Avatar II Trailer--Yes, Another Parody

This has been making the rounds... Pretty funny.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Magic One Wheel, skateboard and bike mixing

Who like playing skateboard and spinning bicycle is the heart and soul, try come to touch new concept bike design that combines the features of a bike and a skateboard, change from wear skateboard shoes to one-wheel that have large-sized that can go up sit can spin and the figure, color, still be like skateboard shoes large-sized as well

The "Magic One Wheel with Direction Wheel" is the latest monobike that allows brisk and sustainable commutation on compact urban roads. Certified by the highest standards authority in Europe, the single wheel bike bears the CE marking to ensure a safe, though not so comfortable, ride while moving on one-wheel

Magic One Wheel, participate assemble be 26-inch diameter. Intended toward anyone aged 12 and above, the foot-propelled bike can carry loads up to 150kg and offers easy controls. Dimensions: 72.0 x 24.0 x 74.0 cm, the monobike weight about 6.8 kg is easy to store and transport. Available for $222, the Magic One Wheel with Direction Wheel makes commuting fun even on cramped city roads.

If you liked this bicycle, you would also be interested in:
www.thedesignblog.org

Giveaway! ARC of "The Blood King" and "Dark Lady's Chosen" by Gail Z. Martin

Just as I promised at the end of yesterday's post, I have a giveaway featuring TWO books from Chronicles of the Necromancer by Gail Z. Martin to offer to one lucky winner.

The first book is a limited edition ARC copy of The Blood King

The hugely anticipated second book in the Chronicles of the Necromancer series, following The Summoner, one of the most successful fantasy debuts of the year.

Outcast Prince Martris Drayke continues his quest to seek retribution and restore his father's honour. He must gather his allies and make a direct challenge to the armies of his brother, Jared. Meanwhile, Jared's mage seeks to raise the spirit of the Obsidian King, and creates an imbalance in the natural currents of magic. Tris must learn to use his powers as a Summoner to fight the forces of evil plaguing the Winter Kingdoms.

"Attractive characters and an imaginative setting."
- David Drake, author of the Lord of the Isles series.

And the second book that will go to the winner is latest book in "The Chronicles of the Necromancer" series, Dark Lady's Chosen.

Treachery and blood magic threaten King Martris Drayke’s hold on the throne he risked everything to win. As the battle against a traitor lord comes to its final days, war, plague and betrayal bring Margolan to the brink of destruction.

Civil war looms in Isencroft.

Finally, in Dark Haven, Lord Jonmarc Vahanian has bargained his soul for vengeance as he leads the vayash moru against a dangerous rogue who would usher in a future drenched in blood.

"Just when you think you know where things are heading, Martin pulls another ace from her sleeve... believable characters move through a beautifully realized world with all the quirks, depths and levels of a real place." - A.J. Hartley, author of The Mask of Atreus

The books are being offered courtesy of Gail Z. Martin herself and she has graciously offered to ship worldwide! Just add your information to the form below to enter and I will randomly pick a winner by Friday April 15th. (All information is guaranteed confidential and will be discarded once the contest is over). No multiple entries please-- all multiple entries will be discarded. Open everywhere.

Good luck!

**Contest Closed**

Robovie-mR2, a robot adds the heart iPod Touch

Today have humanoid robot that have body structure moves like human in the name of "Robovie-mR2" that develop by ATR: Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute. Which, unless it will see lovely only, but its heart still use iPod touch as well

Robovie-mR2, small-sized robot that an owner can give it is on a table for your playmates, height size 30 cm. and weight 2 kg., top body has will docking for install iPod touch for control and update command with it directly by passes the touchscreen or from pad game wireless all right

Robovie-mR2 will have large-sized eyes within a camera CCD and still have 2 microphones and a loudspeaker for talk with you. The joint of movement system will separate to work freely 18 degree of freedom. Which, include eyes moving and the movement in the eyelids that make Robovie-mR2 show the mood

Robovie-mR2, this be during decide that will produce it comes out to sell or not?

Designers: ATR

If you liked this robot, you would also be interested in:

www.plasticpals.com

222nd

connors shooting the serum (... on his exposed stub!!) was something i though was a little over the top, or rather way low under the bottom, for a regular spider-man book but it made it in...
i drew it to frame connors deprived side... avoiding the depiction of a "clean" pseudo-science to something more obsessive and desperate and self-indulgent, a bit more like an addict ...
later in the story animal cruelty was added to the mix ... making him and his acts so much more questionable.

for my understanding of the character a lot of these ideas and his over all feel, was derived from jeff goldblum's portrayal of professor brundle and his obsessive investigations and addictive process of metamorphosis, in david cornenberg's 1986 remake of the fly

this is a prelim illustration i drew in prep for the story "curt connor's in shed; prologue" written by zeb wells and colored on the book by mat hollingsworth published in web of sipider-man #6

Guest Post Featuring Gail Z. Martin: Escape This Way...Why We Love Fantasy Even More When Times are Tough

From the reports I’ve read, two book genres are the bright spots in the dismal publishing economy: Romance and fantasy. That doesn’t really surprise me, since people right now want some good news, a happy ending and a hero who conquers all.

