An especially amusing billboard coming from flickr, courtesy of kevinv033™, was found in Bristol, Pennsylvania. I’m almost tempted to call the number and ask for a new face.

The tagline “Wakeup with Makeup” isn’t exactly reassuring, but hey, I’m a guy. There is some truth in this billboard, though. According to NaturallyDahling, a site that sells gluten free makeup, some makeup contains scores of toxic ingredients that could wreak long-term havoc on your face. Talk about a new face!

So it was highlighted in the second Presidential Debate - to much fanfare of Senator John McCain - but what does the earmarked $3 million (it actually was $2.5 million to be fair) planetarium projector really look? Well, this is no boring transparency slide lightbox.  It’s a carefully engineered piece of quality optics, calibration, and beautiful, nerdy spacegasm.

The Carl Zeiss Universarium Model IX was the much-mentioned 3.5 mil earmark - and, had it passed and the funds provided, it would have given Chicago quite a view of the night sky. Apparently Science and Technology is not high on the Republic earmark agenda - I guess bridges to nowhere and toxic trailers for Hurricane Katrina victims are, though.

Look on the bright side. The economy ain’t so bad. There’s always a bull market somewhere!

Click on Image to See Larger Version.

Yes, it’s real, and yes, those are giant crows flying around a Barbie. I’m not making this up.

Truth is, this Barbie is for Mattel’s Black Label line, and it’s actually available as a 45th anniversary celebration of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. Toycite has the scoop.

And we thought the London bridges falling down was enough. Take a look at the rolling bridge! This London attraction crosses a small moat in Paddington Basin. The Bridge, which ingeniously curls into itself to move out of the way of oncoming boats, was designed by Thomas Heatherwick.

Obama’s speech rivited the crowd at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, but what exactly did he say? Thanks to the latest in interwebz technology, you cans see exactly what was said in terms of proportion, thanks to this wordcloud of obama’s speech. Check it: Promise is a big word. Surprised? I know I’m not.

Yes, American boors - a mint-choclate-chip-cheese actually does exist. And - according to some reports coming from our allies in the east Atlantic, the mint-flavored cheese is actually appetizing, or at least edible. Don’t forget! It expires December 15th… SHITE!

So this one-wheeled motorcycle - yes, one actually exists - was invented by 18-year old science geek, Ben J. Poss Gulak. It weighs in at about 120 lbs but packs a big wallop. Though it was recently featured at the National Motorcycle show in Toronto this year - and it also operates on a complicated gyro-stabilization system, much like the Segway - the Uno is far from being widely available.

One nice thing: To go forward you just lean in!

Uno. The bike recently turned heads at the 2008 National Motorcycle Show in Toronto, probably because no one could actually figure out what the hell it was. Rather than the usual front and back wheel configuration, the Uno uses two, side-by-side wheels, rear footpegs and a much smaller chassis.

[via: Motorcycle Mojo Magazine]

The coke bottle in this picture is not real. It’s not optical illusion, and the image is entirely flat - an airbrushed painting on the sidewalk. Incredible!

Three-dimensional coke bottle image courtesy RosalindHughes

Steam Powered Robot Detail
Originally uploaded by bbum

This is most excellent. If anybody here knows of the phenomenon of steampunk, then this little gadget will look familiar (or perhaps not?)

The steam powered centipede uses 2 Wilesco D49 Marine Double Piston Steam Engines and its fuel of choice is alcohol.

For more iformation, see Crabfu Steamworks.