So Long Mitch, and Thanks for the Laughs

I'm sad to report that Mitch Hedberg has passed away. He was one of my favorite comedians. His style was really unique and his writing was excellent.

He apparently died of a heart attack. He was 37.

Mitch Hedberg quotes Posted by Chris on 3/31/2005 04:35:00 PM :: Permalink   

Pez MP3 Players

Later this year, store shelves will be filled with some of the most expensive PEZ dispensers ever, as Pez MP3 players become reality. It does sound kinda neat that you'll be able to switch the character head with one from any PEZ candy dispenser you have.

Labels: pez

Posted by Chris on 3/25/2005 10:49:00 AM :: Permalink   

Peep Research

Peep Research

You know them, you love them - Peeps.

At least you thought you knew them. Find out all you ever wanted to know about the secrets of peeps.

My favorite is the daring and risky separation of the quintuplet peeps - shown in a revealing step by step photo essay.

Here's hoping the easter bunny brings you some. Posted by Melissa on 3/24/2005 09:46:00 PM :: Permalink   

Holy Solar Death Ray, Batman!

Wow. What mayhem a geek with some free time, a little knowledge, and a few mirrors can create!

This guy created the Solar Death Ray which is a 4 foot by 6 foot set of 112 mirrors which focus the sun's energy in one spot. That one spot can heat items to an estimated 930-1100 degrees Fahrenheit!

He's got some cool pictures of destroying things like cell phones, rubber ducks, and AOL CDs. Posted by Chris on 3/23/2005 04:50:00 PM :: Permalink   

eBay Turns Ten

This USA Today article talks about eBay's 10th anniversary, how it's bigger than Amazon and Yahoo, the PEZ relationship, and it's humble, almost accidental beginnings which led to astounding growth and the world's largest marketplace. Posted by Chris on 3/22/2005 03:11:00 PM :: Permalink   

Long Live TiVo!

Well, I'm a couple days late in spreading this news, but TiVo scored a major win by signing a deal with Comcast. With the existing DirecTV deal expiring, TiVo really needed a new distribution channel since sales of standalone units just weren't going to cut it. They got a big one, with the largest cable provider, Comcast.

It might not seem to mean much around here since we're not served by Comcast cable. And don't you get suckered into one of those weak Time Warner boxes. They're not TiVo! But it's great news nonetheless, since it means that TiVo the company will be in business for years to come.

Engadget, please call off the TiVo Deathwatch.

Labels: tivo

Posted by Chris on 3/17/2005 01:54:00 PM :: Permalink   

Bazooka Joe Teaches Spanish?

Today, I opened up a pack of Bazooka Joe gum. Yes, the same Bazooka Joe that has now been around for over 51 years. And the gum is so bland it tastes every bit that old. Why I occasionally eat it, I don't know. Perhaps there's some nostalgia there, but I can't really make sense of it.

So I open the comic strip, hoping for a laugh, and instead I'm hit with a language lesson - "Learn Spanish with Bazooka Joe". Now, I've got nothing against learning another language, but I think that putting it on a stamp-sized piece of paper inside a bubble gum wrapper for a hard chunk of bland bubble gum lead by a character with an eye-patch is just a little bit strange. Does Bazooka Joe have some credentials in Spanish education?

It just struck me as very odd, so I thought I'd share. But then again, my fortune was "A penny for your thoughts, but I expect change." So maybe you didn't care anyway.

And since I know you're dying to find out, the comic was a waiter asking "Is your steak tough?" and Bazooka Joe replies "I don't know -- I'm still cutting the gravy!" It was written in both Spanish and English. Posted by Chris on 3/16/2005 01:35:00 PM :: Permalink   

I Can't Drive 55!

This past weekend, Victoria got her drivers license and hit the open road.

This thing gets amazing gas mileage. Posted by Chris on 3/09/2005 11:19:00 AM :: Permalink   

Worms Hits Xbox

Playing Worms Armageddon on the PC was a blast. You control these seemingly helpless little worms in a turn-based strategy game where you try to blow the other worms up or knock them into the water (worms can't swim). Sounds simple, and it basically is. What makes it so fun and addictive are the variety of weapons at your disposal and the quirky responses the worms have. In addition to shotguns, mortars, missiles, and mines, you can use banana bombs, flying sheep, and dragon punches.

A bit late, and the review calls the graphics a bit dated, but Worms 3D is now out for Xbox. With System Link support and Xbox Live with voice, it's got to be worth the low $20 price tag. Posted by Chris on 3/05/2005 08:55:00 PM :: Permalink   

Peeking Into Google

An interesting article that reveals some information about the Google Architecture. Like many companies, they've developed the tools they use to develop they applications they publish. After all, they've got a higher PhD concentration than any other company and it's not like you can get a shrink-wrapped application with a framework for developing code that runs in parallel on a thousand servers. Kinda gotta write that one yourself. Posted by Chris on 3/05/2005 08:33:00 PM :: Permalink   

Thank You For Not Passing Gas

[ I'm back from a brief hiatus (I hope). Mostly work and other things just took up my blogging time. I'm sure it will happen again at some point. ]

On the drive in to work this morning, I heard a radio commercial that I really just couldn't believe I was hearing. The first half of it was all about not passing gas. I mean, really? There's enough money around to buy radio commercials for this? Or has the problem exploded into an epidemic that demands immediate attention?

Half-way into the commercial, it references second-hand smoke. I guess that's what it is all about. But then as the commercial goes on, I'm still not sure what it was about. It gets better though. There's a website - www.DontPassGas.org.

The website is great! The highlights for me are the printable signs warning of the dangers of passing gas, and the television commercials (click "View PSAs"). They'll make you laugh out loud!

I'll end with this tip from the website:

I will not pass gas around my kids. Not in the house. Not in the car. Not on their lives. From this day forth, I will take it outside.

Thank you very much, Dr. Seuss. I will certainly breathe easier now. Posted by Chris on 3/04/2005 10:54:00 AM :: Permalink   
Want more? Visit the Archives or jump to current entries.