The Webby Awards 2004 - Nominees + April Postings Reprised

   1. The Webby Awards 2004 - Nominees
      < http://www.webbyawards.com/main/webby_awards/nominees.html >

   "Sites are evaluated based on Academy set  criteria (content, structure
    & navigation, visual design, interactivity, functionality and overall
    experience), as well as the panels own definition for the category which
    may include impact."

   Winners will be announced May 12, 2004.  Check the site for past winners
   from 1997 to 2003.


   2. April Postings Reprised

   [April Fool's 2004 - A Roundup]
   * gizmodo.com: Mid-Afternoon April Fool's Roundup
      < http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/midafternoon_april_fools_roundup.php >
   * gizmodo.com: Late Afternoon/Early Evening April Fool's Roundup
      < http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/late_afternoonearly_evening_
          april_fools_roundup.php >
   * "A fine year for April Foolery"
      < http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,62901,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_5 >
   * "Google's April 1 cock-up"
      < http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=15121 >
   "Google's PR department ended up being the April fools when a serious post
    about its new email service was confused with an April 1 joke"

   [And the Winner is ...]
   * 2004 Jefferson Muzzles
      < http://www.tjcenter.org/muzzles.html#twofour >
   Awarded to people who have attempted to limit freedom of speech
   * "Book on punctuation wins award"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2004/04/08/413952-ap.html >
   "A book about punctuation, an unlikely best seller in any year, has won top
    prize at the British Book Awards ceremonies"

   [Ugly Zoo]
   * Human Descent -> Gallery
      < http://www.humandescent.com/index2.shtml >
   The original source for the Ugly Zoo photoshopped gallery?

Help Me, I'm Stuck! II

   1. "Trapped boy rescued from superloo"
      < http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3648633.stm >
   "A young boy had to be freed by the Fire Service after becoming trapped inside
    an automated public lavatory in Devon"

   2. "Pensioner stuck behind toilet for two days"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_891153.html >

   3. "Spanish phone booth takes finger hostage"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1005157.htm >
   "A young woman's middle finger was jammed in a Madrid telephone booth for two
    and a half hours when the unit's security system backfired"

   4. "Child gets stuck in stuffed animal game machine"
      < http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/2746904/detail.html >

   5. "Man trapped for 10 days under organ"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_926514.html >

   6. "Man trapped under mountain of paper"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/12/30/300400-ap.html >
   "A man who says he sells books and magazines on the street was rescued after
    being trapped for two days under a mountain of reading material in his
    apartment"

   7. "Man gets stuck up tree trying to rescue cat"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_845761.html >

   8. "Child gets head stuck in cat flap"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_906793.html >

Take Your Time Part 2 - Late Returns

   1. "Woman returns 94-year-old overdue book"
      < http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030506_483.html >
   "At the 1909 rate of 2 cents per day, the late fine would have amounted to $685.
    But the library directors decided to waive the penalty."

   2. "His tale's one for the book"
      < http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2003/12/06/278459.html >
   "Clearly stamped on an inside page under the imprint of the then-Mallorytown
    Public Library was the due date: Dec. 23, 1909"

   3. "Man returns library book to Malta 42 years late"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_930135.html >

   4. "Worker returns money stolen 23 years ago"
      < http://www.rednova.com/news/stories/5/2003/12/10/story101.html >

   5. "Man gets trombone back after 32 years"
      < http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/nation/8179028.htm >

   6. "How Bill Wyman got his bass back"
      < http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/11/1081621836159.html >
   "For more than 15 years, a teardrop-shaped guitar hung on the bedroom wall of
    New Zealand musician Nick Sceats"

   7. "Lost luggage returns after 24 years"
      < http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/10/1062902113875.html >

   8. "Repaired spectacles turn up 12 years later"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_829408.html >

   9. "Cyclist gets cash refund, 40 years on"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1036859.htm >
   "A wallet lost in southern Sweden more than 40 years ago has been returned to
    its owner, with her cash still in it"

   10. "Wisconsin woman gets purse back year after theft"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_926755.html >

Weird Wedding Ceremonies

   1. "K'Allen and Torsha's Klingon Wedding"
      < http://www2.b3ta.com/mirror/klingonwedding/ >

   2. "Couple has out of this world wedding, Star Wars style"
      < http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=11632 >

   3. "Do you take this Hobbit ..."  [no longer available]
      < http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,5948175%5E13762,00.html >
      Archived at:
      < http://sh1ft.org/archives/00000365.html >

   4. "Russian boxers married in the ring"
      < http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8559817%255E13762,00.html >

   5. "Opposing coaches marry after high school basketball game"
      < http://www.modbee.com/24hour/weird/story/1145520p-7981481c.html >

   6. "Bride wore bikini and worked out at wedding"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_829032.html >

   7. "Weird Weddings" - a Canadian TV documentary
      < http://www.lifenetwork.ca/tv/shows/titledetails/title_68787.asp >
      < http://www.yaletownentertainment.com/weddings/ >

