-28T19:46:00.001-06:00

Gym Lets You Bench Press Dwarves

2009-01-28T09:07:00.002-06:00

A GYM in London has replaced its dumbbells with human weights - including dwarves who shout encouragement to motivate exercise. Gymbox at Bank - in the centre of the capital's financial district - today introduced its bizarre fitness regime with human weights ranging from a 155kg man to a 30kg female.   The human dumbbells wear black leotards with their weights printed across their chests and sit on adapted machines to let the weightlifter visualise what they are lifting. More here.

The Obamameter

2009-01-27T14:35:00.006-06:00

PolitiFact has complied about 500 promises that Barack Obama made during the campaign and is tracking their progress on their Obamameter. They rate their status as No Action, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept or Promise Broken. Here is one of their Obamameters:

No. 505: Create a $3,000 tax credit for companies that add jobs

The Promise:

"During 2009 and 2010, existing businesses will receive a $3,000 refundable tax credit for each additional full-time employee hired."

The Update:

Congress balks at $3,000 tax credit per worker

'Virgin Mary' Underpass Stain Defaced With Devil Graffiti

2009-01-23T11:55:00.003-06:00

A Chicago underpass stain resembling the Virgin Mary has been defaced by graffiti of a devil face. The stain, under the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, was tarnished by the demonic purple scrawl sometime within the last two weeks, police told the Chicago Tribune. The graffiti is a face with horns, a sinister fanged smile and "666." The full article is here.

Callaway FT-iQ

2009-01-23T07:45:00.005-06:00

Ever since its 1991 debut of the Big Bertha, a spatula-shaped driver named after a World War I-era German howitzer, Callaway Golf has earned a reputation for creating clubs that are easy to hit. The latest weapon to emerge from the company's R&D lab in Carlsbad, California, is the Callaway FT-iQ, a sleekly tapered square-shaped driver.

Composed of a titanium face, a carbon-fiber body and an aluminum back cradle fitted with internal weights, the club is designed to launch the ball higher and with less backspin than previous models. A high launch angle and a low spin rate combine to generate optimum carry given a player's swing speed. They also result in a boring trajectory that yields added distance to a drive by producing roll.

Another selling point of the FT-iQ is its promise of straighter shots thanks to an extremely high moment of inertia, the clubhead's resistance to closing at impact. The technology of the clubhead is augmented by a super premium Fubuki shaft from Mitsubishi Rayon, one of the finest shaft-makers in the game. Fans of Callaway's recent drivers will recognize the club's rather muted sound at impact, much softer than the thwack of many titanium models. But don't be fooled: The FT-iQ packs a powerful punch.

Irvin hosting reality TV show to win roster spot on Cowboys

2009-01-22T17:22:00.002-06:00

This spring SpikeTV will air an Irvin-hosted, still unnamed show wherein 12 “football neophytes” get training and inspiration from #88. That dozen gets voted off week by week, by judges including former Cowboys players and Jerry Jones. The “winner” gets a spot on the Cowboys roster. Watchable?

Obama's First Fashion Faux Pas

2009-01-22T07:56:00.002-06:00

While we're all rejoicing at the fact that Barack Obama is our new president, we did have some reservations about the tuxedo he wore to the inauguration ball (above). Simply put, the combination of a notched-lapel dinner jacket (by Hart Schaffner Marx) and a big, shiny white bow tie was not quite the thing for a commander-in-chief. We asked our old friend Alan Flusser, the world's leading authority on men's style who's been interviewed several times about Obama's dress sense, for his thoughts on the matter. Flusser is a renowned designer and author of several seminal works on men's style including Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion You can check out his video interview with Charlie Rose here.

In Dressing the Man, Flusser writes, "The whole idea of a formal suit [i.e. tuxedo] is to distinguish itself from the notch-lapel business suit, not replicate it." Flusser declares that a dinner jacket with notched lapels is nothing short of a "sartorial oxymoron, convoluting both the form's aesthetic logic and its promise of timeless elegance." A proper dinner jacket should have peaked lapels, or, for slightly less formal occasions, a shawl collar. As for the white bow tie, that should only ever be worn with tails - hence the classic "white tie and tails" - and should never be satin. More here.

