The Ranting Beaver

Let me say first that I actually like some "reality TV" - Ace of Cakes is one, Mythbusters is another - but by and large most of it is pure crap and more fake that a porn actress' chest. In fact, I often comment/joke that we love a train wreck so much (why else would these shows keep showing up?) that people simply aren't going to be satisfied until someone dies on live TV. I can't wait for the day that some TV exec thinks that actually making the The Running Man is a good idea. Good thing Jesse Ventura and Richard Dawson aren't doing anything, however they may have to wait for Arnold to stop being the Governor of California. It's coming. Just wait.

Think I'm wrong? Pay attention to how much CBS plays up the next time someone collapses on Survivor ...

This is not to even mention the lengths people are going to to get on these shows. If you're willing to break the law to get on a show, you're even more likely to do something worse to stay on it. There are no more boundaries at that point.

I was so glad to see I wasn't the only one that thinks things are getting out of hand, that I had to share. When I came across this today, it made me smile on a level that you may not understand. I am glad to know I am not the only sane person in a crazy world.

Good thing there is a sale on handbaskets, because we're all going to hell in a hurry. Some of us will just actually understand why.

The Beaver is going to hate this, probably my NY friends too, but I had to share.

For the Yankee fans, I know your team recently won the World Series and all, but it doesn't mean I dislike the Yankees any less. Sorry, there's no more room for me on the bandwagon (I'm not really sorry). After I saw all of the so called 'fans' come out of the woodwork, stuff like this cracks me up.

Thanks to The Chive for the image and the laugh.

Been meaning to post these for a while ... been playing around with them both to see how much I like them.

I have two new items for you, one is a visual search engine and one will allow you to create a link for generating buzz on any topic you like.

First up is Spezify.
This is called a 'visual search engine' which means that the results come back in a more visual layout. This is actually really useful for pictures and video, both of which can be viewed without leaving the page. Includes Twitters too. You also navigate by dragging the mouse in a 3D motion. Definitely cool.

Here are some example results pages:
Mets
Olivia Munn
Venture Brothers

Next is Addictomatic.
This is kinda neat as it allows you to create a 'one-stop' page for any topic. The page contains multiple sources so you can have multiple links for your specific topic. You can then send this link out in a Twitter or as part of your Facebook status for example. Might also be good to see what others are saying about your topic. Seems useful either way.

Here are some example results pages:
V (as in the TV show)
Obama
Deviant Art

Feel free to let me know what you think about either of them.
- Ken

There are a few web comics I review regularly. Penny Arcade is required reading, Sequential Art has also become a favorite but is likely lesser known. I recently stumbled upon a new one though that is actually quite funny, so I had to share: Least I Could Do. I have been enjoying it about two weeks now, but yesterday's strip had me rolling, likely due to my sick sense of humor. I could see myself saying something like that.

You should check it out. Let me know what you think.

First of all, the item listed here is in a word ... classy! NOT.

Not only can someone procure such an item on Amazon should you like (you really can buy anything on the Internet), the reviews on the shirt are what make the effort worthwhile!

Check it out!
(Thanks to Bryan E. for the link!)

So yeah, not really getting what I want out of life lately (I mean creatively, not personal life -- I'm actually good there), so I have decided I need to come up with one or two cool projects that perhaps no one has thought of or maybe have but I could do them better. Not sure what that would be yet, but I will think of something (suggestions are always welcome, especially if you want to participate - I'll give credit where due, I promise).

At any rate, some of the inspiration behind this was a link I saw:

30 Album Covers recreated with Lego

Some of them aren't quite so good, but most of them are. Still I really like the concept and it's making me think of what to do next. :D

Happy (almost) Friday!

... and thought I'd share what I'd come across - a site full of those great (non-)motivational posters. A sampling below of some good ones:

Backup Plans
Chance
Your Boss
Signs
Perspective
Rule 34
Extreme Chess
Heaven

Feel free to look up almost ANY subject of your choosing here as well. Hope you become as motivated as I am now. Woo.

Gotta love this comic. I imagine it hits a little too close to home for some. Not me of course, but it made me laugh out loud.

