Smart Phones Foster Dumb Habits Among Pedestrians

Don't tell me that you have never done this, or encountered stupid pedestrian walking along and busy looking at their smart phones for something. This news article describes such act of silliness by many pedestrians who should know better.

I have a smart phone, and yes, I do read my messages and sent e-mail/text message with it. But still, I really do not understand at all this obsession with using cell phones while in the middle of doing other things. The writer in that news article described people walking on the sidewalk while using their mobile devices. While that's bad (and can even be dangerous if that person doesn't pay attention to the traffic), another highly annoying location for such a habit is in the grocery store. Most of the people who are also on their mobile devices are totally oblivious to their surroundings while they are either texting or yapping away on their cell phones. This results in them or their carts blocking the aisle, or them moving slower than a turtle along an aisle, causing a backup behind them.

As we all would want to know, WHAT IS SO DAMN IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAN'T EITHER STEP ASIDE AND FINISH YOUR CALL, OR DO THIS ANOTHER TIME?

The only justice here is that one would hope that such a person would be inconvenienced by another cell phone addict .. but then again, he/she probably won't notice because he/she will be busy using a mobile device.

Zz.

The Marvels of Singapore Airport

I mentioned earlier about the amazing amenities and facilities at Singapore's Changi Airport that would put the majority of major US airports to shame. Today, a CNET article are extolling the same praises for this airport.

You can test Microsoft's new Kinect motion controller, sit and rest in front of a 103-inch plasma TV, charge any number of mobile devices, shop for Rolexes, Hermes scarves, expensive Scotch, and the latest best-sellers, even see an exhibit of the 600 daily flights out of Changi, each represented by an individual paper airplane.

And lest I get too rapturous about the bathrooms here, I'd also scoff at your skepticism about this idea: it may actually be worth flying half-way around the world for a shower. For, those staying in the airport overnight can book a room in its transit hotel which, other than being a featureless motel-like experience right inside the terminal (no passport control needed), offers what I say confidently was one of the three best showers of my life. And not only because I'd just spent 19 hours on an airplane to get there.

In short, while I would never choose to spend 18 hours in an airport, I can't think of one where I'd rather do so than Changi. Clearly, the Singaporeans--who are very humorless about things like gum (you can't chew it in the small city-state) and drugs (the immigration form makes it clear that smugglers will be put to death)--want those who have to spend a few hours in their airport to be comfortable, entertained, and have no shortage of things on which to spend their hard-earned dollars (either American or Singaporean).

There you have it!

Zz.

Jeff Dunham's "Identity Crisis" Tour

OK, just got back from a hilarious evening at a Jeff Dunham performance at the All State Arena outside of Chicago. It was hysterical, as expected. Here are a few brief summary/comments of the show:

1. I was surprised to hear the news that Dunham is now divorced from his wife. Walter was the one who brought out the topic with Dunham, and at time, it appeared that it might be going into a rather painful direction, but then, Walter being Walter, he brought the house down with the comedic angle to this. Dunham is extremely brave in using this material in his act, which I'm sure is still a rather sore subject.

2. The first female puppet, Diane, made her appearance. While it was a funny bit, it didn't have the same drop-on-the-floor-laughing level that we come to expect from Dunham's regular characters. I don't think this puppet will make that much of an impact.

3. Dunham ended his usual show and then tried out a new bit that he had just written involving Peanut and Jose Jalepeno. He said that parts of it were written just before he stepped onto the stage this evening, and he still needed to read it off the teleprompter since it hasn't been rehearsed. All I can say is, I can't wait for him to finish off this bit. It was very funny, especially the ad-libed bits!

4. He then brought out a surprising new character, and it was a GOOD one. He brought out Achmed's son, Achmed's Jr, or what Achmed like to call "AJ". Supposedly, this evening is the first time Dunham is introducing this new puppet. The bit between them was a total success and the audience were roaring like crazy. AJ has an English accent, and in the end, we also found out that he's Jewish! That last bit of information just killed Achmed! It was a tremendous act! (Ha, ha!)

A very enjoyable evening. If the Identity Crisis Tour comes to your town, go see it.

Zz.

Formula Rossa - World's Fastest Roller Coaster

The new roller coaster to open at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is currently the world's fastest. You can get a first glimpse of the ride in this video.



Is it just me, or is the ride is a little bit boring? One can't tell how thrilling something is on a video, and one certainly do not get a sense of speed through something like this. The launch is supposed to top of at 150 mph, but I think because of the expanse of the surrounding area, you don't get a sense of speed. I guess they designed it without thinking of "theming", or using some sort of psychology or optical perspective to make the ride FEELS fast. I think they need to learn from Disney who knows how to squeeze every last drop (and penny) out of ride.

Zz.

The March of the Peabody Ducks

Ah, to be pampered as these ducks.



I wonder if they get eaten when they get old? :)

Zz.

Early Photographic Images of Human Beings?

Interesting find of what could be the first photographic images of people.

So the recent discovery of what appears to be two men near the river's edge in a photo of Cincinnati taken in 1848 is kind of a big deal among photography historians.

As reported by NPR's Robert Krulwich last month, the photo was taken by Charles Fontayne and William Porter -- who were standing on the other side of the Ohio River -- on Sunday, September 24th, 1848, 162 years prior to Krulwich's post about it. The photo is what's known as a daguerreotype -- an image developed via an early photographic process developed in France. When zooming in on the photo, Krulwich noticed what appeared to be two human figures.

Alas, this is not the first photograph of a human being.

In case you're wondering if this is the earliest photograph taken of a human -- as Krulwich himself did in a recent headline -- well, it's not. The credit for photographing a human for the first time is generally given to Louis Daguerre, the inventor of the daguerreotype process. In an 1838 photo he took of Paris, Daguerre caught an image of a man who appears to be getting his shoes or boots shined at a street corner. You can see the figure -- together with that of the shoeshiner -- in the bottom left of the image

The article gives links to all the relevant pictures.

Zz.

Paul The Octopus Died

Paul the octopus, who gained fame and notoriety during the last World Cup tournament, died at the age of 2 1/2.

Paul enthralled millions of people around the world by correctly predicting the outcome of several World Cup matches this year.

His caretakers set him up to make predictions for a particular match by draping boxes in his tank with the national flags of teams that were set to play each other. The boxes contained food for Paul. The caretakers divined his pick by watching to see which box he opened first.

I wonder if he could have predicted his demise....

Zz.