Can Creatine Build Muscle?

2009-01-21T14:41:00.004-06:00

Before there was 'the Nomad Surfer', I popped my internet publishing cherry by producing this nice and informative site that compiled a bunch of scholarly articles (It was also an assignment for my Health Psych class). Click here to expand your creatine knowledge.

Obama Chia Head

2009-01-21T14:32:00.003-06:00

Pre-order one while supplies last from Amazon.

iPod touch M110 sniper rifle: another reason to fear the Cult of Apple

2009-01-21T10:04:00.003-06:00

We're trying... we're trying real hard to cling to our pacifist ways. But damn if the fusion of this US Army M110 Sniper Rifle and mounted iPod touch running the BulletFlight external ballistics calculator (available via the App Store) doesn't make us want to kill. Tap in the variables such as weather conditions, ammunition type, distance to target, and wind speed before exhaling and gently squeezing back on your second amendment right. God bless America. Via The Firearm Blog

'the Nomad Surfer' Got Wordle'd

2009-01-21T09:40:00.002-06:00

Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends. www.wordle.net

the Nomad Surfer Visits Apple Store in NYC

2009-01-19T20:01:00.004-06:00

All Music Is The Same Four Chords

2009-01-15T17:08:00.002-06:00

Don't watch this if you don't want to lose all faith in music. The Axis of Awesome breaks down your favorite songs into the same four chords — over and over.

Harold Simmons’ 14-year Nuclear Gamble Pays Off

2009-01-15T13:49:00.002-06:00

Simmons once told D CEO editor Glenn Hunter that if he landed the right permits, one of his companies could easily net another $200 million a year profit. Well, today, after 14 years of trying to get the state to allow him to bury radioactive waste in West Texas (shown left), it’s finally happened. February’s issue of D CEO (on newsstands soon, if not now) describes how Simmons and his company, Waste Control Specialists, worked the State Legislature and the people of Andrews County, Texas, to grease the skids. Link to the D Magazine article.

30-pound marijuana brick delivered to wrong address in Denton

2009-01-15T13:40:00.003-06:00

When an address didn't exist in Dallas, UPS assumed that perhaps the addresser meant Denton. Such is how a Denton man discovered a package containing a 30-pound brick of compressed marijuana on his front porch Monday. When he realized it wasn't the Sears tools he ordered, he took the chronic to the police department.

The package, addressed from Pharr, TX, had a street value of $10,500.

Will It Blend? That is the question....

2008-12-28T09:14:00.003-06:00

Apparently I'm not the only person who loves to watch the Blendtec"Will it Blend?" videos on YouTube. The company reports that the video series has had over 100 million views so far, making it one of the more successful viral marketing campaigns.

Now you can see the top 20 "Will It Blend?" episodes in all their high quality color glory, thanks to a new app of that name. Treat yourself and friends to the thrill of Tom Dickson (right) feeding an iPhone 3G into a Blendtec blender in higher quality than you've ever seen it before.

Other favorites -- iPod, glow sticks, and Chuck Norris, to name a few -- are included as well. What's great is that you don't need a 3G or Wi-Fi connection to download these wonderful videos, as they're built into the app. A

Liars Den & Madison Ave. Bars Open

2008-12-25T09:35:00.003-06:00

He likes to socialize over brats and brew. You prefer catching up over bubbly and canapes. Thanks to a new double nightlife venture on McKinney Avenue, you can always get what you want. Housed in the same building, the sister bars offer something for Joe Six-packs and Gossip Girls. Liars Den serves American fare, loads of beer, and big screens with nonstop sports coverage.

Upstairs, the swanky yet affordable Madison Avenue lounge dishes bottle service (only a one-bottle minimum) and a live DJ Wednesday through Saturday nights. Both bars have outdoor patios with sweeping views. No matter what your perspective.

Liars Den and Madison Avenue, 2710 McKinney Avenue, Uptown (214-303-1415).

