COOL NEWS

Slick Rick performs at SoundCTRL’s FlashFWD Awards during...

causehabits — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:25:29 -0400

Slick Rick performs at SoundCTRL’s FlashFWD Awards during Internet Week

DJ Will Arnett at the Internet Week closing party

causehabits — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:23:31 -0400

DJ Will Arnett at the Internet Week closing party

Monopoly: The Godfather Collector’s Edition Like Monopoly...

causehabits — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:02:00 -0400

Monopoly: The Godfather Collector’s Edition

Like Monopoly but bored of the straight-laced content? Ever wanted to whack someone but didn’t want to go to jail? Then Godfather Monopoly is for you. I’m Italian and I’m not offended by this. In fact, this is really awesome. I’m a big fan of the mini cannoli game piece. I mean, it’s a mini cannoli!

You can buy this amazing game for $40 here.

Make your opponent an offer for their property that they can’t refuse! Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the original Godfather movie! Enter the world of The Godfather Collector’s Edition of Monopoly, where you “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Buy, sell and trade your way through the most memorable locations from The Godfather movie trilogy. Buy a stake in Moe Green’s Casino or take over the Corleone Lake Tahoe Estate as you work your way to the top in the “family business.” And as you wheel and deal around the board, from the Woltz Mansion to the legitimate Genco Import Company, remember to “make them an offer they can’t refuse.” For ages 8 and up. Game is playable with 2 to 6 players. There are 6 collectible tokens include Horse’s Head, Dead Fish, Tommy Gun, Cannoli, Genco Olive Oil, and The Don’s Limo. Ages 8 and up.

Pantone Tootbrushes Ever notice how brushing your teeth can be...

causehabits — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:35:40 -0400

Pantone Tootbrushes

Ever notice how brushing your teeth can be so uneventful, and you never notice your toothbrush? You now can coordinate your bathroom with your main tooth apparatus in all your modernism glory.

You can buy a minimalist Pantone toothbrush for $14 here.

IKEA Cardboard Digital Camera IKEA is taking names and kicking...

causehabits — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:07:57 -0400

IKEA Cardboard Digital Camera

IKEA is taking names and kicking asses. First, a all-in-one sleek white modern TV set and console. Now, a low-cost digital camera made out of cardboard. While most people use their smartphones as digital cameras, the new IKEA camera could be really fun to be surprised as to what photos you’ve taken. We’re so used to instant gratification that we forget how much pleasure can be derived by waiting.

From ckck:

Seems like IKEA are really shaking things up this year. In addition to the previously announced TV set, they’re also going to release a digital camera made of cardboard called Knäppa (“Snap”). It’ll hold 40 photographs at a time and plugs directly into your USB port. While it’s not the prettiest camera the world has ever seen, I do love the idea of a screen-less digital camera that brings people back to the wait-and-see days of film.

The Recipe For Writing Success? Kill Your Characters “Of the...

causehabits — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:51:27 -0400

The Recipe For Writing Success? Kill Your Characters

“Of the handful of books that won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2011, all 13 novels had the common theme of putting to death main characters… it’s a lot like the plot of Will Ferrell’s Stranger Than Fiction… everyone knows the story won’t be as good without a solid death.”

Related: Roger Ebert on Writing

Source: kayfabe

The Brooklyn Nets logo “It looks like a Bentley.”...

causehabits — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:04:10 -0400

The Brooklyn Nets logo

“It looks like a Bentley.” That’s what my co-worker said when I asked her what she thought about the new Brooklyn Nets logo. Keeping that in mind it’s not that hard to imagine that Jay-Z created the new logo then. It’s just natural - hip hop, basketball, and expensive luxury cars just go hand-in-hand nowadays.

Jay-Z is a master at branding. I’m pretty sure he knew that the new logo was evoking Bentley when he created it. This way, regardless of how the team does, you’ll always have a sense that they’re a quality team because of the subliminal advertising of the logo. BOOM.