Lost Their Bearings

   1. "Secret Service almost sets up Bush visit to wrong city"  [deleted]
      < http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/politics/2827695/detail.html >

   2. "Ambulance crew ask patient for directions"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_874236.html >

   3. "Car navigation system led tourist into supermarket"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_828633.html >

   4. "Man lost 'in own back yard'"  [broken]
      < http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2666137a4560,00.html >

   5. "Magazine blunder directs walkers over cliff"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_858065.html >

   (a John West post)

The 2004 TV Fugly Awards

   The 2004 TV Fugly Awards
      < http://www.fugly.com.au/awards/2004/ >

   In anticipation of the Logies, last Friday the winners of the 2004 Fugly Awards
   (aka the Fuglies) were announced.  Unlike the Logies, viewers don't have to buy
   a magazine to vote for the Fuglies.

   FAQ
      < http://www.fugly.com.au/faq/ >
   A (brief) history  of the Fuglies:
      < http://www.fugly.com.au/about/history.html >


   Related news item: "Eddie scoops Fuglies"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1088841.htm >

the friday five

      < http://fridayfive.org/ >

   An interesting idea.  Each week (usually) a new set of five questions is
   posted.  People can either post their answers on the friday five site or
   to their own blog.

   Past F5s available at:
      < http://fridayfive.org/past/ >

   A recent F5 that piqued my interest:
      < http://fridayfive.org/comments.php?id=124_0_1_0_C >

   If you...

   1. ...owned a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve?
   Italian - it's what I know best

   2. ...owned a small store, what kind of merchandise would you sell?
   rare/obscure/alternative CDs, with both private and communal listening
   areas, serving non-alcoholic drinks, with internet access of course
   [if anyone does start up such a business, be sure to credit me ;) ]

   3. ...wrote a book, what genre would it be?
   science fiction (initially)

   4. ...ran a school, what would you teach?
   Computer Programming, Economics, and perhaps a subject like "how to think
   for yourself, clearly and critically"

   5. ...recorded an album, what kind of music would be on it?
   non-dance electronica

Child Prodigies / US National High Five Day

   1. "Britain's grade 'A' mathematician - aged eight"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s930435.htm >
   "Eight-year-old Arran Fernandez has become the youngest-ever child to achieve
    a top grade in British exams usually reserved for kids twice his age"

   2. "Six-year-old passes GCSE computer exam"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_824913.html >
   GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education

   3. "Girl, 6, joins Mensa"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_869472.html >

   4. "Reebok signs three-year-old"
      < http://investmentsmagazine.com/ManageArticle.asp?C=20&A=4994 >
   "Reebok has offered to pay the school and college fees of three-year-old Mark
    Walker, an amazing basketball talent"
      "Toddler scores million-dollar basketball deal"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s881987.htm >

   5. "Adu-lation: At 14, Freddy Adu will be U.S. soccer's No. 1 star"
      < http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/8330761.htm?1c >

   6. "Arsenal sign Okocha's seven-year-old nephew"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_869213.html >

   7. "Three-year-old's paintings captures attention of galleries and critics"
      < http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=9237 >
   "Dante Lamb has already created 100 paintings in just two years"

   8. "Girl, 10, gets job as football commentator"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_846299.html >

   9. "Gifted children learn to fly in six months"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_867593.html >
   "Ten gifted children in Holland graduated from pilots' school in just six
    months instead of the standard two years"

   ----

   (US) National High Five Day ... April 15, 2004
      < http://www.nationalhighfiveday.com/ >

They Don't Make Things Like They Used To

   In this age of disposability and planned obsolescence, it seems things are
   not built to last. But maybe it's not the manufacturers' fault.  After all,
   it seems many consumers are all too willing to ditch "old-fashioned"
   appliances and gadgets for the latest and greatest.

   1. "Old Hoover still going strong after 53 years"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_735558.html >

   2. "Great granny still using same iron after 54 years"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_736608.html >

   3. "A 1901 lightbulb still burns bright to this day"
      < http://www.snopes.com/spoons/noose/lightbul.htm >

   My current fridge is about 25+ years old, and the family's old Frigidaire
   finally gave up last year after at least 40 years of service.  Neither
   fridge allow you to surf the net, but why would I want them to when I can
   use my PowerBook?  My mum's colour TV that was bought in 1983 is still
   functioning quite well.

   Here are some articles about how long appliances should last:

   1. "Longevity guidelines help determine whether appliance is worth cost"
      < http://www.detnews.com/entertainment/index.htm >

   2. "Appliance life expectancy"
      < http://allsands.com/Home/appliancelifee_tzm_gn.htm >

   3. "Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment"
      < http://fixitnow.com/appliantology/appliance_life.htm >

MacToons

   Some amusing Flash cartoons.  Best viewed over high-speed connections.

   1. "American iPod"
      < http://www.macboy.com/cartoons/ipod/index.html >
   Parody of both American Idol and Apple's iTunes Music Store ads, starring
   Apple CEO Steve Jobs on vocals.

