Viewing Category: Shiny Things
Via my sister's blog: Build your own office out of these $12.95 construction kits! Future game development slaves, here's your chance to experience life in the fast lane!
You can buy them at Archie McPhee, "Outfitters of Popular Culture since 1980". This being my first visit, I was quite charmed by the selection of "Enlightenment"-themed novelty products, arranged by major religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Elvis. Back in my college days I used to quiz one of my roommates about the rules of kashrot; now I can relive that by playing Kosherland:
Don't get stuck in the honey or mix meat with milk, you'll have to wait a turn! But, if you eat Matzah on Passover or say the blessing of "Hamotz" for your bread, you get to jump ahead!
Just in time for Passover!
One of these days I plan on actually trying to noodle with music, but I've finally accepted that it's one of those things that I need to take lessons for to get started. However, as this realization occured just last week, it hadn't prevented me from already acquring a number of musical instruments already. In the electronic category is a piece of software from a company that I just like: Swedish software developer Propellerheads. They released a software-only synth studio called Reason back in 2001 that, unlike a lot of music software, was rock solid stable. It came in a cool box with cool packaging, ran on both Mac and PC without apology, and was packed with cool samples. It easily replaces ten thousand dollars worth of studio gear, for about 300 bucks, and it's all virtual.
Since then, virtual instruments have become pretty mainstream, but I'm excited to see the Propellerhead is still pushing out their product. I have a copy of Reason that I've never really used, music n00b that I am. The GUI is very pretty, too, filled with exciting simulated LCDs, brushed metal, and knobs.
I know a number of otherwise perfectly fine people who have not mastered the art of the first person shooter. In the occassional office tournament, the competition tends to get rather one-sided. Now, finally, Doom: The Boardgame levels the playing field.
For those of you who didn't experience the debut of the most frightening computer game ever that fateful December in 1992, this board game downplays the need for lightning reflexes in favor of comforting plastic figurines and cards! Check it out:
In Doom: The Boardgame, demonic invaders have broken through from another dimension into the Union Aerospace Corporation’s Mars base. Marines have been deployed to the base to protect UAC personnel and destroy the invaders. Up to three players will take the roles of heavily armed and highly trained marines, while one player will control the legion of demonic invaders.In the game, the marine players explore the claustrophobic rooms and corridors of the Mars base, attacking monsters, picking up new weapons and equipment, and working together to complete specific mission objectives.
The shocking thing is that describes Doom pretty well (except for the working together part perhaps). The devil is in the details, I guess.
There isn't a whole lot of info on the site yet, so I'm not sure if I should be mocking or applauding this whole idea. I hope it's not a hoax...we need this! Via Slashdot.
My sister sent me an authentic Joyce Chen "Dumplings Plus" non-stick plastic dumpling press. Makes Postickers! Empanadas! Kreplachs! Poroshki! Raviolis! and Pasties! I have no idea what these last things are, but you can make them quicky and easily! It's a plastic form that allows you to crimp perfect dumplings. Can't wait to try it. Pictures later.
Since Sis likes themes, she included a Pocket Guide to Dim Sum, with a picture of every dish and a pronunciation guide. It's awesome... I had been toying with doing something like this myself with some friends, but now we can just concentrate on eating.
Lastly, she included Volume 1 of Iron Wok Jan. So far it's great...and no crotch shots yet either.
When I first saw these goggles, I immediately felt the urge of become a properly-accessorized mad scientist. With these goggles, surely I could rule the world! But I was with friends and was self-conscious about admitting this publically. So I passed them up.
That was a big mistake. Re-introduced to them by my sister (who's so much cooler than I), I was again consumed with consumer desire, only to find that they're sold out online and at every store we've tried. My sister suggested that the harry potter quidditch goggles might be OK, but both she and I knew that they were a poor substitute for fine german engineering (I may be assuming too much here...they're probably all made in the same factory in China). The store people say there will be more goggles in December in time for Christmas, but I wanted them for Halloween! And right away! Now!
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