Romance and fantasy consistently deliver mostly happy endings and mostly noble heroes. There’s a clarity to the kinds of struggles faced in the majority of romance or fantasy novels. You know who the bad guy is, and you figure out a clear way to overcome the obstacles and save the day. In today’s ambiguous world, it’s often hard to figure out what or who is to blame for anything, and justice doesn’t get served up as quickly or decisively as it does on TV.

My mother used to tell me stories about how she and her friends went to the movies during the Great Depression. No matter how grim the news was, she could count on the movies to lift her spirits. Nothing ever bothered Fred and Ginger, who danced along no matter what. Hollywood seems baffled about the success of recent movies like Avatar, but in light of my mother’s stories, it doesn’t seem strange to me that people weighed down by the economy, the tough job market and consumer debt want to see a movie where the good guys win. I suspect that the same is true for the romantic comedies that also seem to do well at the box office. They don’t change the world or impart the meaning of life, but together with a bag of popcorn and a Coke, they take your mind off your troubles for a few hours, which is worth ten bucks.

I know that some readers, authors and reviewers prefer meatier fare. Under certain conditions, I enjoy a book or a movie that stretches my imagination, makes me think, or challenges my conscience. I like that kind of book or movie best when times are good and I’m feeling resilient, when I have some energy left over from dealing with my day. When it’s been a tough week, I want a roller-coaster action ride or a funny romp that doesn’t take a lot of heavy lifting. I want to escape. I think there’s room out there for both types of books and movies, not only in the marketplace, but on readers’ shelves.

When I write my Chronicles of the Necromancer series, I want to give my readers a fantastic thrill ride. First and foremost, I want to give them a great escape from whatever’s got them down. Now for those who read carefully and are looking for it, there are some deeper thoughts slipped in between the sword fights, and some insights, perspectives and comments reflecting my own world view if you know where to look for them. So if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s there, or you can blow right by it and ride the coaster.

With the current downturn, I think people have also re-evaluated how they spend their entertainment dollars. A movie in an urban area will cost you at least eight dollars, plus drink and popcorn, and it only lasts about two hours. Sporting events and live theater, even at your local high school, cost at least as much or more. On the other hand, a good book will last even a fast reader a whole evening, maybe longer, and you can read it again for free. That’s a lot of entertainment for an eight dollar paperback!

So indulge. If reading a romance or a fantasy adventure gets you past all the bad news on the TV, the bills in the mailbox and the baby with colic, then read on. Don’t worry about whether it’s “significant.” Just enjoy. And to the experts and reviewers who who insist that everything be world-changing and gestalt-altering, mind-blowing content: relax. Just ask yourself, what would Fred and Ginger do? They’d keep on dancing. So dance on.

Gail Z. Martin, is the author of the Chronicles of the Necromancer series published by Solaris Books. Be on the lookout for an upcoming giveaway featuring Martin's latest book, Dark Lady's Chosen!

"Gentoo" concept car

This concept car, we will try to stare to car. But, do not be like car but, it seem an egg more than and see once more be like vacuum cleaner

The "Gentoo" concept car takes its form inspiration from the Gentoo penguin, a cute and lovely and environmentally friendly little thing. The idea of this car is just that, to be cute, to be really nice to look at, and to be nice to the environment: the Gentoo uses no fossil fuels at all.

The Gentoo also uses self-balancing technology and is powered by lithium battery technology. Ensuring that it’s a green machine.

Designer: C.Rameshkanth



If you liked this vehicle, you would also be interested in:
www.yankodesign.com

Giveaway....

I've got some books I've been meaning to get up for giveaway, so no time like the present right? Right now I've got a copy of "Your Hate Mail Will be Graded" by John Scalzi up for grabs. Head over to my giveaway page and CHECK IT OUT.

Book Review – The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen by Delia Sherman

This Middle-Grade level book is a sequel to Delia Sherman’s Changeling, but from my own experience with this second book – it’s not a requirement that you have read the first book to enjoy The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen. This book series is an Urban Fantasy for the younger set – the hidden fairy/mystical world hidden within our own, inhabited by creatures just beyond our own mortal perceptions. The main character of this series, Neef, is a Changeling (I assume able to manipulate her form in some way, though her power was never used in this book) who is also a mystical guardian of Central Park in New York City.

There are mystical guardians for neighborhoods all over New York City (and presumably all over the world) – and these guardians are all taught how to use their powers at Miss Van Loon’s School for Mortal Changelings. Neef begins attending classes for the first time at the beginning of this book, meeting new friends as well as school bullies and odd teachers. One of the major plot points are the hundreds of rules you must learn and abide by while attending school – how do the students work around those rules without getting into trouble (and winding up expelled).

