Monday, January 31, 2011

Distraction 44: Life Size Mouse Trap


We got to be active participants with the Life Size Mouse Trap last year when it visited Oakland.


Sing along everyone!
"This is the life size mouse trap.
It's a machine.
It took 15 years to build.
A crazy man's dream."
-Esmerelda Strange 






Sunday, January 30, 2011

Distraction 43: Psychic Cleaners


Two things I look for in my dry cleaner; bargain pricing and psychic clairvoyance.  

This sign cracks me up every time I drive past (on El Camino, near the 237 intersection, in Mountain View).







Distraction 42: Chocolate Cherry Pie Cupcake


This is Why You're Fat is truly an enigma wrapped in a riddle shrouded in mystery; featuring edible creations both repulsive and enchanting!





Saturday, January 29, 2011

Distraction 41: Camera Obscura - "The Sweetest Thing"


Like Belle & Sebastian, they've never put out a song I didn't like.







Distraction 40: Aztec Camera - "Oblivious"


It's too bad I was only 9 in 1983... So many amazing bands, making so much wonderful music...
    
    
    
   

Friday, January 28, 2011

Distraction 39: Alec Baldwin

"Hello, this is Alec Baldwin, from television...."
                         -Alec Baldwin, telelvision


Have you heard the Alec Baldwin NPR pledge drive spots?  Whereas the Ira Glass pleas literally make me change the channel, I actually find these entertaining, made a contribution AND sought them out to enjoy again.
     
     
     
     

Distraction 38: Bacon, the Gateway Meat

No, not Kevin.

I read an article today explaining why bacon is a gateway meat for many vegetarians.  Basically, it's because bacon smells irresistible and speaks to our evolutionary quest for fat & protein.  Delicious!

  
  
  
     

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Distraction 37: Seward Street Slides

Even many locals don't know about the hidden gems that are the Seward Street Slides.  

San Francisco law requires that all adults must be accompanied by a child.  Additionally, I suggest bringing your own plastic fast food tray and a helmet.
     
       
       
     

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Distraction 36: Time Travel at Fairyland


Sure Disneyland is great, but Fairyland, a source of inspiration for Disneyland, is still open, fairly inexpensive and remains similar to its 1950s self.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Distraction 35: Half-frame Photography

"The best thing about a picture is that it never changes,
even when the people in it do."  
-Andy Warhol



Half-frame photography allows you to take two individual pictures side-by-side and one after another on the same 35mm frame. That's 72 frames on one 36-exposure roll of film.  (Remember film?)  The Mini Diana series of products from Lomography lets you do all kinds of crazy stuff with film cameras.

Distraction 34: Donate Blood


Why donate blood?
  • It'll make you feel smug around those who don't! 
  • Use of the word "Comradeship" in the above poster.
  • Afterward, you can binge on free juice and cookies.
  • It's something you can spare & then effortlessly make more of (making it easier to give than money)!
  • You could help as many as 3 people with just 1 donation and someone needs blood every 3 seconds.
  • Overall:  good karma 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Distraction 33: Frazil Ice



Frazil ice flows occur in the waterfalls of Yosemite Valley during March and April.

Imagine the amount of Slush Puppie syrup required to take advantage of this naturally occurring slushie. Mmm blue raspberry corn syrup and nature...





Sunday, January 23, 2011

Distraction 32: Ode

Ode

WE are the music-makers,
  And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
  And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
  On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
  Of the world for ever, it seems.
  
With wonderful deathless ditties
We build up the world's great cities, 
  And out of a fabulous story
  We fashion an empire's glory:
One man with a dream, at pleasure,
  Shall go forth and conquer a crown;
And three with a new song's measure
  Can trample an empire down.

We, in the ages lying
  In the buried past of the earth,
Built Nineveh with our sighing,
  And Babel itself with our mirth;
And o'erthrew them with prophesying
  To the old of the new world's worth;
For each age is a dream that is dying,
  Or one that is coming to birth.




Arthur O'Shaughnessy 1844–1881






Saturday, January 22, 2011

Distraction 31: Sue Heck



ABC's "The Middle" features a character named Sue Heck that's disturbingly similar to how I was during my own very awkward adolescence.






