You call this progress?

Holamigo,

A news flash from the political incorrectness files. The Daily Tube sez: "With unemployment at a record high and layoffs increasing everywhere around you, it should be something of a relief to sweatshop workers that their employers have actually invested into a technology that will help them keep their jobs."

ONN: New Portable Sewing Machine Lets Sweatshop Employees Work On The Go
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/new_portable_sewing_machine_lets


Graham talks social networking
A reminder of why you maybe should be afraid to go on Facebook. Painfully close to reality for some.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFKHaFJzUb4

(And on a related note, this was an entertaining and on-the-money article: You Can't Friend Me, I Quit!)


Quick pic: The Future
http://twitpic.com/1faqu/full


News you can reuse: Bottom reached (Thanks Pops)
http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/bottom_reached


QuOteD
"Change is inevitable (except from a vending machine)." -- Robert C. Gallagher


Save the Words
A different kind of adoption service.
http://www.savethewords.org/


Quick pic: "Very Gradual Change We Can Believe In"
http://www.zazzle.com/very_gradual_change_we_can_believe_in_tshirt-235487367914303657


Game time: Don't shit your pants
A survival horror game.
http://www.kongregate.com/games/Rete/dont-shit-your-pants


The 20 Most Terrifying Pictures of Ronald McDonald Ever
And finally, something a little scary. In the author/poster's own words: "What inspired me to write this post? Well, I was trying to search for a shot of Heath Ledger's Joker that I hadn't seen a million times and this came up. Yup, haven't seen that before. And that got me thinking about a long-held childhood fear, that Ronald McDonald is pretty damn creepy. He shook my hand in a parade once and I've never been the same since." Ready to be afraid and/or amused?
http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2009/02/25/the-20-most-terrifying-pictures-of-ronald-mcdonald-ever/


Famous last words
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." -- Alvin Toffler


Ciao for now,
vW

Phone-ominal

Buenos Fri-dias,

Just when you think you've got the newest, slickest, shiniest gizmo out there, a new model comes along that puts yours to shame. Now there's a new phone that does everything you'd ever want a mobile device to do, and then some. Apple, eat your heart out, it's...

The Pomegranate
http://www.pomegranatephone.com/


Talk talk
Speaking of phones, a quick videoadvert on how men talk to women...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJv1pLDHmak


Spam Crackdown Threatens Koy4Goff's Economy
More of the pitfalls of government sanctions and restraint of free trade.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/spam_crackdown_threatens?utm_source=tvtheonioncom


I Lego NY
Homesick New Yorker builds some lego-istic recreations of some of the distinctive sights of his native city.
http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/


QuOteD
"Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll buy a funny hat. Talk to a hungry man about fish, and you're a consultant." -- Scott Adams


Colour Changing Effect
Watch Simon Taylor, illusionist, work some real magic by adding a "u" to the word "color". In all seriousness, it's a cool trick. And make sure you stick around for the explanation so you can see what you missed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0vfdNbw9jE


Quick pic: Last photo of my late dog "Lucky"
http://vinweasel.posterous.com/last-photo-of-my-late-dog-luck


Friday game: Two rooms
http://armorgames.com/play/3006/two-rooms


Why everyone should practice being Bon Jovi in their bedroom
And finally, when the Jumbotron semi-randomly chooses someone in the crowd, normally they just wave and/or scream. This guy didn't.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T6df9m6dZM


Famous last words
"If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?" -- Shantideva


Enjoy and have a good weekend,
vW

Delayed impact

Hola amigo,

Some things are worth waiting for; for example, this prankster has commendable patience... "When decorating my house I had an opportunity to play a rather interesting practical joke -- the creation of which is presented here for your viewing pleasure. My only regret is that I'll not be there for the actual payoff, but I must leave that to the imagination."

