Blocked

What to write about when you can't think of anything to write about? Writer's block seems to be the subject of the day...

I write about links I've been given or come across in my random wanders around the Internets. So my usual strategy, when nothing I already have is inspiring me, is to go walkabout.

StumbleUpon is great way of doing that of course, but entering something random into Google can take you interesting places too.

So I tried "writer's block", and discovered that everyone has a solution... but I'm not convinced that anyone has a cure.

So instead, I'll give you a song called "Writer's Block". If you can't beat it, ignore it.

Earth fire

I've talked before about the wonders of Virtual Earth. With such detailed images there are bound to be a few anomalies and special points of interest. Many are gathered on Bird's Eye Tourist, a blog dedicated to finds on Virtual Earth. I think my favourite so far is this aeroplane in flight.

But for a moment captured in time, the latest post shows views (depending on the direction chosen) of a house before, during and after a fire.

Wonderous water

Here's an amazing water feature made for Jeep. It's programmed to release water in such precise amounts and with such precise timing, that it forms distinct patterns as it falls. The video is not the best quality, but the effect is stunning none the less.

I've lost Kyrgyzstan again

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit how badly I did in this map game from Rethinking Schools.

I started off quite well, with Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Turkey fitting in nicely. Then I got Pakistan after a bit of confusion as to where India had got to. I knew Afghanistan bordered Pakistan, but it still took two tries. And then Iran, Iraq and Syria fitted in without too many problems.

But then I pretty much got stuck. I figured out where the 'stans should go, but had no idea which was which. I was convinced Saudi Arabia was a small country somewhere, goodness knows why. And I must have tried Libya in every position in the map before finding the right spot.

The only thing this game is missing is a final score. After all, everyone should get there eventually, but how fast? and with how many mistakes?

This is a great way to learn though, at least I should have some idea of where Mauritania is in the future.

p.s. I missed yesterday! Oops! Ah well, the (mostly) unbroken run was never going to last forever.

New phone, new features!

Well, I finally found my new phone (no, I didn't get that one), and that bought to mind one of my favourite articles from my favourite wiki, Uncyclopedia.

This article spawned a wonderful thread on SomethingAwful... got to love it when a joke goes wizzing overhead like that.

"Congratulations, you have passed"

I just took a mock driving theory test on the AA driving school site. And amazingly, I passed! "Amazingly" because I've never driven, have had no lessons, and hadn't even looked at what the test was like before. Is it really that easy?

Some of the questions were just silly:

You want to turn left at a junction. The view of the main road is restricted. What should you do?

A. Stay well back and wait to see if something comes
B. Build up your speed so that you can emerge quickly
C. Stop and apply the handbrake, even if the road is clear
D. Approach slowly and edge out until you can see more

If the theory test is that unscary, guess it's time to book those lessons.

On with the feminist boots

Now here's a conflict... I'm shopping for a phone. I want a clam style phone that's attractive, distinctive, that works well, holds a charge and is tri or quad band. As you can guess, it's not been easy finding The One.

Today I came across the Samsung E570. It looks gorgeous. It comes in pink or a beautiful dark purple, the functionality and stand-by time look good, it has good reviews, it's triband, it's expensive but within range, even the camera is a lot better than most I've been looking at.

So what's stopping me?

This little list of features:

• Pedometer
• Fragrance Type
• Biorhythm
• Height/Weight ratio
• Calories counter
• Shopping list

I've heard of niche marketing but this is amazing. They are marketing this to a stereotype. This thing even has a specific scheduler to monitor your menstrual cycle!

But... oh it's shiny...

Because you can read, and we have a web site.

Here's one that definitely can't be said to be new and exciting. In fact it closed down five years ago. But SatireWire was a jewel of a site, and I wish it were still producing new articles like: Scientist Splits Atom, Finds Toy Prize Inside and Study Finds Women Who Drink Way More Fun To Study.

Or how about the article on the unsuccessful merger of Hinduism and Judaism:

Hinjew leaders today conceded the merger of Hinduism and Judaism has not worked out as planned, as instead of forming a super-religion to fight off the common Islamic enemy, they have instead created a race of 900 million people who, no matter how many times they are reincarnated, can never please their mothers.

Classic stuff.

Geek humour

Another one for the "it's scary I find this funny" file

http://qdb.us/79369

Ah well, I suppose it carries on the hugs theme...

Overdose of cuteness

Just so much cuteness online...

This beautifully 'chopped miniature kitten is probably my all time favourite, but this cat foot comes a close second: