It only seems fitting I should someday visit such an event as this. http://www.worldbeardchampionships.com/
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http://www.startribune.com/local/18370349.html
The "Thunderpack" will launch you into the air for 37 seconds...for just $100,000.
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I realize this has been out a while already, but this has got to be one of the best ideas I've seen in keyboard design in years. A keyboard with LED backlit keys which are customizable with icons/symbols of your choosing. For the ultimate geek as well as utilitarians, this truly is one of the coolest developments in computing input. Now, if the price could just come down a bit from the current $400+ US dollar range. The Transformer's like name is a cool extra as well. ;)
Check out the Optimus Maximus keyboard at: http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/
]]>I've picked up various high-end brands from time to time at our local Kowalski's Market and other fine gourmet retailers, but compared to this hand-made Scotchwood Toffee, nothing else really compares –– especially for the price!
Their Scotchwood samplers and gift sets make for a great holiday gift to a loved one or to bring along to a party. I've yet to hear from anyone, Caroline and I have given this to, that they didn't love it.
Anyway, that's my plug for the day. Give Scotchwood toffee a try, you won't be disappointed.
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The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials book 1)
by Philip Pullman
Reading Level: Young Adult
Reviewed by Kathy
"Lyra Belacqua is a young girl who grows from curious mischief-maker to fierce heroine. A journey across the world takes her head to head with gobblers, witches, and ruthless scientists. Accompanied by gypsy helpers, an enormous armored polar bear, her personal daemon Pan, and a mysterious gadget known as an alethiometer, Lyra uncovers secrets of her past while discovering a "mystery" of the universe. The Golden Compass is not your average book. The plot is thick and intricately woven, full of deception, magic, betrayal, loyalty, suspense, terror; and a cloud of controversy surrounds it all.
Lyra and her assorted companions are out to defeat the "gobblers" (representatives of the church) who steal children's Daemons (the outer, animal manifestation of a human soul). Daemons and humans are intertwined with a sort of invisible umbilical cord; the two cannot be parted without certain death. Pullman, a professed atheist presents the church of the day (in the sequels it is God) as the evil. He manipulates The Bible by including his own re-written passages of Genesis that explain the origin of Daemons. Additionally, there is disturbing violence and murder of adults and children, and the heroine habitually and convincingly lies. Pullman is making it no secret he is anti-God.
His Dark Materials is not simply a work of fiction-it's a mockery of Judeo-Christian beliefs. It's troubling to think the world has embraced this book through various awards and glowing reviews, and even an adaptation of The Golden Compass to the big screen; New Line Cinema plans a projected release date Holiday Season, 2007.
Lies, disconcerting violence, false doctrines, blasphemy, and several powerfully disturbing scenes; what's a parent to do with a book like this?
You do your job. Protect your kids. Choose wisely what your family reads and teach your young adult children to do the same. Anyone who takes offense to the misrepresentation of God should not read Pullman's books. That leaves our family out of his pool of readers."
]]>Oh, but Microsoft claims they've been working on this for 5 years...just like the Zune was developed but unreleased before the iPod, right?
View the MicroTheives video here:
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9723647-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt
Jeff Han's demo, back in Feb 2006:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKh1Rv0PlOQ