Wi-Fi, by Rail, Bus or Boat

The NY Times has an article on a topic close to my heart, internet access on train, bus or boat. As a person who loves to travel by Amtrak I'm extremely interested in how bringing internet access to mid range commuter trains like the Chicago Metra and Amtrak could transform the business class travel marketplace. Flying is such an interruption to the business day. Even besides the travel time to the airport, security and stress that automatically add 2-3 hours to any business flight it is still likely that you will never have clear and open communications and contact while in the air. Rail on the other hand could end up being an extension of the office. Imagine the view from your semi-private office as you keep in touch and keep up on the news and events. I already have a wireless internet service that gives me full internet access while I travel, but a dedicated WiFi point on the train could make traveling by train all that much more enjoyable and viable.

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > Destination Wi-Fi, by Rail, Bus or Boat

Also, a related NY Times article on the progress or lack of progress in bringing WiFi to commuter rail.

The New York Times > Technology > Circuits > Access on Metro-North or Amtrak Cars? Not So Fast

The origins of the Spiderman LEGO trailer

A follow up from my post the other day on the LEGO Spiderman trailer. I knew it was to good to not be professionally done. In fact I figured it was probably from LEGO as they regularly award, sponsor and pay artists to create LEGO videos and other LEGO arts. However, it wasn't until today I was able to confirm it thanks to Adrants. As it turns out it was done as a joint Marvel Studios / Sony Pictures / LEGO Group viral advertisement.

Spite Your Face Productions Ltd. - Spider-Man: The Peril of Doc Ock

If this is the future of advertising, let me just say, I dig it, its a huge step up from billboards and pop up computer ads.

Photos, photos, photos

I've been busy this past week and just now finished uploading some photos from the last couple weeks.

Some great pictures of Pilsen including my favorite new coffee shop the Jumping Bean

A few Oak Park, Frank Loyd Wright Houses

Chicago Critical Mass

Some pictures from the 4th of July

Major Tom to ground control —

Space Lady - Major Tom (mp3)

Wonderful outer-space Casio cover of Peter Schilling's 1983 hit "Major Tom (I'm Coming Home)". Find out more about The Space Lady here and check her out on the new CD "Songs in the Key of Z Volume 2".

It's Haunting, entrancing and just one of many outsider art songs from the 365 Day Project at Ubu.com

Pigzilla — pig roast

I just love this invite I recieved from a friend.

New York Post jumps the gun

The New York Post front page headline read "Dem picks Gephardt as VP candidate". Obviously they thought wrong as Kerry picked Sen. John Edwards. Not since the Chicago Suntimes printed "Dewey wins!" prematurely on their front page have I seen a paper screw up this bad, and technically I never saw that either.
(stolen from Boing Boing)

Spiderman 2 trailer done in Legos

Not much need be said here this trailer is just sweet.

(via boingboing.net)

Chicago Tribune | Remnants of the White City

Where to find what's left from Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition


Chicago Tribune | Remnants of the White City

Following up on the Dick Cheney F'ing incident — warning political rant

The fall out regarding Dick Cheney's telling Senator Leahy to "fuck off" has been immense (news.google.com) and rightfully so. You can even buy the t-shirt.

In a word, it struck a chord of unprecedented ARROGANCE.

Who wants to know how much money Cheney is making off his connections with Halliburton?

Who has a right to know?

Every citizen of the United States has a right to know Mr. Vice President, and as a representative of the State of Vermont Senator Leahy has the right to ask it.

In an era where politicians from the President of the United States of America (ex-pres Clinton) to other would be Senators (Jack Ryan) are being raked over the coals for personal indiscretions every American damn well has the right to know where the money trail goes Mr. Cheney and every American has a right to know exactly where your loyalties lie.

The Haliburton questions Mr. Leahy asked take far more precedence than personal indiscretions Mr. Cheney. The haliburton question Mr. Leahy asked were questions of special interests, national security and American lives Mr. Cheney. Thousands of Americans have died under your parties leadership Mr. Cheney, and every American has a right to know exactly where your loyalties lie.

