J-Walk Blog: December 06, 2004 Archives

6 December, 2004

Retro BBQ

A 1956 Barbecue Book from Better Homes & Gardens. I can't believe this guy is cooking without wearing a tie!

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Plain English Awards

The Plain English Campaign presents its annual awards.

Each year, we present awards for clear -- and baffling -- use of English. The 2004 awards will take place on Monday 6 December (Plain English Day).

Donald Rumsfeld was a winner last year, with this statement:

"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know."

Posted on 6 December, 2004

California Plates

A site devoted to California license plates: CALPL8S.

This web site graphically documents modern California license plates, from 1956 to the present, through the use of actual plates in my personal collection.

They still issue these for vehicles made before 1923, or older than 1965 with a 16-cylinder engine.

(Thanks Huna)

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Coupons 4 U

This site has a bunch of coupons that may save you a few dollars: WOW Coupons.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Putting The X In XMas

From Newsweek: Religion: The Birth of Jesus.

A NEWSWEEK Poll found that 84 percent of American adults consider themselves Christians, and 82 percent see Jesus as God or the son of God. Seventy-nine percent say they believe in the virgin birth, and 67 percent think the Christmas story -- from the angels' appearance to the Star of Bethlehem -- is historically accurate.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Your Portrait

Select the parts, put them all together, and make a picture of yourself: Portrait Illustration Maker. Here's me:

I probably could have done a better job is I'd spent more than two minutes on it.

(Thanks Perri)

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Is This You?

Found pictures on display: Is This You?

We've been collecting these pictures for some years now. they come from photobooths and pavements all over the UK.

the isthisyou project was born out of a simple question: is it possible to reunite these images with their owners?

This one was found on the Number 26 bus, near the open market in Brighton. Is it you?

(Thanks Mashuk Reza)

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Alexis Trepanier's Resume

An interactive resume.

(Thanks Doug Nelson)

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Vinyl Rescue Mission

They do good work at Our Lady of Perpetual Obsolescence.

Vinyl rescue mission and orphanage... A safe haven where forgotten and unwanted vinyl record albums find solace.

The album shown here is from the Dance Addicts Wing.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Bush Ornament Sold Out

If you haven't already ordered your George W. Bush Christmas Ornament, I have bad news. They are sold out, and no more are expected until after Christmas. Sorry.

And they were only $49.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Gingerbread Patterns

If you need to create a gingerbread house, here are some Gingerbread Patterns.

Looks like a lot of work.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Mobile Homes By State

Here's a handy map that shows the percentage of mobile homes by state.

Of the nearly 9 million mobile homes in the U.S., the majority are in the South. South Carolina and New Mexico have the highest proportion, according to a recent analysis by the U.S. Census Bureau. For sheer numbers, Florida and Texas lead the pack.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Old TV Commercials

Dozens of TV commercials from the '80s.

You can download, watch, and save all your favorite commercials from the 80s, ranging in topic from action figures to breakfast cereal to public service announcements starring Pat Sajak. The Clapper? It's here. Masters of the Universe? We got it. The Amazing Diolight? I've got no idea what it is, but yeah, that's here too.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Gift Idea

For the person who has everything: Smoking Donkey.

Cute plastic donkey that stores your cigarettes, then makes them magically appear out of its bum, by simply pressing its ears.

Currently out of stock.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Selling His Stuff

Welcome to All My Life For Sale...

... project that explores how identity is shaped by every object that one person owns.

Each thing is described and then sold in an on-line auction. By telling the story of an item and selling it to the highest bidder, it's true emotional and financial value is discovered.

Shown here is one of the items current on eBay -- a red ketchup squeeze bottle. Starting bid = $1.00. So far, no bids.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Christmas Lights

Do you think maybe they went a bit overboard with the decorations?

This photo is from the Ugly Christmas Lights site.

This site is here to show those houses where the residents are likely celebrating a happy holiday, but have no sense of decency in how they choose to celebrate. We will show the garish, the ugly, the weird. For your own sake, and the sake of your neighbors, do not try this at home.

Posted on 6 December, 2004

Automatic Dog Fetch Machine

Too busy to play fetch with your dog? Get a Go Dog Go fetch machine.

Your dog's a big ball of energy and you're well, not. But you can still give your pooch the exercise and playtime he deserves with GoDogGo. Think of it as your pet's own personal playmate--that's ready to play whenever he is. Just use the remote control to set the unit to your dog's own ability-- set launch distance from 15-30 feet and launch times every 7-15 seconds. Your dog's gonna love you for this!

Posted on 6 December, 2004