stephen-turner.net

I’m told I need this on a regular basis…

“Clocky is, quite simply, for people who have trouble waking up.

When the alarm clock goes off and the snooze button is pressed, Clocky will roll off the bedside table and wheel away, bumping mindlessly into objects on the floor until it eventually finds a spot to rest. Minutes later, when the alarm sounds again, the sleeper must get up out of bed and search for Clocky. This ensures that the person is fully awake before turning it off. Small wheels that are concealed by Clocky’s shag enable it to move and reposition itself, and an internal processor helps it find a new hiding spot every day. ”

Just one of the pieces snuck into a New York museum:

The story is just starting to get around now, but in the last couple of weeks, mysterious English graffiti artist Banksy was able to smuggle four artworks into major New York museums. This Guardian article covers the basics, but a look at Banksy’s website gives an even better idea of what he did, with detailed images of the works.

I’ve been following his work for a while online (it’s not like I could do it anywhere else…), and it’s really good stuff. It does tend to give me ideas as well…

Now this is original… wooden laptops that really work:

Apparently he takes out all the plastic and refits the electronics into hand crafted wooden designs. Really beautiful stuff, and I can see this having a very high end market. (Not to mention, it’s the sort of thing I’d like to try myself eventually )

An outstanding little interview with creator/writer and now director Frank Miller, about working on the “Sin City” movie.

A slow week this week… well, actually a busy week, but a slow week here. It’s my birthday tomorrow as it happens. The big 3 0, but hey…

Anyway, check out this new preview site for “Siny City”, the new film noir spectacular directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, from Miller’s comics. But if you read comics, you already knew about this.

And for the male fans, Jessica Alba as Nancy:

And proving that I’m equal opportunity, for the female fans, Clive Owen as Dwight:

After recently being bold enough to refuse US demands to join them in the inane and quite frankly not working missile defense shielf project (something Australia still seems to be all for - naturally), a former Canadian government minister writes an open letter to critics in both the US and Canada. And makes an incredible amount of sense:

“Dear Condi,

I’m glad you’ve decided to get over your fit of pique and venture north to visit your closest neighbour. It’s a chance to learn a thing or two. Maybe more.

I know it seems improbable to your divinely guided master in the White House that mere mortals might disagree with participating in a missile-defence system that has failed in its last three tests, even though the tests themselves were carefully rigged to show results.

But, gosh, we folks above the 49th parallel are somewhat cautious types who can’t quite see laying down billions of dollars in a three-dud poker game…”

Ah ha! Now this is what I needed to read…

As part of Yahoo’s 10th birthday - a visual retrospective of 100 top “moments” of the last 10 years. Memorable stuff there, big and small.

An interview with “The Incredibles” writer/director Brad Bird, where he goes into his influences (or lack of), what success with “The Incredibles” has brought him, where he wants to go with things, and where he sees animation in general heading. Excellent stuff.

While I’m on the subject, my top five animation director/creators:

Brad Bird (The Incredibles)

Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away)

John Lassetter (Toy Story)

Nick Park (Wallace & Grommit)

Henry Selick (The Corpse Bride)