| October 6, 2002 |
Celebrity Soundboards
The  prank call has been an American institution for years. Ever since Thomas Edison phoned Mr. Watson to ask if his refrigerator was running, people have been searching for new and better ways to fool their friends. Enter Celebrity Soundboards from eBaum's World. With this delightfully evil (and continually updated) site, you can sit back with your mouse and a decent set of speakers and let a celebrity medium do the dirty work for you. Step One: Pick your favorite celeb (we recommend Samuel L. Jackson). Step Two: Click on some canned Pulp Fiction quotes while "the mark" is on the line. Step Three: Laugh as your unsuspecting friend tries to carry on a conversation with highly agitated hitman-on-the-edge, Jules Winnfield. Note that some clips feature naughty language, so don't go pranking a preschool. (in Movies & Film) |
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| October 5, 2002 |
Stephen Jay Gould Archive
There's  no argument that late paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould was a beautiful mind in the field of evolutionary theory. His legacy is more impressive when you consider he hooked millions of people on the wonders of science, with his more than 20 books. Like astronomer Carl Sagan, Gould made science popular and understandable, challenging us in a common-sense fashion to consider why we look and feel the way we do. For Gould neophytes, this is an excellent introduction to his prolific career. For fans and peers, it's a record of how he coupled rigorous scholarship with accessibility. Thanks to Gould, future generations of evolutionary researchers have a deep well of data from which to draw their own theories and musings. (in Biology) |
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| October 4, 2002 |
Letterboxing North America
Fond  of the outdoors? Love to solve or create puzzles? Have an interest in arts and crafts? If you answered in the affirmative to these queries, Letterboxing might be the perfect pastime for you. Not to be confused with movies accompanied by black bars, this fascinating hobby will enthrall adventure-seekers. Detailed clues lead searchers to hidden boxes located in remote spots around the nation. Once a stash is discovered, the enterprising letterboxer logs the visit in a notebook with a stamp found in the stash, and then returns the favor by stamping the book in the stash with his or her personal mark. This great guide provides help for beginners, an excellent FAQ, and a map of clues to start you on your way. Create your rubber stamp, get out your compass, and start looking -- these fascinating boxes are located from sea to shining sea. (in Outdoors) |
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| October 3, 2002 |
Kinoko-ya
Something  wild and fungi is growing in the forests of Japan, and thanks to master forager Hiroshi Takakashi, we can take a first-hand look. We shouldn't be surprised that Hiroshi, born of a culture of rabid gourmands that spawned the Iron Chef, sniffs out all manner of poisonous and edible shrooms simply because they're beautiful. A toadstool that may look ghastly to most folks is a prized treat in Nagano. An oozy patch of oyster mushrooms uncovered in Urawa city apparently cleans up nicely for traditional egg-drop soup, while a sinuous spire from Fukushima is a rare culinary delight. Even gelatinous goo can be consumed. Walk around the wilds of Japan with Hiroshi and experience other edible mysteries. (in Fungi) |
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| October 2, 2002 |
The Great Pop vs. Soda Controversy
Americans  love their soft drinks. Turns out they also love their pop, soda, and Coke -- it all depends on where you live. Since the introduction of the carbonated beverage in 1886, regional lines have been drawn. This site uses the Web to gather data on which word North Americans use to describe their carbonated drinks. Want a soda? Head to the Northeast. How about a pop? Michigan and Ohio are your best bets. Looking to quench your thirst with a Coke? Get on down to the South. If you order a Coke or a pop at the farthest reaches of the U.S., the residents of Hawaii and Maine will know immediately that you're not from those parts. Check out the site's large map to see the distinct differences in carbonated beverage nomenclature, then take the survey and let the world know what puts the fizz in your glass. (in Food and Drink > Soft Drinks) |
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| October 1, 2002 |
The Gallery of Unfortunate Cards
Unless  your brother enjoys S&M action on his birthday or your sister celebrates a mighty military Christmas, these cards may not be the most appropriate greetings to send your nearest and dearest. But who knows? Perhaps a hippie Santa would suit Uncle Joe? And there's nothing like sending Aunt Rose a racial stereotype for St. Patrick's Day. Choose a Halloween card that's unintentionally scary or one that strikes fear in nobody's heart. Don't miss the wide selection of celebrity birthday cards featuring Elvis, Star Trek, Garfield, Ziggy, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Miami Vice, and William Shakespeare. But please don't laugh at the poor Mutant Pear-Head. He's not bad; he's just drawn that way. (in Humor) |
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| September 30, 2002 |
What's  black, white, and filmed all over? Why pandas, of course. And not just any old pandas, we're talking about the stars of the San Diego Zoo -- Bai Yun and Shi Shi. The live feed from the zoo provides a fun daily diversion that lets you watch the cuddly bears frolic through their domestic habitat in real time. After you've enjoyed the moving images of these large animals basking in the Southern California sun, take a look at some of the resources provided by the zoo, including a highlight gallery, facts, and a special tribute to the departing Hua Mei. For animal lovers, this look at a bear's life shouldn't be missed. |
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