January 2008
Utilikilts →
Who says skirts on men can’t be practical?
Nice to see that kilts have extended beyond the traditional plaid, embracing khaki, camo and even denim designs. It’s not too early to start ordering to make sure you get yours in time for the Spring 2008 renaissance faire season.
Best 6 Links: It Ain’t No Skirt, Ye Precious Thing! Utilikilt Has A Pretty Funny License Agreement...
Instapaper →
A bare-bones bookmarking tool for those too busy to read.
A nifty little tool from one of the guys behind Tumblr. Yes, we know bookmarking technology isn’t exactly ground-breaking; Instapaper just does it more elegantly than anyone else.
Best 8 Links: Read Later 2 Problems, 1 Solution Looks Real Nice on the iPhone, Too Marco: “I wrote Instapaper because I needed it myself.” This is Gonna...
Nude Models on Strike →
Italy’s art models are going on strike and asking for better pay and better working conditions.
And they’re raising awareness of what a thankless job posing nude for the sake of art is. We might be more sympathetic to their cause if they were actually protesting in the nude.
Best 5 Links: Video on CNN.com - Nude Models on Strike Report Protestors INCLUDE MALES! Anna Elisa Fattori...
The TSA Blog →
Everyone’s least-favorite transportation authority is trying to reach out to the bloggers.
Will the TSA write about how fun it is to blog, then about their day, then about this boy they met? Will they eventually start doing those “sorry we haven’t posted in a while” entries? A nation waits breathlessly to find out.
Best 6 Links: Great Name! Welcome to: Evolution of...
Lit Endorsements →
Toni Morrison and Alice Walker get behind Obama; Maya Angelou, Anne Rice and John Grisham support Clinton.
Because having macho men endorse your campaign just isn’t enough.
Best 6 Links: Two Literary Greats Do Battle, With Crappily Written Endorsements Why Anne Rice is All “Hillary ‘08!!” Toni Morrison On Board the Obama Express Angelou Defies Oprah, Supports Hillary John Grisham...
Jerry Springer: The Opera →
The opera based on the trashy TV talk show gets rave reviews as it opens in NYC this week.
This opera represents everything that America stands for. Our cheeks are flushed with pride.
Best 8 Links: Lowbrow Topic, Gorgeous Orchestrations! Review: “Despicable, debasing, disgusting, degrading, dehumanizing, revolting, repugnant, repulsive, frightful” etc etc you get the idea Reviewer Says It...
Nuvifone →
Garmin, a company that makes GPS devices, enters the smartphone ring with the Nuvi.
The one thing this touch-screen celly holds over the iPhone is that it’s not an iPhone.
Best 8 Links: Ballsy Move on Garmin’s Part Official Website of the Garmin Nuvifone GPS-Maker Also Makes Cell Phones? I Love Garmin, But What Does This Have that My Blackberry Doesn’t? Garmin unveils Nuvi...
IKEA Flatpack Homes →
IKEA has become Britain’s newest property developer, offering their flatpack BokLok homes to the public.
Putting together a desk last week made us want to tear our hair out, but thankfully, these houses are already pre-built.
Best 6 Links: BoKlok Official Website - See Photos and Floorplans From Guardian UK: “Where an Englishman’s home is his Bo Klok” IKEA Seeks to Solve British Housing...
Heath Ledger "Drug Tape" →
Insider and Entertainment Tonight pull back from airing “shocking” footage of Ledger talking about drugs at a party in Hollywood.
Stretched connection alert: The party was at the same bungalow were John Belushi OD’ed! In the footage, Heath apparently refers to having smoked a lot of weed in the past. OMG! Both Insider and ET aired sensational teasers last night, then released...
Samantha Sidley →
American Idol contestant is actually cute and sort of crushworthy.
Her band’s MySpace page alludes that Samantha might be more Cat Power than Diva Duets.
Best 6 Links: MySpace.com - Alex & Sam’s Band She’s Adorable But Insecure (Which Makes Her Even More Adorable?) Samantha Sings Norah Jones Well, Although Not Spectacularly I have a crush on Samantha Sidley Samantha Sidley...