Teens copying enemies' license plates to get revenge via speed cameras

2008-12-25T00:01:00.003-06:00

Teens are known for having a lot of time, some seriously outrageous ideas for filling that time, and a slightly obsessive need for revenge. Add a few residential speed cameras into that mix, and what you have is a creative perversion of the entire speed camera system. Teens in Maryland have evidently been printing out the license plates numbers of rival teens, putting them on their own cars, and then purposely blasting by speed cameras posted in residential neighborhoods. The rival teen -- or his parents -- then gets a $40 citation in the mail.

The police say they haven't heard anything about it, and the local government doesn't sound like it has come up with any way to prevent or limit the habit. Which means that teens will be teens, and parents will be left to complain about it and fight the citations in court. Said one parent, "I hope the public at large will complain loudly enough that local Montgomery County government officials will change their policy of using these cameras for monetary gain. The practice of sending speeding tickets to faceless recipients without any type of verification is unwarranted and an exploitation of our rights." Oh, these kids today...full article here.

Darius Goes West..

2008-12-21T13:50:00.001-06:00

Darius Weems wanted MTV to customize his wheelchair on the show “Pimp My Ride.” The fifteen-year-old also wanted to raise awareness for Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD). Introducing Darius and his wheelchair to the millions watching “Pimp My Ride,” would raise awareness of DMD—the number one genetic killer of young people in the world. DMD took the lives of Darius’ uncle and brother, and will one day claim Darius’ life. Darius wanted to attract more than the declining generation donating to Jerry Lewis’ telethon for Muscular Dystrophy. He wanted a new strategy to spread awareness among a younger generation—among which there might be an individual who will one day find a cure. Before he died, Darius’ 19-year-old brother, Mario, asked his friend, Logan Smalley, to watch out for Darius. Go check his website out.

SMU Undergrad Drug/Rape/Poker Den Death

2008-12-21T13:15:00.004-06:00

The women came to his poker room near the Southern Methodist University campus – sometimes with their boyfriends, sometimes by themselves.

Many of them found the atmosphere at his illicit poker games enticing, said James McDaniel, a self-described professional poker player known for hosting Texas Hold 'Em games four nights a week. Authorities say Mr. McDaniel preyed on at least four of these women, maybe many more, offering them free drugs and alcohol. But , prosecutors say he tricked the women with ground-up depressants instead of lines of cocaine, or slipped the date-rape drug GHB into their drinks.

When they woke up, they believed they had been raped.

Federal prosecutors have asked the women, most of them former SMU students, to testify anonymously at Mr. McDaniel's trial. They say he caused the 2007 death of Meaghan Bosch, the 21-year-old SMU student from McKinney whose fatal overdose prompted serious introspection at the university about students' abuse of drugs.

Ms. Bosch had cocaine, methamphetamine and the addictive pain pill and respiratory depressant oxycodone in her system when she died – the same drugs Mr. McDaniel is accused of supplying to her. Authorities say he also was a drug pipeline for other SMU students.

The rest of the Dallas Morning News article here.

Poker Nights
Some Admissions
Third SMU Drug Death
Date Rape Suspect

Here is another article in the DMN regarding another overdose a few weeks ago at SMU published on Dec. 7, 2008.

Recent Living Creations

2008-12-19T18:05:00.006-06:00

Project One: Wheatgrass in lit frosted glass planter

Project Two: Wheatgrass in square vase

Project Four: Wheatgrass Terrarium

Project Five: White orchid submerged in white rocks

Project Six: Bonsai tree in LED lit glass planter

Project Five: close-up

Future Project: Thai Betta fish home

Kanye West to Quit Rap for Job at Louis Vuitton

2008-12-19T11:58:00.002-06:00

Grammy Award-winning rapper, record producer and shameless self-promoter Kanye West plans to ditch his music career in favor of fashion.

West, 31, tells the London Daily Mirror he'll move to the British capital next year to begin at the bottom rung with an internship at Louis Vuiton's UK HQ in Bond Street - or so he hopes.

"I'm going to go and take an internship and just do something that's like completely normal," he tells the paper, "and just rap at the weekends or something."

