The power of positive thinking

Apparently, this online (and downloadable, if you choose) game-thingy is based upon real scientific research, and is supposed to help you develop and maintain a more positive state of mind. And, it was the 1st prize winner in the Great Canadian Video Game Competition. If those aren't good credentials, I don't know what are.

MindHabits

Because it all comes back to bacon

Really, it does.

Bacon flow chart

Scary? Funny? Why can't it be both?

I have no idea as to the backstory on this website. Some friends must have just pooled resources to make their own cartoon show about a planet full of bitchy unicorns that learn life lessons in four minutes. You'll either think this is amazing or unwatchable. The theme song is the best part. Here is the "pilot".



For more episodes, follow this link to the main site:
Planet Unicorn Episodes

There's just something whimsical about the illustrations

Many people probably know Maira Kalman for her map of New Yorkistan. Last year, she also did a series of editorials for the New York Times, called The Principles of Uncertainity, which were later published in an eponymous book. I do have the book - but, you can also view all of it online. (To go from month to month, click on the month in the upper right hand corner.)

The Principles of Uncertainity

Locker room antics

Novak Djokovic is currently #3 in men's singles tennis. In this video clip (which was taken during the 2007 US Open), he's doing impressions of various other tennis players, amongst which are Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. My favorite one, though, is his impression of Roger Federer, especially the last part of it, which comes at the end of the clip.

I love that they made this into a full on rap music video

I have a friend who is shamelessly in love with Bad Girls - which I beleive is on Oxygen. And by "friend" and "believe" I do not mean that this is really all a description of me. This friend of mine told me about this clip where a woman, Tanisha, is really upset at the other girls in the house for being loud all night, so she gets up very early in the morning - I assume 7am-ish - and walks around the house banging pans together, and singing/rapping "I didn't get no sleep 'cause of y'all. Y'all not going to get no sleep 'cause of me." Truly truly amazing. I have neighbors. I understand the feeling.

Almost like having a real puppy...almost

I live in an apartment that doesn't allow dogs. So I need to get my puppy kicks from websites such as this. They used to have little videos of puppies tottering around on 5-week-old feet. Looks like these breeders stopped making the videos - but they still take tons of pictures of their adorable canines. I used to spend hours pretending I was picking one out for my own.

Maltipoo and Mini Collie puppies

I especially love the part where she takes out a human brain, and the audience laughs nervously

Every year, 50 absolutely brilliant people, from all disciplines, are asked to gather in Monterey, CA, at the TED conference, to share their ideas. TED, by the way, stands for technology, entertainment, and design. In between these talks, there are also performances, of the musical, dramatic, and/or comedic kind. It was nearly impossible to choose just one to feature here, since all the talks and performances are just absolutely fascinating and interesting. Previous speakers/performers include James Watson, Al Gore, Eve Ensler, Ze Frank, Malcolm Gladwell, Pilobolus, Anna Devere Smith, Bill Clinton, Jane Goodall... well, you get the idea.

In this talk, Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist, talks about the day she had a massive stroke in incredible detail - how she felt, what speech, language, and numbers looked like to her, how she was simultaneously aware yet unaware of what was happening. It is funny, sad, touching, informational, and inspirational all at the same time.

TED Talks - complete list

For a different kind of personality test

I am addicted to online personality tests. They bring me all sorts of inner glee.

In this different take on one (for instance, rather than choose "yes/no", you visually choose how much towards one end of the spectrum you are), I am apparently a genuine creator.

Personal DNA

Oh for the love of Knut!

Almost exactly one year ago, I devoted possibly an unhealthy amount of time to watching videos of baby polar bear, Knut. He became an international sensation when he was saved from death and raised by German zookeepers. This video features a song that some German children made honoring the adorableness of Knut.



Absolute murder on the ovaries.
The image comes from this link: German Vanity Fair cover

This website makes me want to be a better breakfast eater

I generally don't eat breakfast, because I've either slept in so it's really lunchtime by the time I wake up, or, if I'm up early, I'm probably late getting somewhere. I mean to eat breakfast, I really do. I just don't get around to it. But looking at Jen Causey's photo blog, which captures what she had for breakfast every day, makes me reconsider the lack-of-breakfast life which I lead.

So, for my breakfast today, I had the above-pictured cara cara orange, which is the best orange in the world. It's in season now, so run to your nearest market and pick one (or ten) up today.

Simply Breakfast

Brain sex

I skew female, but not as female as the average female taking this test. I am not quite sure what that means.


Find out if you think like a man or a woman

For your inner gladiator

I'm not going to tell you how to do it, but there is an awesome cheat which can make you into the super-gladiator.

Swords and Sandals

Zombies and shotguns!

This is a simple and fun zombie killing-spree game.

Zombie Shooting Game

Make sure to give yourself enough time to reload, or the zombies will rip your spine out. For more helpful hints, check out this blog: Helpful Hints!

Waste your time for a good cause!

This is something Jennifer turned me on to a few months ago. Not only is it engaging, but also it makes you feel like a better person, since every click sends rice to an underpriviliged country.

Free Rice Game

Now, they just need to write something about American men

Every time I need a good laugh, I go to this webpage - stereotypes about men in European countries. Every bit is genius - I am absolutely unable to choose a favorite page, or even section. I don't know who these girls are, but I so desperately want them to write something else. Definitely don't miss the comments other people have written - they are priceless.

How to Find a Man in Europe and Leave Him There

Is it lunchtime yet?

This website features mouth-watering dishes from chefs in the Los Angeles area. I've been lucky enough to go to many of these restaurants, and looking at these pictures and recipes makes me want to return to all of them. NOW.

The picture, by the way, is of a pan-seared red snapper dish I had at Canelé last year.

Just One Plate

How well do you know the world?

Is this a game? A quiz? I just don't know! All I do know is that there are a LOT of countries in Africa I don't know. Yet, a traveler's IQ of 111 isn't bad, even if there was a lot of blind guessing involved.

Tip: If you do know where the country is, but not the city, your best bet is clicking in the middle of the country. If you don't know where the country is, I'm sorry, but I can't help you.

Traveler IQ challenge

I really think it's something about the music and sound effects

Apparently this was a tie-in to some television show. I'm not sure which one, though. I just know that after Peggle, this game just sucks me in like no other.

Chain Factor

for ethan

I fear if I explain this, I'll just get Ethan into trouble...

Shoot your friend!

So there's a certain level of satisfaction one derives from successfully shooting the apple with this game. Then there's the higher level of satisfaction derived from finding new ways to shoot parts of your balding friend off. You decide what you prefer.

Arrow Shooter

(By the way, if you do not want to put your name in, just click "main menu" whenever you fail and the game starts over.)

Image is from Yahoo Movies