Found this awesome video on Youtube

These have to be the coolest Alphabet blocks

At Xylocopa, we know that the key to a successful education is to begin learning at a young age. Like many of you, we are concerned about the state of science education in the public school system, especially in the lower grades. Specifically, we have noticed that there is absolutely no training in the K-6 grades that prepares students to become mad scientists. In this competitive 21st-century world, the need for mad scientists will only increase, but the lack of basic education in primary school leaves us concerned that there will be no future students capable of leading in this illustrious field.

Fortunately, we have a solution - a first step, if you will, along the path to mad science proficiency. We are pleased to announce the release of our Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet Blocks. These lovely blocks contain many carefully engraved illustrations of the equipment, training, and activities that a budding mad scientist will require, combined with a clever alphabetic introduction to the concept depicted.

Each block measures 1 3/8 inches square and depicts six mad science concepts and the appropriate letters. The set includes all 26 letters of the alphabet on five blocks (six illustrations per block).

Each side started out as one of our original pen-and-ink drawings that we have carefully laser engraved onto a solid block of American maple wood.
We don’t use any dyes or harmful finishes on the blocks and all of their edges are rounded and smooth.

A complete list of the images represented by the letters is as follows:
A - Appendages
B - Bioengineering
C - Caffeine
D - Dirigible
E - Experiment
F - Freeze ray
G - Goggles
H - Henchmen
I - Invention
J - Jargon
K - Potassium
L - Laser
M - Maniacal
N - Nanotechnology
O - Organs
P - Peasants (with Pitchforks)
Q - Quantum physics
R - Robot
S - Self-experimentation
T - Tentacles
U - Underground Lair
V - Virus
W - Wrench
X - X-Ray
Y - You, the Mad Scientist of Tomorrow
Z - Zombies

They run $39.95 at Xylocopa.com

Go download your paper figures now @ http://www.cubeecraft.com/index.html

Cubeecraft papercraft toys are FREE to download.
Each toy features interlocking tabs for construction - eliminating the need for tape, glue or other messy adhesives. To download click on the model you would like then save the template image.
Each toy is designed to be printed on a standard piece of 8 1/2 X 11 A4 letter paper.
For help with printing please check out the printing help section here.
If you have another concern please check out the frequently asked questions section here.
Simply print, cut and fold your model into a cute and fun paper toy.

Another link I came across CNET spam (a internal CNET mailing list) that was sent out was this blog called “ Garfield minus Garfield” where Garfield is removed from all the comic strips. So Jon Arbuckle (Garfield’s owner) basically speaks to himself creating the illusion of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and loneliness. check out Garfield minus Garfield and read Garfield like you never read it before.

Link to Garfield minus Garfield:
garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com

Here is the blurb for Garfield minus Garfield

Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.

Someone at my work set this through our misc. email list called “spam”. This is great, I was into science growing up. I would have loved it then and have to try it now. I haven’t downloaded it but I will.

Phun 2d Physics Sandbox

Download at http://www.acc.umu.se/~emilk/
Phun is a playground for the creative mind where toys can be easily created.
Phun was created as a MSc project by Emil Ernerfeldt for supervisor Kenneth Bodin, HPC2N/VRlab, Umeå University, Sweden.

So it is January 19th and I am in short sleeve T-shirt here in the S.F. Bay Area. It is something I cannot get over. I do love it. So I went with my family down to Half Moon Bay to see where the Maverick Surf contest was. It is located off of Pillar point. When we got there to my surprise there is tide pools with actual moving, swimming, fighting sea creatures. I had so much fun exploring the tide pools. If I wasn’t a graphic designer I would have wanted to be a marine biologist. I love the ocean in so many ways.

My friend Dennis @ Wired sent me this great link design-police.org Check it out and download the kit and do some justice to bad design.

There is not much to say about this, except OKAY…

No matter where I go I always run into Frank Chu. He kind of has a cult following in San Francisco. Well he was at the Macworld 2008 standing right outside Moscone Center West. If you are interested in reading more about him here is a link to his Wikipedia page about him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Chu

I got hooked up with the new Griffin TuneBuds mobile today for the iphone. I was expecting more companies to have headphones w/mic for the iphone since there is only a few out there. So i was happy to see that Griffin has one coming out soon. I tried them out on my bus ride home and it is hard for me to compare these to other rubber tipped earbuds since I have never tried any of them. They do cancel out 80% of the sound and I am not sure if I like that. I like to know whats going on most of the time. The sound was a little bit tinny and did not have a good scale in sound. I am used to the Apple ear buds and feel the Apple buds are more comfortable, but I think it is my opinion. For the price that they will be sold for ($39.99) I do think they are worth trying them out. They also come with a great case and 3 sizes of rubber tips. If anyone tries them out let me know what you think.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/tunebudsmobile#