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Here’s a piece of wood that mysteriously tells you what time it is. It isn’t too mysterious actually, behind a thin layer of wood on the face is a bright digital clock. When turned on, the numbers shine right through the wood. Brilliant! Turned off, it looks like a block of wood on your desk. If you are into ultra-clean look, this piece is for you. |
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Forget Hummer H2’s, and even H1’s. Real men drive Unimogs. Mercedes have made these things since around 1950. The advertising message sums their abilities. It reads simply "Any Task. Any Time. Any Terrain." Google image search for unimog shows these things in action. There are a few videos on Google. If I were in the market for a 4wd truck, Unimog would be near the top of the list. Mostly because it is unique and badass. Not so much because it is pretty, that’s for sure. |
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I like this kind of advertising. VW came out with a print ad showing a bunch of police officers behind a Polo model compact car. The copy reads "Small But Tough. Polo." Nissan marketing made a quality (and award-winngng) parody of the ad. The scene is virtually identical. Check out the lengths they went to get similar cars, backdrop, and positioning. The difference, of course, is that instead of hiding behind it, the police are now protecting the car (a 350z) because it is too nice to get shot up. |
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Here’s a pretty sweet idea. LED’s are so cheap now that you can literally throw them away. They are cheap and amusing if you twire them to watch batteries, strap magnets and tape no them, and throw them onto something metal. Like a building, gutter, sculpture, or whatever is difficult to reach. They cost less than a dollar each and will stay lit for a couple of weeks. They even have a name: LED Throwies. Check out the video of them being thrown all over buildings in NYC. |
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Just in case you wanted a laser that is visible for 125 miles, these guys have you covered. These lasers will pop balloons, light matches, and cause burns. You could probably get into a lot of trouble by aiming one at a plane. You are not supposed to use them for any kind of indoor presentation or meeting as a pointer, or in any situation in which it could be pointed at another person’s eyes. FOR 125 MILES. These things are really cool, but what the heck would I do with one? It DOES come with a nicely styled case.
Oh wait, the powerful laser sells for $1999.00. Problem solved. |
Often I hear the joke about old people tellking kids to stay off their lawn. If this thing gets popular, teenagers are going to have to closely mind their proximity to senior citizens cars, homes, and walking routes. I can imagine multiple houses in each neighborhood with these doggy teenager whistles screaching constantly at anyone under 20.
"Shopkeepers in central England have been trying out a new device that emits an uncomfortable high-pitched noise designed to disperse young loiterers outside their stores without bothering adults. The noise can normally only be heard by those between 12 and 22 and it makes the listener feel uncomfortable. Once in their early 20s, people lose their capacity to hear sounds at such a high pitch."
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This one is probably more appropriate for Mother’s Day, but oh well. Back in 1984 Mr. T starred in this heartfelt video featuring a song about Mom’s. He even brought some Moms on stage to sing backup. I, like most people, overlooked Mr. T’s artistic, intellectual side. No wonder he takes pity on us so often. I was wrong to do so and apologize. Lyrics: Mother, there is no other Like Mother, so treat Her right Mother, I always Love Her My Mother, so treat Her right, treat Her right M is for the moan, and the miserable groan from the pain that She felt when I was born O is for the oven with it’s burnin’ heat where She stood makin’ sure I had something to eat T is for the time that She stayed up at night and took my temperature when I wasn’t feelin’ right H is for the hard earned money She spent to keep clothes on my back and try to pay da’ rent E is every wrinkle I put on Her face and every worry that I caused when I stayed out late The last letter R is that She taught me Respect and for the room up in Heaven that I know She’ll get She’s a Queen, second to none Take care of Mother, you only get one |
 Here is another example of a great ad campaign. This worked well because it quickly spread across the Internet, completely through viral/word of mouth advertising. The CG and setup are so good people debated the reality of the robot. Basically it appears as though a roboticist has made a transformer type machine out of a BMW style Mini Cooper. The video shows several tests on the robot. Unfortunately (and showing a mis-step by BMW in my opinion), the original page(s) representing the roboticist’s project journal have been removed. Does it really cost all that much to leave a page hosted on the Internet?! |
 Someday I hope to organize a door-to-door racing event with friends. We’d decide on a year, make and model of car, and everyone would buy one. Something slow and cheap, maybe old Honda Civic’s or something <$2000. No mods allowed except for a roll cage, race gas tank and spray paint. Oh, and Ryan gets to sport ICW wheels. Everyone would take them to a track. First event would be the spray-paint car show. Hooters girls would serve lunch. Then we’d head out on the track for a day of racing. Later we’d play a little "Fast Car, Slow Car" like PGR on Xbox Live. Whatever wuss’s are left in the evening would square up in a demolition derby. Nobody gets to take their car home. Tow trucks haul them to the junkyard. Hooters girls serve dinner and beer until we pass out. The End. |
 Nissan’s VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system works well. In fact, it works too well. The driver is supposed to be able to turn it off with the press of a button, allowing wheel spin, drifting, donuts, etc. But under extreme slip conditions it is known to turn itself back on. In my experience this makes the driver look like an idiot. If I expect to spin tires, my steering/brake/throttle/clutch input is administered accordingly. The brakes applying themselves generally messes with my confidence. Others have experienced this. A search at a 350z or G35 forum produces several threads regarding the problem. There is a yaw sensor under the center console that I’ll need to disable with a toggle switch if I want to completely disable the VDC system. So Nissan, what is the point of that "VDC OFF" button!? If the driver decides he wants something off, let him turn it OFF. |