If the Vuitton gig doesn't materialize, West will apply at other major European fashion houses in hopes of learning the rag trade. Any fashionistas out there want a major pain in the ass to fetch coffee and such?

Behind ESPN/ABC Sports Boss, Jerry Jones is Most Powerful Man in Sports.

2008-12-16T17:07:00.005-06:00

A $1 billion stadium opening in 2009, a concessions partnership with the New York Yankees, borrowing $350 million at the peak of the credit crisis, struggling to find a naming-rights company in a sour economy, arguing for the NFL Network to gain cable distribution. Oh, did we mention that Jerry Jones also has a football team under his wing that plays in Dallas and gets a bit of attention?

With or without Pacman, it has been an eventful and amazing year for Jones, one that has seen his influence not just in football, but in all of sports, rise dramatically. See the whole list here.

Man Charged In Bizarre Castration Plot

2008-12-16T10:07:00.003-06:00

A Delaware man has been arrested after being accused of arranging a bizarre plot that involved castrating his ex-son-in-law. Wilbur Eichman has been charged with one count of criminal solicitation after he paid a man cash to beat up his ex-son-in-law.Police say Eichman paid 34-year-old Charles Pernot $1,200 to beat up the victim and even offered up a bonus if Pernot cut off the victim's genitals.

"He offered or suggested he use a high power rifle and he said that if you castrate him, there will be a bonus in that for you, an additional $3,000," Corporal Trinidad Navarro said.

Investigators said Eichman even wanted his ex-son-in-law's genitals brought to him. Story via Evan. More Here.

New driver's license rule will trip up more grannies than terrorists

2008-12-16T07:55:00.003-06:00

Want to keep your driver’s license?

First, find your birth certificate.

In yet another example of bungling in Austin, Gov. Rick Perry’s appointees have passed a rule that will punish little old ladies on the pretext of nabbing terrorists.

As of Oct. 1, everybody with an expired driver’s license — even if it’s only a day out of date — must come up with a notarized birth certificate, passport or residency card to regain driving privileges, no matter how long they’ve lived in Texas.

And even if your license hasn’t expired, you might not escape the long arm of the Texas Public Safety Commission.

Lifelong Texans, particularly older Texans, are suddenly being asked to prove their citizenship if that information wasn’t included when the Department of Public Safety computerized its records.

And if you’re a foreigner here legally on a visa — students, refugees, those seeking political asylum — you might as well get comfy at the DPS office. More here.

Transplant Awareness Non-Profit Begins: Pledge Life

2008-12-14T13:19:00.012-06:00

Director, producer, and avid biker, Javier Espinosa, has finally set up his non-profit website. Javier, who had a liver transplant just over a year ago, has gone from the brink to win the U.S. Transplant Olympics 20k cycling event. Stream Switch Studios is producing a transplant awareness documentary chronicling Javier's journey through this ordeal and onto the World Transplant Olympics in Australia. Visit Pledglife.org to learn more about Javier's cause and to purchase some dog tags of your own.

Naked 'Nirvana baby' still chasing dollars

2008-12-11T19:07:00.007-06:00

All apologies, but here we are now, 17 years after Nirvana's breakthrough album irreversibly changed music, and the naked baby pictured on its cover is still chasing dollars.

Elden returned to California's Rose Bowl Aquatics Center to recreate the moment.

3 of 4

Spencer Elden, the underwater infant pursuing a dollar bill on the cover of 1991's "Nevermind," is doing swimmingly these days, having graduated a year early from a Los Angeles-area high school.

Being the "Nirvana baby" -- as Elden calls himself -- has been profitable.

Now 17, Elden says he was paid $1,000 to re-enact the famous pool pose for photographers. Compare that to the original shoot, which paid $200. More of the article here. Heads up a Ia Brandon.

One Fish, Two Fish...Red Fish

2008-12-11T15:30:00.013-06:00

Last week, my fish transhipper, Linda Olsen from Denver, notified me that me previous red fish was DOA. This is the guy the Thai betta breeder found to replace him.

Ron Kirk meets with Obama transition Team

2008-12-10T22:41:00.003-06:00

Well it looks like Ron might be called up to the big leagues.....

