Etsy.com
Link: http://www.etsy.com/
Etsy is sort of like an Amazon marketplace for the arts and crafts crowd. Specializing in homemade goods Etsy acts as the store front for the individuals who create all sorts of interesting items, most of which are unique. The clean front end makes for a nifty browsing experience. Etsy very sensibly allows users to create a favourites list so that friends and loved ones looking for interesting gifts can find something wanted come birthday, Christmas, Valentine's or some Hallmark-holiday time. As usual, payment is pretty much limited to PayPal but as that service works well it's not really an issue.
On Airline Surcharges
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121137763935210567-lMyQjAxMDI4MTIxMTMyNzE3Wj.html
The link is to a Wall Street Journal piece about American Airlines imposing charges on checked luggage (via Political Animal.) It's a companion piece -- at least in spirit -- to one referenced earlier here which approached the fuel cost issue from the other side: efficiency.
Plant-Crazy
Our new place has a much bigger garden than our previous townhouse.
It did not sink in how much more so until we brought some of our precious plants from the townhouse to the new garden. The chunk of garden at the top of the yard held what was already there, what we brought (minus what we put in the front garden, which was a definite minority), plus other things we bought.
We are in a neighbourhood with a complement of wandering rabbits, so the first thing we were worried about is... what can we put out there without the rabbits eating it? We decided to use this list as a guide, but of course, nothing is totally rabbit-proof. We figure that we will put plants out there as per the guide, as per what's already out there, and whatever we have a lot of that we are willing to risk putting in the front garden.
As it stood, when a rabbit came hopping up to our freshly-planted front garden, it nibbled a dandelion (!), a weedy sedum-looking thing, and then proceeded to just stretch and chill out on the lawn.
Next 419 Scam: Death Threats?
Not content with letting me in on my European lottery winnings, or being a company representative, or helping ousted generals smuggle their money out of foreign countries, they have now outdone themselves with THE DEATH THREAT.
Full text and very slightly blanked out headers below the fold. Looks like there are a few reports like this with drop boxes pointing at gmail, and the source servers also seem to be in Google. That would seem to be gmail, but gmail itself wouldn't be allowing them to change the return-path: and from:, would it?
Ballsy asses, these folks, aren't they?
Google Earth Sightseeing
Link: http://googlesightseeing.com/
For whatever reason, I love maps. Google Earth takes that and raises it few more notches. While browsing around I came across "Google Sightseeing" which is a site dedicated to interesting entries visible via the Google world.
Definitely worth blowing a few hours on this one.
JPod
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/jpod/
The CBC had a very good comedy going this season, JPod, which is basically a reworked version of Douglas Coupland's "Microserfs". Given that Coupland was also involved in this show, I guess that's not really an issue. It's a Canadian show, filmed in Canada, and actually makes no bones about being set in Canada. It's funny, adult, and unsurprisingly, canceled.
However, the complete run is on the CBC's website so go watch it while you can.
(Via Daveberta)
Advertising
Link: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/22/funy-backwards-bus-a.html
I don't think I'd want to get stuck behind this bus.
I Want One (cellphone wristwatch)
Link: http://gizmodo.com/387538/ep2502-cellphone-watch-has-good-looks-waterproofing-and-oled
While I have an extremely nice and tasteful -- albeit conventional -- watch, this little number is strangely appealing.
Yes, more so than an Apple iPhone...
"Repo Man"
I have issues with this soundtrack. I bought it because of the presence of one stunning instrumental, "Reel Ten" by the Plugz. Moody, interesting, twangy. The problem lies in the remainder of what's on the disc.
A hamster wheel with a difference
Link: http://uk.gizmodo.com/2008/05/06/hamsters_get_cars_start_cruisi.html
I don't actually own a hamster, but if I did, I'd buy this set of wheels for it.
Le Doh
While browsing Amazon recently, I found a Barbara Hambly book I'd previously been unaware of called "Fendragon". Being a major Hambly fan, I ordered it in excitement and it finally turned up today. Yay!
LOLgrues
Link: http://www.eblong.com/zarf/lolgrues/
Following on from the Infocom post (and indeed the earlier LOLwhatevers one), I give you LOLgrues. You can now die happy (in the pitch black.)
Pure Moods
The "Pure Moods" series from Virgin is a real mishmash of styles and artists. Comprised of the like-named "Pure Moods" (one through four) and "Pure Moods: Celestial Celebration", the albums are linked by a feeling -- a "mood" I suppose -- but it feels more like a compilation someone threw together because he liked the individual songs.
