Pets Getting Clean...Sort of

Some animals like water. Some...not so much.

An after-bath towel

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For some truly adorable/funny photos, check out Buzzfeed's "11 Animals Taking Bubble Baths."

Simon Draws Mice

I could watch these "how it's done" videos all day.

And the Peeps Winner Is...

The winner of the 2012 Washington Post Peeps Diorama Contest is shown below.

See more Peeps videos

Check out more of this year's entries.

Musical Furnishings

This video of Tor Clausen's musical furniture is a few years old (there's one from 2011, but I liked this one better). No matter which video you watch, the musical furnishings are still awesome.



For more about Tor's work, visit his website or (for some really cool stuff), his Etsy store.

Here's a different type.



Here's Box Music Drums website (another cool video there along with more drums).

Heartbreaking Story

Warning: If you don't want to cry or be sad, don't proceed any further. In fact, I hesitated to even post this video from The Moth, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art of storytelling because it's such a personal and heart-wrenching story. But it also has a message (I think) about illusions, about looking beyond the surface. Even more than that is the lesson of putting things in perspective and realizing what matters most in life, so for that reason, I'm sharing it.

Sleeping Betty

This is a cute video by the National Film Board of Canada. The king and queen are distressed. No one can wake Sleeping Betty. Various conventional and unconventional solutions are attempted and, of course, there is an unconventional ending.


SLEEPING BETTY from National Film Board of Canada on Vimeo.

Star Trek Goodies

I'm sure that most of you know that there is an official Star Trek store, where fans can buy anything from bathrobes to beach towels to salt and pepper shakers. But I like to support the underdogs and independents, and if you go on Etsy and type in Star Trek, you'll find almost 2,000 items (I'm not sure that all of them are relevant, since I didn't click through the entire list). Here are a few:

An Enterprise coffee table

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Bridal garters

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Christmas ornaments

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Buttons (of course)

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Some rather cool custom-made bodices labeled Tudor Meets Star Trek

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Script Art

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A library table (with an image of the Enterprise on the top)

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Hand painted wine glasses (and other glasses)

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And, of course, lots of key chains, magnets and jewelry

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National Smoke and Mirrors Day

Today is National Smoke and Mirrors Days (who makes these things up, anyway?), so here are some static images that appear to be moving.

The High Line Evolves

On the west side of Manhattan, there is a public park called The High Line. It's built on an historic freight line and elevated above the streets. At one point, the freight line was in danger of being demolished, but some forward thinking people saw a better purpose (and were able to demonstrate that the project would be economically favorable) joined together and, eventually  (I'm obviously leaving out a lot of details), the park got the green light and work began. Part of the focus of the park is that it should be green/sustainable. It certainly looks inviting (I'm very interested because Chicago is thinking of building a similar part on some abandoned elevated tracks). Here's a link to the High Line site, with all the info anyone could want.

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Entrance to the High Line

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Work continues and various forms of art are being considered, including a replica of a train suspended over the park. 

Here's a brief history of The High Line, narrated by Ethan Hawke.

And a slide show.

This Was How You Lost Weight in the 1940's?

It seems as if the idea was to sand or shake off the extra pounds.

Hotel Transylvania Trailer

I'm not sure of the release date, but here's a new movie trailer (yes, I am partial to the animated movies).

The Noisy Jelly Game

Now that's unusual!


NOISY JELLY from Raphaël Pluvinage on Vimeo.

Clock Towers Around the World

The World Geography did a piece on 10 Famous Clock Towers from Around the World. You'll most likely recognize some of them.

This one is from Girona in Spain.

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Clocks and clock towers have been such a part of books and movies over the years (think last fall's movie, Hugo). The concept of time or stopping time can create stress or even a sense of sadness, such as in this wonderful Aniboom video by Arenyth from a few years ago:

The Vegetable Song

Because, of course vegetables talk and sing, right?


The Vegetable Song (tweet @totallyeustus) from Si Bennett on Vimeo.

via The Presurfer

Espresso on the Go

It's a mobile espresso maker for your car. You put it in the cup holder, plug it into the cigarette lighter, add water and an espresso pod. When it beeps three times, it's done.

My first thought was "Danger, Will Robinson. You're in a car making espresso?" Of course, I suppose as long as you're not driving while you're making it (the right way being demonstrated in the video below), it would be no worse than drinking any other cup of coffee in your car.



You can buy one here if you have 149 euros.

via The Daily What

Two Parrots Had a Conversation...

And this is what it sounded like.



via Viral Viral Videos

Cakes in a Jar

I love gimmicks. I love cake. I love individual dishes and anything easy. These cakes meet all my requirements for awesome!


Via Nag on the Lake

What Can You Do With a Picture Frame?

Frame of Mind is a very creative video by Steven Alan and Ben Boutwell.