Madonna, Auteur →
Madonna heads to the Berlin Film Festival next week to screen her directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom.
It’s reportedly a musical comedy featuring Russian immigrants, gypsy punks, lap dancing, dominatrixes, ballet, and cultural revolution. Further showing hubbie Guy Ritchie he’s not the only filmmaker in the family, Madge also just produced the upcoming documentary I Am Because We...
BuzzFeed Updates For 01/30/2008 →
Vampire Weekend - NYC band makes endearingly wordy pop. Vampire Weekend - The Buzz, The Band, The Movie Trailer: Vampire Weekend derived their moniker from lead singer Ezra Koenig’s amateur film of the same name Crusher - A invite-making site that doesn’t suck. Why Don’t More People Make Videos Invites for Their Parties? Be Kind Rewind - A new trailer for Michel Gondry’s...
Slum Tourism →
Travel guru Arthur Frommer issues a call to slumming.
Sort of like dark tourism, but instead of visiting places of tragic world-historical importance, you stop by the overlooked neighborhoods of the poor.
Best 7 Links: Rich White People Need To Get Out More Note: Harlem’s Not Actually A Slum Since The Yuppies Started Moving In “We should at least spare them the ignominy of being reduced...
Muscle-Man Endorsements →
Every political candidate needs a beefcake mascot.
We’ve got Hulk Hogan for Obama, Ric Flair and Chuck Norris for Huckabee, and Stallone for McCain. But are these burly machomen any match for Hillary’s porndorsements?
Best 8 Links: Huck and Chuck - Featured on BuzzFeed YouTube - Chuck Norris and Huckabee in a New Macho Ad Watch the TMZ Video of Hulk Hogan Endorsing Obama Ric Flair...
Yoli Pena →
This promising young female boxer is also a model.
Here’s one reason to follow female boxing! And also the fact that most female boxers are ex-exotic dancers.
Best 4 Links: Watch a Clip: She’s a Model and a Boxer YouTube - R2R Profiles Yoli the Boxer News Story: “Aspiring 19-Year-Old Boxer Promising After 2 Fights” Boxer, Model, Promoter, Full-time Student - Yoli Will Succeed at...
Plane On A Treadmill →
Can a plane take off from a conveyor belt that is moving in the opposite direction at the same speed as the plane?
It’s the question of our time. Most people feel pretty strongly about the answer, yay or nay, but MythBusters will finally attempt to answer it with a real plane and a real treadmill in an episode tonight.
Best 8 Links: Mythbusters Sneak Peek Of Plane on A Conveyer Belt...
Ducati Desmosedici RR →
The superbike of choice for thrill-seekers and OT-VII’s everywhere.
Yes, it’s a $72,000 motorcycle made of titanium and capable of reaching speeds up to 200 m.p.h. But owning one puts you instantly in Tom Cruise’s vicinity - only 1,500 were made, and he got the first one - which means he might put his ethics on you.
Best 6 Links: Tom Cruise, Lucky Man, Gets The First...
Hamlet 2 →
British comedic chameleon Steve Coogan’s movie comes out on top at Sundance, garners buzz and investors.
With the rising success of quirky comedic actors like Michael Cera, all Coogan needs to do is steer clear of Carlos Mencia and he could very well become the second funniest person in America.
Best 11 Links: Focus Features Acquires ‘Hamlet 2’ The Breakout Star Of Sundance...
Hawaii Chair →
Chair simulates hula allowing you to exercise while at your desk.
Finally, a workout that combines lewd movements and sitting on your ass. All we need now is a coconut sports bra.
Best 5 Links: “Finally: An Exercise Chair For Lazy, Horny Workaholics” Ellen DeGeneres Tries Hawaii Chair Hawaii Chair Official Webpage Hula Workout Should Improve My Blogging Prepare to Lose Pounds, Self-respect
Daniel Edwards →
The shock-sculptor (past works have included Britney giving birth and Paris deceased) unveils his latest work: “The Oprah Sarcophagus.”
