tumbledry

A Truly Portable ‘Tripod’

A Truly Portable ‘Tripod’ - It’s basically a lump of beans used to stabilize your camera. However, I can see myself using it, as it would allow a camera to be set on the ground, but aimed.

Bikes: Twilight Zone

I left the athletic building and went to unlock my bike today. It’s a Mongoose mountain bike of some sort - not flashy enough to attract the attention of thieves, but certainly rugged enough to bike around town and traverse the occassional rock garden. Regardless, I did a double take when I went to unlock my trusty bike from the bike rack today.

There was an identical bike next to it. I mean, what the heck. Same color, size, same model, and same handlebars - I had had those handlebars put on specially because they were straight instead of the stock curved ones. You know, you think you are unique with your choice of bike and then, out of nowhere, somebody is rockin’ the identical set of wheels. Girls, think of how you feel when you show up to a formal dance in the exact same dress as someone else. You’d rather not be connected by association with some random hoodlum who picked up the same item as you. Yet, you can’t condescendingly criticize their choice since … you made the same one. At least you know you look better than they do.

So, Mr. (Ms.) St. Thomas Mongoose Rider, let’s paint our bikes different colors or … you buy a new one or something. Alternatively, if anyone ever targets my bike, there’s a good chance they’ll get the wrong one (yours). Ha! That said, I’ll just go on being a lemming today.

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Original

Original

The poster before it was put on the ceiling (which proved extraordinarily difficult).

Assembly

Assembly

Movie: The Constant Gardener

Whether I realize it or not, I have become accostomed to a certain pace of movies. That is, the viewer sees the main thrust of the story within x minutes. Naturally, I do not know when x is, but I know when a movie stretches out that time, as The Constant Gardener did. The movie is a hybrid love-story and espionage story (love stories mixed with things have been popping up lately, given my recent review of Jacket …), and it’s also one that you may not like right away. Characters put you off, mislead you, seem to be much more or much less than they are. The distinction of good and evil on the character level is very blurry, making you second-guess everyone’s words and actions. However, the more global good/evil battle in the movie is a very clear one, and gives the movie a good framework on which to hang these characters’ stories.

All that said, I would watch it again. Though, if you had asked me right away, I would have said I could care less about seeing The Constant Gardener again. I think my change of heart is due to this being a smart movie, one that sticks in your head, and hits deep emotions without silly acoustic music walking scenes or unrealistic speeches. It is consistently (emphasis on consistently, given some movies’ trying to be everything to everyone) subtle, quick-paced, and twisting. It’s no “everyone is out to party for a long weekend” movie, but it is a great “weekend evening thought provoking” show. Highly recommended.

Rose Poster

Rose Poster

110 sheets of paper were used to blow up an image from previously in this photo gallery.

Blurred Trees

Blurred Trees

Backpack that Charges Your Cell Phone

Backpack that Charges Your Cell Phone - This takes the up-and-down movement of the load in your backpack and translates it into up to 7 watts of electrical energy. This makes so much sense for college students and city dwellers.

Stonehenge Watch

Stonehenge Watch - A watch that is a sundial. Who wouldn’t want one?

Hair Washing

What a bizarre thought that passed through my head but … does everyone wash their hair second in the shower? What I mean is, I always wash myself first, and then wash my hair. It has always made sense to do things that way, but it’s one of those things in life that just makes you wonder, do I have any compelling reason (heck, any reason at all) to do it this way? Do other people think it sacrilege to wash hair first? Honestly, though, I hope there aren’t too many things in my life that I do simply because I have always done them that way, it would be an “unexamined life,” to quote Socrates. I do things like drive on the right side of the road not on the left, sleep at night not during the day, and wear socks with shoes all for very good reasons … I guess I will try to make sure I have reasons for most everything.

Also, posts like this give the blogs a bad name. E.g. (this kid actually wrote about washing hair!)

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