Dear Vice President Cheney,

Your arrogance directed toward Mr. Leahy was not only completely out of order and insulting to Mr. Leahy, but it is a slap in the face of the American people and the American political system. Senator Leahy is a representative of his constituents of Vermont and by telling him to "fuck off" you have told his constituents to "fuck off".

We are due an answer Mr. Cheney. Senator Leahy, his constituents, and all Americans are owed an apology and response to Senator Leahy's questions and if you Mr. Cheney won't give an answer it's certainly worth AT-LEAST the attention given the Jack Ryan's current situation in Illinois and previously given ex-president Clinton's Oval Office scandal.

As a citizen I demand to know, I demand accountability, and as a voter I will not vote for an administration this arrogant in the up coming election.

Star Wars meets Office Space in this great fan-flick

In the great tradition of viral, fan-flickish, outsider artish media such as All Your Base and Computer Boy comes Office Space Wars (30mb Windows Media Player file) in which all the primary characters in Office Space are played by Star Wars characters. Watch and enjoy.

stolen from Boing Boing

Killer Advertising, Cleveland Ohio billboard causing traffic accidents

A billboard in Cleveland, Ohio featuring mannequins of students has been blamed for causing several traffic accidents, according to a Local 6 News report.

Motorists traveling near the sign said it appears that someone is trying to jump from the top of the billboard. Witnesses said there have been as many as five accidents in the past few months after motorists slammed on their brakes while glancing up at the sign.

Police said despite the fender benders, the billboard would remain up since the responsibility rests with the drivers.
from Local 6 .com, Central Florida

stolen from: adrants.com

Dumb ass advertising = Ass-vertising

From the cutting edge of advertising trends comes ass-vertising (video 11.2 mb or pictures). New York Health and Racquet Club hooked up with a New York agency to promote their class "Booty Call" outside of Grand Central Station.

OFFICIAL NOMINEE: My McBlog Trendz Blog of the Year

CATEGORIES:
• dumb-ass ideas in advertising

stolen from Steve's Hall's Ad adrants.com

Mr. Vice President ...Your pants are on fire

In an interview with CNBC this past week Cheney said he never stated that it was "pretty well confirmed" that meetings had taken place between Saddam's Officials and Al Queda members, but The Daily Show dug up the Meet the Press coverage from December 9, 2001 that proves otherwise.

"Mr. Vice President, I have to inform you: You're pants are on fire"
John Stewart, The Daily Show, June 21, 2004

the short clip (1.4mb)

the complete segment clip (11.8mb)

As stolen from Lisa Rein's blog, which is a wonderful archive from which to steal all things regarding The Daily Show.

Cheney's "big-time obscenity"

Who hasn't heard about Vice President Cheney using the "Fuck word" on the senate floor to dismiss Senator Leahy's (D-Vt.) accusations regarding his Haliburton ties. Certainly not Joi Ito whom I'm stealing all my posts from for today. (Hey, I've been busy who has time to steal content from more than one blog anyway.)

Anyway, Corante.com has a nice little article on the use of the "FUCK word" as understood by the FCC which is not only fucking fantastically informative, but also fan-fucking-tastically fun to read.

But we're just beginning the fan-fucking-tastical fun, because Eric Idle of Monty Python fame says "Fuck you very much" to the FCC, Cheney and many more in this nice little ditty.

"Here’s a little song I wrote the other day while I was out duck hunting with a judge… It’s a new song, it’s dedicated to the FCC and if they broadcast it, it will cost a quarter of a million dollars."

Finally, in case you missed it be sure to check out the wise words of Terrance and Phillip.

America the super-duperpower

...we're no longer a superpower. We're a super-duperpower.

House Majority Whip Tom Delay (R-Texas), as quoted in a Fox news article

(as stolen from Joi Ito)