While you're at it, feel free to check out the past strips of that comic (hint, use the navigation arrows once you click the link above and see the one I pointed out). Good stuff!

Apparently, if you have lots of time and focus, you can make money on Facebook without even creating another annoying application. All you have to do is create a bunch of bogus profiles and makes lots of friends. And then sell them.

That is exactly what someone did. Read about it here.

Almost wish I thought of it first. There's lots of lonely suckers out there. Need proof? Just log on to Facebook or MySpace and take a look around.

So, one of the folks I watch on Deviant Art has a web comic. It's called Sequential Art and while it is a bit odd (at least two of the characters, sometimes more, are a cross between human and animal), it is pretty damn good. Some lowbrow humor, but damn it if we don't need more or that in the world today. Heh.

I suggest strongly that you check it out. There are 400+ posts, so feel free to peruse the past strips too.

Happy Saturday!

I know that this is something that can be subjective to each individual, but someone has put together a site where you can rate pictures taken by other people (and posted on Flickr or Picasa). Including a handful from yours truly. :)

Go check it out >>> Goodshotornot.com

If you're interested in getting yours added to the rotation, you can do so via the following:

Picasa - tag/label your pictures with "goodshotornot" (without the quotes of course)
Flickr - you have to submit your photos to the GoodShotOrNot group

If you want to rate mine, go here.

OK, so a friend of mine likes to send me things that 'aintquiteright' so that I can share them with you fine folks. When he sent me the latest link, I have to say that it is the complete opposite of sexy.

Judge for yourself ...

What is sad is the fact that she likely thinks she is sexy.

Here are some better examples of what IS sexy:

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

At least one of those should appeal to someone. Take STOCK of what you like and decide what is sexy to you.

I know Rico is so going to go get one of these. Imagination + perversion = internet fun.

Thanks goes to Clint for pointing this one out. And for laughing his ass off for 5 minutes, of course.

For those of you who don't know which candidate fits your views best, there is VoteChooser!

Simply answer a handful of questions on your views and it will tell you who agrees with you the most. Takes the busy work out of actually making a decision! Now you have no excuse to be on the fence!

Do it now! Before it's too late! Hypno-toad demands it!

This was pointed out to me ... The Church of Google.

Seriously? A search engine religion? I'm dumbfounded ...

Those that know me, know I am a fan of Google. I'm about to be a bigger fan -- as soon as the EU gives the old thumbs up for DoubleClick/Google entity (what can I say, it affects me personally), but I am by no means ready to join the "religion".

Also, anyone that knows me, knows that religion (or the notion of someone else's ideal of organized religion) and I don't walk the same path (once again, affected personally).

I hope that this is all in fun ... if not, then frankly, I am at a loss for words.

Here's one - what a way to go. Apparently, the Champagne Room was too much for a young "gentleman" who died shortly after a private session.

Secondly, peep out the newest young lady I am admiring as of late - Alex Sim-Wise, most notably from Loaded magazine. Anyone who knows me, knows this is right up my alley.

Lastly, have you heard the "backlash" from Phillip Rivers calling Jay Cutler's momma something unintelligible ... across a football field no less ... from the sideline. Real brave. Here's Champ Bailey doing a fine Shannon Sharpe impression. Silly, given both QBs are really quite horrible (I wouldn't draft or waiver wire either of them myself).

How about an odd mouse pad for the perv in your life?

Or perhaps a unique re-visioning of the old school pencil sharpener? (Thanks for showing me this one C-Lo).

Whatever you get - I hope your Christmas is fun and you get what you want. And not those damn socks from Grandma ... unless that is how you roll.

- Ken

Not much to post, but at least I have something to share.

Here's a story about an announcer getting the boot for being clever. Too bad. Not enough people have fun with their job.

A really, really wrong MP3 that a friend showed me. If you don't laugh, you're not sick enough to be here. (Thanks Philly!)

Lastly, my friend Carlos, always looking out for my 'mental health' pointed this link out. Gotta book my flight for the next one ... makes me want to almost shun American football. Almost.

Have a good weekend!
Ken