Ron Kirk said Wednesday that he has met with President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, but didn't reveal details. The former Dallas mayor was Mr. Obama's top Texas ally. He also did surrogate work for Mr. Obama in key swing states, including North Carolina. Mr. Kirk has been widely considered a candidate for a job in Mr. Obama's administration. "I'm happy where I am, but if the president needs me, it's something I have to seriously consider," Mr. Kirk said.

Article from Evan, more article here.

J in My Pants

2008-12-10T19:09:00.000-06:00

Cacti Garden: large scale

2008-12-10T09:19:00.001-06:00

120K Shotgun Gets Shoplifted in HP Village

2008-12-09T23:52:00.005-06:00

The police blotter in tomorrow’s Park Cities People will include a noteworthy Skulduggery Of The Week item entitled “Happy Hunting.”

A shotgun with a retail value of $120,000 was stolen from the Beretta store sometime between 10 and 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 26, Highland Park police said. The store contained no surveillance cameras, according to a police incident report. “We’re not completely blank on this one, but to be completely honest with you, we don’t have a lot to go on,” said Lt. Paul Sandman, an investigator with the Highland Park Department of Public Safety’s criminal investigations division. “We are working with Beretta right now to strengthen physical security aspects of the store so something like this can’t happen in the future.”

This picture is not actually the robber, just a depiction of the scene (how I imagined it) made possible by Google images. Interested in the full story, click here.

Complaint of Copyright Infringement Against Colpdplay

2008-12-09T16:09:00.010-06:00

If you were near a radio or in a bar this past summer, you might have found it impossible to avoid the string-saturated "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. Guitarist Joe Satriani heard the song, too, and it made him think about a song he wrote and performed in 2004: an instrumental called "If I Could Fly." When Satriani tried to contact Coldplay and didn't hear back after several months, he filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against the band last week. To add fuel to Satriani's fire, Coldplay's CD Viva La Vida is a No. 1-selling album in 36 countries and a Grammy Award nominee, while Satriani's song never made it big. This certainly isn't the first time two songs have sounded the same. The Chiffons waged a lengthy legal battle against The Beatles' George Harrison over the similarities between "My Sweet Lord" and The Chiffons' "He's So Fine." Harrison eventually admitted to "subconsciously copying" the song and paid the band royalties. Timothy English, author of Sounds Like Teen Spirit, says the two songs are similar, but work in different genres — Satriani's a rock instrumental and Coldplay's a more mainstream pop song. He says this occurrence isn't all that rare. "It happens quite often for ... a lot of different reasons," English says. "One, there is just a large quantity of recorded music. And rock music as a genre is now well over 50 years old. The amount of originality you can have is starting to get limited." But these occurrences aren't without benefits. Over this past weekend, the YouTube video that compares the two songs jumped to 1 million visitors.

KopBusters- Barry Cooper goes undercover to expose Odessa Police

2008-12-08T17:43:00.003-06:00

Via the Agitator via nevergetbusted.com

Regardless of how you view the drug war, we should all applaud efforts to rid the criminal justice system of corrupt law enforcement. That's what makes this story so significant. Until now the libertarian/anti drug war movement has been reactionary; waiting for news to happen and responding. Now those who value freedom have the tools to set up traps for the police. This should make great reality television.

From nevergetbusted.com:

It's called an informant plant. The Odessa narcotics unit illegally compelled an informant to plant drugs on Yolanda Madden. The informant testified in federal court he planted the drugs on her and he passed a polygraph confirming the same. Yolanda also passed a polygraph along with a hair follicle and urine test. Our broken criminal justice system ignored the evidence and railroaded her through court sentencing her to 8 years in prison.

Her father hired KopBusters, a new reality show produced by NeverGetBusted, whereby Barry and Candi along with their detectives set up stings across America to catch crooked Kops.

KopBusters rented a house in Odessa, Texas and began growing two small Christmas trees under a grow light similar to those used for growing marijuana. When faced with a suspected marijuana grow, the police usually use illegal FLIR cameras and/or lie on the search warrant affidavit claiming they have probable cause to raid the house. Instead of conducting a proper investigation which usually leads to no probable cause, the Kops lie on the affidavit claiming a confidential informant saw the plants and/or the police could smell marijuana coming from the suspected house.

