The Friday Flush #12

The Friday Flush #12

   I'm excited for The Friday Flush #12, 'cuz I ran into some really cool stuff. The holidays in full swing, and it seems like everyone is busy, all the time. So it's nice to take a few minutes for ourselves and "flush" the system. See what I did there? Today we look at an artist who passed away too soon, see what it takes to make the best paper airplanes, and of course, random gadgetry coolness.

The Work of Zina Nicole Lahr
   I was combing the net, visiting some of my favorite sources for all things cool, when I stumbled across a video entitled The Work of Zina Nicole Lahr. It simply stated that she had passed away recent to the tribute video, and her work as an artist needed more attention. I started watching and wondered what kind of girl this was. Having an art degree, I'd spent plenty of time around people who were trying to hard to be outside the box and/or off the grid. I was worried that was what I was in for. I was wrong. Zina is her own person. It became clear that she is an icon unto herself. I was impressed with her vision, bravery, trueness to herself, and so on. There's a sweetness to her delivery and manner. I found myself sad that an artist and person of that caliber was lost so young. She's worth taking a look at. I found myself edified in several ways afterward. I wanted to create more, be more outward, and take more chances. I hope she gets more recognition.

The Paper Airplane Guy
   I've been making paper airplanes since I was a kid. I mean, what American boy doesn't follow that stereotype? The love and fascination of flight has dazzled the minds of children and the child in every adult forever. So when I found The Paper Airplane Guy, I was hooked. His videos are fun to watch by themselves. His tutorials to build the best paper airplane are a heaven sent, since the art form has taken root in our young family. With a second story banister that offers the perfect launching off point, we're all about flight these days. Luckily, the kids don't care how good they fly just yet, but I see that being a necessity in the near future. The paper airplane guy (John Collins) has a wonderfully enthusiastic way about him. He's excited about his craft and it comes across in his videos. I recommend them to whomever wants to have some fun with a past time of your childhood.

The Tronical Tune

   Okay, so gadgets are cool for a variety of reasons. One of the things we love about gadgets is usually the wow factor. With each new benchmark, we look to be impressed. When I saw the Tronical Tune in use, my jaw dropped. You can learn more from the company's site at tronical.com, but check out the first link, and tell me you didn't get a little giddy? Oh, what will they think of next? I had no idea this thing existed, mostly because I've not played guitar seriously for some time. Probably also because I'm not very good in the first place, but I digress. Gadgets are cool because they make our lives easier in some way, or do things in such a way that makes us look freaking cool just doing them! So it's worth checking out, even if just to say you did. 

   So there you have it. Another week, another dollar, another gray hair. We took some time to get to know a wonderful artist lost too young, learned how to make a paper airplane that soars, and learned we never have to tune our own guitar again. I'm sleeping in tomorrow, so don't come knocking and stay off my lawn. (wink 'n a smile)

J.

The Friday Flush #11

The Friday Flush #11

   At the end of another week, I'm actually quite thrilled to share some stuff for The Friday Flush #11. As time passes, hopefully I'm being productive, but for certain there are others who have been. These are some must see links, and I'm happy to pay it forward. In this flush we see a satirical look at our need for the latest gadgetry, see how the latest gadgetry can bring joy to others, and end with a pretty cool piece of gadgetry. Sound like a theme? It wasn't intended that way. 

iDiots
As an owner of the iPhone since the 1st generation, I've been a loyalist ever since. I've owned three Apple computers (4 if you include the old desktop my brother insisted we have back in the late 80's). There have been many parodies making fun of the "dyed in the wool" Apple fan, and I've thought most were down right funny. Occasionally my feathers were ruffled, but only because the point hit to close to the mark. I stumbled across the animated short called iDiots, by the crew at Big Lazy Robot VFX. The animation is so good, that I thought at first they had worked super hard with real windup robots. Not the case. Check it out. 

The Screen Machine

I really enjoy all things Scotland. Ever since Scooby-Doo's A Highland Fling with a Monstrous Thing, I was hooked. I spent some time in England, and found the Scottish to be fun people. So when anything good comes out of the land of the kilt, I'm all eyes and ears. In another Vimeo video named The Screen Machine, Scotland's mobile cinema makes its rounds to the islands of Coll and Tiree. The concept is cool, the technology whisks people away, and the recipients couldn't be more grateful. Like the wee lass says at the end, I'd love to get one of these to park on the side of my house. It'd be a party at The Cheeky House every weekend. 

The Copenhagen Wheel

Whoever thought you could reinvent the wheel? The folks at MIT have been working on the Copenhagen Wheel with the city of Copenhagen for a while and are close to bringing it to the masses. There is a motor, sensors, replaceable battery, embedded control system, and wireless connectivity. Yup, there's an app for that. The thing learns from your cycling habits and helps you when you need it most, kicking in at the right times to make you eco-friendly commute that much easier. After checking out the video, and understanding how the technology works, I'm wondering when I can get my hands on one of these. It would have made my time in England a lot more productive!

So there you have it. Gadgets for The Friday Flush #11. We've seen how we're a slave to the new, how we can embrace the new, and how the new can take us places we never knew we could go. All my best. 

J.