I've Had My Eye On You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9YuvbNYdRI


This Week's ER Will Probably Kill You
The Daily Tube review: "Here's the promo for the most shocking episode of any television series ever. You can watch it if you want, but we're not responsible for what happens next. Seriously, consult a psychologist if you're considering watching this episode. You're pretty crazy just for thinking about it, and we're sorry we had to show this to you."
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1900400


Old man Japan
Grandpa making trouble around town. (Thanks Bomser)
http://images2.jokaroo.net/videos/grandpajapan.wmv


QuOteD
"Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you." -- Carl Gustav Jung


2222 Toothpicks in my beard
Of all the ridiculous "hobbies" in the world to catch on, who would have expected this? Watch as this genial Paul Bunyanesque dude stuffs as many toothpicks as he can into his furry face. The end result looks like something unspeakable involving a hedgehog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlo-3KPqZwU


Quick pic: Melon mouth
http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/01/31/melon-mouth/


Game break: Shopping Cart Hero
Many have tried. Many have failed. Do you have what it takes to be a hero?
http://www.kongregate.com/games/MonkeyWantBanana/shopping-cart-hero


Interactive Toilet (ITOI)
And finally, a slightly scary -- make that idiotic -- robotics class project. Note that the designers have no intention of selling it. With judgment like that, maybe they should switch from engineering to business.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxaOsKu9oBE


Famous last words
"Personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures." -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby"


Sayonara,
vW

Modern problems

Happy Friday,

Kids today -- they grow up so fast. And it's never too early to take the time to talk to yer youngin' about this most dangerous of playground diseases, one that has plagued us through time in memoriam. This short PSA parody is probably worth the viewing time...

Talk to Your Kids About Cooties
http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/au_cooties/


Sopranos Uncensored
Nostalgic collection of every single expletive from every episode of "The Sopranos" ever made. A fitting tribute if there was one, I'd say. And make sure you have enough time to watch the whole thing (it ain't short), if that's your intention.
http://www.vimeo.com/2998698


F*** My Life
My life sucks but I don't give a... FML is the inevitable ending of each of these mini epics of personal failure and misfortune of one sort or another.
http://www.fmylife.com/


Electron browning
ComputerTan was a believable little marketing hoax for the common good that fooled tens of thousands of people into learning more about skin cancer.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5667995.ece


QuOteD
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." -- Elbert Hubbard


Coming up next...
TV news anchors have a pretty tough gig: delivering the so-called news with a straight face, whether gnasty fear-mongering propaganda about world politics and economics or heinously useless celeb-interest stories. But when the cameras stop rolling...??? Check these Chicago anchorpersons, who've got it down to an art form.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ehlw_phys


Gone daddy gone
Display at the gate put on by a woman who apparently missed her flight from HKIA. She loves to fly and it shows. (Thanks Pops)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbVw7entkxg


Game break: Retro Room
Figure your way out of this totally tripped out room from the 70s.
http://bored.com/games/play/250/Retro-Room.html


Hail to the Chia-f
And finally, this doodad is not untoward per se, though it's amazing the manufacturer has the gall to refer to this treatment as any sort of "honor". (Thanks Gordon)
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=213041&catid=91413


Famous last words
"Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present." -- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus


Merry weekend,
vW

What's new?

Aloha,

A few newnesses out there as there always are, this first one in the form of a spot-on Onion segment about yet-another must-have piece of household gadgetronics. (As an aside, I caught wind of what someone thought was the best recent Onion headline: "Tina Turner Burns Down Legs for Insurance Money".)

Sony Releases New Stupid Piece of Shit
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/93143


Christian Bale takes David to the dentist
The inevitable collision of two recent memes. And I'm sure it won't end here. (Not safe to blare this at work, obviously.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70r-Ca8wcVg


Antique Roadshow 2550 A.D.
The Daily Tube review: "In the year 2550, the most mundane of objects will be considered great treasures to those looking to get an insight into how we live today. Take, for example, the momentous presidential contest between Alien and Predator."
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1900247


QuOteD
"An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way." -- Charles Bukowski


Quiz-bang: How old are you?
If you're worried you could end up working as a carny in a "Guess Your Age" booth, here's a place to practice.
http://howoldareyou.net/


FDA Approves Depressant Drug for the Annoyingly Cheerful
The Daily Tube review: "Millions of Americans are thankfully not suffering from this disease since the recession hit, but many still have the problem of always thinking positively. A new drug called Depressenex may be able to change all that. The FDA approved the use of the anti-anti-depressant in hope of reducing the amount of chipperness in the United States."
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/fda_approves_depressant_drug_for


A little gamey: Kinetikz 2
Puck off. Good fun.
http://www.bored.com/games/arcade/1/kinetikz_2/


