CaseMod Idea: iBoomBox

  1. Take an eighties-style boombox - a big ghetto blaster.
  2. Remove tape deck guts.
  3. Insert laptop guts.
  4. Use a big hard drive (like 120GB minimum).
  5. Shield the fuck out of those speakers.
  6. Replace tape deck front(s) with an LCD.
  7. Also put a laptop trackpad (or, cooler, an iPod click wheel) on the front.
  8. Do some outrageous software hacking.
  9. Optional/Add-ons:
    1. Replace FM antenna with WiFi.
    2. Add webcam to send shots of your mad breakdancing skillz back to a blog/Flickr. (Repeat #8)

Voila! iBoomBox!

Luck of the Oirish

Today our building management people set up some fun St. Paddy's Day fare in our lobby. (I know... Wrong day... I guess they have four buildings to entertain... Or something...) So, what yummy treats do you suppose they had for us? Well, I'll tell you!

  • GREEN shamrock cookies with GREEN sugar sprinkled on top!
  • Grapes – because they're GREEN!
  • Honeydew mellon chunks – because they're GREEN!
  • Kiwi bits – because they're GREEN!

That was the extent of the solid foodstuffs, but then there was a coice of beverages, as well:

  • St. Patty's Punch! White grape juice and 7-Up. That'll drive out the snakes! (It's not GREEN, though....)
  • Lime-aid! Because it's GREEN! It's limey! (Hey! That's not Irish!)

Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph it was a sad affair.

As an alternative, I shall be hoisting a Guinness or few (and playing my Songs of Bobby Burns disc — take that, ya bastards!) this Thursday.

The latest fitness trend to sweep the nation

One very odd word: Kettlebells

The kettlebell is a cast iron weight, which resembles a basketball with a handle. An ancient Russian exercise device, the kettlebell has long been a favorite in that country for those seeking a special edge in strength and endurance.

Leave it to the Russians... And I don't know if it's really sweeping the nation, but there have been fluff pieces in the news about them that seem to claim as much.

Strange thing is, it kind of sounds appealing to me. If they weren't so pricey I might get a starter kit.

Of course, the fact that one of my favorite boxers, Kostya Tszyu, trains with them is probably influencing my judgement. I'm such a fanboy sometimes.