Daily Bits

Possibly the Ugliest Bike You’ll Ever See

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There are innovations that are real works of genius that you are left speechless – in a good way. Then there are those things that are supposed to be innovations and also leave you speechless, but only because you can’t say anything else but WTF. Pardon me, but that is exactly what went in my head the moment I laid my eyes on the StreetFlyer.

The StreetFlyer is supposed to be the latest thing in recreational sports, and it will allow you to fly like a bird without taking off the ground. Why anyone would want to fly like a bird and stay grounded at the same time does not make a lick of sense to me. Do you get it?  Here is the StreetFlyer in action.  Maybe someone can make sense out of it.

StreetFlyer4
To be fair to the creator, Dr. Carsten Mehring, he conceptualized the idea with people who may have an aversion to heights or flying in mind. Then again, I think that if you have that fear, then you might be better off spending your time playing with a simulator. Maybe I am being too harsh, so let’s take a look at several more photos of the StreetFlyer.
StreetFlyer1 She looks as if she were thinking “What the heck am I doing?”
StreetFlyer2She may be smiling, but she doesn’t look comfortable.  Not at all.
StreetFlyer3This position seems workable, but then you do not need a bike that will give you the illusion of being a bird (when you’re strapped onto a three-wheeled contraption), do you?

Do you want more?  Visit the homepage of StreetFlyer.

What the Heck Happened to Optimus Prime?

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I Am Optimus Prime
I seem to be running across a lot of videos these days. The first week of the month is barely over, and I have spent more time watching all sorts of videos than I have in months. Perhaps the Year of the Rabbit is bringing out the creativity in more people, but whatever the reason, I wish that this particular video portrayed Optimus Prime in a better light.

Everyone’s favorite Autobot – well maybe not everyone – just got downgraded to a dancing guy clothed in tons of padding. Don’t get me wrong. I am pretty sure that a lot of people will disagree with me – the “Likes” and comments on Facebook and YouTube will attest to that – but I just don’t get it! Before I watched the video, I had a totally open mind. A parody of “The Time” by The Black Eyed Peas – how can you go wrong?

See what I mean? Optimus Prime is too dignified a character to be portrayed like that, isn’t he? Or am I being stuck up? Then there is the girl. The girl. She is hot – no one can deny that, but sorry, I still don’t get it. Am I missing something here?

There is something good to be said about the video, though: the lyrics are funny. I think the last stanza is my “favorite”:

Well, I came here on The Ark
Looking for the All Spark
You can’t stop a Transformer
Just by putting it in Park
I’m fighting Megatron
With Megan Fox (not anymore)
Robot in disguise
More than meets the eye

If, unlike me, you found the video cool, you can see more from Angie and Chad – no offense guys, just airing out my thoughts – in their Facebook page.

When Rubik’s Cube and The Joker Collide

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Rubiks JokerRubik’s Cube is always a hit with nerds, geeks, or whatever label you want to use. Admit it, as a kid, you probably spent a considerable amount of time trying to one-up your friend in solving this puzzle. Decades later, Rubik’s Cube still holds irresistible attraction for kids of all ages. Of course, with the changing times, we also see all sorts of new things that people do with Rubik’s Cube.

Here’s a perfect example of what one can do with hundreds of Cubes. Sometime last year, artist David Alvarez decided to come up with a mosaic portrait of The Joker – the Heath Ledger version, of course. He used about 300 Rubik’s Cubes to create a pretty good representation of arguably the best Joker ever. Lest you think that it is a simple matter to put those multi-colored cubes together, I ought to tell you that Alvarez had to give his brain a little work out. Before putting the Cubes together, he first had to twist them into the appropriate color patterns.

Since I have never tried to create artwork with Rubik’s Cubes, I really don’t know difficult that is. I do think, however, that it might be a viable alternative to having to solve one of those darned puzzles. Check out the video and let me know what you think.

Here’s another video of the same artist creating another mosaic. This is an older video, actually, and he uses dice to “draw” Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. How cool is that?

Angry Birds Rio Trailer

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angrybirds
That little game that pitted irate birds against green pigs has reached such proportions that everyone around the world knows about it by now. Angry Birds, the game, has converted many a self-proclaimed non-gamer into chronic casual gamers. From the iPhone to the iPad, you will see people swiping and cursing just to get those irritating viridescent hogs out of the way. And, I bet you know just how tough those pigs can be!

There have been several versions of the game, but now, the birds and the pigs are coming to the big screen! In a few months, we can all queue up at the theater to see Angry Birds Rio the movie. The plot – if it can be called that – is ridiculous, I think. Still, the game itself is so ridiculous that it is good, isn’t it? So anyway, the birds are shipped off to Rio for a “vacation”. READ: They are caged and kidnapped. Of course, the protagonists escape from their cages, and that’s when they discover hundreds of other captive birds.

Angry Birds Rio will also be released as a game to complete your avian experience. Here’s the newly released trailer to get your adrenaline going.

Oh, and if you are impatient and cannot wait till March, you can get the Valentine’s Day edition in a week or so. Of course, it goes without saying that this version will have lots of pink in it. 🙂

Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests

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Theo JansenWhat in the world is a strandbeest? It is an animal created by Dutch physicist, artisit, and kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen. While it may not be a living form in the strictest sense, the strandbeest might very well fool you.

Jansen has gotten a lot of attention by creating beach animals which are self-propelling. That succinct description may not pique your curiosity enough, but trust me, watching a strandbeest in action definitely will. Jansen created his strandbeests using simple materials such as recycled water bottles, plastic tubing, rods, and rubber rings. Glancing at a beest, you wouldn’t think much of it – just another piece of installation art, probably. Once it starts moving on its own, thanks to the wind that has been “caught” in the water bottles, you probably will find your lower jaw dropping involuntarily. See it for yourself.

In his web site, Theo Jansen gives some details on how he was able to make these things work. You can find concepts, theories, and math – even details on the 11 Holy Numbers. If you’re the sort who wants to figure out exactly how things work, then you ought to read what the mastermind himself has to say. In case you get converted and become a Jansen fan – which is likely to happen – you can also get his books and DVDs from the web site.

Mr. Potato Head Takes On Star Trek

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Star Trek Potato Heads

Mark your calendars, Mr. Potato Head lovers. The guys behind these adorably hilarious toy figures have come up with a brilliant idea – Star Trek Mr. Potato Heads. Everyone loves Mr. Potato Head. I think that’s why some of my friends have decided to “drop their interest” in them, actually. You know those kind of people who decide not to like something because everyone else likes it?

Anyhow, this development is something that one really cannot help but get excited about. A mash up of your favorite Star Trek characters and Mr. Potato Head. Pardon me, but it is an epic win! The series is going to kick off with none other than Captain Kirk and his original Klingon nemesis, Kor. This first set is going to hit the shelves in August of this year, but they are accepting pre-orders to cater to those who want to make sure that they are among the first to receive Potato Head Kirk and Potato Head Kor. For $30 – which will only be charged on your credit card once the delivery details have been confirmed – you can be among the first to receive this signature line.

I have to be honest and say that the first time I saw the image above, I was not sure how to react. One part of me was thinking “Hilarious!” while another part was saying “Oh, Kirk. That is so NOT you.” Then again, this is NOT Kirk. It is Potato Head Kirk. I guess the designers actually did justice to both brands.

Star Trek fans: what are your thoughts?