More Mind Control Stuff...

In keeping with the mind control theme, Honda announced some of it's robotic research. Click here for the fascinating story. Consider the possibilities....

Tech Toy Tuesday

Mind-Flex Game from Mattel

Uses brain-wave power to control the speed of fans which in turn affect the height of a ball. Using a combination of brain-wave power and a directional knob, the ball is moved through an obstacle course.

Click here for a short video. Pretty weird! The game is supposed to be available later this year.

Cool Computer Gadget Monday-TV Wallpaper

Engineers at Toshiba in Japan are on their way to making OLED TV Wallpaper, which will allow you to wallpaper any wall you choose with a very thin OLED screen.

“The wallpaper uses light that has been redirected by an ultra-fine grating that is fabricated by self-assembled nano particles.” It would seem that the effect might be similar to that of a Fresnel lens like those used in traffic lights, amplifying the intensity without requiring additional energy.”

It certainly sounds like an interesting idea. Imagine being able to paper a 100 inch screen on your wall! The possibilities.....


h/t : gadgettastic.com

Some thoughts on climate change...

Interesting article about Freeman Dyson, a mathematical genius and climate change skeptic with a well-reasoned argument and world-view on climate change. All sides in the debate would do well to model his approach.

Click here for a brief summary or on the link below for full article.

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The article about Freeman Dyson in the Times Magazine nicely captures Mr. Dyson's independent spirit as well as a couple other appealing traits: humanism and optimism.


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Canned Goods to Good to Miss...Jellied Eels

While not technically a "canned good", it is packaged. This info comes to us from another fine blogger at www.funfever.blogspot.com. Read on...

"Not much comes to mind when we hear the phrase "fine English cuisine," and jellied eels are a prime example of why this is the case. Caught from the murky depths of the Thames River estuary, boiled with salt and pimentos, set in gelatin and then served with a dash of chili vinegar, each bite is a gooey challenge for the average palate. The traditional dish originated in London's East End and is rumored to date back to a culinary dark age before its better-known (and more-appetizing) cousin, fish 'n' chips, had been created."

Bon Appetit!

Tech Toy Tuesday

Good Morning! Sorry to have missed the post yesterday, but I had to handle a "work situation". So no cool computer gadgets this week, but I have found the cool tech toy. A handheld laser kaleidoscope! The combination of tech and lights was just too much to resist. Have fun and let me know when your light show will go "live"! Click here to see a sample and get pricing.

NCAA Results

After the first round Thursday night games, my results are below:

Merck pool: 13 and 3
Home pool: 12 and 4
Lakeside pool: 15 and 1

Not bad for someone with only a passing knowledge of college basketball.

And now a word about Christmas

Just letting everyone know that I'm still VERY interested in christmas light shows. We are in the final design phase for this year's show. As soon as it's done and the 2-D image has been created, I'll post a pic. Some other "housekeeping" chores that need to be done include sending 2 controllers back for repair and replacing the bent/broken flagpole section. Hopefully I won't have to buy a whole new pole.

As for the acutal display, we're looking to change things up this year somewhat. There will be more mini-trees, more arches and a different color scheme. Stay tuned.

Wacky Wednesday Canned Goods

Okay....here it is....and you thought Spam was tempting...Armour presents:


Bon Appetit!!!

Tuesday Tech

Cool tech toy for the sado-maschist in your life:



The tanks shoot at each other and when a hit is registered an electric shock is sent to the opponent's controller. A wrist strap is provided so that you don't drop the controller when shocked. Enjoy!

Incredibly shabby treatment of our veterans

Last week President Obama put forth a plan to require war-injured veterans to pay for the treatment of combat disabilities with their own insurance rather than having the government pay for it. The commander of the American Legion, a veterans group, met with the president and his staff to discuss the proposal. It appears that the president wants to move forward with his plan. This is outrageous! These people willingly went into harm's way to protect our way of life and this is how we treat them? Below is an excerpt from the letter sent to President Obama by the American Legion commander.

..."There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran's personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable."

"The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session with the president said, "This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ' to care for him who shall have borne the battle' given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies.""

To read the entire article, click here.

I would also encourage you to contact your representatives and let them know you don't support this plan and this shabby treatment of our heroes. Use the handy reference below:

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (ask for your state senators/representatives)
To find your state representatives, click here.

*Email and phone calls are the most expedient. Written letters can take up to 2 weeks to reach a respresentative due to security procedures.

Alma Mater is going to the Big Dance

Temple just won the Atlantic -10 tournament and has secured an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Go Temple!

Pennridge Jazz Happenings

Yesterday, the Pennridge High School Jazz Bands were treated to a master class with several local jazz greats. Click here, to read the whole story.

Wacky Wednesday Canned Goods

For those looking for a different kind of snack.....Enjoy!

Canned Chrysalis
NeT WT.: 4.59 oz
INGREDIENTS: Chrysalis, onion, ginger, garlic, sugar, salt, water, l-glutamic and natrium

If you are into exotic food, try canned chrysalis with very unique taste.
Before emerging as a butterfly, a caterpillar goes through a stage during which it is called a "chrysalis." On the surface it appears to be a quiescent state. But this delicate process changes the humble caterpillar into a butterfly.Although it is rare today, chrysalis used to be a common snack for children in South Korea.

MANUFACTURE: Da Sol Foods, Inc.
PRODUCT OF KOREA(ROK)

Cool Computer Gadget Monday!

Really cool, new fan-less mini-laptop from Asus! Click here to view or on the video below....

Nothing like waking up to merger news...

So, I was doing my usual morning routine, listening to KYW, etc when it was announced that Merck (hubby's employer) was merging with Schering-Plough?!?!?! Nothing like getting news about your employer from the radio.....

Happy Monday?

Done!

It's official....at 5:15pm DST I finally have all the lights, controllers, wireframes, extension cords and miscellaneous "stuff" from the 2008 display put away....neatly! I think it's time to celebrate with an adult beverage :-)

...and start to get serious about the 2009 christmas show plans! Look for some interesting changes....starting with the website.

From a post on the Corner Blog from National Review:

I heartily concur with the closing sentence.

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Where Do You Send the Bill? [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Robert Rector has been pointing out for longer than I can remember that America has the wealthiest poor people in the world. And here seems to be a photo illustrating that: Michelle Obama was at a homeless shelter. While distributing lunch, one of the men she was serving lunch to took a picture of her on his cell phone.

I don't envy this man's situation, whatever it is, and don't mean to make light of it. But we are a blessed people when our poor have cell phones.