Well I’m back.  Well I never really left, so here’s a giant update for everyone, enjoy!

I somehow missed this commercial the first time around, and I really like it:

For all the music folk out there, Slate has a cool article about playing in tune.  I remember going to a concert of Catham Baroque in College, they had major issues because where they were performing was a cold space, except the floor was heated.  It wreaked havoc on all their instruments.

Also in Slate, an article about the AP Styleguide and how changes are made.  I need a new one, I’ll have to check out their store to see if the 2010 version is available.

And again in Slate, a cool article about PowerPoint.  It can be awesome, it really can be, just don’t do what most people do!

The first part of Star Wars Uncut is up.  The project brings people from all over the world to do small segments of A New Hope and then splices them together:

Star Wars Uncut “The Escape” from Casey Pugh on Vimeo.

Also, I’ve watched this video a couple times, and it’s amazing, an Octopus steals a diver’s camera while it is still on.  The diver chases and finally gets it back:

octopus steals my video camera and swims off with it (while it’s Recording) from Victor Huang on Vimeo.

Want to know what kind of hell happens to your mind when you stay inside a Wal Mart for 24 straight hours?  Read the hilarious report here:

An employee yelled “Shut up!” to me after I stood in the middle of the lingerie section and screamed “Spring Break!” at the top of my lungs.

I know it’s over, but I meant to post this while the contest was going on, but this Lost video was made by a local guy.  It didn’t end up winning, although when I watched all of the finalists, I really liked it the best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiKABfaQsbY

Ok, some more about Lost.  Here are the characters are summarized by cats:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-DShnvNNv0

And Sally Wiggin (yes, that Sally Wiggin) talks about what the finale meant to her.

There was a theory that the eruption and subsequent ash cloud of Mt. Eyjafjallajokull would cool us down a bit, or maybe even stave off summer.  Sadly, it’s been warm here.  Read the article here, and I’ll be glad that my friend Kyle was finally able to make it back from Europe after all kinds of delays getting there (and the possibility of becoming stuck)

NASA captured this amazing photo of clouds over Africa:

I fully realize that this would probably clog anyone’s arteries in about three seconds after putting the first bit in your mouth, but it still looks really good: pancake, cheesecake, pancake, strawberries whipped cream.  I’m assuming the strawberries make it healthy, right?

Let’s play a fun game.  It’s called “Imagine.”

Here’s a good follow up:

Maybe the national media wouldn’t be blindsided by things like Arizona’s new anti-immigration law or Virginia’s racially tone deaf governor if it took attacks on gays and lesbians seriously, if the media saw them for the outliers they are, and stopped giving politicians like Brewer and McDonnell a faith-based pass when they attack sexual minorities. Because governors and legislators who attack sexual minorities today invariably go on to attack other minority groups tomorrow. Hate is hate is hate.

And also on that note:

Leviticus 19:33-34 (NIV)
When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt.

Moral of this story, don’t celebrate a win before the game is over:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb2UME1fBYo

Hold on.  they can’t be serious.  Apple is saying they are more open than Adobe?  Excuse me while I go catch my breath from laughing.

Want to see some cool sand art?  Here’s an example, and here are the rest.

Well this is awkward:

Aussies are safer in a strip club than a church, suggests new government data. According to the latest figures compiled by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 1600 people were charged with committing a range of 27 offences in the state’s “places of worship” in 2008. Astonishingly, the data showed only 282 people were charged with the same offences in adult entertainment premises.

I think I have a new favorite blog, it’s called The Big Caption, bringing together images and typography

Thanks Newsweek.  And in other news, the Gulf: oily

I’m angry at Arizona for so many things, including their ban on willingly creating a human/animal hybrid (How will I amass my Centaur army now?!), but this is always heartbreaking, Arizona is now firing or moving teachers that don’t speak English properly, which makes sense to me (granted, how they frame that bill and everything associate with it was kind of underhanded), but I’d like to bring attention to what ope of the Secretary of Education’s advisers said:

Teachers should speak good grammar because kids pick up what they hear

And thanks to Jezebel for putting together this awesome guide to traveling in Arizona:

Thank you, that is all.

Ok, it’s cool, but the bicycle wheel is just showing off:

Gravité from Renaud Hallée on Vimeo.

I’m just going to go ahead and declare this a total win:

This also rocks a lot, and continues the Star Wars theme (if not a bit creepy and direct):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snp3rHDHwPg

Ok fine, one more Star Wars related item:

Need some help picking some colors?  I haven’t played around with it, but this site was suggested to me, let me know how it works!

This is just amazing, check out the art installation that puts you into a dry pool.

This ad is awesome, one because it’s the first motion-sensitive billboard that I’ve seen, and second, the format works great for the venue.  A coworker of mine is in D.C. this weekend and even though I’ve never been there, I recommended the Spy Museum, I’ve only heard people rave about it, next time I’m down in Washington, I’ll have to check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc1FeR54F-Y

Just because it’s funny:

I don’t want to say I told you so.  But I told you so (well, at least maybe).

Student newspapers at private schools are sticky business, I should know.  From where I stand, the school is in the clear to do this.  Should they?  Well that is another matter entirely.  My heart goes out to the writers and editors, I know how hard it can be, without the administration threatening the jobs of faculty members (good grief).

For your reference (full size here):

Panera is testing a “pay what you think it’s worth” store, and if it works (the money goes to charity), will open more.  It’s fun, since I’m writing this in a Panera.  With moronic teenage girls running the bakery counter.  I’ve heard them argue about the unfairness of driving, and how they are stapling napkins.  I’m not sure why either.

Ever want to know how the stop sign was created?  Slate investigates here.  And here’s what would happen if a corporation had been charged with making it:

And Slate takes a look at this year’s Clio Awards.

This is amazing, and the first building reminds me of Myst Island.  I know, huge nerd, but we all knew that, didn’t we?

Projection on Buildings from NuFormer Projection on Vimeo.

This is worth a read.  I never realized that Einstein’s Theory of Relativity was made into a political controversy.  Sigh.

Good gravy, this might be a record for me!  Hope you enjoyed it, catch everyone soon!