Devolve me
Ready to journey back in time? A "fun tool" to see yourself as you would have looked as an early human. Funny -- they didn't transform my picture at all...
http://www.open.ac.uk/darwin/devolve-me.php


Famous last words
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -- Mahatma Gandhi


Hasta luego,
vW

get Lost

Holamigo,

Go ahead and lose yourself in a few items of interweb ridiculousness. For example, this cautionary tale wrapped up in an advertisement. Thrity-seconds quick and pretty funny. (Thanks Bomser)

Lost in Translation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD4roXEY8hk


Lost behind the wheel
I couldn't say it better than this: "donne al volante pericolo costante, anzi di più...questa è la vera natura delle donne!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1uo1c65TG0


Lost in WoW
Concerned friends -- the virtual circle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpkQSB_h5lY


Lost Girl - Eyewitness News Blooper
The news story is about a very sad topic, but a blooper's a blooper. Trust me, you will not see this one coming...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnCnRuoYMxE


QuOteD
"The reason lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place is that the same place isn't there the second time." -- Willie Tyler


Lost in a blur
Fastest gunman ever. Unbelievable Bob Munden. A double shot for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYdkt7yIFLY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLnmvseCseI


Friday game break: Border patrol
Also on the topic of shooting...git some in a very politically incorrect way. (Thanks Wendell)
http://www.resist.com/other/border_patrol.swf


This is why you are fat
Where dreams become heart attacks.
http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/


Worst drink ever?
Does your Pepsi lack pep? Is your Coke not the real thing? India's Hindu nationalist movement apparently has the answer: a new soft drink made from cow urine.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5707554.ece


Famous last words
"If it weren't for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn't get any exercise at all." -- Joey Adams


Enjoy and have a Presidential weekend,
vW

Small slices

Dentist trip
Funny video aftermath of a visit to the driller, which obviously included some good anaesthetic. I think it started something like this for me, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs


Indexpensible
This site is a little project that lets me make fun of some things and sense of others. I use it to think a little more relationally without resorting to doing actual math.
http://thisisindexed.com/


Douches are wild
A potent solution to address many of life's annoyances. And it fits in your wallet. Problem solved.
Play the Card >>


QuOteD
"First you're an unknown, then you write one book and you move up to obscurity." -- Martin Myers


Train Spotting Simulator
At first I thought this was going to be a virtual journey into a nasty men's room toilet, but Microtoss's Train Spotting Simulator brings the power and excitement of one of the world's most favorite hobbies to your PC, placing you in the role of a trainspotter with unprecedented realism, exciting real-world challenges, and the tools to recreate almost any trainspotting experience in the world.
http://www.ratbike.org/tspotsim/index.html


Quick pique: This is just a test
Another bit of simulation, this one brought back childhood memories of waking up in the middle of the night with a massive gin-induced headache.
http://test-pattern.com/with-sound.htm


Game break: Perfect Balance
http://www.kongregate.com/games/ttursas/perfect-balance


Literal "Under the Bridge"
And finally, the literal video lyrics guys turn their attention to a mellow tune from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/16e4ead1dc/


Famous last words
"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." -- Henry Ford


Bueno weekend,
vW

What the...???

Friday greetings,

Katy Abby said, "Every few years, a product comes along that is inexplicably popular. Despite tedious advertising, a questionable concept, and mediocre value, consumers hand over their hard-earned dollars with reckless abandon to own the next hot-ticket item. One such phenomenon is the subject of this hilarious infomercial parody. Giving up on society? Get one of these..."

What the blanket?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h05ZQ7WHw8Y


Sleep-motion
A little animated music video about a girl who seems either to be an extremely restless sleeper or has a very bizarre waking life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY


Quick pic: Dude who looks like a thumb
Or possibly a thumb in front of the lens that looks like a dude.
http://thumbman.net/


Vocal malfunction
Dog goes bonkers, sings spastic-scat.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=72d_1229379765


QuOteD
"Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one." -- Friedrich Nietzsche


Cat opening some whoop-ass on electric toothbrush
Not much else to say here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAm3fY37lps


Friday Game: Tower of Taller
http://www.eyezmaze.com/eyezblog_en/blog/2009/01/grow_tower.html


