toodlepip - Sam Michel's blog and other miscellany

The Funniest Chinese Menu Ever

Sam Michel — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:48:11 +0000

This made me laugh like a drain. I'm not sure it can be blamed on automatic translation. If you think it starts off amusing, just keep reading...

http://www.rahoi.com/2006/03/may--take-your-order/

Posted from Posterous via email from Sam Michel

Q-Bomb - How to Quit in Style

Sam Michel — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:04:48 +0000

via thechive.com

This is pure class. Although could possibly be an impediment to a future role...or perhaps not. Very funny.

Hat tip @JonnieJensen

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A Life in Polaroids

Sam Michel — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:55:43 +0000

via mentalfloss.com

Whilst battling my inbox, I spotted a tweet about a guy who took a picture every day with his Polaroid camera for 18 years.

What starts as interesting diversion into the corners of someone's day-to-day life, turns into a poignant and quite beautiful story.

The guy in question is Jamie Livingston and the pictures are available through this website.

No spoilers here...read the blog post and check out the original site.

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Rooftop Pool

Sam Michel — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:21:43 +0000

via mymodernmet.com

Taking rooftop pools to the next level...or in this case 55 levels up. Best to be a little careful with those kick turns, or make sure you wear one of those swimming outfits with built-in parachute.

Hat tip @Mazi.

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When Email Marketing Goes Bad

Sam Michel — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:08:17 +0000

via cracked.com

Not just 100 amusing (and rather filthy) email subject lines, also a lesson in what happens when automated marketing software goes awry. At the hands of porn and drug sellers. Don't say you weren't warned.

Read the full article on Cracked.com.

Hat tip @JakeHird for the tip.

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Internet Needs

Sam Michel — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:05:09 +0000

via pleated-jeans.com

Probably more true than most people would admit.

Hat tip: @MattMason.

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Photojournalism Alive & Well, Unlike Some of Its Subjects

Sam Michel — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:40:00 +0000

via boston.com

The traditional news business might be in all sorts of trouble, but The Big Picture series from the Boston Globe never fails to deliver.

I've not been to Pamplona for the bull running, and given this series am never likely to, but the incredible pictures really bring to life (and gruesome death) the colour and energy of the event.

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Facebook and the Russian Spy Ring

Sam Michel — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:50:09 +0000

via cbsnews.com

500m+ users? Yes, it appears everybody is on Facebook including spy #12, Alexey Karetnikov, in the Russian spy ring. Bet his 'friends' are more than a little nervous. Yet another reason to be cautious about accepting unsolicited friend requests!

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Live Tube Map: X-ray of London's Undeground

Sam Michel — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:30:13 +0000

Like an X-ray of London's underground system, the Live Tube Map from Matthew Somerville, uses a Google Map with a marker above every train on the system.

Watch for a while and feel the sympathy build (only a little given there's potentially a strike tomorrow) for the people who have to manage the traffic on the tube system.

It's also a brilliant and hopefully well-learned lesson in the benefits of opening up data so developers can get their mitts and imaginations to work on how it could be used. And if this is your bag, check out the events for the £5m Collaborative Metadata R&D Competition that I've been working on with the Creative Industries KTN.

Down in One. Massive Sink Hole in Guetamala City

Sam Michel — Mon, 31 May 2010 22:30:48 +0000

via gizmodo.com

It looks like an image straight out of Photoshop, but apparently it's not. I'm not sure if the four horsemen of the apocalypse just cantered past (I'm aware I'm probably confusing biblical bits). Certainly puts London potholes into perspective.

Posted from Posterous via web from Sam Michel