Edwards has successfully made it a requirement to include the modifying phrase “controversial” before using his name in print. Another upcoming work is a statue of the fallen race horse Barbaro in Central Park, in which the horse’s...
Anna Loginova →
A Russian model who started a bodyguard agency was killed in a carjacking.
We’re pretty sure her legacy will live on in made-for-TV movie, or maybe a new series on FX.
Best 6 Links: News Story: “Russia’s Most Famous - and Glamorous - Female Bodyguard Killed As Her Porsche is Carjacked in Moscow” Anna Saves Others, But Couldn’t Save Herself Moral of the Story - Don’t...
Optimus Maximus Keyboard →
A Russian-designed computer keyboard made up of tiny OLEDs is fetching $2000 and up on eBay.
You can customize this keyboard to use any language, including HTML and math functions. Which sounds awesome, considering that typing out all those umlauts and upside down question marks really slows down our IMing.
Best 11 Links: The eBay Auction Listing The Official Website - Preorder Here Hands On...
Vibrating Tampons →
These aren’t actually available on the mass market yet, but we see that someone has filed a patent for them.
Since you can’t buy them, these would make the perfect DIY project for your tampon craft club. That time of the month never felt so good. (Thanks for the tip!)
Best 5 Links: YouTube - PSA for Vibratamps Clever Couple Makes Their Own Vibrating Tampon This Rules! But Where Do I...
To-Do Tattoo →
A temporary tattoo for the lists you write on your hands.
For all you Getting Things Done adherents, this may be your most immediate possible action list - always at hand.
Best 4 Links: Now You Won’t Forget That Doctor’s Appointment to Get That Rash Checked Out This Would Be Useful if You Had Memory Loss Like the Guy in “Memento” “May I suggest your first item on your list. BUY A...
BuzzFeed Updates For 01/29/2008 →
Vampire Weekend - NYC band makes endearingly wordy pop. What to Expect From the Upcoming Vampire Weekend Backlash Bike Polo - The old game is having a modern renaissance. On Steely Steeds, Whacking Lower East Side Style magibon / MRirian - One of the most popular profiles on YouTube features videos of a young girl named “magibon” or “MRirian” staring bashfully into a...
Radio-Controlled Contraceptives →
Scientists have developed a radio-controlled contraceptive valve to control the flow of semen to the penis.
Finally a minimally invasive and fully reversible vasectomy. Done with a hypodermic needle in a ‘special clinic,’ the procedure involves inserting a valve into the sperm duct that can be deactivated by your doctor via radio-control. If only we could program correspond with...
Soap Sheets →
Shaving cream, shampoo, and body wash in the form of sheets you can carry safely onto airplanes.
They come in really cute little packages, which makes them worth having even if you’re not an international jetsetter.
Best 6 Links: How Well Do These Sheets Work? “Passengers Only” Reviews On-The-Go Soap Sheets from Two’s Company Come in Cute Passport Booklets Buy Soap Sheets that Come...
Cheeseburger In A Can →
The title sort of tells you everything you need to know.
We can only hope this canned cheeseburger - it’s real; brought to you by the Swiss outdoor goods maker Katadyn - is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of new canned foods. Canned pizza is something we can all get behind.
Best 5 Links: The German Product Page: “Nur 3,95 Euro / Dose!” This is the Best of Times, This is the Worst of...
Well-Designed '08 Campaign Posters →
In an election cycle that has included the latest from YouTube, the art of the political poster is not dead.
Obama isn’t just Ted Kennedy’s choice: Designers seem to like him, too. And Kucinich, and Ron Paul.
Best 8 Links: Obama Has A Posse, Too Obama Coast-To-Coast Poster in Chicago Obama Can See Into Your Soul It’s Simple: OBAMA Maybe With More Good Designs, Kucinich Would...
Kira Plastinia →
15-year-old fashion mogul is like the more well-respected Russian Nicky Hilton.
As long as she’s not looking up to Paris Hilton as a role model, she might actually have a promising future ahead of her. Expect 10 stores to open in the NY and LA area in early 2008.