Song of the times
And finally, the unexpected burst of creativity (e.g., Wrongsmith: Songsmith Remixes) set off by Microsoft's SongSmith continues. Using stock charts and other dismal data, German experimental musician Johannes Kreidler has created a cheerfully disturbing soundtrack for the times.
SongSmith: Financial crisis soundtrack


Famous last words
"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong." -- Charles Wadsworth


Bueno weekend,
vW

Switcheroo

Alohamigo,

Digital Conversion PSA
The Daily Tube review: "Forward this to the elderly person in your life; if they can figure out how to watch it, they're probably not at risk of accidentally eating their remote control with a pat of butter during the upcoming switch from analog TV."
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/01cebfdd5a/digital-conversion-psa-from-paulbryant6


Same Actor, Wrong Role
The ever-curious Something Awful Forum Goons are always asking odd "what if" questions about the movies. This week the question is: What would happen if you replaced an actor with a character they played in a different movie? The answer, as you might have guessed, is SCINTILLATING.
http://www.somethingawful.com/d/photoshop-phriday/wrong-role-actor.php


Unauthorized Far Side Tribute 8
Far Side cartoons made real. This contest is not associated with, endorsed or approved by Gary Larson and FarWorks, Inc.
http://www.worth1000.com/contest.asp?contest_id=22649#entries


QuOteD
"Why should people go out and pay money to see bad films when they can stay at home and see bad television for nothing?" -- Samuel Goldwyn


Eyebrow Raising
Oh those hidden talents...
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1562587978?bctid=8865786001


Game: Hang it up
See if you can come up with a word to stump the hangman master...
http://hangmancheat.com/index.php


The world's best passenger complaint letter?
Here we reproduce a complaint letter sent to Sir Richard Branson, which is currently being emailed globally and is considered by many to be the world's funniest passenger complaint letter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4344890/Virgin-the-worlds-best-passenger-complaint-letter.html


Famous last words
"I hate television. I hate it as much as I hate peanuts. But I can't stop eating peanuts." -- Orson Welles


Luego,
vW

The|enD

They've been saying the end is near for a long time -- probably as long as people have been able to make signs and stumble around the streets downtown -- and yet it seems we're only a little closer. With that inevitability in mind, watch this simulation of how it might happen. Funny, I always imagined they'd be playing Pink Floyd during the end of all life as we know it, too. But there will always be an England.

It's the End of the World as We Know It
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1828851


Final Countdown on kazoo
Europe's epic "Final Countdown" played in all its majesty on the most unmajestic of kids' toys. Rock on.
http://www.monkeyreview.co.uk/index.php/2008/10/09/i-introduce-the-kazookeylele-this-is-wha


Young Girl Talking About Herself
Short, catchy song that pretty much sums up the state of online video diaries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN1ru6_u8lY


Take stock
Presentation mockingly explains why your company needs stock photography -- you know, those pictures of fake customers and business people. Humorous and needed to be said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7MBpQJ-zsg


QuOteD
"The future ain't what it used to be." -- Yogi Berra


Superimpositions
Octavio Ocampo works primarily in the metamorphic style - using a technique of superimposing and juxtaposing realistic and figurative details within the images that he creates. The longer you study his works, the more hidden images you seem to find.
http://www.eyetricks.com/artists/octavio_ocampo/


Champion of Guitars
An Interactive Fiction by Bill Meltsner. Appealing to those who like a little typing with their reading.
http://parchment.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/parchment.html?story=http://www.meltsner.com/random/Champion%20of%20Guitars.z5


Friday game: Knife
Think you can throw a knife? Try it out; and try not to kill the volunteer.
http://www.funlinks.com/knife-throw.html


4 Apps To Make Your Own Motivational Posters
I'm sure you'll go right for the one from Despair, Inc.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/make-your-own-motivational-posters/


Famous last words
"You can't turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again." -- Bonnie Prudden


Happy weekend,
vW

The Preacher's Son

(Thanks rasric)

An old country preacher had a teenage son and it was getting time the boy should give some thought to choosing a profession.

Like many young men his age, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do, and he didn't seem too concerned about it. One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects.

1. A Bible.
2. A silver dollar.
3. A bottle of whisky.
4. And a Playboy magazine.

"I'll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself. "When he comes home from school today, I'll see which object he picks up. If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that would be! If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a business man, and that would be okay, too. But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunken bum, and Lord, what a shame that would be. And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing womanizer."