   2. "Ballmer's iPod"
      < http://www.macboy.com/cartoons/ballmer/index.html >
   Starring Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, celebrating the new Windows-
   compatible iTunes service.  This parody isn't that far removed from
   reality.  To see the real Ballmer in action, go to:
      < http://jokke.dk/media/balmer.html >

   3. "Switch Gates"
      < http://www.macboy.com/cartoons/switch/gates/index.html >
   Parody of Apple's Switch ad campaign, featuring Microsoft Chairman Bill
   Gates.

Ugly Zoo

   Ugly Zoo
      < http://www.olympictrans.ru/fun/img/uglyZoo/ >

   The results of Soviet-era experiments in genetic manipulation?  No, actually
   its an amusing gallery of photoshopped zoo exhibits.

   ----

   I hope you all have a happy and safe Easter break.

And the Winner is ...

   We've had the Oscars and the Grammies, and Australians will soon have to
   endure the Logies.  Here are some awards which are not as well known.

   1. "Jackson siblings named most foolish Americans of 2004: survey"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1077662.htm >

   2. "Bennifer sweep the Razzies"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1055696.htm >

   3. "Damir pips Shane for 'the Warney'"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s929617.htm >

   4. "Get ready for the Awards Awards"
      < http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2004/02/27/363434-ap.html >

   5. "Peter Jackson, David Byrne, Steve Jobs among winners of Wired Magazine
       Rave Awards"
      < http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040315/nym141a_1.html >
      < http://www.raveawards.com/ >

   6. "Waterman beats McGowan in worst grin vote"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_906943.html >

   7. "Beckham's mohican is top sporting hairdo"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_906492.html >

Bryan Berg, Cardstacker / More Decks of Cards

   1. Bryan Berg, Cardstacker
      < http://www.cardstacker.com/ >

   Meet Bryan Berg, who "broke the Guinness World Record for card structures
   in 1992 at the age of seventeen with a tower fourteen feet, six inches tall"

   Check out the Cardstacker Gallery:
      < http://www.cardstacker.com/gallery.html >
      < http://www.cardstacker.com/gallery2.html >


   2. It seems everyone and their four-legged friend is coming out with their
      own "deck of cards"
    * "Political lesson in the cards"  [Russia]
      < http://www.times.spb.ru/archive/times/904/top/t_10421.htm >
   "A game of cards can now become a quick lesson of who's who in Washington
    with the release of a new deck that looks an awful lot like the United
    States' own deck of most-wanted Iraqi leaders"

    * "Rumsfeld is ace of spades in French deck of cards"
      < http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/26/1064083193545.html >
   "US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is the Ace of Spades and al-Qaeda
    chief Osama bin Laden a Joker in a provocative pack of French playing
    cards depicting 'the 52 most dangerous American officials'"

    * "Inside Hamas"
      < http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040405-605511-1,00.html >
   "the Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv printed a deck of cards showing 34 Hamas
    leaders targeted for assassination"

    * "Newt's playing cards publishes deck of cards in support of President Bush"
      < http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/3/emw112830.htm >

    * carol's quips: "My 'hit list' deck of cards"
      < http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2256&dept_id=457704
          &newsid=11133709&PAG=461&rfi=9 >

April Fool's 2004 - A Roundup

   1. The Museum of Hoaxes
    * April Fool's Day Roundup
      < http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/ >
    * April Fool's Day Gallery
      < http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/aprilframe.html >
    * Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time
      < http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/aprilfool2.html >

   2. "Britain's press has its fun on April Fool's Day"
      < http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_908920.html >

   3. Pravda: "10 funniest media jokes on April Fools day"
      < http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/90/363/12398_jokes.html >

   4. "Net hoaxes snare fools all year"
      < http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,62794,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_3 >
   This article mentions some classic web hoaxes, not limited to April 1, including:
    * Snowball, the Monster Cat
      < http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/snowball.html >
    * Dihydrogen Monoxide - DHMO Homepage
      < http://www.dhmo.org/ >

   5. "SCO Sues Al Gore"
      < http://www.sdmagazine.com/documents/s=9120/sdm0404l/sdm0404l.html >
   "Recuperating from the MyDoom virus attack and moving beyond IBM and Novell,
    The SCO Group sets its sights on former Vice President Al Gore for owner-
    ship of the Internet"

   6. "Google Gets the Message, Launches Gmail" - true or not?
      < http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/gmail.html >
      "Google Australia quiet on webmail plan"
      < http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1078997.htm >

   BTW I forgot to mention that March 30 was the 4th anniversary of the B-List.

announcement

   Many of you may be aware that I've been yearning for a slower, more peaceful
   lifestyle for a while.  I've finally decided to do something about it.  I'm
   going to turn my back on what is becoming an increasingly hectic and
   materialistic lifestyle to join the monastic community of Camaldoli, near
   Arezzo, in beautiful Tuscany, Italy.

   One of my first tasks will be to help translate their website into English:
      < http://www.camaldoli.it/en_index.htm >

   I'll have more details on my departure date etc soon.