Best 8 Links: Russian 15-year-Old is a High School Student and Fashion Mogul See the Clothing for Yourself Kira...
Silence of The Lambs Toys →
Toy company Diamond Select announced a set of figurines based on the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs.
Just in time for Valentines Day! This set of figures includes Clarice Starling, Dr Lector, Buffalo Bill with signature death moth, and Hannibal the Cannibal complete with removable straight jacket and trademark mask and gurney.
Best 4 Links: “It Rubs Lotion on Its Minimates, or Else It Gets...
Balloon Art →
It’s time for the annual Balloon Twisters Convention.
We never considered taking up twisting balloon animals as a hobby, but we have high hopes that it could be the new knitting.
Best 8 Links: Balloon Twisters Convention: The Official Website Check Out Tons of Photos of the Creative Balloon Art at the Convention A Recap of all the Funny Balloon Art Amazing Balloon Art !! Watch: A...
Keely Shaye Smith →
Pierce Brosnan’s wife is getting the Jennifer Love-Hewitt treatment as photos of her in a bikini surface.
People get older, and people gain weight. The blogosphere seems to just now be coming to terms with that fact.
Best 7 Links: Part of the “Real Women of Hollywood” Trend? Keely Shaye-Smith Biography Plus Photos Pierce Brosnan Shows Off Bikini-clad Wife - See Photos We’d Say the...
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox →
A new documentary about the man behind Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox explores the life of Dr. Emanuel Bronner, who - after losing his parents in the Holocaust and escaping from a mental institution - went on to create the peppermint infused multi-purpose soap that has become ubiquitous at health food stores. The film explores Bronner’s family life and...
Norovirus →
A highly contagious stomach bug that will lay you out for 2 days, also charmingly known as the “winter vomiting bug.”
First Scott had it, then Emma, Tam (and her parents) and Jonah. Now Andrea. The norovirus is “in” in 2008.
Best 9 Links: Meet The Norovirus Andrea Harner: I’ve been attacked by Norovirus The Norovirus Has Its Very Own Site! Natalie Angier Writes...
Tom Cruise Parody Videos →
The leaked Tom Cruise video has spawned a cottage industry of imitators.
Some are brilliant, some are bizarre, some prove that it takes more than donning a black turtleneck and laughing maniacally to be funny, and one proves that self-parody is the best kind of parody.
Best 12 Links: Tom Cruise in “Magnolia” - Seduce & Destory (NSFW) Jerry O’Connell Makes Us Laugh Inside Bringing a...
Smurf Porn →
An NSFW video surfaces of real life smurfs engaging in sexual acts. It’s in Spanish and the official title is “Smurf F*ckfest.”
Just as we were complaining about how incredibly boring the internet has been the last week or so, we stumble across this link. Everything suddenly seems right in the world again.
Best 5 Links: Watch it: The Smurf F*ckFest This Video Is Hands-Down the...
BuzzFeed Updates For 01/28/2008 →
Serbian Tennis - Serbian players are hot, both on the court and in person. Why Those Serb Players Are Soooo Good The Moment Of Truth - A new game show from Fox will pit contestants against a lie detector. When Will We Get the Celebrity Edition? magibon / MRirian - One of the most popular profiles on YouTube features videos of a young girl named “magibon” or “MRirian”...
Ice Breakers Pacs Look Like Drugs →
Hershey’s is stopping production on candy they say looks too much like street drugs.
After catching flack from police and teachers for creating a breath freshener that glamorizes drug use, Hershey decided to pull Ice Breakers Pacs. Joining the ranks of bubblegum cigarettes, we’ll now have to look for ‘dime bags of freshness’ on the black market.
Best 12 Links: Hershey...
Sex Advice For Virgins →
Bloggers tackle the problem of virgin ignorance.
It’s true that there are a few things we wished we knew the first time. We hope the internet can spare others the shameful missteps/burning sensations we had.