The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling and headed for his room.

The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them.

Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and dropped it into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink, while he admired this month's centerfold.

"Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's gonna run for Congress."

Super duper

Gather 'round...

...and listen to a story about a simple country gentleman who has a talent for slingshot marksmanship. Seriously impressive any way you run from it. Remember, it's all fun and games till someone...

Carolina Camera: The Sling Shot Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0


Useless superpowers
Comics are so predictable -- those lucky among us who end up with good superpowers. But what are the chances...???Maybe you'll end up like these guys instead.
http://superuseless.blogspot.com/


Japanese Pen Spinning Collaboration
Clips of pen spinning tricks, no doubt soon to be an Olympic event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqFkYcjbF48


Hacked road sign
Never ever mess with the electronic information signs by the side of the road. It's not only a good idea -- it's the law. But here's how to do it...
http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/274/48/


QuOteD
"All of us learn to write in the second grade. Most of us go on to greater things." -- Bobby Knight


No sweat
You know those couples who dress creepily identical? Well now you can get the same effect when walking the dog.
http://www.inhabitots.com/2009/01/14/sustainable-cat-hair-sweaters/


Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it)
From the sound of it, someone saw it but was way too high.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb2GmBkkaTU


Game-ish: Gride
Hop in and grive.
http://www.oopixel.com/gride/


Famous art, Simpsonized
And finally, seven famous works of art remade, Simpson style, in homage to Matt Groening's style, "the pinnacle of humanity's artistic achievement".
http://aviary.com/blog/posts/famous-works-of-art-simpsonized


Famous last words
"People who exaggerate just kill me." -- Dani Haviland


War in,
vW

Winning combinations

Good Friday to you,

I'm not really a big fan of either of The Muppets or Star Wars these days, but the way this flautist blends the two themes -- and given the technical ability involved -- I couldn't help but be impressed. Up for an Oscar [the Grouch] no doubt.

Muppet Wars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTUpTJyjUp0


Super Bowl ad victory
Well it's that time of year again, and with XLIII just days away, it seems appropriate to see the results of a FedEx study of recent Super Bowl commercials that identified the 10 items needed to finish on top.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ_yEOw1PPM


Creative, Artistic and Geeky Cake Designs
Even geeks, believe it or not, like to party, and this sweet selection of artistic confection showcases the many ways geeks can have their cake and eat it too -- with or without an .exe file baked inside.
http://weburbanist.com/2008/09/24/20-creative-artistic-and-geeky-cake-designs/


Fastball Reaction Time
Imitates a 90-mph fastball thrown by a major league pitcher. And while it doesn't test whether you could actually hit a fastball, it does test whether you could react in time to hit one. Assuming you were using a mouse.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/reactiontime.html


QuOteD
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -- Howard Thurman


Playmobil Security Check Point
The toy itself is pretty funny, but the customer reviews are hilarious.
http://www.amazon.com/Playmobil-3172-Security-Check-Point/dp/B0002CYTL2


The Vegetable Orchestra
Worldwide one of a kind, the Vegetable Orchestra performs on instruments made of fresh vegetables. The utilization of various ever refined vegetable instruments creates a musically and aesthetically unique sound universe.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hpfYt7vRHuY


Friday Game: Contour
A twist on the classic marble rolling game. You don't control the ball, but with a click of the mouse you can morph the ground around the ball and let gravity take over.
http://www.kongregate.com/games/shawkes/contour


Not really kid stuff
Not safe for work, in that it's kinda pr0n-y. Kinda safe for work in that all the naughty bits have been photoshop'd into eerie, smooth doll-parts. Not so safe enough for work that you'd want to actually look at it while at work, though.
http://ask-art.net/photo_1555642.html


Famous last words
"You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth." -- Evan Esar


Have a good weekend,
vW

Saturday night special

All contents reprinted from elsewhere without permission. Leave a comment -- let me know you're out there.

