In the news:

You gotta love that IndiGo Airlines, which will begin operations August 4th, already exists on Wikipedia while news links about the airline are dead.

Some people were surprised at the drunk driving Mel Gibson, and his hateful ways. Obviously they haven't been doing their homework.

For those who have yet to catch some of the virtual sites in SL here are a few highlights. All of locations can be easily found by the search function within SL.




Trinity College of Dublin, has a splendid SL site, complete with recreations of their historic buildings and a virtual campus. Since it was Sunday when I visited, I assume they were all in the Chapel building.




The question of language inside SL is an interesting one, and I am happy to report that it is possible to communicate in Japanese within SL. At the moment there is no translation, but if you can type in Japanese on your computer, you can mingle with people from all over the world. SL is currently expanding into Japan, Korea, and Europe. A Japanese Forum (above) is available in SL and online.




NASA videos can be seen at the above location, along with a star map (dome building).




USC Annenberg School of Communication has an interactive forum at the above location.

Everyone that knows me is tired of hearing about Second Life and its potential impact on the internet and the real world (First Life, they call it), but the writing is on the wall - squeezed in between the obsolesence of CDs and the glaring horror of Bush. Marketplace reports on American Apparel joining SL.

It's hard to conceive of a time when you might want to reminisce about those days in the Japanese school, spending 10 hours and then going to cram school, but Megahouse has got your back for that kink. Hey, they're not judging. Into tiny food? Rustic mountain village life? It's all there. Just don't ask for a plain brown wrapper.

Exciting developments in technology that mean at least five more hours of free time in your life? How can it be, you ask?

"Ultimate test for a robot: build an Ikea bookcase"

Also in the news:

Byzantine Port Found (1500 Years Old)

Los Angeles location shoots down 6 percent

Sometimes the cute is just unbearable.

Tabikappa, one of the millions of cute icons/toylines from Japan soon to meet up with equally cute friends (left) and induce squealing from those who find it equally unbearable. Just don't ask me to explain Kappa. The water always falls from my head and then things just get weird.

Meanwhile, Tunnelix, an ambitious presentation of the Tokyo underground features gorgeous photos of the world underneath.

For extra credit: Penguin Toy

Juices Fountain, that lovable jugoseria on Vine has found a new home at 1644 N. Wilcox Ave. (3 blocks West of Vine), with validated parking in the back.

For those of us who come to love the healthy fixings, and love to see an underdog survive eminent domain, this is truly great news.

So while the"2-Year Neanderthal Genome Project Launches," I can't help but notice that the bulk of Futurists are still using clip art on their web pages...

Robot Restaurant

The caption read, "A robot waiter (L) serves in the first Robot Restaurant in Hongkong opened on July 17,2006. Robots serve as waiters to take orders and give performances in this restaurant."

But I think "Deebeedeebee dee bee" is more appropriate.

Alcatraz, SF

Common street use, SF

Typical small step stairs, SF

Houses, SF

At the entrance of the Presidio, SF

Presidio, SF

Golden Gate, SF

Chrissie Field and fog, SF

Where the butcher used to be, SF
Once every meat was available on Grant - every meat

Russian Hill view, SF

Vintage espresso machine dealer, SF

Old money, SF

Coppola Building

Cafe Prague, the place to rest your feet after a tour of the Barbary.

Favorite Place #5: Great Star Theater, offering Chinese films and melon flavored soy.

Favorite Place #7: Delicious Dim Sum, one of the few places to get Lo Mai Bau

Toward the Bay Bridge, SF
(They're working on the new bridge)

San Francisco










Parallel parking









Alley off Pacific, SF

Talking urinals. Yup, the future is here alright.

Gizmodo, the ever entertaining site of gadgetry and trend, brings another guffaw with a write up of Robot3 R7. Worth the quick peek.

Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge









Opened last Wednesday, and looking good.











Tuna was wonderful...

By the way - wood is almost all original from the previous incarnation. Bar and patio in the back.

First the missile shield, now this. Will the escalation end before annihilation?

Krispy Kreme Preps Tokyo Move

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. awarded development rights for the greater Tokyo area to a Japanese joint venture company.

A group comprised of Revamp Corp., Lotte Co. Ltd. and the head of Lotte will establish about 40 Krispy Kreme sites in Tokyo during the next five years.

Lotte is Krispy Kreme's South Korean franchisee, the U.S. company said Wednesday in a statement.

The value of the development deal was not disclosed.

What you want is right here: Pretz dance practice






More takoyaki links: Akemi-Love,
Tako