Friday, January 21, 2011

Distraction 30: E4's Skins

Forget all the fervor surrounding MTV's remake of "Skins;" just watch the original that had no qualms depicting the swearing, drug use & sexual situations that American teens apparently have no part of.  Lol


I've only seen the seasons featuring the first cast, but if I lived in the world of "Skins," which I do not, Sid would be my favorite.








Thursday, January 20, 2011

Distraction 29: Jasmine Pearls


Trader Joe's Jasmine Pearls tea is great.  Steep for 5 minutes & mix in a splash of soy milk; it's divine!  And when I'm done I can simply throw the biodegradable bag into my hippy compost bin; "back to the earth with ye!"

Distraction 28: I'm Here

This movie is so sweet; not in a "that's sweet, braw" sort of way, just in an "aw" sort of way.  :)











Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Distraction 26: Soul Train Line Dance!!


Country line dancing can't shake a stick at this funk.







Distraction 25: Houndstooth Shoes

Can't begin to tell you how smashing these look when paired with black & white striped socks.

They're currently available from Vans.





Monday, January 17, 2011

Distraction 24: Chanel No. 5


Chanel No. 5 has been on sale continuously since 1921.  It's estimated that a bottle is sold every 55 seconds.

I find it interesting that this scent's popularity persists nearly 100 years later.  You can buy a bottle of it today and smell the same as someone who wore it 90 years ago.  Instead of being retired as a "grandma perfume" long ago, it still continues to find a receptive audience; seemingly timeless.

"What do I wear in bed?  Why, Chanel No. 5, of course." - Marilyn Monroe





Sunday, January 16, 2011

Distraction 23: Guinea Pig Noises


Fact:  Guinea pigs are neither from Guinea, nor are they pigs.  Discuss.


They make the strangest, most wonderful noises though; I know, right?  :)









Distraction 22: The Postmarks


In high school, my friend Eric had a theory that you could judge an album by its cover.  I'll admit that often times this ethos still motivates me to consider new artists.  Such was the case in 2009 when I discovered The Postmarks.  I purchased "Memoirs at the End of the World" and loved it.  "All You Ever Wanted" is still one of my faves.

It gets better though!  Upon reviewing their other material, I found that they previously released a really excellent cover of "OX4" originally performed by the band Ride.  I love moments like that... similar to hearing The Shins' cover of The Postal Service's "We Will Become Silhouettes."





Saturday, January 15, 2011

Distraction 21: John Kricfalusi


The world is a better place with John K.'s cartoons in it.  His blog is pretty entertaining too. 

If you have a kid, do yourself a favor.  Ditch cable with all of its "I WANT THAT" commercials and stock the shelves with the cartoons that helped shape us all into weird, wonderful, wacky fun-loving adults:  Ren & Stimpy, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, Woody Woodpecker, Looney Tunes, Popeye, etc.

Three Stooges & Addams Family are must haves too, but not the cartoon incarnations.  <cringe>





Distraction 20: Beards


Generally, I'm not a fan of facial hair on anyone except John Waters and Gomez Addams.  That said, take a gander at how spectacularly ridiculous this guy looks!  It's great!  I'll bet he's a lot of fun to hang out with.  I'm serious!  


How can you not respect someone with the self-confidence to walk around looking like this?!  From his pimped out lampshade hat to his bolo tie, this guy is the shit.


For more amazing beard photos, check out Dave Mead's website.





Friday, January 14, 2011

Distraction 19: The World Around You


The sky is the ultimate canvas; truly 4-dimensional art.


I should bookmark National Geographic's Photo of the Day site and visit everyday; spending a moment to take in something outside of my office.



Thursday, January 13, 2011

Distraction 18: Cross-eyed Opossum

Cross-eyed opossum capturing the hearts of Germans

"She's middle-aged, gray-haired and stays up all night. Still, Heidi the cross-eyed opossum is Germany's biggest media sensation, and she has not even made her debut at the Leipzig Zoo.

