This week, we start Picks with a confession. We're ashamed to admit that we spent several fruitless hours attempting to tie these sites up with a powerful, overarching "theme." After considering and discarding "lost love," "man's inhumanity to man," and "rivers and peninsulas," we finally realized what was most important: saying the word "Zamboni." Sure, it's annoying at first, but after a couple of times, it grows on you.
Of course, the impetus for our zambomania (defined as "the uncontrollable urge to repeat funny-sounding words") was Theresa Loong's Zamboni Pages, which amply illustrate the powerful allure of these graceful ice-resurfacing machines. Did you know that ice is shaved and maintained by going against the grain? Or that the process of making ice from scratch and painting the surface and logos for a hockey game takes about 23 hours? Did you know that zamboni has seven letters? Z-A-M-B-O-N-I. Zamboni. Zam(wait for it)boni. Zamboni zamboni zamboni. Okay. Whew. Now, that we've got it out of our system, let's continue with Picks. Thank you so much for your patience.
Did you know (zamboni zamboni) that the popular TV show Gilligan's Island has deep within it layers upon layers of subtext, metaphorical meaning, and symbolism? Neither did we, until we read Here On The Island, "A Scholarly Critique of the Style, Symbolism and Sociopolitical Relevance of Gilligan's Island." Here's a brief sampling of what we learned: "The island symbolizes society -- any modern western society." "Gilligan ... embodies every extraneous governmental agency, policy and program ever foisted on innocent people anywhere." And, "Mysteriously more complex than the Professor is the Ginger character." Enough said. Derrida, you can quit your day job now.
Of course, other sea voyagers have proven more able. You will, no doubt, remember that Viking Leif Ericsson and his crew crossed the Atlantic from Greenland to Newfoundland lo those many years ago. Viking Voyage 1000 features the current efforts of writer/adventurer Hodding Carter and his crew of eleven as they retrace Ericsson's route using a wooden ship built from thousand-year-old Viking plans. The site includes journal entries, photos, and satellite maps updating the latest position of the intrepid craft, named the Snorri. Among other things, you can email the crew with questions and comments. Be sure to play the game (appropriately titled "The Game") in which you are challenged (via Shockwave) to make the voyage while avoiding all manner of difficulties. Next best thing to driving a Zamboni during the Stanley Cup Finals.
Speaking of Voyagers and Vikings, along with Pathfinders and Sojourners (but, alas, not Zambonis), we take you straight to NASA's Observatorium. It's what you get when you take a lot of cool pictures, articles, and games, all dealing with the Earth, the solar system, and exploration, and put 'em on a website. It's aimed at a younger audience (perfect for cheating on homework), but the thing is: it's interesting to adults, too. Recent additions to the site include sections on ozone, US Capitals, and tsunamis ("big waves"), not to mention the obligatory coverage of Mars.
We can all agree that laundry is something that should be done at least three, four times a year. That's why every now and then we enjoy a good clean site about Antique Washing Machines. Fastidiously maintained by Lee Maxwell, a collector of such beauties as the Rullman Vacuum Washer, Grinnel Laundry Queen, and Maytag Swinging Zamboni, this site features more old cleaning contraptions than we ever hoped to behold. With seven pages of photographs and descriptions of the more than 600 machines in Maxwell's collection, it's a final resting place for those faithful household appliances that have given so much and asked for so little in return (not counting the occasional quarters and fabric softener). So go check it out. In Maxwell's words: "Needless to say, my hobby is quite enjoyable." Indeed.
If your hobbies tend more toward cooking than cleaning, then check out CookieRecipe.com and spice up the baking process. Grab an apron, pre-heat the oven, and search for recipes alphabetically or by category. Convert measurements to metric, print out ingredients, or join the recipe exchange. (Kathy is looking for something called a "Monster Cookie.") Truly adventurous bakers may wish to play Recipe Roulette. So, no more old-fashioned oatmeal cookies from us, from now on it's zucchini carrot bars and Zamboni pies for everyone. (Check your mailbox in a few days.)
If your web wandering has you feeling isolated and self-involved, maybe it's time to start using your online hours to take care of someone else--or "something" else. This week, to combat the surfing blues, we adopted a Virtual Kitty, and although we quickly tired of it and gave it up for adoption, those first few minutes were flush with maternal joy as we cuddled, played, fed, and groomed our furry little pal. (He was named "Zamboni.") Then, in order to ameliorate our already strained attention spans, we turned our sights towards Tamagothi, another cute little online organism. A dead-on parody of both virtual pets and Gothic rock, this site introduced us to adorable misfits such as "The Romantygothi" and "The Raver." After alternately laughing hysterically and crying inconsolably, we were left feeling isolated and self-involved. Go figure.
Finally, taking a "best of" approach to the nation's health-care professionals, U.S. News & World Report weighs in with their 1997 rankings of America's Best Hospitals. With an intent to "aid people who need maximum skill in diagnosis and treatment," the folks at U.S. News rated hospitals on reputation, mortality rate, and specialties. Topping the honor roll is Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland. Besides the 1997 list, you'll also find feature articles, regional and specialty rankings, and a collection of healthcare related links. Always willing to "get with the program," we've decided to spend some quality time re-reading the feature's Health Guide 1996, aka "Best Ways to Stay Healthy." It's one of many informative additions that make the site worthy of a visit. Our recommendation: take your time, take your vitamins, and, as always, take your pick(s).
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