Hola amigo,

I'm not sure what kind of weapons the po-lice are packin' these days, but it probably will scare off some criminals. Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? (Thanks Bomser)

Underwear Cops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILypMQoccs8


Quick pic: Record High Jump from a Kneeling Position
A new world record in the high jump from a kneeling position was set last week at a beach in southern France. This picture was taken just two seconds before the jump took place. (Thanks Professor)
http://vinweasel.posterous.com/kneeling-high-jump


R + C 4ever
I've been sitting on this awhile, but apparently this video has become very popular of late. Heartwarming footage that will give you faith in animalkind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks


Quiz-bang: What color is your ballot?
Answer just a few questions and find out where you fit on the political map. Fitting, perhaps, for this inaugural day.
http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html


QuOteD
"Where you find the laws most numerous, there you will find also the greatest injustice." - Arcesilaus


Runnin' With the Songsmith
A new Microsoft app called Songsmith can add background music to the track of your choice, and a wise man decided to run it on the David Lee Roth soundboard (featured in a previous VW post) with dreadful results.
http://music.metafilter.com/2943/Runnin-With-The-Songsmith


New and improved: Benny Hillifier
It can now speed up videos. Even more authentic.
http://james.nerdiphythesoul.com/bennyhillifier/speedup.php?id=oHg5SJYRHA0


Game: Bubble Spinner
http://www.deadwhale.com/play.php?game=774


Pick a card
And finally, unique and creative business card designs from all over the world.
http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2008/12/09/40-creative-business-card-designs/


Famous last words
"What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." -- John Ruskin


Hasta,
vW

Carte blanche

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Avast,

So many different experiences out there, yet so much chaff. But behold the hand-drawn internet in this clever stop-motion video wherein a normal notebook (i.e., made of paper) is turned into an animated laptop, with a very different web experience.

der Zauber Noteboek
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tP-reW1eLYE


It's in the cards
Creative license. Take as much as you want. (Hefty, but worth the load-time.)
http://www.adobecards.com/


Is it right for me?
Those OTC med commercials suck, but MadTV fights back with this semi-amusing parody. If you can't skip 'em, skewer 'em.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5tkT_Pn0vg


Obamacize me
The longest election season in memory is now over, and we wanted to help you unwind and express yourself as we head into the new era. Make your own "Obamicon" -- your (or any) image in a style inspired by Shepard Fairey's iconic poster.
http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/


QuOteD
"In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular." -- Dr. Laurence J. Peter


The Job
Posted this early last year, but thought I'd re-do since it seems to have only increased in meaning in these tough economic times. If this could only be a shred real, with thieving Wall Street assmunches standing outside their steel and glass towers...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XGJq8wrw5I


Reef-er madness
Get your applications in for the best job in the world: caretaker of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.islandreefjob.com/


Friday game: Bailout
Help Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke distribute dump trucks of cash in The Bailout Game. And save some for me. And while you're fiddling with numbers, here are some games you can play with Excel. http://www.dzikosoft.com/gmexcel/library2.html
http://www.thebailoutgame.us/


Is it soup yet?
And finally, ask the Noodle Soup Oracle; guaranteed to get at least some sort of answer.
http://noodlr.net/


Famous last words
"You have to do something to justify your tenure on the top side of the dirt." -- James Lileks


Enjoy and have a good weekend,
vW

By the numbers

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Hola amigo,

"Stop-motion animation using real people." Well that's how they describe this animated fight and chase scene video made in 2006 for Screen South as part of the UK Film Council's Digital Shorts scheme, anyway. However you describe it, pretty impressive, pespecially the people who had to stand perfectly still for about six months. And not to be a stickler, but it actually took 26,000 pictures to make...

Ten Thousand Pictures of You
http://vimeo.com/2554266


Four Kazoos
Entitled "Enter Kazoo Man", a rendition of Metallica's rousing crowd-pleaser in a novel performance on kazoos with a little beatboxing thrown in. Caution: You might like this more than you should.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC65ufGUvKM


20 Guesstions
Magic genie deduces the character you're thinking of in this online version of the classic guessing game.
http://en.akinator.com/


Sixers
Get a quick read. What else need be said, eh?
http://www.sixwordstories.net/


QuOteD
"We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true." -- Robert Wilensky


One hand waters the other
I get by with a little help from my plants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnlF0ukPscI


50 strange buildings
Nice big chunk of architectural whimsy. Everything in Las Vegas looks pretty government-issue by comparison to this group.
http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world/


