10.31.07
Fun Time Wasters
HAPPY HALLOWEEN from Spiddlement!
Everyone needs a break sometimes… here are a few fun time wasters we like:
- Crazy Rabbit — This rabbit thinks your pointer is a carrot — don’t let him catch it!
- Depth of Field Test — Amazing, especially if you have a good monitor.
- Tumbling Lady — Use your mouse to help her if she gets stuck!
- Extreme Hangman — Insane version of classic Hangman game. This may be too violent for some people’s taste!
A couple of these links originally appeared on Neatorama.com, a recommended place for finding cool things.
10.30.07
1993 AT&T “You Will” Ads with Tom Selleck
Do you remember these advertisements from 1993?
I thought of them recently (maybe after watching the Magnum P.I. DVDs), and wondered how many of AT&T’s “You Will” predictions had come true.
It’s been 14 years since these commercials aired, but all these things have come true in a big way — except for the one about “Have you ever tucked your baby in from a phone booth?”
Public payphones are still awful — at least in the cities I’ve visited. I certainly haven’t seen videophones as a standard, have you?
Incidentally, I don’t own a cell phone — so I seem to see a LOT of public payphones! 
Link (to video on Youtube)
Quote: Lin Yutang on Patriotism
“What is patriotism but the love of the food one ate as a child?”
– Lin Yutang
10.28.07
Advice For Potential Podcasters
Here’s some advice for anyone thinking of starting a podcast, but unsure about the time commitment involved.
We all know that the internet has made everything more asynchronous. Everything is always up, always archived. When you made it or when I saw it is often irrelevant.
While it’s nice to listen to a “regular weekly episode” of a favorite podcast, it’s not an absolute deal-breaker.
When I find a podcast I like, I usually go back and download their entire archives. Often I will listen to episodes that are several years old.
The point I want to make is this: If you have a cool idea for a podcast (even if it’s a podcast that will only run for four episodes, and those episodes will be recorded three months apart), go ahead and do it. Someone will probably download it and enjoy it. If you get more ideas later, you can make more episodes later. No need for a weekly show as far as I’m concerned.
10.26.07
World’s Cheapest Travel Destinations
MSN Travel recent did a story about “The World’s Cheapest Destinations”.
Travel can be cheaper than most people think. The real problem — especially for Americans — is getting the time off to travel.
According to the article, Laos is one of the best bargains in Southeast Asia. I’ve never been there, but have heard great things from everyone who has.
Zambia and Honduras would also probably make my short list for places I hope to visit in the future.
Link (to “The World’s Cheapest Destinations” on MSN Travel)
Quote: Howard Aiken on Ideas
“Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats.”
– Howard Aiken
10.25.07
Halloween Jokes — Part 2
What is a skeleton’s favorite musical instrument?
A trombone.
Why did the vampire go to the orthodontist?
To improve his bite.
Why don’t mummies take vacations?
They’re afraid they’ll relax and unwind.
10.24.07
Carve Your Own Pumpkin
Here’s a link to a Pumpkin Carving Simulator, where you can make a virtual Jack O’ Lantern.
It reminds me of carving a real pumpkin — only it’s less messy.
But I sure do miss eating the roasted pumpkin seeds!
Thanks, Sandy!
Link (to Pumpkin Simulator)
10.23.07
Halloween Jokes
Q: How do you mend a broken Jack-o-lantern?
A: With a pumpkin patch.
Q: Who did Frankenstein take to the prom?
A: His ghoul friend.
Q: What do witches put on their hair?
A: Scare spray.
Q: What is a Mummy’s favorite type of music?
A: Wrap!
10.21.07
Alan Dershowitz on Point of Inquiry podcast
We are always big fans of the Point of Inquiry podcast, but a recent interview they did with attorney Alan Dershowitz was exceptionally interesting and topical.
In this discussion with D.J. Grothe, Dershowitz explores the question of whether America is a Christian nation, the use of the mention of God in the Declaration of Independence by the religious right to advance their aims, whether marriage and gay rights is a church-state separation issue, and separation of religion and state issues in the nation of Israel.
Dershowitz discusses his new book Blasphemy: How the Religious Right is Hijacking the Declaration of Independence.
Link (to Oct. 5, 2007 podcast with Allen Dershowitz)
Link (to Point of Inquiry website)