The trap was set and less than 24 hours later, the Odessa narcotics unit raided the house only to find KopBuster's attorney waiting under a system of complex gadgetry and spy cameras that streamed online to the KopBuster's secret mobile office nearby.

The attorney was handcuffed and later released when eleven KopBuster detectives arrived with the media in tow to question the illegal raid. The police refused to give KopBusters the search warrant affidavit which is suspected to contain the lies regarding the probable cause.

The team of eleven freedom fighters wore red "Free Yolanda" shirts as they clashed with the police demanding answers for the illegal raid and the drug plant. The police would not comment but later stated they were trying to charge KopBusters with a crime.

Fountain Displays Text and Images

2008-12-08T17:30:00.003-06:00

We have seen the future of water fountains, and they'll be able to display text, images, and more. This amazing water fountain uses special nozzles that are controlled by a remote computer which enable them to display a variety of text and images. While it can't display animations (yet), it's a great way to pass time at the mall, or save money for that matter. Video Here

Bar/Mixology Trends per NY Times

2008-12-08T16:52:00.009-06:00

The NY Times last Wednesday had a great review of the current mixology/bartending trends. Check out the Internet Cocktail Database for the most comprehensive the most complete resource for all manner of mixed drinks, past and present. Dallas may not be San Fran or NYC, but we have a strong cocktail culture developing all over town–The Porch, Victor Tango’s, Bolsa.

"Today drinkers don’t need to search far to find bartenders who not only squeeze their own citrus, but make their own bitters, have an encyclopedic knowledge of drinks and stock spirits imported, on the sly, in a suitcase.But as the number of ambitious bars has proliferated, so have their ways of doing things. Interviews with dozens of bartenders around the country suggest that the cocktail movement is becoming so diverse and sophisticated that it encompasses several distinct approaches and philosophies."

PRE-REPEAL REVIVALISTS
FARM-TO-GLASS MOVEMENT
LIQUID LOCAVORES
HOME BREWERS
MINIMALISTS
MOLECULAR MIXOLOGISTS
FAUX TROPICALISTS

U.S. News Lists DISD and HP Schools in the top 100...

2008-12-08T16:46:00.002-06:00

The results are in and Highland Park High School placed a sorry #83. Of note, DISD's Science and Engineering came in at #18 and TAG at #28. The full list is here.

Biorb Life Aquarium

2008-12-08T16:01:00.005-06:00

Reef One, the UK-based manufacturer of the biOrb and biUbe aquariums, has launched its new biOrb Life aquarium range at Interzoo 2008 in Germany. Paul Stevenson, owner of Reef One, told Practical Fishkeeping: “It comes in three sizes. We have a 30 litre, a 45 litre and a 60 litre. It uses the identical filtration system everybody is used to in the biOrb. It has an LED lighting system, so we have sunrise, sunlight, sunset, moonlight system of lighting.” The biOrb Life aquariums are made from 6mm acrylic and have a clear, flat front and rear panel glued to a coloured gloss acrylic wrap. The tanks sit upon an 8mm clear acrylic base. Like the biOrb, access to the inside of the new aquariums is via a circular port in the top, into which the recessed lighting unit sits. The 30 litre model is square in shape, while the larger 45 and 60 litre models are portrait shaped. Retail prices are £200 to about £275 depending on the size that you go for. There are three colors; we have red, black and white, and those colors are available in all three sizes.

Video of the Biorb

One of the best desserts of all time....

2008-12-08T15:52:00.003-06:00

It is the gooey cinnamon roll from Cici's Pizza.

