| August 4, 2002 |
BuffMonster
The  art of graffiti continues to branch out in new and interesting ways. Artists such as Random von NotHaus have moved beyond tags and murals to create a new urban art that uses stencil, found objects, and posters. Using the oddly cute Buff Monster as a recurring motif, NotHaus has dotted the urban landscape of L.A. with unique calling cards such as spray cans nailed to telephone poles. Part of the artist's experiment is to note the cans and track them as they disappear, are painted over, or simply decay. As graffiti artists continue to push the boundaries of street art in innovative directions, don't be surprised to find something akin to the Buff Monster popping up in your town. (in Graffiti and Street Art) |
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| August 3, 2002 |
Famous Locations
Did  you know that Saving Private Ryan's Omaha Beach scenes were actually filmed in Ireland, not France? And while Star Wars was set in a galaxy far, far away, Tunisia and California's Death Valley stood in for Luke Skywalker's home planet of Tatooine. These are just a few locales made famous in the movies, and you can find them -- and many more -- profiled here. Discover the English castles, libraries, and cathedrals used as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first Harry Potter movie. View the wide range of exotic locales for every James Bond film, including the upcoming Die Another Day. Poke around historic buildings like Hatfield House, built in 1611, which has served as the fictional home of Michael Keaton in Batman, Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love, and Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Take a look around -- maybe there's a famous location near you. (in Film Trivia) |
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| August 2, 2002 |
Cricklers
Reinventing  a tried-and-true pastime takes conviction, as Michael and Barbara Crick have demonstrated with a Flash-based crossword puzzle for the Internet age. You won't find short, silly words chosen simply because they fit the space. Crickler clues lead to longer words that challenge a player's intellect without bending the brain. The answers are connected by a few letters, similar to traditional crossword puzzles, but with color-coding, sound, and flashing added to help you find the correct answers. If you read the paper on a daily basis, or even catch a few minutes of news on TV, you're sure to enjoy the daily news puzzle. If you prefer word games, check out the daily crossword and exercise your synonym savvy. If that's not enough, the Cricks have more puzzles on topics as diverse as Britney Spears and the history of amateur radio. (in Games) |
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| August 1, 2002 |
The Food Timeline
Americans  have a love affair with food. But do the hungry masses ever consider the history of the crispy French fry or humble hamburger when they mosey up to the register and super-size their order? This comprehensive timeline offers links to the history of hundreds of foods, starting with salt and ending with the latest product from Kraft. Do you know when pasta was invented or where sushi was first eaten? Ever wonder what Christopher Columbus packed for his famous voyages or which condiment was invented first, Tabasco sauce or A1 Steak Sauce? The answers might surprise you, but you'll have a delectable time discovering the history of food. Dig in, and don't forget to pass the potato chips. (in Food & Drink) |
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| July 31, 2002 |
Art in Public Places
Since  1973, this inspired local organization has placed art in public places throughout Bend, Oregon. More recently, they have made this art viewable via Flash at this graphics-rich site. Everything revolves around the Gallery section, which overflows with sculpture, fountains, walls, windows, paintings, and installations found in Bend's parks, libraries, museums, and courtyards. The diversity of the artwork reflects the history, culture, and landscape of central Oregon. Otters, salmon, and trout frolic in sculptural waves, children dance in circles, and pronghorn antelope roam through fields. Should you ever visit Bend, the Map section shows you where to find these pieces. Luckily, you don't need to live in Oregon to enjoy this public art. (in Museums and Exhibits) |
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| July 30, 2002 |
Domesticratic Party
With  a thoroughly retro perspective, two ambitious young ladies have created the Domesticratic Party and launched their campaign to be co-presidents in 2004. Clair Joyce and Kate Legere, the presidential hopefuls, have a simple mission: to mother the nation by feeding everyone pie and tucking them into bed at night. "Let us be the ultimate Oedipal figures," they declare. The centerpiece of their crime and punishment platform is a national bedtime to promote a well-rested, less crabby country. These candidates are neither pro-choice nor pro-life, just pro-mom. To promote world peace, they plan to bake pies and brownies for foreign leaders. Finally, the Sunday after they're sworn in, they'll host a White House potluck to meet every person in America. If your last name starts with A-D, please bring an appetizer. (in Political Humor) |
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| July 29, 2002 |
BookCrossing.com
Don't  know what to do with that stack of books cluttering up your pad? Head to this site and take part in an innovative attempt to "make the whole world a library." Part underground book club, part chain letter, this site introduces a new, viral approach to book sharing. Here's how it works: read a book, register it on the site, slap a BookCrossing label in it, "release" it to the world, then wait for it to be found. Hopefully, the new owner will follow the instructions included on the label and post a journal entry on the site before re-releasing the book into the wild. Each registered book is issued a unique ID number and journal page, so you can track its travels and read what others have to say about it. Check out the Go Hunting section to find recently liberated books in your area. And keep your eye open for books seemingly abandoned on benches, buses, and other conspicuous locations around town. You never know where the next good read might show up. (in Reviews) |
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