technology filter: Hobbies

Too Weird Not to Post: DIY Wolverine Kit

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:34:45 GMT

Okay, it's not techie, but it sure is geeky. Seems a guy named Nate is both an X-Men super fan and a geek (who'd have thunk it?). So he put his considerable brain cells to work and figured out how to make a working set of Wolverine claws (as well as a matching suit), including claws. A great weekend project that's just in time for Halloween. I just don't want to read about any of you slicing up other trick or treaters, okay?

(via Gizmodo)

Bazaar of the Bizarre: Photogenic Girl Masks

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:43:48 GMT

To weird not to mention. A Japanese sculptor, Natori Satio, is both talented and in need of some strange social interaction. He's devised a new kind of ultra-realistic facial mask for anyone who temporarily wants to turn into a very pretty girl.

Because you need that.

In Japan.

I guess.

(via Gizmodo)

Gift Kit for the Multi-Tool Freak in Your Life

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 18:34:38 GMT

This is a cool gift for the multi-tool geek in your family. Sheffield Tools' multi-tool gift set. A couple of Leatherman-type clones and a portable flashlight--what more could you want?! Especially for $29.95.

Okay, it's Mother's Day first, but hey! There must be Mom's who like multi-tools. If not, then just remember this post for Father's Day.

Or Unappreciated Technology Blogger's Day. I hear Billy G.'s going to make that a formal holiday any minute now.

Really.

Good Indicators to Give Your Daughter Something Other than Barbie This Year

Wed, 07 Dec 2005 17:13:33 GMT

Fat Red-Suited Guy Day has, throughout much of American history, been permeated by daughters throughout this great nation being presented with numerous versions of the highly realistic female paragon: Barbie.

Now normally, this means happy hours of dressing, changing, re-changing, re-re-changing, driving to see Ken, winning beauty pageants and teasing a hopelessly out-leagued GI Joe.

Unfortunately, for some folks, this plastic statuette that first pioneered Pamela Anderson's chest has become more than just a doll. She's become, alternatively a life statement, research inspiration and perhaps even darker things. Check out these links and then think twice about exposing some poor pre-teen to such a twisted world.

The Distorted Barbie: Way dark Thougths on Barbie's lengthy and negative impact on the American psyche.

The Visible Barbie Project: Reseach science, barbie dolls and bandsaws. It's not pretty.

The Barbie Liberation Organization: I think this is what happens when the protesting crowd runs out of causes.

If you're tired of emotion or causes, check out the surprisingly lengthy Wikipedia entry on Barbie. Quite the distinguished history. This entry, by they way, links to the surprisingly in-depth and stunningly boring anthropological analysis of Barbie done by the apparently free-time rich Xah Lee. You'll also find an entire novella, entitled Plastic Fantastic, which includes Barbie, Ken, the author and Santa. (I think. My nose began to bleed whenever I tried to really read it, so light skimming is all I could muster.)

Wikipedia also has a couple of entries on Barbie fetishism, which has a strange concentration on BDSM. This includes an underground movement of folks who spend a lot of time dressing up their Barbies in small leather outfits and posing them. (Yet another example of Web-based "What's Up With That?!")

Modding For Fun and Profit

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 21:36:36 GMT

NewEgg.com has been selling tubes, lights, and just about every other component to PC modders since 2001, but now it is going to give something back. The company is holding a monthy design competition in which a panel of celebrity judges will pick the most creative mods. Then NewEgg will award the winners gift certificates. First place gets $575, second gets $450, and third a respectable $275. In other words, just enough cash to pay for the next mod. Get the rules here.