On top of all that, something is wrong in Central Park - a Mermaid who lives in New York Harbor is magically attacking the park. She had a run-in with Neef in the previous book, and now that her Magic Mirror is missing, she blames Neef (and therefore is attacking her home). So, Neef needs to go on a quest to retrieve the Magic Mirror – but first that requires her to get a permission slip from the school – which is no easy task. But with the help of her friends, and even the conversion of a former bully into a new ally, Neef succeeds in making everything right again by the end of the book.

There are things that I really liked about this book, and then there were things that were just way too familiar. You can already probably see the parallels to Harry Potter in the descriptions of odd teachers and strange rules as well as odd quests. About the only thing that sets this part of the book apart from the Potter series is that this entire book only takes place in the first two months of the school year – with the finale taking place on Halloween. So conceivably any number of future books still might only take place during Neef’s first year at school.

On the other hand, I really liked the between world – this place that normal people can’t see, that exists parallel to our own. Sure even this has been used before, but often it’s little more than window dressing – here it’s a major part of the plot. That world is divided up and constantly in a state of forming alliances and adversaries – and those things affect the real world (plants that won’t grow or areas that wind up as ‘bad’ neighborhoods). And Neef is a little like Alice in Wonderland – she’s new to this world, so everything that’s odd to the reader is also odd to her – bridging the character to the reader, which is probably necessary in a middle-grade book.

Ultimately The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen isn’t terribly original, but it’s a very accessible book and an enjoyable read, even for an adult. I never thought the book talked down to its intended audience, and suspect it would be well liked by Middle-Grade readers. Unfortunately, there isn’t quite enough for me to recommend it to adult readers – you’ll find more interesting YA books for your taste elsewhere.

Mo-Du-Lo, Modular vehicle

This is an innovative concept that can travel stretchly, comfortably and friendly. Because, it is concept that make we can travel all right alone or many person all right. Which, this innovation calls that "Mo-Du-Lo"

The Mo-Du-Lo car, this name has the meaning from the word that the "Mo" that is a monocycle for individuals, the "Du" which is a four-wheel car with two monocycles and the "Lo" that combines many cars to form a train for support many person

The Mo is a pedal powered unicycle that you may detach from the car for short or intercity commutation. While the Du is a compact car for a couple, which runs on electrical energy generated in the central axis alongside the boot space. Incorporating the engines underneath wheel rims, the two-seater moves on hubless wheels that not only improves the visibility but also reduces the weight of the vehicle and allows easy access to the commuters

Moreover, the car is connected to the nets in the air, with an electrical cable, to power or recharge the batteries with the help of a GPS system. Whereas the Lo, which is ideal for long distance travel, connects a number of cars and unicycles to take its form that largely depends on the number of commuters.

Designers: Thierry Dumaine



If you liked this vehicle, you would also be interested in:
www.thedesignblog.org

Week 3 - Draft model (Project 1)

Week 2 - Mother's House Analysis (Project 1)

Book Review: "Shalador's Lady" by Anne Bishop

Over ten years ago Anne Bishop's first entry in the Black Jewels trilogy was released and many readers were captivated by her rich fantasy that cast Saetan, the High Lord of Hell, as a heroic character. But time has mellowed Bishop's characters and Shalador's Lady, the eighth book in Bishop's Black Jewels series, reads more like a Harlequin Romance than a dark fantasy.

The Black Jewels series is based on a unique mythology that uses familiar names from The Bible-- though they are given their own twist for this particular fantasy. The original series followed the story of Saetan, his sons Daemon and Lucivar, and Jaenelle-- the most powerful Queen to ever live-- also known as Witch. The society is caste based and much of the hierarchy is drawn from the jewels each witch or warlord wears in addition to their birth rank. The original trilogy was a dark, Gothic fantasy that could be both violent and romantic. But once the story reached its climax, it also lost most of its tension.

"Shalador's Lady," the eighth book in the series, is the second book the follow the story of Lady Cassidy; a light jeweled Queen who has been chosen to rule the land of Dena Nehele. Cassidy has never been a powerful Queen and suffered the abandonment of her first court due to the machinations of a younger, darker jeweled Queen. And though she has settled into a new life in Dena Nehele, she doesn't have the full support of Theran Greyhaven, the heir to the territory she currently rules. And when a former rival shows up unexpectedly, Cassidy is sure she will be abandoned by her court once again.

There isn't a lot of real excitement or drama to "Shalador's Lady." It's a sweet book with likable characters, but it's like a "light" version of the original series. Many of the same characters are brought back, including Saetan, Daemon and Jaenelle, but you get the feeling that they're really there for nostalgia's sake. In fact, the whole book seems to have been written for the fans, and perhaps the author, who are loathe to leave the world Bishop created. Most of the book is taken up with a series of minor misunderstandings and manufactured drama just so we can see Cassidy finally have her happy ending. It's fun to revisit old characters, but I miss the bite of the earlier books.