I guess I am a fool: Apple Argues Only a Fool Would Believe their Ads

2008-12-04T07:25:00.006-06:00

Apple isn't lying in television ads that tout the iPhone 3G as twice as fast as its predecessor, but customers would have to be fools to take those claims at face value, the company argues. That's essentially Apple's legal response to a lawsuit filed by San Diego resident William Gillis back in September alleging that Apple and AT&T knowingly oversold the new iPhone alongside misleading ads that promised it would perform twice as fast as the original model. Apple's 9-page reply begins early off by maintaining that any statements it made "were truthful and accurate and were not misleading or deceptive." But it was a bullet point response a few pages later the caught the eye of Wired, as it suggests that only a fool would believe what the company says in its ads. "Plaintiff's claims, and those of the purported class, are barred by the fact that the alleged deceptive statements were such that no reasonable person in Plaintiff's position could have reasonably relied on or misunderstood Apple's statements as claims of fact," Apple's attorneys wrote. More here.

Apple finally taking orders for new in-ear headphones

2008-12-03T14:26:00.004-06:00

Apple this week began accepting orders for a pair of new headphone options designed for iPods, nearly three months after the accessories were first announced at a September media event. More here.

Modano & Primos Operator Join Forces To Open Italian Restaurant in the Quadrangle

2008-12-03T11:02:00.004-06:00

A new Uptown sports-themed restaurant hopes to find success with a little Stars power. Hully & Mo Restaurant & Tap Room will be opening in mid-December. Former Primo’s operator Eddie Cervantes developed the idea with Dallas Stars center Mike Modano, Stars co-general manager Brett Hull, and Tim Headington, Dallas billionaire and owner of Hotel Joule. The 7,000-square-foot space is under renovation in the Quadrangle at 2800 Routh St., the former home of upscale Riccardi’s Italian restaurant, which closed in July. “This development, it’s gone up and down,” Cervantes said, standing in front of a large bar, under exposed ceiling in what will become the main dining area. “I think something more of a neighborhood place would work fabulous here.” More here.

RibCap Beanie replaces Helmets for Skiing

2008-12-03T09:58:00.004-06:00

For people who *should* be wearing helmets but, for one reason or another, don't, the Ribcap is a nice alternative to just a typical hat. In conjunction with d3o labs, the ribcap has the new material d3o, which hardens on impact. When the surface is hit, the molecules lock together to absorb the impact, creating a hard surface that lasts 10 milliseconds. Once the impact is over, the material returns to its original soft state. Although not as protective as a hard helmet, it offers considerable protection for a seemingly soft piece of cloth. The sound you hear is mothers everywhere sighing of relief. www.d3o.com

Jason Terry Donates Mink Coat during Clothing Drive

2008-12-01T23:47:00.002-06:00

Mavericks guard Jason Terry practices what he preaches. At a coat giveaway at Dallas' downtown homeless shelter, he donated two of his own coats to the less fortunate, including a favorite mink jacket. "I was going through my close this morning and was about to put it on myself and I said, 'Nah, someone else could use it,'" Terry told FOX 4. The lucky recipient was Terry Simmons, who has been volunteering without pay at the shelter for the last several weeks. "My mouth fell, my forehead started sweating," Simmons laughed. "For the last three weeks I haven't made money so I guess God just seen fit to give me a coat." Terry has headed up the month-long coat drive at Mavericks games and Dave and Busters locations. Simmons said he always thought the NBA star was a good guy. "Now I see he has a big heart. He's down to earth. I have a lot of respect for the man."

Digital Photo Frames

2008-12-01T11:40:00.007-06:00

ViewSonic DPG807BK

ViewSonic's half-heartedly announced a pair of 8-inch digital photo frames for your all of your half-hearted holiday shopping needs. The DPG801BK and the DPG807BK are basically the same product, with 800 x 600 resolution displays, a 500:1 contrast ratio, and 512MB of internal memory. If that's not enough memory for your um... memories, you can of course load in a memory card or USB drive (there's no wireless integration in either frame). The DPG807BK also has a remote control, which is going to be handy when you want to quickly cycle past photos of your "lovely family" from across the room. They're both available and the DPG801BK will go for $119 while the DPG807BK is $159 -- a small price to pay for the gift that says "I got this for you last night and you're lucky I even thought of it at all."