Best 5 Links: For Guy Virgins: Basic Things No One Told Me About Sex For the Lady Virgins Out There: 5 Things You Need to Know 26-Year-Old Virgin Feels Insecure Two Virgins Planning...
MHC →
The major histocompatibility complex, MHC, might be the scent of love.
The MHC is a large gene family that controls the immune system and reproduction. A recent study reveals that women prefer men whose MHC is most different from their own, which they can tell through smell. Paula Abdul was right: Opposites do attract!
Best 7 Links: Major Histocompatibility Complex: “a Large Genomic Region Or...
Fictional Band T-shirts →
T-Shirts of fictional bands from movies and television.
It seems fictional bands may have just as many fans in the real world as fictional sports teams. A proud tradition that probably started with the classic Citizen Dick shirt from Singles, the legacy continues with shirts from bands we remember from My So Called Life, Full House, Doug, The Office, Can’t Hardly Wait, and Bill and...
The Root →
Newsweek’s new online black webzine is calling itself “Slate for black readers.”
The site is a one-stop shop for DNA ancestry mapping and Malcolm Gladwell thinkpieces.
Best 7 Links: “The Root” Manages to Tie in the DNA Ancestry Market The Official Press Release The Root - The Official Website To the Media - Expand Your Coverage! The Involvement of Henry Louis Gates Gives This...
Paramount Vantage →
Our new favorite art house movie company.
Don’t believe us? Recent releases include No Country For Old Men, Into The Wild, A Mighty Heart, Margot At The Wedding and There Will Be Blood.
Best 5 Links: Paramount Vantage - Official Site Paramount Vantage Gets Sundance Buzz for Getting “American Teen” Paramount Vantage Picks Up 19 Oscar Nominations Paramount Vantage - The Specialty Film...
Heartache Leave →
A Japanese company decides to offer its employees paid time off after bad break-ups.
We’re all for expanding the definition of paid time off. Other suggestions: Hangover Leave, Catching Up On The Wire Leave, I Need A Sandwich Leave.
Best 4 Links: Time Off For Broken Hearts People Over 30 Get More Days Off For Heartbreak (Sadface) “It’s tougher for women in their 30s” Especially...
Marijuana Vending Machines →
They now exist in Los Angeles.
We thought the Japanese really had the leg up on vending machines, but marijuana vending machines are one of those things that make us proud to be an American.
Best 5 Links: AVM’s Are the New Soda Machines You Still Need a Prescription, Unfortunately YouTube - Medical Marijuana Vending Machine News Report Time To Get a Weed ATM Card “the Pharmacists in LA...
NKOTB Reunion →
The seminal boy band of the 80s is reportedly planning a reunion tour.
A lot of bands have been reuniting (MBV, Led Zeppelin), but finally, one that we actually care about! We were also happy to discover that the video for “The Right Stuff” has aged pretty well - check out Jordan’s Bauhaus t-shirt! (Thanks for the tip, Pete!)
Best 7 Links: Blogger Ponders the Power of NKOTB...
Obama and the Teleprompter →
Ever since his 2004 keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama has won praise for his eloquence, even earning comparisons to Martin Luther King.
But as Karl Rove and others have observed, Obama is the only candidate relying on a teleprompter, which makes all that “yes, we can” stuff feel a bit… calculated.
Best 8 Links: Andy Martin Says Barack Obama Is...
Monome →
Monome is a small Philadelphia-based hardware company that makes controllers for electronic music performance and new media art.
These super cool MIDI controllers look like they could launch space rockets or something.
Best 7 Links: One of the Best New Interfaces - You Have to Watch the Video to “Get” It YouTube - The Demo Video A Compilation of Songs All Performed using a Monome YouTube -...
The War On Scientology →
A group of online hackers openly threatens Scientology.
Forces have aligned to unite anonymous hackers and the media (helped along by Nick Denton’s balls) in a huge PR blitz against the Church of Scientology in the last week, including protests and DDoS attacks on the Scientology web site, with more fun to come.
Best 12 Links: We Are Anonymous: Message to Scientology Anonymous Hackers...