Frame of Mind from Steven Alan on Vimeo.

via Buzzfeed

Mystery Braid

I used to dabble in leather at one time. Nothing fancy (stamped leather belts and purses were popular at the time). But I've been looking at mystery braid bracelets, and they look like just the type of thing I'd like to make. This one's on the thick side and a bit more masculine, but you can make them in any thickness you like.

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You can buy them, of course. There are a number of Etsy shops that sell them. But you can also make your own if you have the supplies, and in the Internet age, it's easy to purchase supplies. Tandy, the company I purchased leather supplies from many years ago, is still in business (they actually sell kits for a narrow version of this bracelet). 

So, if you have access to leather, here's a video of how to braid the bracelet.

Or, here's a written tutorial with excellent visuals and simple instructions.

More on Why I Love Technology

Because sometimes cool things happen when people and technology interact.

I saw this video and thought it was some sort of company trying to scam me (or something). But it turns out Duolingo is totally legit and very interesting.

Duolingo from Trunk Animation on Vimeo.

Here's the link to the actual site, Duolingo (it's also beneath the video).

Then, while trying to learn more about Duulingo, I came across this TEDx talk by Luis von Ahm, the man who brought the world CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA. In the (somewhat amusing) video, he describes some things about CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA (that part was really interesting. I had no idea what it was or what it was accomplishing). Then he goes on to explain Duolingo.



It's long, but it's worth watching.

Happy (Late) Birthday, William Shatner!

I missed William Shatner's birthday (it was the 22nd), but I'm posting late, anyway. He's 81, but through the magic of film, he'll always be a young and handsome Captain Kirk.

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Here's Neatorama's Shatnerpalooza (some fun facts about William Shatner). And also a tribute slideshow with lots of images I'd never seen before.

It's National Waffle Day

Go have some waffles! Enjoy!

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Fire and Water

Who says fire and water don't mix? This is the fountain at the new City Creek Center Mall in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was designed by the same company that built the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.



via Viral Viral Videos 

The Beekeeper

Made by Hand: No. 3 The Beekeeper is part of the Made by Hand series and is about Megan Paska, an urban beekeeper in Brooklyn. A project from Bureau of Common Goods.


Made by Hand / No 3 The Beekeeper from Made by Hand on Vimeo.
via Laughing Squid

Spring Crashes In

We're having a wonderful spring here in the US Midwest, at least so far. It's been very warm (record-setting warm), which may,  ultimately, not be a good thing, but for now it's very nice. The bizarre thing about it, though, is that usually the flowers and trees bloom somewhat sequentially. First the snowdrops and crocuses, then the forsythia, then the...well, you get the idea. This year, however, it was as if there was a competition among the blossoms on which plants could bloom first. And they were amazing blossoms. I've never been a forsythia fan. They usually look a bit leggy to me, but this year...such vibrant yellows and soooo many blossoms. The magnolias were in fine form, the daffodils, the hyacinths. Already some tulips are blooming. Gorgeous stuff. So, I'll take a break from videos and just...post a few flowers. Enjoy!

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Smart Puppy

What we'd all like to do when we're in trouble.

Two Upcoming Movies About Family

With very different tones

Mighty Fine


Jesus Henry Christ

Heroes Among Us

Postman's Park in London has been around since 1880. Its name comes from its popularity with employees from the now gone General Post Office (GPO) which was nearby. But it's not just a park. Located on the site of former burial grounds, it became the location of George Frederic Watts Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice, showcasing the plaques that bear the names of ordinary people who died saving the lives of others (there are 54 plaques).  In 2004, some scenes from the 2004 movie, Closer, were set here.

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The wall where the plaques appear

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Check out more images and much more information on Postman's Park.

Smithsonian story via Miss Cellania.

A Firefighter's View

Via a helmet-cam, we're able to see what it's like for a fire fighter to walk into a burning building. Thank goodness there are heroic men and women willing to do this.

A Sweet Animation

Childhood of a Circle

Childhood of a Circle from Kadavre Exquis on Vimeo.

World Water Day

I didn't know that today was World Water Day, but it's too important not to post about it.

The Muppets Arrive

The Muppets finally got a star on the Walk of Fame. Check out the photos of Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang during their big moment at the link above.

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Upside Down

A week or two ago, there were lots of articles on the Internet about an upside down house in Malaysia, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. But apparently, upside down houses are a bit more common than one might think, as evidenced in these images.

A funhouse of sorts in Rugen, Germany

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In Poland

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Mallorca

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Germany

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Here's a Web Urbanist article from 2010 that showcases more of them and in more detail (a few are sculptures).  There are also a few interior shots.

Military Dad as Captain America

A military dad, home on leave, shows up for his son's birthday in disguise.

Oh? Merlot?

A brief (and mildly amusing) history of Merlot.



via 22 Words

Favorite T-Shirts

Some of my favorite t-shirts (from Etsy--with links to shops if you click on the shirt)