The new primary logo – created by Brooklyn’s own JAY Z – retains the shield from its previous iteration, and adds that iconic Brooklyn ‘B’ to the basketball that has been part of every logo since the franchise’s 1967 inception as the Americans. The Dodgers had their lettermark, and the Nets have added another model for the borough to bear. “Brooklyn,” of course, is spelled out below. Nets CEO Brett Yormark called this “the new badge for Brooklyn,” and JAY Z believes the design’s boldness demonstrates confidence in the new direction.

(via NETS: Brooklyn, Wait No More)

Crystal Head vodka Buy it for $48 here.

causehabits — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:32:03 -0400

Crystal Head vodka

Buy it for $48 here.

Death Cab For Cutie, backed by Magik Magik Orchestra at the...

causehabits — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:20:49 -0400

Death Cab For Cutie, backed by Magik Magik Orchestra at the Beacon Theatre, for my birthday, 4/29/12

Youth Lagoon at Beacon Theatre, for my birthday, 4/29/12

causehabits — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:48:54 -0400

Youth Lagoon at Beacon Theatre, for my birthday, 4/29/12

Photo

causehabits — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:55:44 -0400

The 2012 Forbes Fictional 15 Richest list Forbes has...

causehabits — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:19:22 -0400

The 2012 Forbes Fictional 15 Richest list

Forbes has instantaneously shot onto the cool list with their 2012 list of the 15 richest fictional characters. This shows that they don’t take themselves too seriously, actually get what people want and are interested in, and know the value of being able to make their product interesting.

Here’s a snippet of some of their amazing commentary:

It’s a great time to be imaginary. The characters that make up this year’s edition of the Forbes Fictional 15, our annual listing of fiction’s richest, boast an aggregate net worth of $209.5 billion. That’s up a stunning 59% from last year — and it’s enough cash to give $30 to every (real) person on the planet.

On top of the list is the ancient red-golden dragon Smaug, known by hobbits and dwarves across Middle Earth as “Smaug the Tremendous” and “Smaug the Unassessably Wealthy.” Smaug’s personal fortune jumped 16% from last year to $62 billion after wyrm watchers crafted a more detailed analysis of his massive hoard of coins, jewels and antiques.

Fiction’s second-richest character makes his first appearance on the list in 2012, and not without controversy. Diamond mining magnate Flintheart Glomgold (net worth $51.9 billion) stole the title of “World’s Richest Duck” from his arch nemesis (and former list member) Scrooge McDuck when the longtime rivals bet their entire fortunes on the results of an around the world race. Now penniless, McDuck is crying fowl: He says Glomgold cheated, hiring The Beagle Boys to kidnap his nephew Donald and Magica De Spell to ground his zeppelin. He’s sworn to recover his fortune.

Check out the list here.

MIT Plays Tetris on a Building This is just pure awesome. We...

causehabits — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:32:26 -0400

MIT Plays Tetris on a Building

This is just pure awesome. We need more people hacking buildings for fun and interesting things. Way to go MIT!

From Bostonino:

We all know the students at MIT love a good hack, but what’s better than playing a game while doing it? Last night, a team took over the side of MIT’s Green Building and turned it into a giant, playable, multi-color Tetris game.

Home of the Institute’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, the Green Building lends itself as an ideal grid for the game. According to the IHTFP Hack Gallery, “MIT hackers have long considered ‘Tetris on the Green Building’ to be the Holy Grail of hacks.”

The game started off by scrolling the word “Tetris,” and as the players moved on, the levels became progressively harder. The second level kicked off with more pale colors, while the third involved the colors shifting on-screen. Once someone lost the game, all of the blocks would fall to the bottom of the building. Just check out the cleverness for yourself.

