I think I’m going to lose my geek-cred here, but my electronics thumb has turned black. I can’t connect my Nintendo DS through the Wi-Fi; the Wii no longer remains connected (even though I have Wii Connect 24 turned on). Our internet connection is intermittent; if I ever want to use my webcam I have to close all other applications that might want to use it (this is new — before, I could have Yahoo and Skype open and use the webcam). My scanner doesn’t want to scan, and the printer takes it’s own sweet time, that is, if it’s in the mood to print. And… our DVR decided it doesn’t want to record anymore.

I’m sure I can fix everything if I just sit down and figure everything out, but it’s so overwhelming. All I want for Christmas is for someone to come and make everything all better.

On the plus side, I did get The Legend of Zelda installed and running on my calculator. WooHoo!

Stolen

This desktop tank holds three jellyfish which “swim” around the tank (thanks to a gently contrived current). In the top of the tank are 6 bright LEDs, which let you set the mood. You can either have them blend softly from one color to the next, or stop on your favorite color. Either way, the jellies are happy to frolic in their kaleidoscopic, quiet menace.

I’m such a sucker for fake aquariums, and a sucker for jellyfish. If I had it my way, my entire desk would be covered with USB tanks, LED tanks, etc. It’s a good thing I don’t have an unlimited income!

From Jalopnik
“This conceptual F1 lawn mower is so hot that the grass would thank you and your kids would be fighting over who gets to do the yard work.”

If I had a yard to mow, I might have to use this über cool lawn mower. I wonder if I could get phantom flames painted on it?

Sponsored by the New York Zoos and Aquarium is Build Your Wild Self. You first begin by building yourself in human form, then you can add your favourite animal parts. C’mon, you know you want to see what you might look like had you been born with butterfly wings, elephant legs or even the eyes of a fly! When you’re satisfied with your new self, click ‘I’m Done’ and learn about the functions of the different animal body parts.

Reindeer Antlers — Your reindeer antlers won’t stick around for long. Every year reindeer shed their antlers in the spring and summer. But don’t worry, they grow back.

Red River Hog Ears — Your red river hog ears have long black and white tassels. They can fluff out as a defense mechanism to make you look bigger and intimidate predators.

Anaconda Snake Tongue — Now you can smell with your tongue! Your forked anaconda tongue collects odor molecules from the air and brings them back to tiny grooves in the roof of your mouth, letting you “taste” the air.

Octopus Arms — Can you imagine tasting… with your arms? Your octopus tentacles are covered suckers that are sensitive not only to touch, but also to taste, so can you grope around for food in small, dark crevices.

Indian Ornamental Tarantula Legs — Danger! Danger! The bright yellow markings on your Indian ornamental tarantula legs are a warning. They’re meant to tell attackers to stay away. You’re venomous!

Lion Fish Fins — Your lion fish fins are actually eighteen long separated spines. Each spine has venom in it to help protect you from predators. Careful where you point those things!

So, go on, have mad, animal fun!

Duly Stolen!

I need this: I Void Warranties T-Shirt at Think Geek

You may call yourself a tinkerer, a techie, a builder, a hacker, a fabricator, a decontructionist, a DIY enthusiast, a maker, a baker or even a candlestick maker. You have a compelling desire to understand how something works. You aren’t content with LED status lights and plastic casings - you *need* to see the wiring and to understand which types of integrated circuits are being used (digital or mixed signal?). Your fingers show soldering iron scars. You have a shoebox filled with capacitors and inductors. You know how to build it back bigger, better, and stronger. But most importantly, you void warranties. And you’re damn good at it.

Awright, right, so I’m easily amused. This afternoon I spent way too much time on The Dialectizer. Yer can’t ‘ave a knees-up wivout a joanna. The bleedin’ Dialectizer will translate web pages or text into, yer guessed it, different dialects. Right. Among them are: redneck, right, cockney (an example is this post), the bloomin’ Swedish Chef and even moron.

Go on, yer know yor dyin’ ter see ‘ow Elmer Fudd would write yor blog or favourite web site.

I fink me favourite is ‘Jive’.

Classes started today. Already have homework. I’ve never spent so much money on a calculator before!

But, it has a USB connection!

Oh, and I got all of the classes I wanted!

I love M.C. Escher. Love, love, love!!! Therefore, I must have this:

What happens when you try to take an 2D illustration of an impossible 3D construction and turn it into a real-world sculpture? We figured that it would create a dangerous rift in the space time continuum bringing about an endless solar winter that would engulf our planet in darkness. Luckily in the case of this unusual Escher Waterfall Sculpture none of that occurred. Instead we discovered that by closing one eye, and viewing this sculpture from just the right angle we could bring the amazing work of M.C. Escher to life. Of course a casual glance with binocular vision destroys the entire illusion… but hey it’s still a very cool little sculpture that really captures the detail of the original Waterfall woodcut.

More about M.C. Escher at the official website.

EDIT: Click here to see M.C. Escher’s Waterfall.

Would you trust the HAL 9000 USB Memory Unit?

Who knew computers would be so advanced in the year 2001? Certainly not us… we were damn impressed with Furby and along comes HAL. HAL was created in 1992 at the HAL plant in Illinois… then had some minor “issues” during a 2001 space mission. Subsequently HAL’s memory units were removed for later examination and some of these happened to fall into our hands… or that’s what some Dave guy told us.