Amid all the depressing stories in the paper about the war in Iraq—or conflict rather—and people being murdered in Golden Gate Park, I came across this little gem of a story about a Japanese designer who is designing clothes to help people escape street crime.
Inspired by the ancient techniques of Japan's ninjas, designer Aya Tsukioka created a skirt that unfolds into a fake vending machine that the wearer can hide inside to elude criminals.
If it were to take off, I imagine a product like this would fall victim to its own success. If everyone had one, then crooks would probably get wise and start looking for the trembling vending machine if their victim magically disappears.
However, at $800 a pop (Tsukioka hand sews and hand prints her skirts), it's unlikely that people are going to be scrambling for this unusual crime prevention tool. But cheers to quirky Japanese ingenuity, keeping criminals on their toes ninja style since the 15th century.
You can go here for more pictures (the writing is all in Japanese) of "urban camo" and a slideshow of Tsukioka's vending machine skirt in action.
20 October 2007
Thwarting Crime the Ninja Way
16 October 2007
Attack of the Bridezilla
A New York City bride sued her florists because they used the wrong color of hydrangeas. Cost of the flowers: $27,435.14. Amount of requested restitution: $400,000.
So yet another reason to add to the list of reasons why I'm reconsidering the whole dream wedding thing. Among the other nuptial related traditions I've eschewed:
- Changing my last name - I happen to like the way my name sounds. Not to mention the hegemony of supplanting part of your identity with someone else's.
- The big rock - Two words: blood diamonds.
Given that I've decided to bypass these marriage staples, it's beginning to make sense to bypass the whole carnival. Read More......
07 October 2007
Abandon All Hope, You Who Enter Here
As an unrepentant blasphemer, heretic, reformed and unconfirmed Catholic, unabashed enjoyer of schadenfreude, and general misanthrope, I've been asserting that I'm going straight to hell for years.
While the existence of hell—or heaven for that matter—is questionable in my own mind, I can now at least ponder my potential future eternal residence in the depths of hell thanks to the Dante's Inferno Test!
Ah, the fifth level of hell, home, sweet home! Nothing like paying for a vindictive and hateful life by spending the rest of eternity writhing furious and naked in the River Styx, tearing at my equally wrathful and gloomy neighbors, and gurgling my lamentations fruitlessly into the river's black mud. Hey, at least I don't have to wear clothes.
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Fifth Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Very Low |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | Low |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | High |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | Moderate |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | Very Low |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | High |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | Low |
| Level 7 (Violent) | High |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | Moderate |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Moderate |
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
Find out where you've been banished to. Maybe we can gnaw on each other some time in the Styx. Read More......
06 October 2007
HOLY JESUS NO DOUBT IS BACK IN THE STUDIO
Just as I stop checking the No Doubt website for signs of life from the band, they start to post new content about their return to the studio. In a moment that brought my superfan status into serious question, a colleague at the office mentioned that they were working on a new album and all I could do was look at her dumbfounded. I hadn't checked the website in months. Gwen, Tony, Tom and Adrian (with supporting musicians Gabriel and Stephen) back in the studio?! It's too good to be true!
BUT IT ISN'T!
It's true, it's true! My favorite Orange County rocker-outters are indeed back in the studio as evidenced by three, three!!!, video podcasts, posts from Adrian and Tony and photographs from the studio. The podcasts document a surprise performance with Gwen on her solo tour and the rehearsals leading up to it. The reception from the No Doubt-starved crowd was really unbelievable. In his post Adrian says, "The audience was crazy. They were louder than I can remember for a regular No Doubt Show," which suggests to me that most of the people in that crowd were probably thinking the same thing I was thinking when I saw Gwen on her tour, which is, "Hey, somewhat mediocre Gwen Stefani solo material is better than nothing. We're keeping hope alive." (Don't get me wrong, I love Gwen, I just accept her solo stuff for what it is, which is ... just not as good as No Doubt.)
But seriously, the prospect of getting to see No Doubt live in the near future is almost too much to bear. Which makes me thankful to have two live No Doubt DVDs to tide me over until that blessed day.
Turn of the Seasons
Top 5 Recent Occurrences that Tell me Fall is Descending (in no particular order):
- Having to start either wearing pajama pants (instead of shorts) or use my comforter again.
- I'm having my first cup of tea at home since last spring (pomegranate! yummers!)
- My dew covered car beeps at me angrily when I start it in the mornings to tell me it's cold.
- Cold feet.
- It's October!
Top 5 Coolest Things about Fall (From Least Cool of the Coolest to the Coolest):
- That fresh fall morning feeling.
- Cold enough to drink hot tea without breaking into a sweat.
- Season premieres (30 Rock, Reaper, The Office, Pushing Daisies)
- Pumpkin scones at Starbucks
- Halloween!!!
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