Game break: 99 Bricks
Like Tetris but like in reverse.
http://www.kongregate.com/games/WeirdBeardGames/99-bricks


4th century Greek joke book
A collection of old -- and I mean really old -- jokes. ("An Abderite saw a eunuch talking with a woman and asked him if she was his wife. When he replied that eunuchs can't have wives, the Abderite asked: 'So is she your daughter?'") Even my grandfather would have been overmatched.
http://www.stoa.org/diotima/anthology/quinn_jokes.shtml


Famous last words
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." -- Albert Einstein


Hasta luego,
vW

Veni, vidi, inodiare

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Happy TGI,

One of the better vids from these guys in recent memory, Onion covers Apple and its intro of a revolutionary new laptop With no keyboard. Remarkably simple. Simply remarkable. Good dig.

Is it for wheel?
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/92328


Sound off
For your amusement, some blasts from the audio past: the David Lee Roth "Runnin' with the Devil" Soundboard.
http://www.thetyser.com/


Catsaway
Speaking of annoying, ever wonder what cats do while we're asleep? This guy did, so he set up a time lapse camera to find out. Turns out cats spend the night climbing on us.
http://www.todaysbigthing.com/2008/10/09


Dial by fire
Radio DJ cooly stays on-air, undeterred by the fact that a console behind him is doing its best impression of belching fire and smoke.
http://www.break.com/index/radio-booth-engulfed-in-flames.html


QuOteD
"A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing." -- Emo Philips


Scribble scrabble
Bachelors -- save money on decorating simply by dressing up your walls with a felt-tip. Caution to most: don't try this at (your) home.
http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/2008/09/18/man-decorates-basement-with-10-worth-of-sharpie/


Quick pics: (Much too) creative poodle grooming
If this is not already illegal, it should be.
http://www.pinkcoyote.net/creativegrooming.html


M . P . G-whiz
How many miles per gallon does your body get?
http://www.thecarconnection.com/mpg-quiz/index.html


Friday game: Evacuation
A game of skill and vacuum suction.
http://www.foddy.net/Evacuation.html


Just joking
And finally, a joke to make a grown man groan. (Thanks GP)

A sad-looking hydrogen atom walks into a bar.
The bartender asks, "What's wrong?"
"I've lost an electron," said the hydrogen atom.
"Are you sure?" asked the bartender.
"I'm positive," said the atom.


Famous last words
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." -- Abraham Lincoln


Enjoy and have a good weekend,

vW

Good riddance

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Que pasa,

Henry Moore said, "I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's." Well resolve yourself to watch this year-end review of the news in song from "Uncle Jay". Even the voice of an angel couldn't make 2008 seem like anything but the hell that it was. I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to things sucking less in 2009. (Thanks Bomser)

Uncle Jay Explains: Year-end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY


Logogistics
New company logos in the wake of the economic crisis. Humorous.
http://smallbitsandpieces.blogspot.com/2008/12/economic-crisis-new-company-logos.html


Shakespeare Howls
A collection of mid-century cocktail napkins juxtaposing quotations from William Shakespeare with silly cartoons.
Classic cocktail napkins from the '50s, back when alcoholism and sexism were funnier.
http://www.mrbalihai.com/haideaway/v/shakespeare_howls/


2009 Audi RS6 Gymnastics
A group of gymnasts act out the parts of the Audi RS6 performance car.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x53mdw_audi-rs-6_creation


QuOteD
"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for." -- Will Rogers


Timelapse Painting
Cool-ish painting captured in a time lapse sequence.
http://www.bored.com/videos/play/311/Timelapse-Painting.html


Quick pic comics: "Far Side" Reenactments
http://www.flickr.com/groups/farside/pool/with/1479579121/


Game break: Achievement Unlocked
Who needs gameplay when you have ACHIEVEMENTS? Don't worry about beating levels, finding ways to kill enemies, or beating the final boss... there are none. Focus solely on your ultimate destiny... doing random tasks that have nothing to do with anything.
http://armorgames.com/play/2893/achievement-unlocked


500 in two
And finally, 500 impressions in two minutes. Granted, he took some liberties, but I guess that's the gag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpsfDTbzKwM


Famous last words
"Follow your inclinations with due regard to the policeman 'round the corner." -- W. Somerset Maugham


Sayonara till tomarrah (or whenever),

vW