iGala Wireless Digital Picture Frame from Aequitas

We know, you started yawning at the sight of the headline, your ears will pop with relief by the middle of this paragraph, and you'll finish up somewhere around the Read link. We get it. But there's something kinda special about the brand new iGala Wireless Digital Picture Frame from Aequitas, we'll call it "common sense." The photo frame sports an 8-inch, 800 x 600 touchscreen, 1GB of internal storage, WiFi and the traditional complement of card readers. What's new here is that iGala really puts that WiFi connection to use, featuring Gmail integration (for sending photos), an alarm clock and integration with Microsoft's FrameIt service for news, traffic and weather info. The frame also hooks up to Flickr directly, which is such a no-brainer these days that we're surprised we see still so many "connected" frames lacking the feature. A full touchscreen makes all of this stuff actually possible to use, and the $239 pricetag doesn't mean you have to get soaked for the convenience. iGala is available now from Aequitas' entirely sketchy online store -- we guess you can't win 'em all.

Giant International IT7150

Not that we'd expect any reputable digital photo frame manufacturer to consort with a real, live hand model, but we've gotta hand it to Giant International for discovering this particularly unnatural, eerily glowing appendage to point vaguely at its new Intouch IT7150. Lucky for us, the device in question is not at all cheap and uninviting, featuring a 7-inch 800 x 480 LCD touchscreen, 802.11b/g WiFi, USB to PC connection cable and the standard complement of memory card slots. What makes this particularly fun is vTuner support, which allows for play back of 11,000 radio and TV stations (primarily public access and other undesirables on the TV side), in addition to the increasingly standard FrameChannel service for photo sharing and RSS subscriptions. There's also a built-in rechargeable battery for about 1.5 hours of portable use. At $349, you're certainly paying a pretty penny for all these good times, but if vTuner isn't your bag, you can drop that support and pick up the frame for $299.

Sanyo Albo

Up until now, we'd have to say that Sony's WiFi-enabled VAIO CP1 is the most attractive digital photo frame we've ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on. And quite honestly, it's still probably the sexiest in terms of, well, sheer sexy. But Sanyo's latest rival is cute in its own way, as the HNV-M70 ALBO packs a retro motif that anyone fond of The Jetsons will adore. Specs wise, we're looking at an overly glossy 7-inch LCD (800 x 480 resolution), 256MB of internal memory, 802.11b/g WiFi, WinCE 5.0 behind the scenes, an IR sensor, RSS / e-mail reader, automatic screen rotation, a multicard reader and a multimedia player for good measure. Users can also load up pictures stored on Picasa or add in captions and e-mail to grandparents for maximum enjoyment. Sanyo's set to start selling these in Japan (in black or green) next month for ¥40,000 ($423), but you can take an early look thanks to a bevy of hands-on shots linked below.

Thai Protestors Prevent Betta Fish from Leaving Country

2008-11-30T14:41:00.007-06:00

I was wondering what the status was on my new betta fish from Thailand. Well I just got an e-mail from Lek in Thailand. Apparently the anti-government protesters have taken over the Bangkok airport and are making demands of the the Prime Minster. It looks like my fish are stuck in thailand for right now. Lek, our thought are with you and your fish.

Hello Jonathan,
Please forgive us that we must wait since our international airport is having some problem as you can check with cnn news in USA, we will ship as soon as airport ready. Incredible!! Our country is going to collapse by the anti-government protesters (Actually, they should be called "Terrorist") Suwanabhumi airport has been stormed and closed since Tuesday. Now...Our shipment to Linda need to postpone for a week or two until everything is cleared. Let's hope, the government can stop this terrible situation the soonest.

Khob kun Krub
Preecha
Mobile # 081 813 5137
Thank you very much Lek.

Hair Try

2008-11-30T11:39:00.006-06:00

A virtual toupee shop lets you upload a photo and try on a multitude of toupees and eyeglasses. But it's in Japanese. It is creepy how it animates your photo into a version of yourself that watches where your mouse goes. Click here to try it yourself.

If you feel like trying something new....

2008-11-25T14:51:00.002-06:00

....via Braden

Say hello to my newest editions straight from Thailand

2008-11-25T11:19:00.006-06:00