The Drums at Webster Hall on 4/22/12

causehabits — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:19:18 -0400

The Drums at Webster Hall on 4/22/12

River Country, The Abandoned Disney Theme Park kayfabe happened...

causehabits — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:02:05 -0400

River Country, The Abandoned Disney Theme Park

kayfabe happened upon an interesting tidbit concerning abandoned amusement parks and, of all places, Disney. Our own love of abandoned parks was taken to a new level when one was prominently featured in Netflix’s Lillyhammer. Kay recounts what he found:

I heard about River Country after listening to episode 2 of FEaB and my love for all places abandoned (and theme parks) led me on a Google search. I found these two photo journals of the Disney waterpark that’s been closed since 2001.

It was described as an “old-fashioned swimming hole”. The original working title before being changed was “Pop’s Willow Grove” and featured a sandy bottom and unique water filtering system using confluent water from adjacent Bay Lake, which was dammed off creating a natural-looking man-made lagoon.

On FEoB, Matt Mira said that River Country was closed due to new laws where water can’t come in from a natural source, but I couldn’t find a definite answer.

There are several theories for the closing of River Country. Even though the park was popular during the hot summer months, the majority of the water was unheated. Because of this, River Country would often close for refurbishment in early fall when it became cooler or it would be closed during the middle of the week.

Rising admission prices and the addition of two larger water parks on Disney property may have made many visitors feel that River Country was no longer a good value for the price of a ticket compared to the limited number of things to do there. [source]

Regardless, River Country still exists albeit closed off. I imagine many people still sneak in, though. Especially after hearing this disturbing fact:

Reports suggest that music, plumbing, and electricity are still on within the abandoned park.

Color Forecast Predicts Color Trends in European Fashion Capitals

causehabits — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:18:02 -0400

Color Forecast shows what colors are trending in real time in the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan and Antwerp. High speed cameras are strategically placed in these cities and the color information is analyzed by software created by Pedro Miguel Cruz. Ad agency Happiness Brussels created the project for retail chain Pimkie.

…The cameras are connected to Mac Mini’s with color tracking software developed by Pedro Cruz…
The software analyzes the passing colors and shows in real time which colors are worn the most.
All colors are then compiled in nice infographics, so you can follow how the cities evolve and how trends change.

via Laughing Squid. Originally from Wired.

Private Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr show at the T-Mobile HTC One S...

causehabits — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:08:25 -0400

Private Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr show at the T-Mobile HTC One S launch party (Taken with Instagram at Catch)

Volkswagen Shuttles Around Manhattan For Kraftwerk’s MoMA...

causehabits — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:52:19 -0400

#VWFanTickets sign

Outside the VW shuttle

Inside the VW shuttle

#VWFanTickets live stream

Volkswagen Shuttles Around Manhattan For Kraftwerk’s MoMA Performances With #VWFanTickets

On April 13-15 from 7-11p, Volkswagen offered free rides anywhere in lower Manhattan to passersby at the corner of Houston & Bowery in front of the giant graffiti mural. Above it VW is projecting a live stream of their #VWFanTickets hashtag on Twitter. If you tweet that hashtag you were entered to win tickets to see Kraftwerk at MoMA. The reason that they were only doing shuttles until 11p is because they go up to MoMA to give rides to the people coming out of Kraftwerk.

This is an interesting way to provide a useful service onto a much hyped engagement. Note to companies: people always appreciate free rides, especially when unexpected. Looking forward to Volkswagen doing more unique engagements in NYC.

Tanlines at Bowery Ballroom 04-12-12

causehabits — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 23:20:12 -0400

Tanlines at Bowery Ballroom 04-12-12

In The Godfather Trilogy, the camera lingers over 20 times on...

causehabits — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:51:37 -0400

In The Godfather Trilogy, the camera lingers over 20 times on oranges. Some interpreted this presence as an indication of imminent death or danger for the character interacting with the fruit. “It started out as an accident”, said Coppola in DVD commentaries, “but once we realized we had used oranges so frequently in the first movie, we used them purposefully in the others.”
The saga ends with Michael dying, an orange in his hand. [x]