Yet Heidi appears to be the next in a line of animal celebrities in Germany. The 2-1/2-year-old opossum has a growing Facebook following pushing 80,000 fans, sparked a popular song on YouTube and will soon star as a plush toy. However, the public will not get their first glimpse of the opossum until July, when the zoo opens its tropical wildlife exhibit.
.."

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Distraction 17: Talking Heads - "Wild, Wild Life"


This song and video were, and will always remain, excellent.  

If I ever sing karaoke, it will be this song, hopefully with many friends accompanying.  




Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Distraction 16: Weird Al Yankovic


Admit it, you love Weird Al Yankovic!  How can you not?!  The guy has perfected ridiculous!


Did you know that years after lampooning the idea of appearing on Jeopardy, he actually DID appear on Jeopardy?!  Awesome.  :) 

A visit to Weird Al's catalog is guaranteed to brighten the crappiest of days.





Monday, January 10, 2011

Distraction 15: Wing-Tips for Girls


I used to love my Liz Claiborne black & dark red wing-tips, but as Buddha once said "nothing is forever except change"... You know change, like getting a new pair of wing tips!  I'm pretty sure that's precisely what he meant.

These swell shoes are a cozy, comfortable fit and the clicky heels command authority and sow a "to be reckoned with" seed in coworkers' psyches!  Check out Miz Mooz other designs here.    





Sunday, January 9, 2011

Distraction 14: Dr. Tongue's Evil House of Pancakes



I watched SCTV a lot as a kid.  This clip is a family favorite to this day! 





Distraction 13: Find It


Another game that should be prominently displayed on every desk.  If I ran a company, it would be a lot of fun...  Nothing would ever get done, but employee morale would be through the roof!

Click here for more info.





Friday, January 7, 2011

Distraction 11: Magnitude 4.1

 

Everyone needs a little shake every now & then... though if given the choice, I suppose I'd prefer a Mexican Chocolate shake from Marianne's.





 

Distraction 10 - Lake Vostok

  

Russian team prepares to penetrate Lake Vostok

"Lake Vostok, which has been sealed off from the world for 14 million years, is about to be penetrated by a Russian drill bit.

The lake, which lies four kilometres below the icy surface of Antarctica, is unique in that it's been completely isolated from the other 150 subglacial lakes on the continent for such a long time. It's also oligotropic, meaning that it's supersaturated with oxygen -- levels of the element are 50 times higher than those found in most typical freshwater lakes."

Read more here.  Hope they don't find the Thing.




Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Distraction 6: 10-Year-Old Girl Discovers a Supernova



"A ten-year old girl from Canada has discovered a supernova, making her the youngest person ever to find a stellar explosion. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada announced the discovery by Kathryn Aurora Gray of Fredericton, New Brunswick, (wonderful middle name!) who was assisted by astronomers Paul Gray and David Lane. Supernova 2010lt is a magnitude 17 supernova in galaxy UGC 3378 in the constellation of Camelopardalis, as reported on IAU Electronic Telegram 2618. The galaxy was imaged on New Year’s Eve 2010, and the supernova was discovered on January 2, 2011 by Kathryn and her father Paul."





Monday, January 3, 2011

Distraction 5: Chia Lincoln



Could there be a more American product than Chia Lincoln?  This author thinks not.   

According to the American Chia website, Chia Lincoln signifies opportunity & freedom for all. 

My only question:  why no Chia Beard for Chia Lincoln?!





Distraction 4: Ben Folds/Nick Hornby - From Above




"...And years ago, at the movies, she sat behind him
A six thirty showing of 'While You Were Sleeping'
He never once looked around..."



Distraction 3: Karpen’s Pile





"The 'Dimitrie Leonida' National Technical Museum from Romania hosts a weird kind of battery. Built by Vasile Karpen, the pile has been working uninterrupted for 60 years. 'I admit it's also hard for me to advance the idea of an overunity generator without sounding ridiculous, even if the object exists,' says Nicolae Diaconescu, engineer and director of the museum."



Sunday, January 2, 2011

Distraction 2: Perplexus



Every desk should have one of these on it... Every Supervisor should be so cool.


Click here for more info.  







Saturday, January 1, 2011